Autumn Paris Civilization Program
EUROPEAN CIVILIZATION IN PARIS

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.

   


Caroline Ouwerkerk, '09
Statue in the Jardin du Luxembourg
General Description:
The College’s Autumn Paris Civilization program, taught in English, is devoted to a study of the history of Europe with particular emphasis on France. At the core of this program is the three-course “European Civilization in Paris” sequence, compressed into the ten weeks of Autumn quarter. Program participants also take a French language course, which runs at a normal pace through the quarter and is designed to help students connect with French (and Parisian) culture. In addition to classroom instruction, the Autumn Paris Civilization program features a number of excursions to sites of considerable historic and cultural interest both within and in the vicinity of Paris. The French capital and its environs offer numerous opportunities to connect readings, discussions, and lectures with the surviving monuments of France’s past, and it is assumed that students will use their free time to explore this remarkable city apart from program-organized outings. 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 French) 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 (in the fourteenth arrondissement), the Cité offers easy access, by metro and bus, to all of Paris.


Averill Aubrey, '09
Sparrows in front of Notre Dame

      
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 a student's Chicago transcript.

Registration and Tuition:
Students 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 and Application:
    



The European Civilization in Paris 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. 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 the civilization sequence is taught in English, there is no language prerequisite, although students are encouraged to take French on campus before the program begins. 

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 English) 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.