Winter Paris Program
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.
The University of Chicago's winter-quarter International Studies program
in Paris provides students with an opportunity to consider contemporary
global issues from an international and regional perspective. This program is designed for all students in the College.
Each student takes four courses, three required of all participants
and one from a group of electives. All instruction is in English. The
required courses are “UNESCO Seminar,” a European Union
course, and a French language course (“French in Paris”).
(Students who have completed French through the 20200 level will be
given the option of taking another elective instead of French if they
wish.) The UNESCO Seminar is organized around a set of lectures presented
by UNESCO personnel in Paris; they will deal with topics such as universal
primary education, clean water, cultural heritage in a globalizing world,
the ethics of science and technology, and the digital divide between
the developed and developing world. While the lectures will be open
to all students at the University of Chicago's Center in Paris, participants in the International
Studies program will meet before and after the presentations to discuss
the talks in the context of additional assigned readings.
The European
Union class, which will be taught at Dauphine University (University
of Paris IX), will deal with topical global issues from a European perspective.
The elective course is chosen from a
list of social sciences and economics courses offered to participants
in this program as well as the College's winter-quarter Social Sciences
program. Students have the option of substituting an independent study
course for the elective and indeed are encouraged to do so. The purpose
of the independent study course would be to complete on-sight BA thesis
research. Prior to departure, students who select this option must complete
a research proposal and identify a faculty advisor at the University
of Chicago to help plan and guide the research. Preference on applications
will be given to students who have taken one or both of the International
Studies core courses. The academic and administrative home of the Paris
Social Sciences program is the University of Chicago's Center in Paris, a facility comprising classrooms, offices, and
computers and designed to provide a supportive environment for Chicago
students and faculty in Paris.
As a participant in the Paris International Studies program you 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.
You receive one credit (equals 100 units or one course) for each of the four courses you take in this program. The non-language courses have all been approved for inclusion into the international studies major at Chicago. Courses may be used in another major subject to the specific approval of the chair. Courses not falling into any major or major requirement may be used as free electives. Course titles, units of credit, and grades are placed on your Chicago transcript.
You remain registered full-time in the College and pay regular College tuition, the Winter 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.
You retain your 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 you cannot be expected to work part-time while in Paris, the self-help component of your financial aid package does not include a term-time employment factor.
The Paris International Studies program is designed for undergraduate students in good standing who are beyond their first year in the College. While the program stipulates no minimum grade-point average, you should present a transcript demonstrating that you are a serious student who will make the most of this opportunity. While previous French is not a prerequisite for the Winter Paris program, you are encouraged to take as much French as possible before the beginning of the program. All students who have not completed through French 202 will be required to take a French language class.
Applications are available on the study abroad website. To apply to the Paris International Studies program, a student submits a general study abroad application electronically, then downloads the supplementary application specific to this program and submits it on paper, normally in mid-winter quarter of the previous academic year.
A student accepting an offer of admission is expected to secure his or her place with a $500 non-refundable study abroad administrative fee. (To begin the application process, click on the Study Abroad General Application.)
If you would like to discuss the Winter Paris International Studies program and the possibility
of participating in it, you are invited to contact Sarah Walter (Harper 207A; 834-3753; scw@uchicago.edu).
Statements contained on this site are subject
to change without notice.
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