Foundations in Studio Art
2010 Spring Semester - Academics

Academic Focus

The Foundations in Studio Arts program is designed for students who wish to combine Studio Art studies with the unique experience of being an artist in Paris. Taught in English, our Studio Art courses combine classroom study with onsite lectures and excursions, encouraging students to take full advantage of the city of Paris as their true classroom. This program is appropriate for both studio art and non-studio art majors. Regardless of your major, this program will help you learn new techniques, gain experience in the arts, and be inspired by what Paris has to offer.

All students will choose one art history and one studio art course from the list of available courses. Studio Art courses will include visits to various locations throughout Paris during which students will develop their individual artistic sensibilities through exercises in observation, composition, and core techniques. Students will meet with their professor to critique their work and set goals. All students will compile a portfolio of their work for the final assessment at the end of the program. Art History courses are available in subjects such as Impressionism, Modern Art and Architecture and also include onsite visits and lectures allowing you to experience the subject matter in a hands-on environment.

All language courses and electives meet for a total of 45 contact hours and are generally worth 3 credits in the U.S. semester system. If students enroll in 5 classes, they can earn up to 15 credits in the U.S. semester system. However, it is up to the student’s home academic advisor to determine how much credit will be awarded.

Program Goals

Through formal and informal learning connected to the host city, people and culture; and by applying appropriate manual, cognitive, affective, behavioral, ethical and intercultural tools; students will develop and articulate:

• discipline-based knowledge, practical skills, and a personal expressive style in studio arts;
• expressive insight into the host culture that draw inspiration from the city’s visual heritage and artistic community while conveying the wider global forces influencing artistic creativity in the host setting and;
• French language and/or intercultural communication skills.

Early Start

This 2-week early-start French-language program will linguistically and culturally prime you for your forthcoming semester or year in France. It is a suitable option for either “true beginners” or for students who have taken at least three semesters of university-level French. Students particularly well-suited for this early-start program are those who wish to get a head start on adapting to the French language, lifestyle and culture and those who wish to maximize the number of credits they earn for their semester or year abroad. Regardless of their level of French language, students will complete the session feeling more comfortable about living, studying, and communicating in French.

You will enroll in one French language course: Beginning French I or Intermediate French Conversation. Upon completion of one of these courses you will be awarded three hours of university credit through CEA’s academic partner and university of record: the University of New Haven.

You will begin your session with airport reception and transfer to assigned housing in shared apartments followed by a group orientation. Classes will take place Monday through Thursday for five hours per day and will engage in cultural immersion activities crafted to maximize your exposure to both the French language and to intercultural competence techniques. For the duration of the Early Start program, students will be housed in CEA shared apartments. As a result, you should anticipate moving from the shared apartment to your semester housing should your semester housing assignment differ.

Schedule Summary

Semester classes at the GlobalCampus meet one to three times per week for a total of 3 contact hours. Classes are typically held Monday through Thursday although study trips and other required fieldwork may occur on Fridays. Classes are offered at various times throughout the day. Class timetables will be released at approximately the same time as the program closure date, and your final course schedule will be posted to your MyCEA Account approximately two weeks before the program start date.

Course Registration

You must register for courses prior to departure for Paris. A course preference form will be posted to your MyCEA Account when course timetables are released. Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis so it is in your best interest to submit your course preference form as soon as possible. Course preferences for electives are considered final when submitted to CEA. To aid in the registration process, it is in your best interest to have courses, including alternates, approved by your academic advisor prior to submitting your course preference form.

You will be asked, on the Course Selection form, to indicate the level of French in which you expect to enroll for the term. In order to validate your request for the requested level of French, you will complete an online placement test and will receive a preliminary language level assignment when your course schedule is released. However, your final language level may be adjusted once onsite.