French Language & Liberal Arts
2010 Fall Semester - Academics

Academic Focus

The French Language & Liberal Arts program, offered jointly by the CEA Global Campus in Paris and the University of Paris IV - Cours de Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne, is designed for students of all language levels who are interested in acquiring and improving their language skills while gaining a thorough education in French culture. This distinctive program offers study abroad students the opportunity to compliment their intensive language learning with elective study in the liberal arts and social sciences. By participating in this program, you will also enjoy the unique advantage of studying at two institutions in Paris.

You will enroll in one 10-credit language course at the Cours de Civilisation de la Sorbonne, renowned for its French instruction. The language course will focus on grammar, vocabulary development, listening comprehension, and oral expression. The language course consists of two required components: language (cours pratiques) and phonetics. While these components are listed separately on the students’ transcripts, it is required to pass both the language and phonetics components to receive credit for the course.

In addition to your language course, you will take one or two electives taught at the CEA Global Campus in Paris. A wide variety of courses is available in subjects such as History, Business, Art History, Cultural Studies, and Political Science. Electives are offered in English and allow students of all language levels to earn credits toward their major or graduation requirements.

The cours pratiques component of the language course meets for an average of 10 hours per week, or 120 hours total. The phonetics component meets for a total of 25 hours (the hours per week vary). The two components together equal 145 hours, and the course is generally worth 10 credits in the US semester system. Each elective meets for a total of 45 hours during the semester and is generally worth 3 credits in the US 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 university, city, people and culture; and by applying appropriate cognitive, affective, behavioral, ethical and intercultural tools; students will develop and articulate:

• discipline-based knowledge in the liberal arts and social sciences;
• analytic insight into salient cultural differences in the host country’s approach to targeted concepts and issues within these fields, all considered within the larger context of globalization and;
• French language and intercultural communication skills.

Schedule Summary

The cours pratiques component meets 5 days a week, Monday thru Friday, for 2 hours a day. The phonetics component meets 5 days a week, Monday thru Friday, for 1 hour a day every other week.

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 around two weeks before the program start date.

Course Registration

Students 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. This form should be completed upon submission of your program confirmation but no later than the program closure date. 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.

Once you arrive in Paris, you will take a placement exam which will determine the level of your French language class. Based on the results of this exam, your French course time will be finalized. Please note that electives scheduled at the same time as your French course will be unavailable to you because of scheduling conflicts. 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.