Autumn Paris Civilization Program
EUROPEAN CIVILIZATION IN PARIS (in French)

Please note: Study abroad programs sponsored by the undergraduate College of the University of Chicago are open to University of Chicago students only. Applications from outside the University are not accepted.

General Description:
      


Mère-Lachaise
Johanna Magin '08
The core element of the College’s Francophone Civilization program in Paris is a three-course "Civilisation Européenne" sequence, compressed into the ten weeks of Autumn quarter and devoted to the history of Europe (with some emphasis on France ). The distinctive feature of this civilization sequence is that all classroom discussions and readings are in French. In addition to the sequence, program participants also take a French language course, pitched at an advanced level and running at a normal pace through the quarter. This program thus embodies a wedding of elements from Chicago's civilization-based and language immersion programs. For the student with sufficient French language preparation (see "Eligibility" below), it represents a valuable opportunity both to study European history and culture intensively and to hone language skills. The civilization sequence is enhanced by a number of excursions to sites of historic and cultural interest both within and in the vicinity of Paris. The French capital itself offers numerous opportunities to connect readings and lectures with the surviving monuments of France’s history and artistic patrimony, and it is assumed that students will go beyond program-organized outings in exploring this remarkable city. For a virtual tour of Paris, visit http://paris.arounder.com/.
Please note: This civilization program is one of four such programs offered in Paris by the College. A European Civilizations program in Paris (in English) is also offered in the Autumn-quarter. The two other European Civilizations programs (in English) are offered Spring-quarter and Winter-quarter.

Center in Paris:
Headquarters for all of the College's programs in Paris is the University of Chicago’s Center in Paris. The Center in Paris builds upon the University's long association with various Parisian institutions, as well as its eminence, recognized by the French government, in interdisciplinary scholarship related to France. It acts as a gathering place for undergraduates, graduate researchers, and alumni, as well as a site for lectures, conferences, and receptions. For participants in the various programs sponsored by the College in Paris, the Center, with its classrooms, offices, computers, language lab, and (modest) library, provides an administrative and instructional home as well as a supportive environment. Its location, in a "new," academically-oriented neighborhood in the thirteenth arrondissement, places it within easy walking distance of the relocated Bibliothèque Nationale de France, François Mitterand and just across the street from the new home of the Université Denis Diderot.

Housing:
Participants in the Autumn Paris Civilization program will live in one of the residence halls of the Cité Internationale Universitaire, a campus-like assemblage of houses for international students. In addition to its various national residences, the Cité comprises a library, restaurant (with adjoining cafeteria) and several sports and exercise facilities. Located at the southern edge of Paris (the fourteenth arrondissement), the Cité offers easy access, by metro and bus, to all of Paris.


Rugby World Cup 2007 at Hôtel de Ville
Vivian Tien '09

      
Credits:
Students receive three credits for the civilization sequence, which meets the College’s civilization requirement, and one credit for the French language course. If students have already met the civilization requirement they may use these credits as electives. Course titles, units of credit, and grades are placed on their Chicago transcript.

Registration and Tuition:
Participants in this program remain registered full-time in the College and pay regular College tuition, the Autumn Paris program fee and the non-refundable study abroad administrative fee required of all participants in Chicago's programs abroad. For precise figures, see Study Abroad Program Fees.

Financial Aid:
Students retain their financial aid eligibility. However, two expenses—the study abroad administrative fee and the round-trip airfare to Paris —are not underwritten by College Financial Aid. On the other hand, since students cannot be expected to work part-time while in Paris, the self-help component of their financial aid package does not include a term-time employment factor.

    



Eligibility:
The European Civilization in Paris (in French) program is open to University of Chicago undergraduate students only. Applications from outside the University are not accepted.

The program is designed for undergraduates in good standing who are beyond their first year in the College. Because all work—lectures, discussions, readings and assignments—is conducted in French, applicants are expected to have taken, with excellent grades, at least two years of college-level French (French through 20300) or have comparable credit by examination by the beginning of the program. Students with questions about their French preparation should contact Claude Grangier, the French Language Coordinator.

This minimum prerequisite aside, applicants are strongly encouraged to take French language courses beyond the second-year level; indeed most participants will have had one or more courses at the advanced level. In some cases, an offer of admission to this program is made contingent upon summer language work or participation in the French Language Pre-session. While the program stipulates no minimum grade-point average, an applicant’s transcript should demonstrate that they are a serious student who will make the most of this opportunity.

Because of the considerable demand for the Chicago civilization programs abroad, no student may participate in more than one of these programs. Each application is examined on the basis of the student's scholastic record, personal statement and academic recommendation.

A student accepting an offer of admission is expected to secure his or her place with a non-refundable study abroad administrative fee.

Further Information:
If you would like to discuss the Autumn Paris Civilization program (in French) and the possibility of participating in it, you are invited to contact Sarah Walter (Harper 207A; 834-3753).

Statements contained on this site are subject to change without notice.