SEMESTER IN FRANCE
The Francophone and Mediterranean Studies Department offers the spring semester in Aix-en-Provence or Marseille, with a half block, french 300, taught by Colorado College professors. The half-block course takes place in Paris and Normandy, focusing on the regions and their historical significance. Upon arrival in Provence, students take four courses in art history, archaeology, history, French language, culture, literature and film, while the focus of Marseille program is political science, immigrant communities and the Middle east. Numerous excursions in the south of France, extracurricular activities, the possibility of attending courses at the University of Provence and a home stay contribute to a first-hand knowledge and appreciation of French culture and society. Students with financial need can apply for Madre Merrill and Croll-Madruga Fellowships.
The locations:
The city of Aix-en-Provence is a small city of 134,000 residents, 30,000 of whom are French university students. The size of the city and the convenience of public transportation to the surrounding towns make Aix and easily manageable site. Marseille, France's second largest city, is a mere 30-minute bus ride away.
Full immersion
At the AUCP students will not find a Little America abroad, and five particular aspects of the AUCP program ensure the maximum of contact with the host culture in a reflective and supportive environment
1)Language contract: As a part of the application materials, students sign a contract to speak only French during their stay. They are warned that any use of English can (and will) result in the student being sent home. The result is constant and continual practice of academic French.
2) Language partner: Each student is assigned a language partner, a university student his or her age who is studying English for informal conversation meetings. This puts American students in direct contact with French students, opening opportunity to develop a social network outside the center.
3) Individual French Homestay: Every student at the AUCP lives with a host family, sharing seven breakfasts and five dinners per week with the family and receives a personalized look at the private life of real French families. The interaction with the family, especially at mealtimes provides an important glimpse of French culture as well as significant linguistic development.
4) Community Service: The center requires student participation in one of several on-going community service projects specially selected by AUCP. These activities give the students opportunities for linguistic exchange and a real integration into French society.
5) Extra curricular activity: Each student is also required to participate in another activity outside the classroom. At the beginning of each semester, the AUCP hosts an activity fair with representatives from various activities in Aix or Marseille )dance classes, yoga, chorales, painting classes, etc.) From these possibilities, or on their own, the students find an extra-curricular activity to explore their own passions or interests along with other French people.
Length of program: Half block and blocks 5 through 8.
Enrollment: 10 students.
Eligibility: French 201 or equivalent, or consent of instructor.
Credit: 4 1/2 units.
Campus Advisors: Members of the French section of the Francophone and Mediterranean Studies Department
Cultural Studies in Francophone West Africa
(Summer Schedule)
This course offers an analytical study of novels and films of various Senegalese authors and scholars. This includes the study of the modes of representations of cultural and sociopolitical issues and realities in Senegal and the Francophone area in general. Amongst the studied authors figure works of Senghor, Sembene Ousmane, Djibril Diop M., Aminata Sow Fall, Mariama Ba, Ken Bougoul and others. The course will also critically examine the current status of the West African Francophone region within the frame of existing cultural globalizing processes.
Field trips, field research, African dance, and Jembe sessions will be part of the academic and cultural assignments and offerings.
This course has two tracks: FR327 emphasizes French/Francophone literature, politics, and culture studies, and GS107, which emphasizes Wolof language and African culture studies.
Prerequisite: FR305 and consent of instructor; enrollment limited to six students (2 CC units)
Program fees and expenses:
Two blocks of tuition: $1380 per block. Students are eligible to use their wild card for one block.
Program Fee: $2450. Includes round trip airfare from Colorado Springs to Dakar, Lodging, Food, and Field Trips to Senegal; department scholarship funds may be available.
Click here for information on the African Studies Thematic Minor
2006 class
2007 class
CC in Southern France (Summer Schedule)
FR237, The New Face of France
In an effort to move past the outdated stereotypes of France as a country of berets and baguettes, this course will explore a major facet of modern France: the multi-cultural influences from across the Mediterranean. Students will experience this reality of modern France first-hand, with a three week stay in Perpignan, located in the southwest portion of France near both the Pyrenees Mountains and the Mediterranean. Through coursework, readings, numerous excursions throughout the region and the immersion of living in a small French city, students will discover a more vibrant and vivid image of the world's fourth largest economy with Europe's largest Muslim population. The course will focus on the history of cultural interactions among the Gauls, Romans, Spanish, Catalans, and Muslims in this area as well as the modern presence of a vibrant immigrant community, which has redefined what it means to be "French."
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Students who have proficiency of FR201 or higher should enroll in FR304; enrollment limited to 15 students. (1 CC unit)
FR304, Cultural Context and Oral Practice
FR304 will focus on developing linguistic competence and oral communication skills along with the cultural components described in FR237. Students will develop higher levels of listening comprehension, oral competence, and communicative proficiency and will acquire oral strategies of expression through the study of written and recorded cultural material dealing with a variety of aspects, issues, and realities of the Francophone world. Student activities in the course will include interactive oral presentations of selected Web-based materials, of reading and recordings from targeted cultures such as: comic strips, articles, magazines, film clips, songs, etc.
Prerequisite: FR201 or equivalent or consent of instructor; enrollment limited to 15 students. (1 CC unit)
Program Fee (in addition to tuition): $3,400 includes roundtrip airfare between a major US city and Barcelona, lodging, breakfasts and dinners, course-related activities and transportation in southern France. A non-refundable $500 deposit is due upon enrolling in the course. CC students may apply for Intercultural Funds. Department scholarship funds may be available.
2007 Class
