Aix-En-Provence
Avignon, France

Catherine Gallouet, Modern Languages (Spring '02)

The objective of the program in Aix/Avignon is language and cultural immersion. The Colleges have an affiliate relationship with the Institute for American Universities (IAU) based in Aix-en-Provence with a branch campus in Avignon (for more advanced students) in the south of France. IAU was founded in 1957 under the auspices of the Université d' Aix-Marseille and has served more than 500 North American colleges and universities. On the program students will have the opportunity to speak, think, and write in French while they enjoy one of the most beautiful and dynamic areas of the country. They will function as individuals in a foreign culture using public transportation, adapting to a new city, and living in an environment with a rich cultural history. Students will be confronted with a way of life which will broaden perspectives and compare their French experience to their American understanding, prejudices, and ideals.

PROGRAM DATES
January 13 to May 21, 2002

ACCOMMODATIONS
Students will live with families which is the best way for students to have a first-hand experience in French life. Families are carefully chosen by the local housing coordinator who has been involved in placing students in homestays for many years. Students will have breakfast and dinner with their host families and can take lunch near the institute in bistros or cafes. Participants will receive a food stipend at the beginning of each month to purchase their mid-day meals.

EXCURSIONS
The Institute's Office of Student Affairs sponsors an active calendar of activities and events such as weekend day trips to such places as the seaside town of Cassis, the Matisse Museum in Nice, and the culturally diverse city of Marseille. Students will have the opportunity as part of their course work or independently to visit the nearby hill towns of Bonnieux and Lacoste, the Picasso and archeological museums in Antibes, the Roman monuments in Arles and the museum and aquarium in Monte Carlo. Two breaks (winter earlier in the term and spring somewhat later) will give students ample chance to explore other areas of Provence, France or nearby countries according to personal interest.

ELIGIBILITY
The program is open to majors and non-majors. Students who have taken the entire sequence of 101, 102, and 103 courses, or who have acquired the equivalent proficiency, and have maintained a B average are eligible to apply.

APPROXIMATE COSTS
Students will be charged a program fee that includes the one semester of tuition, $500 administrative fee, and a room and board charge appropriate to the length of the program. The total program cost is $16,841. Additional costs include airfare, some books and personal expenses, and independent travel. These additional costs vary according to personal needs and tastes but we estimate a total of at least $2415.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Students will earn five or six course credits and take two IAU language courses according to their level of proficiency, one program seminar, "Topics in French Culture" taught by the resident director (for one or two course credits) and two or three electives from the regular IAU offerings. Subject areas include: studio art and art history through the affiliated Marchutz School of Painting and Drawing, business and economics, history, political science, archeology, philosophy and psychology. The following list gives some examples of courses typically available:

Comparative Legal Systems Law and European Union International Relations International Trade & Commerce Changing East-West Security Relations Techniques of Archeology Ancient History of Med. France Ancient Art & Archeology Introduction to International Business Comp. European Education Intern'l Econ. & the Common Market French Civilization The 19th Century & French Impressionism Intro. to French Lit. Intro. to the History of Art: Prehistory to the Middle Ages

Advanced French Civil. The 19th Century Novel French Lit of 17th & 18th Centuries Translation & Stylistics French Theater of the 17th & 18th Centuries The European Community Provençal Civilization European Theory: Ancient Greece to the 18th Century Fdns of European Philosophy Developmental Child Psychology: Emphasizing Cultural Variations European History: 1870-1918 The History of France: Ancient Gaul The Med. World: The Roman Empire to to 1815 the Crusades

For more detailed information on curriculum and the Institute interested students should review the IAU catalogue: "Education Abroad in the South of France" at the Office of Off-Campus Programs or at the website www.iau-univ.org.