| ENGLISH | FRENCH | |
Architecture in Paris. Students in this course receive a varied, hands-on introduction to architectural history and theory amid some of the world’s most recognizable monuments and buildings. As possibly the most architecturally diverse and fascinating city in the world, Paris itself is the perfect classroom in which students spend each day venturing throughout the city, learning not just about two thousand years of urban design but also about the way in which successive generations of bishops, monarchs, emperors, and architects have responded to the evolving social and economic needs of the city. Stimulating onsite workshops and presentations enable participants to identify and define the most important schools of architecture at a glance, and to explore the social, political, and cultural contexts that have inspired them. Back to top
Art History. This course introduces students to major artists and their works in the history of European art, and to the dominant themes and techniques of the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, Romanticism, Realism, Impressionism, and Modernism. Students examine masterpieces by Michelangelo, da Vinci, David, Ingres, Delacroix, Manet, Renoir, Rodin, and Monet, as well as important works by prominent Surrealist, Cubist, and Pop artists. Students are able to take advantage of all of Paris’ remarkable cultural resources, including some of the world’s greatest museums, such as the Louvre, the Centre Pompidou, and the Musée d’Orsay, among others. Back to top
Creative Writing. Under the
guidance of professional writers, students
receive instruction in both prose
and poetry while at the same time
exploring Paris and their own potential
as they experiment with new forms and
styles. Focusing on short fiction, poetry,
and memoir, students draw on the many
cultural resources of Paris and take
inspiration from its rich literary history.
Evocative settings, such as Hemingway’s
favorite café or the tomb of Jim
Morrison in Père Lachaise Cemetery,
are used in various exercises as a spur
to creativity, and there are several readings
by established poets and writers.
Students edit and publish their best
work in the program’s literary magazine. Back to top
Culture and Cuisine. Students learn about the history of French cuisine, from the evolution of specialty and regional dishes to the invention of the restaurant, the origins of Parisian café culture, and the development of the modern food industry. They study such famed culinary experts as Vatel, Escoffier, Brillat-Savarin, and Julia Child. Classroom sessions are enhanced by visits to Parisian boulangeries – where students witness first-hand the age-old method of bread baking – as well as local markets, butchers, and pastry shops where they have tastings and learn about the rich history of foods for which France has become renowned. Over the course of the program, several sessions are taught in the kitchens of leading cooking schools and well-known chefs, where students have the chance to try their own hand at French cooking. Lab fee of $300 US for Majors; $250 US for Minors. Back to top
European History and Politics. This course uses the cityscape of Paris to bring to life the major political and social forces that have shaped Europe over the last two thousand years. Our students examine the city’s evolution from its Roman occupation to its role in the Crusades, through the Renaissance and the Reformation to the Napoleonic era, and beyond – to France’s role today in the EU and the UN. Taking the city as a living textbook, students deepen their understanding of European history and politics through daily readings, debates, and innovative exercises, almost all of which take place at significant sites in central Paris. By studying the brutal conflicts, human cruelty, inspiring ideas, and larger-than-life characters that have molded so much European history, students gain profound insights into the European ‘Old World,’ as well as Paris itself. Back to top
Existentialism. This course explores such themes as the meaning of life, the nature of freedom and responsibility, irrationality in human thought, action, and expression, and the crisis of faith in modernity. Existentialism is treated both as a post-war cultural development, and as a timeless view of life’s meaning and possibilities. The work of Sartre, Camus, de Beauvoir, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Kafka, and Beckett is considered, and students discuss the impact of existentialist ideas on modern art, literature, and society. The class visits historical cafés, museums, sites of the French Resistance, and the burial places of Sartre and de Beauvoir at the Cimetière de Montparnasse. Back to top
Expatriates in Paris. Focusing on the first half of the 20th century, this course offers an exploration of the writers and artists who have been drawn to Paris as a refuge from social and political upheaval, a cultural and intellectual hub, and a source of inspiration. Students not only read works by Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Stein, Joyce, and James Baldwin, but they also discover the cafés, neighborhoods, parks, and ateliers where these great talents and their companion expatriates from other artistic fields – including Picasso, Chagall, and Josephine Baker – gathered to work and socialize. Students visit the expatriates’ many Parisian haunts, including La Closerie des Lilas, where Hemingway worked on The Sun Also Rises, and Shakespeare and Company, the bookstore owned by Sylvia Beach, the famed expatriate publisher of Joyce’s Ulysses. Back to top
Film in France. Working in small groups, students study the character, composition, and style of classic French cinema in order to script and shoot their own distinctly ‘French’ productions using digital technology. Students examine the work of major directors of the New Wave, such as Jean-Luc Godard, and modern day directors such as Jean-Pierre Jeunet (City of Lost Children, Amélie), Cédric Klapisch (l’Aubèrge Espagnole), and François Ozon (8 Women). The creation of their own movies allows students to understand the techniques of filmmaking and distinct genres of French cinema. The program concludes with a Film Festival at which students present their movies. French language is not required. Lab fee of $300 US for Majors; Minors do not make films, but focus on film history and criticism. Back to top
Medicine. This course examines clinical medicine and genetic research, as well as selected issues surrounding the medical profession. Through a variety of lectures, visits to museums and research facilities, and participation in group debates, students combine the study of genetics and molecular medicine with a practical exploration of physiology, anatomy, and modern medical issues, both ethical and social. Students also discuss global issues surrounding medicine in the 21st century, such as SARS, AIDS, avian flu, and emergency healthcare for victims of conflict and catastrophe, and pay special attention to such organizations as Médecins Sans Frontières. Back to top
Photography. Using their cameras to engage with the whole spectrum of moods and sights in this most photogenic of cities, students turn Paris into their own open-air studio. Taught by an accomplished international photographer, both beginners and more advanced students develop their skills in the field on assignments covering photo essay, landscape, portraiture, photojournalism, and art photography. In addition, students have the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the works of professional photographers through films, exhibits, and guest presentations. Major class participants learn and refine darkroom skills, and all students exhibit their best work in the program’s final week. All students need a 35mm camera. Lab fee of $250 US for Majors; materials fee of $75 US for Minors. Minor students do not use darkroom facilities. Back to top
Paris and the Avant-Garde. Paris has long been known as a global center of intellectual, literary, and artistic innovation, as well as the fashion capital of the world. This interdisciplinary course takes students behind the scenes of modern Paris, where they explore the Avant-Garde in art, literature, theory, fashion, sculpture, film, and multimedia. Through a dynamic program of readings, guest speakers, and special visits to art studios, fashion institutes, media venues, and museums, students come into contact with the exciting milieu that has helped to sustain Paris as the trendsetter in taste and style for Europe and the world. Supplementary fee of $200 US for Majors. Back to top
Psychology and Psychoanalysis. In their quest to understand the nature of the human mind, students investigate a wide range of psychological topics that include dreams, memory, anxiety, body language, gender, and sexuality. As well as examining case histories, students are introduced to research methodology and diverse analytical frameworks as they conduct experiments and examine their findings under the guidance of research specialists and practicing clinicians. They pay special attention to the evolution of the discipline in France, tracing psychological theories back to Rousseau’s concept of stages of growth, focusing on Freud’s time spent in Paris and his later influence in the country as a whole, and looking in depth at the more recent work of Jacques Lacan and the related field of psychoanalysis. Back to top
Studio Art. Designed for students with all levels of expertise in the subject, this course uses art as the medium for imaginative engagement with Paris. Students receive formal instruction in a variety of artistic techniques, including watercolor, pastel, pencil, and charcoal, and spend most days outside the studio in the broader visual realm of Paris, portraying such sights as Notre Dame, sketching human form at the Musée Rodin, or capturing a street scene in Montmartre. Through their own creative efforts, students discover Paris in a truly personal way and compile their own comprehensive portfolio of work. Materials fee of $200 US for Majors; $100 US for Minors. 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 native Parisians. 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.
Art: Culture et rébellion/Art: Culture and Rebellion. Les élèves profitent de certaines des plus importantes collections d’art du monde – le Louvre, le Musée d’Orsay, le Centre Pompidou. Dans ces musées, ils sont initiés au métier de l’historien de l’art : comment évaluer, analyser, et décrire les plus grandes oeuvres européennes. Ils sont ainsi sensibilisés aux contextes sociopolitiques de la création de ces oeuvres, qui aident à comprendre non seulement le processus créateur de l’artiste mais aussi les réactions, souvent violentes, que ces oeuvres soulevèrent dans la critique et la société. Le cours couvre tous les grands mouvements artistiques mais se concentre sur les chocs artistiques les plus célèbres depuis le 18ème siècle de David au surréalisme en passant par Ingres, Delacroix, Monet, Manet et Rodin. 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 parisien
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 conférences, de visites de
musées ou d’ateliers et d’exercices
interactifs dans les différents quartiers
de Paris. Supplément de $200 US pour
la classe Majeure. Back to top
Le Bien et le mal/Good and Evil. Face à la complexité du monde, les philosophes sont de plus en plus souvent appelés à reconsidérer deux des thèmes les plus fondamentaux à l’expérience humaine : le Bien et le Mal. Ce cours cherche à définir ces concepts à travers leurs manifestations dans les travaux des grands penseurs français et, plus concrètement, dans l’histoire, la politique, et la culture françaises. Sous cette problématique, les étudiants abordent les grands conflits de l’histoire récente – le régime de Vichy, la guerre d’Algérie, l’avènement de l’extrême droite – ainsi que les questions sociopolitiques qui divisent la France contemporaine – le rôle de l’Etat, la mondialisation, l’immigration, l’Europe – et comment ces évènements ont été la source de forts débats idéologiques, repris et alimentés par des auteurs tels que Gide, Sartre, Camus, Levi-Strauss, entre autres. Back to top
Paris: Atelier littéraire/Paris: A Literary Workshop. Ce cours a deux objectifs. Le premier est de permettre aux étudiants de faire connaissance avec les auteurs français et francophones qui ont fait de Paris le sujet de leur oeuvre, ou pour qui Paris a servi de muse : Montesquieu, Balzac, Baudelaire, Rimbaud, Proust, Céline, Simenon, Duras, 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
Paris à travers les ages/Paris Through the ages. Malgré sa célébrité, Paris recèle d’innombrables mystères. Ce cours vise à dévoiler les recoins cachés de cette ville lumière afin de révéler une histoire secrète allant des origines préchrétiennes de la tribu des Parisii jusqu’à la révolution culturelle de 1968 (reflétant celle des Etats-Unis), tout en passant par de nombreux bouleversements sociopolitiques : une monarchie violemment renversée en 1789, un ordre mondial brusquement réorienté par Napoléon dès le début du 19ème siècle, et la Deuxième Guerre Mondiale, qui, en opposant résistants aux collaborateurs, désunit un peuple et changea profondément l’identité nationale française. Les élèves visitent des sites connus pertinents à ces événements, y compris les Catacombes, la Bastille, le Musée de la Shoah, le Musée de l’Armée, et le Musée de l’Histoire de Paris. Back to top
Sciences politiques/Political Science. Ce cours vise à exposer les étudiants aux concepts de base ainsi qu’aux principales méthodes de la science politique telle qu’elle est enseignée, de nos jours, dans les grandes universités françaises. Le cours commence par traiter des origines de cette grande discipline, de son émergence, et de ses principaux composants intellectuels, tels que la sociologie, l’économie et le droit, avant d’aborder les grands thèmes qui, aujourd’hui, dominent ses débats en France et dans le monde entier : les théories du pouvoir, l’origine et l’évolution des partis politiques, les minorités, la croissance des institutions nationales et supranationales (telles que l’Organisation des Nations Unies). Basées sur la ville qui fut longtempsle centre du monde diplomatique, les études se concentrent sur la relation volatile entre l’Europe et les Etats-Unis. Les élèves ont l’occasion de rencontrer des experts au célèbre Institut des Etudes Politiques, ainsi que de visiter le Sénat et le Panthéon, où sont enterrés les grands hommes d’Etat français. 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 Paris 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 Paris 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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