Information for term French And Critical Studies
Application deadline, and cost information.
Overview
Click to OpenBring your advanced French language skills to the City of Lights and immerse yourself in art, society, culture, and university life. Choose from courses at CIEE’s partner schools, Université Paris Diderot or Université Sorbonne Nouvelle, as well as those at the CIEE Global Institute – Paris. Challenge yourself with fascinating classes in the arts, French academic reasoning and its intellectual tradition, with the vast course offerings Université de Paris. All courses are complemented with CIEE co-curricular activities and excursions beyond the city to enhance classroom learning and provide intercultural understanding.
Unique Experiences
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LIVE LIKE A LOCAL STUDENT
by taking courses at either the Université Sorbonne Nouvelle – Paris 3 or the Université Paris Diderot (Paris 7).
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STUDY FRENCH THEORY
in cinema, arts, writing, and critical thought.
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TAKE A TRUE FRENCH GETAWAY
to destinations like Bordeaux and Marseille - on our rich study tours.
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LIBRARIES - THE MOST OF ANY CITY IN THE WORLD
830 -
FILM OR COMMERCIAL SHOOTS ON PARISIAN STREETS EACH DAY
10 -
annual visitors to the Notre Dame Cathedral
14M
Location & Culture
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Your Destination
If you’re looking to spend time in one of the world’s most prominent centers of culture, finance, and commerce, look no further than Paris. The capital of France - and the country’s most populous city - is a top tourist destination. You’re destined to fall in love with its historic landmarks, exquisite dining, and charming architecture.
The Culture

EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES
- Go on a weekend study tour of Bordeaux to learn about the history of the slave trade, sustainability, and the culture of wine.
- Explore the hidden corners of Paris culture, art, and society through two extra-curricular activities a week.
- Practice your French through a vibrant language exchange with Parisians, volunteer with one of our community service partners, or live your own passion with an interest group in music, sports, art, or film!

LANGUAGE IMMERSION
Improve your French! Students make the CIEE Community Language Commitment to speak French at all times, which fosters language proficiency and helps you better understand local culture.
Daily Life
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HOUSING
Homestay. Adapt to the French lifestyle by living with a Parisian host. You’ll get a private room with a bed, desk, chair, lamp, and wardrobe, and share common spaces like the living room, kitchen, and bathroom with your host.
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MEALS
All breakfasts and five meals a week are provided.
Paris, France Where You'll Study
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CIEE GLOBAL INSTITUTE - PARIS
With classrooms, library space, computer areas, and more, our institute is less than a minute away from the Grands Boulevards, a 10-minute walk to the Palais-Royal, and a 15-minute walk to the Louvre.
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UNIVERSITÉ SORBONNE NOUVELLE PARIS 3
A 30-minute bus ride away. This institution is known for its courses in literature and language, film studies, and Arab world studies.
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UNIVERSITÉ PARIS DIDEROT
The university is located on a new campus near the Bibliothèque Nationale and the Cinémathèque Française, and offers courses in literature, languages, film, philosophy, history, sociology, psychology, economics, and almost every branch of the physical sciences.
Academics
Click to OpenAcademics
Students with advanced French language skills (minimum of four semesters of college-level French or equivalent) enroll in local university courses at either Université Paris Diderot or Université Sorbonne Nouvelle, in addition to classes at the CIEE Global Institute – Paris.
All students are required to take Writing Workshop I and II to acquire essential French academic writing and reasoning skills needed to succeed at the Université Paris Diderot or Sorbonne Nouvelle. All classes are taught entirely in French by esteemed faculty - active researchers in the fields of cinema, visual arts, textual analysis, and critical theory.
Most students will take one course at the Université de Paris.. More advanced students, with the permission of CIEE Paris faculty and staff, may take additional elective courses at the Université de Paris.
Université Paris Diderot (Paris 7) is a multidisciplinary university established in 1971 that hosts some 26,000 students. The campus is located in the 13th arrondissement, in the Paris Rive Gauche neighborhood, and specializes in literature, comparative art studies, sociology, linguistics, the humanities, and natural and physical sciences.
Université Sorbonne Nouvelle (Paris 3) is a branch of the University of Paris, the second oldest university in Europe, the founder of the first doctorate degree, and the alma matter of many historic intellectuals. It hosts almost 20,000 students.
CIEE Global Institute – Paris is on the rue du Sentier, just minutes away from the Palais-Royal, and the Louvre. It houses classrooms, library space, computer areas, and more.
GPA
3.0
Language Prerequisites
4 semesters of college-level French (or equivalent) required.
Program Requirements
- FREN 3103 PAFR: Writing Workshop I
- FREN 3104 PAFR: Writing Workshop II
- 1 course at the Université de Paris (Diderot or Sorbonne Nouvelle)
- Two electives chosen from any combination of;
- CIEE elective courses
- Additional Université de Paris courses
Program Credit
- Total credit: 15-16 U.S. semester/22.5-24 quarter credits
Course Credit
- CIEE courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours
- Université de Paris courses: typically, 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 39-45 contact hours
- CIEE Directed Independent Research: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 15 contact hours, 100-120 research hours
Academic Culture
Each six-week CIEE course is a full semester in content, so the pace is accelerated, and the workload is demanding. CIEE courses are designed to follow U.S. academic culture and standards. The class environment typically features a combination of traditional lecture and discussion with co-curricular excursions and activities. Heavy emphasis is placed on student participation. To avoid falling behind, students should not plan personal travel out of Paris when classes are in session and plan trips for the long weekends in between blocks. French university courses are often more formal and consist of lectures with little class participation. Great importance is placed on oral presentations, so strong French speaking and writing skills are important. Professors also expect students to work independently and determine their own study and reading schedules. Our Writing Workshops will be there to help you navigate this new academic adventure.
Class Format
Courses taught at the CIEE Global Institute are typically for CIEE students only. Classes are scheduled Monday-Friday and meet either two, three, or four times per week, and attendance is strictly enforced both for classes and required co-curricular excursions. Students should expect an average of two hours of preparation required for each hour in class. Instruction is supported and augmented online by our learning management system, Canvas.
Grading
French university grades are based on a combination of midterm and final examinations and research papers and oral presentations, and are on the French grading scale of 0-20, which CIEE then converts into recommended U.S. letter grade equivalents. The U.S. grading scale of A-F is used for CIEE classes. Students are graded on the basis of attendance, class participation, homework, project work, presentations, and midterm and final examinations. Learning outcomes assessment is continuous through personal reflections, evaluation feedback, self-assessment, and requirements as set out in course syllabi.
Language of Instruction
French
Courses
Click to OpenCourse Information
Course Notes
- UP courses span the entire semester, while CIEE courses operate on a block schedule and are condensed into three intensive 6-week blocks.
- During Block I (weeks 1-6 of the semester), students must take Writing Workshop I.
- During Block II (weeks 7-12) students must take Writing Workshop II.
- CIEE electives are available in Blocks I, II, and III.
- Students studying for the full academic year are encouraged to take all of their second-semester classes at the Université de Paris.
Fall 2021 Courses and syllabi will be available here in January 2021.
Host Institution Courses
Click to OpenUNIVERSITÉ DE PARIS COURSES (UP)
The Université de Paris is split into two campuses, Université de Paris Sorbonne Nouvelle (Paris 3) and Université Paris Diderot (Paris 7). Students may take classes at either campus, but cannot enroll in courses at both campuses.
Students will enroll in UP courses on site. For past course offerings, visit the university websites listed below. CIEE cannot guarantee courses offered in the past will be offered again.
- Université de Paris Sorbonne Nouvelle (Paris 3): Courses at the Sorbonne Nouvelle focus on literature, language, cinema studies, and theater studies.
- Université Paris Diderot (Paris 7): Courses at Paris Diderot are offered in all disciplines, including humanities, social sciences, philosophy, history, sociology, anthropology, economics, linguistics, life sciences, chemistry, physics, and computing.
Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
Scholarships
Click to OpenScholarships & Grants
CIEE offers more than $8 million in scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.
Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:
- Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
- Stohl International Undergraduate Research Scholarships
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application. Learn more at the Scholarships & Grants section of our website.
See more scholarship infoDates & Fees
Click to OpenDates & Fees
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
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Fall 2021 18 weeks | May 1, 2021 | Aug 16, 2021* | Dec 18, 2021* |
$21,150
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Program FeesCIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel insurance with benefits. Participation Confirmation = $300 * Educational Costs = $16,683 ** Housing = $4,000 *** Insurance = $167 Total Fees = $21,150Estimated CostsStudents are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration. Meals not included in program fee = $2,600 † International Airfare = $1,200 †† Local Transportation = $475 Books & Supplies = $200 Visa Fees = $165 ††† Potential travel to consulate for visa = $500 Personal expenses = $3,000 Total Estimated Costs = $8,140Financial AidCIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants. This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time. Students required by their US home institution to study abroad via CIEE's School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed. * non-refundable ** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students *** Daily breakfast and three dinners per week is included for students who choose to live with a French host. No weekly meals are included for students staying in studio apartments. † for students in studio apartment; students living with a French host should budget $1,500 for meals not included in the program fee †† round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure ††† average cost, including Campus France fees |
*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.
To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.
Looking for funding?
What's Included
Click to OpenWhat's Included
Our Staff
Click to OpenOur Staff
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Jean-Philippe Primout
Director
Jean-Philippe joined CIEE in 2008 where he has served as operations and student life director.
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Franck Le Gac
Academic Director
Franck oversees the coordination, quality, and planning of all courses and educational programing in Paris.
Get Started
Here's what you need to do to take the next steps:-
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START AN APPLICATION
Apply Now
You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience! -
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CONNECT WITH YOUR CAMPUS STUDY ABROAD OFFICE
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad. -
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Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.