| ENGLISH | FRENCH | |
French History and Culture. Montpellier sits at a crossroads in French civilization, where the legacy of the Roman Empire gives way to the emergence of a well-defined French kingdom. As a stop for pilgrims on the route to Saint-Jacques de Compostelle, as a bastion of Protestantism during the Wars of Religion, and as a high place of learning during the Middle Ages, the city is a palimpsest of styles, eras, and contexts which relate the history and culture of France. The course brings alive the many historical figures and stories that have made France such a colorful nation, and the French such a charismatic people. Students visit a variety of historic sites and cultural institutions, listen to a number of guest speakers, become familiar with French ideas, and acquire a rich appreciation of the French, their country, and their culture. Back to top
International Law. This course introduces students to the basic institutions and principles of international law through a series of interactive classes, discussions, and group activities. Students explore such topics as sovereign independence, the dynamics of international alliance, commerce, war, the law of the sea, international dispute settlement, and human rights, as well as transnational cooperation, collective organization, and judicial authority. Students examine the justification for regime change and nation-building in a world in which the enforcement of international law is also the exertion of international power. Students look at such institutions as the United Nations, the WTO, and the International Criminal Court. The course concludes with mock trial exercises covering a variety of political and legal scenarios. Back to top
Medical Science. With the earliest and most renowned school of medicine in Europe, Montpellier is the ideal location in which to study the fundamentals of medical knowledge. By adopting a hands-on approach, the course encourages students to behave and think as future doctors and enables them to develop a good foundation of history-taking and clinical examination skills. It also raises students’ awareness of the ethical implications of modern medical practices such as euthanasia and human cloning, in addition to offering aforetaste of possible careers in medicine. Students acquire practical skills such as extracting DNA from living organisms and dissecting a sheep’s internal organs. Class activities include a visit to the Regional Center for Sports Medicine and reflection on medically-oriented TV shows and the extent to which they represent reality. Back to top
Philosophy. France has always been at the cutting edge of revolutions in ideas. Beginning with the paradigm shifting theories of Descartes and Pascal, moving on to the Enlightenment – Voltaire, Rousseau, and Diderot – and continuing to the 20th Century and such notable names as Sartre, Foucault, and Raymond Aron, this course examines the ideas and the lives of French philosophes as an introduction to the discipline of philosophy and its various branches (rationalism, empiricism, skepticism, existentialism, etc.). Discussions and debates focus on various issues in practical ethics, such as social justice, genetic engineering, and business ethics, as well as broader philosophical questions relating to art, education, religion, and politics. Back to top
Photography. In a city where the ancient past and the modern world are both vividly present, students record the visual riches and their exploration of French culture through digital photography. Students learn the basics of this art and gain experience in portraiture, landscape, and still photography. They visit numerous locations in order to build up a portfolio of their time in and around Montpellier. The course culminates in a photography exhibition in the final week. Students must bring their own digital cameras. Lab fee of $100 US for majors; $50 US for minors. Back to top
Studio Art. Under the direction of a
professional artist, students take advantage
of Montpellier’s stunning architecture,
spacious squares, and lush gardens
as they capture their surroundings in
pencil, charcoal, watercolor, and pastel.
Our students have access to numerous
galleries and art museums to feed
their inspiration and enthusiasm. The
class spends time exploring the works
of French masters, such as Courbet,
Delacroix, Corot, and others, at the
renowned Musée Fabre. They mount an
exhibition of their own compositions at
the end of the program and take home
an individual portfolio of their work.
Materials fee of $200 US for Majors;
$100 US for Minors. Back to top
The Future of Europe. At the crossroads of ancient history and modern innovation, Montpellier provides the ideal backdrop for this course which takes up a wide range of issues facing Europe today, including regional, national, and supranational identity; trade and commerce; the environment and natural resources; immigration and assimilation; and all manner of cultural conflict. Students think about, debate, and write about the pros and cons of globalization, the best ways to create sustainable growth, and the role of Europe in the international community as we look ahead. Back to top
French Language: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced. Favoring innovative and interactive teaching methods, our language courses cover elements of language and grammar with a heavy focus on conversational proficiency. Language learning is approached through the exploration of various cultural themes such as theater, cinema, gastronomy, music, regional cultures, and literature. A special emphasis is placed on exercises that bring students into contact with local natives. Students are evaluated on the first day of class and placed in a group of the appropriate level. Classes are taught entirely in French, so as to simulate an immersion environment and optimize students’ learning potential. Back to top
The following courses approach French learning through specific cultural themes – literature, philosophy, art history, political science, etc. – allowing students to gain in-depth knowledge in this one topic while at the same time perfecting their French. The focus is on advanced writing techniques as well as discussion and debate using more complex grammar skills. Students wishing to enroll in an immersion course must provide a writing sample in French and a letter of recommendation from a French teacher. For an English translation of any of these courses to show your parents, please call or email us.
L’Art et la ville/Art and the
City. Ce cours examine d’un point de
vue historique, sociologique, culturel,
et surtout artistique, le développement
de la ville européenne. En prenant en
compte les constructions architecturales,
l’urbanisme, et l’art public ainsi que la
représentation de la ville dans d’autres
formes d’art – sculpture, peinture,
photographie – Montpellier sert de
modèle parfait pour cette étude à travers
le temps – depuis le Moyen Age, en
passant par le classicisme, la Belle
Epoque, l’Art Nouveau, et jusqu’au
futurisme. Un projet sur le lieu préféré
de chaque étudiant dans la ville
complétera le cours. Back to top
L’Avant-garde/The Avant-Garde. En tentant de définir le statut de l’artiste et de l’avant-garde aujourd’hui, ce cours permet aux étudiants à la fois d’évaluer l’évolution de l’influence française sur la civilisation occidentale depuis le milieu du 19ème siècle et d’étudier l’univers français contemporain. Cette analyse s’effectue à travers les thèmes de l’art (peinture et sculpture), de la littérature, de l’architecture, de la mode et de la gastronomie. Les étudiants explorent ces domaines par le biais de confrences, de visites de musées ou d’ateliers (y compris une démonstration de cuisine) et d’exercices interactifs dans les différents quartiers de Montpellier. Supplément de $200 US pour la classe Majeure; $100 US pour la classe Mineure. Back to top
Cent ans de cinéma/One Hundred Years of Cinema. Ce cours a pour objectif d’introduire le cinéma français de sa naissance à nos jours à travers l’analyse de films choisis parmi une large palette de genres. Nous portons une attention toute particulière sur la façon dont les récits opèrent à la fois formellement et structurellement afin de mieux comprendre les spécificités des oeuvres de réalisateurs aussi renommés que Jean Renoir, Henri-Georges Clouzot, Robert Bresson, François Truffaut, Jean-Luc Godard ou Jacques Demy. Les élèves découvrent aussi des réalisateurs moins célèbres (Jacques Audiard, Christophe Honoré, Claire Denis…) dont les films ont été largement influencés par leurs illustres prédécesseurs et qui apportent leur touche novatrice et osée aux thèmes immémoriaux (amour, amitié, ethnicité, violence…) qui ont façonné cinéma et société français. Back to top
Culture et cuisine/Culture and Cuisine. Les étudiants découvrent l’histoire de la cuisine française, de l’évolution de la spécialité régionale à l’invention du restaurant, des origines de la culture du café au développement de l’industrie alimentaire moderne. Il sétudient les méthodes et travaux de célèbres experts culinaires tels que Vatel, Escoffier, Brillat-Savarin et Julia Child. Aux cours s’ajoutent de nombreuses visites et dégustations initiées dans des boulangeries, marchés locaux, boucheries et pâtisseries qui témoignent du haut niveau de la gastronomie montpelliéraine. Lors de la dernière semaine du programme, plusieurs sessions se déroulent dans les cuisines d’un grand chef de Montpellier. Supplément de $300 US pour la classe Majeure; $250 US pour la classe Mineure. Back to top
Histoire et culture françaises/French History and Culture. La ville de Montpellier voit le jour au tournant décisif de l’histoire française : quand la tradition de l’Empire Romaine fait place au royaume français émergeant. Etape du pèlerinage de Saint-Jacques de Compostelle, bastion du Protestantisme pendant les guerres de religion et haut lieu d’érudition depuis le Moyen Age, Montpellier est un palimpseste de styles, d’époques et de contextes racontant l’histoire et la culture françaises. Ce cours permet aux élèves d’établir un contact concret avec les différents personnages et récits historiques qui contribuent au caractère particulier de la France. Ils visitent une variété de sites renommés et d’institutions culturelles, se familiarisent avec les idées françaises et apprennent à apprécier réellement les Français, leur pays et leur culture. Back to top
Montpellier: Atelier littéraire/Montpellier: A Literary Workshop. Ce cours a deux objectifs. Le premier est de permettre aux étudiants de faire connaissance avec un éventail d’auteurs français et francophones qui ont fait de Montpellier le sujet de leur oeuvre ou pour qui Montpellier a servi de muse : Rabelais, Valéry, Larbaud, et bien d’autres encore. L’étude des oeuvres de ces écrivains emblématiques les replace dans leur contexte historique grâce à de nombreuses visites de quartiers, de cafés et de monuments célèbres. Durant ces visites les participants lisent des textes à haute voix et analysent des extraits et des poèmes. Le deuxième objectif du cours est de donner l’opportunité aux participants de se créer leur propre relation littéraire avec la ville, d’abord en tenant un journal de leur expérience, puis en s’essayant à d’autres formes d’écriture : nouvelle, poésie, théâtre, ou roman épistolaire. Back to top
Photographie/Photography. Avec ses rues médiévales labyrinthiques, ses innombrables fontaines, ses siècles de chefs-d’oeuvre architecturaux ainsi que le bouillonnement coloré de ses cafés et de ses marchés, Montpellier ne pourrait être plus photogénique. Enseigné par un photographe accompli, ce cours de photographie numérique donne l’occasion aux étudiants de mettre en image leur perception de la culture française ainsi que les richesses qu’offre la ville. Débutants ou expérimentés, les étudiants développent leurs compétences sur le terrain à travers divers projets : de l’essai photographique au paysage, du portrait à la photo d’art. De surcroît, les étudiants ont l’occasion de découvrir les travaux de maîtres de la photographie et d’étudier l’évolution de l’art photographique, grâce aux archives et aux expositions que proposent les institutions culturelles. Les étudiants organisent une exposition de leurs travaux à la fin du programme. Les étudiants doivent être munis de leur propre appareil photo numérique. Supplément de $100 US pour la classe Majeure; $50 US pour la classe Mineure. Back to top
NOTE: There is no final application deadline.
We accept applications on a rolling basis until the program is full. Students who apply on or before January 29, 2010 and are accepted have their first choice of courses guaranteed, subject to enrollment levels.
This is absolutely not a final application deadline but we do begin receiving applications in November so we recommend that students apply as early as possible for subjects that are in very high demand.
Our Philosophy
All of our courses, regardless of subject area, are designed to introduce students to new subjects and skills. As much as possible, classes venture out into Montpellier to see and understand their subject in an immediate and tangible way. We put students in small classes to study exciting and engaging courses conducted by lively and imaginative teachers with Montpellier as a classroom for all.
Course Selection
Our students choose any two courses on the list, one as a MAJOR course and one as a MINOR. Major courses meet six mornings a week and depending on the nature of the course include in-class time for fieldwork, labs, workshops, guest speakers, group discussions, and one-on-one instruction. They also include homework and require project and preparation time outside of class. Minor courses meet three afternoons a week, with all work contained within the class session. A Minor course presents highlights of the Major and most students find their Minor a welcome opportunity to sample a new subject for the first time.
Language Courses
How better to learn a language – or perfect one’s speaking, reading, writing and comprehension in that language – than to practice it among native speakers on a daily basis? We offer all levels of French with basic language classes for beginner, intermediate, and advanced students, and immersion courses in specific subject areas for students who would like to challenge themselves further.
Evaluation
Each student receives grades and comments for their coursework at the end of the summer. Our participants often find these comments to be a valuable addition to their college applications, where they stand as testimony to their academic achievements during the program. We keep copies in our New York office and are happy to send them to colleges when alumni apply for admission.
601 Cathedral Parkway, Suite 7R, New York, New York 10025-2186
Telephone: (800) 828-8349 / (212) 932-3049 Fax: (212) 663-8169
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