Important Links
- Discussion of the benefits and drawbacks of the US and European degree options.
- Discussion of the language requirements for the TAM program.
TAM is an intensive degree program offered by a number of different universities in the US and Europe. The academic themes of TAM track I’s interdisciplinary program are the policy, politics, and society of the transatlantic region. The research-oriented track of TAM (TAM track II) focuses on European governance.
Both TAM tracks offer two different degree options to students. There are unique advantages and disadvantages inherent to both the US and European degree options. For instance, US nationals should be aware that choosing a degree from a European university renders them ineligible for Federal Stafford loans.
For a more complete discussion of the benefits and drawbacks of each degree option, read this degree option summary, or contact our Associate Director, Sarah Hutchison, via email (tam@unc.edu) or by calling 919.962.4507.
Description of the academic program for TAM I:
The two academic years are divided into five intensive study modules. After attending the core module and US national module at UNC from August to December, students choose to attend one additional (minimum) site or up to a maximum of two additional universities in Europe to complete the remaining modules: Specialist Module I, Specialist Module II, and the Thesis Module. Your choice of module sites is contingent upon your language abilities as well as academic interests. Students must complete the Specialist II module at the same site where they will be enrolled for the thesis module.
Students must demonstrate proficiency in the language of any given site before making plans to attend courses there. See language requirements. All courses of study are contingent upon the availability of spaces and the approval of the individual sites.
Exact dates for the European modules vary from year to year, depending on vacation schedules that change annually. Dates will vary somewhat across sites. Modules will each be approximately 15 weeks in duration.
August-December 2010 |
UNC-Chapel Hill (compulsory) |
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Spring semester 2011 |
Bath, Berlin, Paris, Prague |
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Fall semester 2011 |
Bath, Berlin, Madrid, Paris, Siena |
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Spring semester 2012 |
Bath, Berlin, Madrid, Paris, Siena |
Core and National Modules, UNC Chapel Hill, August to December
(compulsory)
The Core and US National modules, taught at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from August to December, provide all students in the program with a common knowledge base in European and US politics, policy, and society before they undertake individualized programs of study in Europe. The UNC classes focus on such topics as Comparative Political Economy: the EU; Politics and Culture in the TransAtlantic Relationship; and Comparative Welfare States. In addition, students select one course of their choice from such departments as Geography, Journalism/Mass Communications, Economics, and History. Finally, all students attend a Friday lecture series. A trip to DC takes place during the fall break.
Specialist Module I, February/March to May/June
(selected by student)
After a winter break, students resume the program in February / March with Specialist Module I. This module will be offered at four EAUC sites: Bath, Berlin, Paris, and Prague.
The content information below may be subject to change. Please check back for updated information. *We cannot guarantee placement at any particular site due to yearly fluctuations in the number of seats available.
BATH
The Specialist Module I at Bath University will be called "Global Europe: Roles and Comparisons." This module will have a strong IR focus. Courses may include: Europe in Global Politics, European Political Economy, Organized Crime in Europe, The Politics of Migration, The Politics of Sustainability, Britain and Europe, and Norms in International Relations, The European Union’s Common Foreign and Security and Defense Policy, International Security: The Contemporary Agenda, and The Theory and Practice of Arms Control.
BERLIN
In Berlin TAM I students will begin in February with a pre-semester mini-module. They will have the option to take German-language classes as well as a workshop on research design and methods in political science and a thematic Colloquium. Humboldt and Free Universities will offer a Specialist I module called "Democratic Government in Europe." Courses may include: Comparative European Government, Facets of Europeanization, and Europe’s Borders and Neighbours. This module is offered in German. Please note that some of the coursework during this module will be offered in English.
MADRID
The Specialist Module II in Madrid focuses on social and cultural change in the South of Europe. It is divided into two main units. The first one looks at the general frame of change in Europe, with particular attention to the South, while the second one’s topic is based on changes led by women, that is to say, the path towards gender equality. This piece is divided into four sub-units, all of them looking at specific sides of women’s new roles in Europe. University Carlos III is the module’s base camp although some of the sub-units’ theoretical sessions may be given outside (sub-unit 2.2., for instance, will be taught at the Ministry of Defence).
PARIS
The Specialist Module I at S-P will take as its title "The Politics and Policies of the EU." Course titles include: The Political System of France, The European Union and the Question of Democracy, Minorities in Europe, and The Dynamic of European Society in the 20th Century. Students who opt to study at S-P must be prepared to meet the French-language proficiency and admissions standards set by that institution. Please see the Application Forms section for more information.
PRAGUE
Specialist Module I will be taught in English at Charles University and will be called “Central Europe in the European Union – Transformation and Transition.” The module will be comprised of several units with titles such as: The EU Enlarged and Transformed, The Politics and Society of CEE Countries, and The Political System of the Czech Republic. Students may also have the option to take Czech language classes.
Specialist Module II, September/October, 2010 to January/February, 2011
(selected by student)
Specialist II modules are typically taught in the language of the host site. Students will frequently use the coursework of this module to begin specializing for the masters thesis and will stay at the same site to write the thesis in the summer. The following topics are subject to change. Please check the website for updates.
BATH
Specialist Module II’s main emphasis at the University of Bath will be on the issue of security and will be called "European Perspectives on Security". Since the end of the Cold War, the concept of security has been increasingly broadly defined. The Bath Specialist II Module will include such courses as European Security, International Terrorism, From International to Global Political Economy, Power, Order and Institutions in World Politics, and IR Theories.
BERLIN
The Berlin site will begin with a mini-module in September. This mini-module will offer students the chance to study German and to take a workshop on research design and methods in political science as well as a thematic Colloquium. Berlin’s Specialist Module II is called “Democratisation and Political Change”. Course titles include: Facets of Europeanisation, Foreign and Security Policy in Europe, and Democracy and Democratisation in Europe. Please note that some of the coursework during this module will be offered in English.
PARIS
This module in Paris offers courses with such titles as: Politics of the European Union, Theories of European Lobbying, and Foreign Policy of the European Union. Students who opt to study at S-P must be prepared to meet the French-language proficiency and admissions standards set by that institution. Please see the Application Forms section for more information.
SIENA
The Siena’s Specialist Module II, "From National to Global: Changing Perspectives on a Changing World”, examines issues which derive from the particular pressures to which Italy is subject. Course titles may include: National Perspectives: Italy, Europe and the EU, European Perspectives: Migration, Culture, Markets, and Europe in Global Perspective. This module is taught in Italian.
Thesis module, February to May
(selected by student)
This module may be completed in: Bath, Berlin, Madrid, Paris, or Siena.
In the concluding module of the program, after successful completion of previous requirements, students will write and defend a masters thesis of approximately 15,000 words. The thesis is usually written in the language of the university to which it is submitted, which is also the university which will award the masters degree. *Note: Students complete their Specialist and Thesis Modules at the same European site; however, students are usually given the flexibility to travel and/or relocate as they work independently during the thesis module. Please also note that UNC and European site thesis completion dates may differ.
*Disclaimer: Module content is controlled by member sites and is subject to change due to faculty involvement.
Description of the academic years for TAM II:
The TAM research track is a two-year program. Students begin by studying for one full academic year at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. They then go on to complete a second year of study and research at the VU University Amsterdam or at the UNIVERSITAT POMPEU FABRA (UPF) in Barcelona. We expect the University of Bremen in Germany will also partner with TAM II in the near future. All classes will be offered in English. Coursework will focus on European governance, and there will be an emphasis on qualitative and quantitative research methods.
Students will pursue a 120-ECTS, MA-level program, "European Governance with a Comparative Focus." While at UNC-CH in the fall semester, students will take two required courses and two electives; they will also participate in the Speakers Series offered by the Center for European Studies. Courses will focus on such topics as comparative politics of industrial societies, comparative social policy, democratization, the European Union, and multilevel governance. During fall break, students will travel to Washington, DC for site visits and an annual TAM alumni / current student gathering. One required course and two electives will be offered in the Spring semester; one of these classes will be in research design/methods. UNC-CH coursework will again be offered in the Spring semester; some students may wish to pursue independent study projects with individual professors.
UNC's academic year ends in early May. Students will be encouraged to pursue academically relevant summer internships in DC or Brussels. Some internship guidance will be offered at the UNC site.
After the summer, coursework will resume overseas in late August or early September. At the VU University in Amsterdam, students can specialize in comparative politics/multilevel governance or in International Relations/transnational governance. The second semester will focus on thesis preparation and research design.