Course at a Glance
Course: HIST 218J (1 Credit)
Location: Belgium and Luxembourg
When: 10-23 December 2025
On-Site: Belgium and Luxembourg
Register By: 26 November 2025
Status: OPEN
Highlights
- La Roche Museum
- Siegfried Line and the initial point of the German artillery barrage
- Follow the route of the 6th Panzer Army
- Infamous Kampfgruppe Peiper who aimed to seize the bridges on the Meuse River
- Site of the Malmedy Massacre (17 December 1944)
- Village of Foy
- Foxholes of the Bois Jacques
Tuition and Fees
- $750.00 Undergraduate 3-credit hour tuition cost
- $250.00 Field Study Additional Fee includes: (museum/ticket fees, private tours, excursions, or other events organized by the faculty). Not included: meals, transportation to and from the location, and hotel accommodation. Please note that the fee is subject to change based on potential increases in ticket prices.
The Battle of the Bulge was the finale of the 1944 Western European campaign. Learn more in this field study program at UMGC Europe.
The Battle of the Bulge was fought from December 1944 to January 1945. This battle was the finale of the 1944 Western European campaign and the last major offensive of Nazi Germany. Because of its significance, the "Bulge" can be viewed as a vital signpost event in European and military history. You will learn about this significant episode using maps of strategic movements, Army organizational charts, and slides illustrating the equipment of the period. A course highlight is a day bus tour to the battlefield regions in Luxembourg and Belgium, as well as visits to several battlefield museums.
Topics include:
- The role of Ardennes Campaign of 1944-1945 (commonly known as the Battle of the Bulge) for the outcome of World War II
- The importance of terrain and weather on the battlefield
- The role of specific weapons systems and equipment, along with strategic movement, organization, and leadership
- The role of war crimes, including crimes perpetrated against both prisoners of war and civilians
Faculty member: Dr. Michael Mulvey, email michael.mulvey@faculty.umgc.edu
Students should consult an academic advisor to determine how the course fits into their program.
Course Details
Pre-Course & Week 1
You will gain access to the online LEO classroom approximately one week before the start of the course. The official course start date is 10 December 2025. Once you gain access to the classroom, take a virtual walk-through of the course, begin reading assignments, and review the on-site itinerary.
On-Site in Belgium and Luxembourg: 13-14 December
Sample Itinerary (Final confirmed itinerary will be available in the course syllabus)
- Travel to Belgium-German border villages and towns into Luxembourg
- German defensive line known as the Siegfried Line and the initial point of the German artillery barrage.
- Follow the route of the 6th Panzer Army and the infamous Kampfgruppe Peiper
- A stop at the site of the Malmedy Massacre (17 December 1944)
- Waffen-SS execution of U.S. POWS
- A stop at the La Roche Museum of the Battle of the Ardennes
- Lunch
- Village of Foy and the foxholes of the Bois Jacques.
- Bastogne for the Mardasson Memorial and Bastogne War Museum/Bastogne Barracks.
- Visit to the Luxembourg American Cemetery and the Sandweiler German Cemetery.
Textbooks and Course Materials
Please refer to the current course syllabus found on the schedule for details about course materials.
Registration Details
You may register for this 1-3-credit field study course with your local program coordinator or online through MyUMGC. Tuition assistance or financial aid can be applied toward tuition costs. For more information, contact the UMGC Europe Field Study Office at CIV +49-(0)631-534-800, or email fieldstudies-europe@umgc.edu.
Before completing your travel plans, please verify with your local program coordinator or email fieldstudies-europe@umgc.edu, that the course will be held as scheduled. If you drop/withdraw from a field study course after the registration deadline, you will be charged a fee of $100. A one-credit hour field study will be charged the amount equal to the pre-purchased tickets. Please see the additional field study fee.
How is a field study course different from a regular course?
A field study course packs all of the 48 contact-hours of other courses into adventure-filled days on location, so you can earn one to three credits at an accelerated pace. In addition, rather than taking place in an education center, a field study course takes place in a historical European city where the subject being studied has its roots. You will visit historical sites and museums as well as participate in lectures that bring it all together for a one-of-a-kind learning experience.
For more information, please visit the Field Study Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page.
Helpful Hints
Before you leave:
- Contact your travel agency concerning insurance coverage for cancellations.
- Contact your health insurance company for information concerning coverage at your destination.
- Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs of your destination country.
- Check the weather forecast for your destination.
- Obtain city maps for your destination.
- Leave contact information with people at home who may need to reach you during the course.
- Make sure your legal affairs are in order and leave a short-term power of attorney with someone you trust.
- Make two photocopies of your passport and the contents of your wallet--leave one copy at home and bring the other with you.
For more information, please visit the Field Study Resources page.