Studio Art Practice & Critique
2009 Spring Semester - Partner Institution

Accreditation

The Institute for American Universities was founded under the auspices of l'Universite d'Aix-Marseille and chartered by the Regents of the University of the State of New York. The Institute issues an official, traditional American transcript with letter grades and courses have been accepted for academic credit by over 700 North American institutions of higher learning since its founding in 1957.

Institute for American Universities

The Institute for American Universities (IAU) was designed with North American college students in mind. It is an Institute which offers a compelling combination - the assurance of a rigorous American form of education thoroughly integrated into all that is exceptional and powerful in French culture. Today, IAU is considered one of the oldest and largest education abroad programs in Europe.

IAU is comprised of two distinct centers: le Centre d'Aix and the Marchutz School of Art. Le Centre d'Aix focuses primarily on French language and culture. Courses are offered in both French and English in a variety of subject areas from Art History and Political Science to History and Psychology. The Marchutz School of Art is dedicated to the study of studio art. The school's mission is to challenge students to explore the world around them through painting and drawing. They work on individual projects, which give students the freedom to explore their unique concerns, and participate in both group and individual critiques.

IAU has served as an academic center for more than 700 colleges and universities and more than 12,000 students. Its present annual enrollment is at more than 400 and continues to make study in France available to students who recognize the life-long value of living in an exploring a culture other than their own.

IAU is a non-for-profit institution of higher education, charted permanently in 1957 by the Regents of the University of the State of New York, and registered with the French Ministry of Education. As an independent, non-degree granting institution, the Institute for American Universities issues its own transcripts. Because it does not grant its own degrees, the Institute is outside the scope of the regional accrediting bodies, such as the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Since its beginning, however, the Institute has worked with over 700 US public and private colleges and universities, many of which are familiar with the high standards of Institute programs and accept the IAU transcript. They have approved their courses and can make a transcript available (additional fees apply). In addition, IAU is monitored by a Council of Academic Advisors and a Board of Trustees. Where individual institutional or state regulations require that credit be transferred via accredited institutions only, students may enroll in the Institute through Northern Illinois University (NIU). Students should contact CEA for more info regarding this process.

IAU makes a variety of services available to CEA students including a library, student lounge, access to activities sponsored by the Office of Student Affairs, and internet connections, including Wi-Fi.

Classroom Information

• Majority of faculty are professors at l'Universite d'Aix-Marseille.
• Average class size is 12 students, which allows for more personalized attention.
• Language courses and liberal art electives are taught at the le Centre d'Aix, IAU's center for liberal art studies.
• Studio art courses are taught at the Marchutz School of Art, IAU's center for studio art.
• Periodic exams, homework assignments and final exams will be administered.
• Attendance of classes is mandatory and monitored by each professor. Class attendance is a factor in the final assessment of a student's academic performance and includes his/her presence on all excursions required for a course.
• Classes are specifically offered to be taken with other North American students and not with native French students.
• Language courses are to be taken with students of an equivalent language level.

Grading

The Institute for American Universities issues an official, traditional American transcript with letter grades. The Grading System is as follows: