Summer in France

The Emory in France Summer Program, under the auspices of the Department of French and Italian, offers intensive linguistic and cultural study in Paris. Students live with French families accustomed to welcoming American guests. Curriculum, housing arrangements, and excursions are designed to build proficiency in French and to increase knowledge of French customs and institutions.

This popular five-week program is usually held from the beginning of June through the first week of July. Students from majors other than French as well as students who have not declared their majors are eligible to participate.

Students can study in Paris in the summer and earn eight semester credit hours. The course of study is on intermediate and advanced levels. All students are required to select two courses for eight semester hours of credit. The French classes are taught only in French. Please note: FR312 and FR381 count toward the French major and minor at Emory. All courses fulfill the Emory College Language Requirement.

Course Descriptions

TRACK 1:

French 110 fulfills the language requirement at Emory.

FREN 110 Intensive Elementary French (taught by Sandra Descourtis and Eric Bulakites)

Through structured oral and written practice, you will begin to develop your ability to read, write, speak, and understand French. You will deepen your knowledge of the French-speaking world and learn to use French in authentic contexts. The course explores prevailing customs and values in France and the French-speaking world, with a focus on living standards, traditions, cultural heritage, and daily life.

Prerequisite: little to no prior experience in French and placement test.

8 credits

OR

TRACK 2:

 French 312 and French 381 count towards French major and minor at Emory.

 FREN 312: French History (taught by Eric Bulakites)

 In this place-based course, students will explore the streets, monuments, parks, museums, and sites of Paris to learn about French history since the start of the 20th century. We will focus on the major political, social, and artistic movements that have traversed Paris. Students will learn the unique history of various neighborhoods and study Paris’s relationship to the rest of France. Through a study of an array of works including fictional literature, scholarly research, architecture, painting, cinema, and other visual arts, students will develop an understanding of the relationship between cityscape and history.

 Prerequisite: completion of at least one 300-level course in French; or FREN 201 or FREN 203 with instructor permission.

4 credits

FREN 381: Special Topics - Food and cultures in France (taught by Sandra Descourtis)

This course explores the rich history and the cultural importance of food in France, engaging in discussions about French gastronomy and its diverse influences over the years. We will study how cuisine intertwines with the personal lives, customs, and communities throughout France. We will analyze the various ways people employ food and culinary traditions to understand how identity can be constructed and preserved. Moving beyond France, we will draw insightful comparisons between French foodways and those found in America and our own personal experiences. Through various types of texts and experiential learning (i.e., visits and cooking class), you will gain well-rounded knowledge of the language, history, and culture surrounding cuisine and gastronomy in France.

Prerequisite: completion of at least one 300-level course in French; or FREN 201 or FREN 203 with instructor permission. 

4 credits

French classes meet Monday through Friday from 10AM to 12PM. All extracurricular activities (described below) take place on weekdays (with the exception of the Chartres/Loire Valley excursion). 

Extracurricular Activities

All students in the Paris Program participate in:

• a weekend excursion to Chartres and to the castles of the Loire Valley (hotels and meals included)
• one afternoon excursion per week in Paris to include some major tourist attractions
• a day in Giverny including a visit to Claude Monet’s house and gardens
• a day in Versailles including a visit to the Palace of Versailles and Versailles gardens
• several evenings at the theatre and/or the ballet

Application

Applications for admission are available online at Emory Study Abroad. All applicants must submit an Emory Summer Study Abroad application, with a $350 deposit (nonrefundable if accepted) to the Emory College Study Abroad. This deposit will be applied to the total program cost. The application deadline is usually February 15th. Applications will be processed as they are received, and students will be notified as soon as possible. If spaces remain, late applications will be considered.

Program Fees

Program cost includes fees for eight semester credit hours, health and accident insurance (duration of program), accommodations, and two meals daily. Also includes evenings at the theatre or ballet, field trips in Paris, a weekend excursion to Chartres and the Loire Valley, and one-day excursions to Versailles and to Giverny. The cost of the summer program can be viewed on the Emory Study Abroad Website.

Financial Aid

All Emory students, who qualify, are considered by the Office of Financial Aid for a summer aid award after the student has registered for classes. Emory Courtesy Scholarships are applicable to Emory Study Abroad. Non-Emory students do not qualify for Emory financial aid, but they may wish to inquire at their own institutions regarding financial aid.