Basque Studies Gain Prominence at Sorbonne Nouvelle University

Sorbonne Nouvelle University will introduce a new curriculum from the 2025-2026 academic year, featuring Basque studies within the specialization 'Regional Languages and Cultures of the Iberian Peninsula.' This innovation was announced by Professor Teresa Larruzea. The 'Regional Languages and Cultures of the Iberian Peninsula' *mineure* (specialization) is funded by the Etxepare Basque Institute, the Ramon Llull Institute, and the Galician Xunta. It offers students pursuing degrees in Hispanic and Portuguese philology, as well as linguistics, a new academic avenue. "All subjects will be offered as electives to all university students," stated Teresa Larruzea, a lecturer in Basque studies at Sorbonne Nouvelle University. Sorbonne and Sorbonne Nouvelle universities have offered Basque language and culture courses for years, though previously as electives. "With this change, with the *mineure*, our subjects will become core, allowing for longer and deeper training," explained Larruzea, adding that this will give "Basque studies greater importance." Larruzea described it as a "win-win" situation, as the subjects become more important and greater significance is given to the Basque language. "It is clear that Basque is a minority language in both the French and Spanish states. Giving Basque studies new prominence and opening up a new space for the Basque language is the result of years of work by associations, foundations, activists, and an entire people," Larruzea summarized, linking the step to offer such training at the Parisian university to "awareness-raising." According to the professor, "From the perspective of linguists, Basque has always had a special interest as a non-Indo-European language, but attention has also been drawn to regional languages in many other areas in the French state, especially among the new generations." The *mineure*, which will account for 35% of the degree over three years, will offer courses in Basque, Catalan, and Galician. It will also cover the history, literature, and artistic expressions of these three nations. The courses will run throughout the degree. In the first year, there will be four compulsory subjects: history, literature, culture, and audiovisual art. "These will be transversal, as we will treat Basque, Catalan, and Galician together," specified Larruzea, who began teaching at Sorbonne Nouvelle University in 2021. In the remaining two years of the degree, there will be two compulsory subjects. "Students will be able to learn about the languages, history, literature, and artistic expressions of the Iberian Peninsula, expanding their knowledge of linguistic and cultural diversity, and thus better prepare for competitions such as CAPES and *Agregazioa*," added the professor. Furthermore, the new training, which will guarantee a stronger place for Basque, will "open up a wide field of research in comparative language and culture studies," concluded Teresa Larruzea.