Europe Program
Fall 2016 – Spring 2017 Course Descriptions
Students who are pursuing minors should consider the minor-related courses indicated with the
asterisk below in their academic planning/registration. The minor course requirements and their
respective category (Category A and/or Category B) can be found at http://liu.edu/Global/Academics.
Europe I: Spain (Fall Semester)
GEUR 301 Civilization, Politics & Contexts: Judaism, Christianity and Islam (3 units)
This course examines the historical and contemporary relationships among the civilizations shaped by
the three Abrahamic traditions. Students will come to understand the ways in which societies rooted in
the idea of divine law have been engaged in a changing process of dialogue, exchange, imitation,
friction and conflict. Through reading key texts and discussing key contexts, students will be able to
analyze the way in which these traditions of dialogue and conflict informs contemporary geopolitics.
*GEUR 303 European Politics: The Emergence of the Modern Nation State (3 units)
Minor: International Relations, Category A
The sovereign nation state, the basic building block of international relations and global governance, is
a product of European history. Despite much globalization rhetoric, states have shown tremendous
resilience in global politics. This course will examine the transition of the predominant forms of political
organization (polity) from kingdoms and empires to the modern nation state. This introductory course
will compare and contrast constitutional political and economic frameworks of selected European
countries in view of their domestic and international histories.
GEUR 304 Introduction to Spain (3 units)
The course will provide an overview of Spanish civilization and culture from ancient times to the
modern democratic state through various lenses, including architecture, art, literature, and music.
Students will survey Spanish culture in its many diverse representations, examining cultural
expressions in terms of their perceived universality and authenticity. Topics will be linked to questions
of politico-cultural identity in contemporary Spain.
*GEUR 311 Masters of Spanish Painting (3 units)
Minor: Arts & Communication, Category B
This course offers an overview of painting in Spain, tracing its development from the pre-historic period
to 20th Century Modernism. Placing this this general pictorial tradition in its political and cultural
context, the course also places specific emphasis on major figures in the tradition. Focusing
specifically on painters such as El Greco, Velazquez, Goya and Picasso, the course emphasizes the
central role of Spanish painting in the development of Modern European Art. The course includes
excursions to major collections in Madrid, including the Prado and the Reina Sofia Museum of Modern
Art.
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GEUR 312-314 Experiential Learning in a European Context (varying units)
This course accompanies the placement of students in internships or service learning contexts in LIU
Global’s European programs. Although the specific details will vary according to the organization with
which students are placed, all students undergo a formal process of preparation, documentation,
reflection and analysis as they plan and complete their experiential project. Students work closely with
their advisors to set goals, to articulate their projects’ relationship to their larger professional and
personal aspirations, and to document the outcomes of the experience in a graded written paper.
*GEUR 318 Understanding Europe: The Present and Future of the European Union (3 units)
Minor: International Relations, Category B
This course offers students a general introduction to the European Union, its structure, function, and
rights of citizenship. It concentrates specifically on the EU's historical and contemporary operation,
paying special attention to the integration of Spain into the union. This will include the study of how
Spanish has been transformed economically, politically, socially, and legally. The course will also
concentrate on the contemporary economic crisis and the perspectives and prospects for the future.
Language Course(s): Spanish
GEUR 222 Intermediate Spanish (3 units)
Spanish classes for intermediate students have the goals of improving oral and written communication
skills already acquired and learning about Spanish culture. To achieve these goals, students attend
class, complete
daily
assignments, participate
in
field
activities and interact daily with
Spanish-speaking people.
GEUR 322 Advanced Spanish (3 units)
Spanish classes for advanced students have the goals of improving specific oral and written
communication skills based on individual needs at the appropriate level. The students attend class,
complete daily assignments, participate in field activities, interact daily with Spanish-speaking people,
and read and write about Spain and Spanish culture.
*GEUR 323 Principles of Management (3 units)
Minor: Social Entrepreneurship, Category B
This class is designed for business students. The student will have the chance to learn the most
powerful tools used in business and use them preparing business plans. This course introduces and
builds an understanding of the functional business areas such as managing employees, business
strategies, decision making, organization design and leadership. Trough out the course, there will be
several cases and presentations of business plans; thanks to them students will improve their
communication skills, and will learn how important teamwork is for an entrepreneur or a manager in a
company.
*GEUR 324 Business Finance (3 units)
Minor: Social Entrepreneurship, Category B
The course presents the major elements of business finance, such as financial statement
analysis/evaluation, discounted cash flow calculations, the cost of capital the different alternatives to
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valuate stocks (DCF and Others). After completing this course, the student should be equipped with
fundamental financial management knowledge and analytical skills to think like a business
owner/investor. One key concept: Business Finance is about investing.
*GEUR 325 Principles of Marketing (3 units)
Minor: Social Entrepreneurship, Category B
-ORMinor: Arts & Communication, Category B
This course will be organized in 4 modules that will introduce you to the field of marketing. Specifically,
the course objectives are: Module 1: Marketing basics As an introduction for the whole course this
module tries to show the importance of marketing in the corporations’ context, presenting the core
elements of a successful marketing strategy, and bringing in other elements that have to be taken into
consideration in order to sharpen the corporation positioning. Module 2: Marketing research Marketing
research being the base of an effective marketing strategy, students will be taught about the
importance of building up a solid segmentation aligned with the corporation goals and its importance in
the short and mid-term strategy, the marketing plan. Module 3: Value proposition Students will be
introduced to the concept of the value proposition and its main five elements. Module 4: New
technologies and the social media This module will approach corporations’ digital opportunities from
the marketing perspective and how they are called to make the most of them.
GEUR 381-384 Independent Study (varying units)
Approval must be granted for independent study courses
As at all LIU Global programs, students are able will be able to explore their own interests through
undertaking independent research. This independent work will be facilitated through self-directed
fieldwork or library research, overseen by a student’s academic advisor.
GNYC 270 Approaching Answers: Bibliographic Research (3 units)
This bibliographic research course reinforces and builds on the academic reading, writing, and textual
research skills introduced during the freshman year. Organized around a set of topics and readings
identified by the instructor that are specifically relevant to the center or program at which the course is
taught, students conduct advanced library and database searches, evaluate and closely read the texts
that they have located, and engage and synthesize ideas contained in those texts. Students learn to
develop extended annotated bibliographies and write literature reviews; they also learn to incorporate
instructor and peer feedback as they revise, edit, and proofread their final projects.
GNYC 408 Studies in World Languages (2 or 3 units)
This course facilitates the study of languages specifically relevant to the site of the URIS field work.
The syllabus and course requirements are designed in collaboration with an institutional partner or a
faculty member and approved by the students’ advisor and the Director of Undergraduate Research.
GNYC 409 Classical Theories and Contemporary Issues in International Relations
This blended online course critically examines classical theories and frameworks for understanding the
international political system. It addresses specifically the ways in which the end of the Cold War, the
Fall of the Soviet Union, the legacy of colonialism and the rise of non-state actors have challenged the
traditional accounts of power and global politics. The course will begin by introducing students to the
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classical debates in International Relations: the basic units of analysis, the utility and legitimacy of the
use of force, the balance of power, the nature of threats to peace and stability and the role of
international institutions, etc. It then questions the utility of these theories for making sense of
contemporary issues such as ethno/religious conflict, genocide (and other mass atrocities), the origins
and consequences of terrorism, threats to global health, and the persistence of poverty and global
inequality.
Europe II: Italy (Spring Semester)
*GEUR 300 Comparative Politics and the European Ideal: National Governments and the
European Union (3 units)
Minor: International Relations, Category A
This course provides an overview of the comparative politics of postwar Europe. It focuses on the
relationships between national political systems, on the one hand, and the ideals, aspirations, and
interests represented by the European Union (EU), on the other. It examines national constitutional
arrangements that emerged in the postwar era and the ways that party politics in representative
nations shape contemporary political debates, and the post-national ideals embodied in the European
Union. The European Union system is anchored in a European identity emerging from shared and
contested projects across generations. The course will also assess the role the Union plays in the
multipolar international system.
*GEUR 305 World Cinema (3 units)
Minor: Arts & Communication, Category B
This course presents an overview of contemporary films from around the world that explore issues and
dilemmas created by globalization (intercultural contact and conflict, immigration and social
displacement, environmental disaster, global finance, geopolitical conflict, etc.) The film list includes
works produced from several world regions: Europe, North America, Latin America, India, and China.
The course aims not only at examining and discussing the questions addressed by the films, but also
at providing the students with the instruments needed in order to analyze the films in a competent and
critical way. How does the film present the contemporary issue? Whose point of view is adopted? What
is the answer to the global issue that the film presents to the viewer?
*GEUR 306 Introduction to Web Design (3 units)
Minor: Arts & Communication, Category A
This course will provide students the opportunity to explore the World Wide Web as a creative medium
of visual communication. Students will learn design and technical skills using various new media
methods and technologies in a thorough examination of current web publishing standards, concepts,
and development tools. Topics covered in this course range from web design and development to
include Internet-based practices, screen-based publication formats, social media and digital
storytelling. Creative and investigative approaches to network driven concepts are encouraged
*GEUR 307 The Italian Renaissance (3 units)
Minor: Arts & Communication, Category B
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Working in the museums and public spaces of Florence, this course introduces students to the Italian
Renaissance. The Renaissance is a European phenomenon that marks a major shift in the ways in
which the European intelligentsia perceived their world. This new outlook was characterized by a
renewed interest in the nature of what it means to be human, examined through the lenses of classical
antiquity. Through the study of a broad range of painting and sculpture in Florence from the fourteenth
to the sixteenth centuries, the course will focus on the understanding the Renaissance through
exemplary works. The works will be discussed against the backdrop of in their social, artistic and
historical contexts, underscoring their continuing impact in the contemporary world.
*GEUR 309 Exploring Documentary Video (3 units)
Minor: Arts & Communication, Category A
This course introduces students to working with moving images. Using a short project format, students
will be guided through the basic elements of documentary filmmaking, learning the skills of research,
observation, storyboarding, composition, shooting, editing, etc. Students will each produce a 5-10
minute social documentary based on an approved topic growing from the research carried out in one of
the other Spring-semester Europe courses.
Language Course(s): Italian
GEUR 320 Conversational Italian (1 unit)
Conversational Italian introduces students to the basics of the Italian language. It orients them to the
basics in Italian, grammar, syntax, pronunciation and vocabulary. It emphasizes specifically students’
capacity to communicate orally.
GEUR 381-384 Independent Study (varying units)
Approval must be granted for independent study courses
As at all LIU Global programs, students are able will be able to explore their own interests through
undertaking independent research. This independent work will be facilitated through self-directed
fieldwork or library research, overseen by a student’s academic advisor.
GNYC 240 Sophomore Seminar (3 units)
The Sophomore Seminar guides students through an active in-depth exploration of a significant global
issue within a local context. Through engagement with relevant literature and structured field research
experience, students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the global issue as well as
research its manifestation in a specific local context. In addition to fieldwork, students will also be
oriented to international career pathways and have the opportunity to engage directly with
professionals working on the critical global issue. As students learn of various international career
paths, they will examine their own career aspirations and be introduced to leadership skills needed to
excel in their fields of interest.
GNYC 340 Junior Research Seminar (3 Units)
The Junior Research Seminar prepares students for an in-depth localized exploration of a significant
global issue of their choice during their senior International Research and Internship Semester.
Working closely with their instructor and peers, students will conduct a comprehensive review of the
relevant literature on their global issue and carefully design their own field research proposal, taking
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into account key elements of research methodology, design and ethics. In addition, students will also
survey international organizations working on the global issue of their choice and begin applying for
internships at some of these organizations. In the process of developing these applications, students
will receive both group and individual instruction on professional resume and cover letter writing as
well as interviewing skills.
*GNYC 406 Special Topics in Arts and Communications (2 or 3 units)
Minor: Arts & Communication, Category B
This course is an opportunity for students to explore specific topics in Arts and Communications. The
syllabus and course requirements are designed in collaboration with an institutional partner or a faculty
member and approved by the students’ advisor and the Director of Undergraduate Research.
GNYC 408 Studies in World Languages (2 or 3 units)
This course facilitates the study of languages specifically relevant to the site of the URIS field work.
The syllabus and course requirements are designed in collaboration with an institutional partner or a
faculty member and approved by the students’ advisor and the Director of Undergraduate Research.
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