Introduction to the Major
The Dutch Studies Programoffers a comprehensive education in Dutch language, literature, cultural history, and linguistics. Through a broad curriculum of English-taught courses, students study important cultural developments from the medieval towns in Flanders over the Dutch “Golden Age” and the Netherlands’ colonial expansion up to the contemporary multicultural, liberal, and European identity of the Low Countries.
Dutch Studies is a perfect complement for students pursuing a doctoral degree in fields such as History of Art, Southeast Asian Studies, Comparative Literature, German and/or Scandinavian Studies. A Dutch Studies major also offers other opportunities: both the Netherlands and Belgium are part of the top-10 foreign investors in the United States, and are the seat of many international organizations, such as the EU and NATO.
“I took three Dutch courses with Professor Jeroen Dewulf and Esmée van der Hoeven. Both...are wonderful professors that I felt I could ask for help at any moment, and can confidently say they expanded my knowledge beyond measure.”
- Sarah Russell-Cheung, Class of 2018
Additional Options
- Compose the Dutch Studies major according to your personal interests. There are no required courses for the major besides Dutch language courses, which makes it easier to add Dutch Studies as a double major
- Students who wish to specialize in Dutch Studies are encouraged to enroll in our introductory language course (DUTCH 1), upon which a specific program is elaborated according to the interests of each student.
- Already have an intended major but interested in Dutch Studies? Consider adding a Dutch Studies minor.
Amplify Your Major
- Explore the Low Countries in the Summer Abroad course DUTCH 177: The Amsterdam-Brussels Connection
- Apply for a FLAS award to support your language study.
- Practice speaking Dutch with your peers at the Dutch Studies Coffee Hour
- Check out the scholarly resources in Dutch Studies in the department library, Dutch Studies Collection, and Sluiter Collection.
First Year
Explore Your Major
-
Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
-
Familiarize yourself with major and college requirements.
-
Enroll in L&S 1 and HUM 10 (Compass Courses) and learn about study options in L&S and the Arts & Humanities.
Connect and Build Community
-
Get 1:1 mentoring from graduate students with Berkeley Connect.
-
Find study groups, tutoring, and academic support at the Student Learning Center.
-
Use the resources at the Berkeley Language Center.
Discover Your Passions
-
Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar or student-run DeCal course.
-
Visit the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarships.
-
Explore the Dutch Studies collections in the department library, Dutch Studies Collection, and Sluiter Collection.
Engage Locally and Globally
-
Attend the Calapalooza student activities fair and get involved with a student organization.
-
Find service opportunities through the Public Service Center.
-
Explore study, internship, and research abroad options in the Netherlands with Berkeley Study Abroad.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Visit Berkeley Career Engagement and the Career Counseling Library.
- Develop a plan for getting career ready
- Set up a Handshake account and sign up for CareerMail.
- Explore career fields in the Career Connections Networking Series.
Second Year
Explore Your Major
-
Complete the lower division prerequisite elementary Dutch language sequence and meet with the advisor to declare the major.
-
Review the major guidelines for study abroad.
-
Complement your major with a certificate, course thread, or summer minor.
Connect and Build Community
-
Join a student organization such as the Dutch Student Association at Berkeley.
-
Get to know professors and graduate student instructors during their office hours.
-
Come to the Dutch Studies Coffee Hour and practice speaking Dutch with your peers.
Discover Your Passions
-
Continue exploring with a Sophomore Seminar, Big Ideas Course or Discovery Course.
-
Assist faculty and graduate students in their research through URAP.
Engage Locally and Globally
-
Contribute to a community organization with an American Cultures Engaged Scholarship course.
-
Go on a service-learning trip with the Alternative Breaks Program.
-
Check out the Summer Abroad course DUTCH 177: The Amsterdam-Brussels Connection.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Discuss career options and goals with a Career Educator.
- Check out the Cal Job Shadow Program.
- Learn about graduate and professional school. See Step-by-Step for planning help.
- Think about doing an internship and attend an internship fair.
Third Year
Explore Your Major
- Focus on upper division requirements in Dutch language, literature, and culture courses.
- Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor.
- Ask your major advisor about the Dutch Studies honors program.
Connect and Build Community
- Explore resources of the BENELUX Program.
- Consider becoming a Golden Bear Orientation Leader and welcome new students to UC Berkeley.
- Work with peers and graduate students in HUM 196: Mentored-Research and Discovery Groups.
Discover Your Passions
- Apply for a FLAS award to support your language study.
- Planning a senior thesis or project? Apply to the Haas Scholars Program or SURF.
- Curious about entrepreneurship? Enroll in HUM120: Entrepreneurship for All.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Apply for a leadership position in your student organization.
- Experience life at another UC or college on a visitor and exchange program.
- Study and intern in Washington D.C. with UCDC or Cal in the Capital.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Learn about career fields and conduct informational interviews with people in those fields.
- Discuss graduate school options with advisors and professors.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Attend career and graduate school fairs.
Fourth Year
Explore Your Major
- Do a degree check to ensure you are on track to graduate.
- Complete any “bucket list” courses.
- Finish remaining major, college, and campus requirements.
Connect and Build Community
- Practice your language skills while helping others learn in the SLC Language Exchange Program.
- Get support for your thesis project in the Townsend Honors Thesis Workshop.
- Connect with alumni groups and build your network as you prepare to graduate.
Discover Your Passions
- Teach your own DeCal course.
- Undertake an optional honors thesis or independent study.
- Keep pursuing your interests through a fellowship or gap year after graduation.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Hone your leadership skills with the Peter E. Haas Public Service Leaders program.
- Explore service opportunities after graduation, such as Peace Corps, Teach for America, or U.S. Department of State.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Utilize job board tools in your job search.
- Ask professors and graduate student instructors for recommendation letters.
- Attend Employer Info Sessions and On-Campus Recruiting.
- Apply to jobs, graduate school, and other opportunities.
Jobs and Employers
- Diplomat
- International Relations Officer
- Journalist
- Museum Curator
- Translator
- Tutor
Graduate Programs
- Business
- Comparative Literature
- Elementary Education
- German
- History of Art
- International Relations
- Law
- Medicine
- Public Administration
- Public Health
- Scandinavian Studies
- Secondary Education
- Social Work
- Southeast Asian Studies
Examples gathered from the First Destination Survey of recent Berkeley graduates and department information.
Connect With Us
Cal Day
Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House in April for information sessions, campus tours, special talks, and more.
Golden Bear Orientation
Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation program for all new students.
Events
Attend department events with students, staff, and faculty. Visit dutch.berkeley.edu for news and updates.
Advising
Students can reach the Undergraduate Student Advisor in 5311 Dwinelle Hall or at germanic@berkeley.edu
How to Use this Map
Use this map to help plan and guide your experience at UC Berkeley, including academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities. Everyone’s Berkeley experience is different and activities in this map are suggestions. Always consult with your advisors whenever possible for new opportunities and updates.
