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, where you'll immerse yourself in one of the world's best cities for art, society, culture, and university life.
When class is in session, you'll choose from courses – at CIEE's partner school, Université Sorbonne Nouvelle, as well as those offered at CIEE Paris – that will challenge you in the arts, French academic reasoning, intellectual traditions, and francophone cultures. Additionally, a two-tier writing workshop will help you hone your composition and argumentation skills to pave the way for a successful experience in the French university classroom.
Outside the classroom, all your courses will be complemented with CIEE co-curricular activities and overnight stays beyond Paris to enhance your academic learning and intercultural understanding – et en français, s'il vous plaît!
Unique Experiences
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LIVE LIKE A LOCAL STUDENT
by taking courses at the Université Sorbonne Nouvelle – Paris 3
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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 Normandy, Loire Valley, or Haut-de-France
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LIBRARIES - THE MOST OF ANY CITY IN THE WORLD
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FILM OR COMMERCIAL SHOOTS ON PARISIAN STREETS EACH DAY
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Parks And Gardens Spread Across The City
450
Location & Culture
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Your Destination
If you’re looking to spend time in one of the world’s most prominent cultural, finance, and commerce centers, look no further than Paris. The capital of France – and the country’s most populous city – is a top tourist destination. You’re sure to fall in love with its historic landmarks, exquisite dining, and charming architecture.
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Paris.
The Culture

Featured Excursion
Participate in excursions to fascinating French locations. Previous destinations have included Amboise, Reims, Rouen, Giverny, Chantilly, and Vaux-le-Vicomte, to name a few.

Other Cultural Activities and Study Tours
- Explore the hidden corners of Parisian culture, art, and society through weekly extracurricular activities
- See the Mona Lisa with your own eyes at the Louvre Museum
- Visit the theaters, cafés, and luxury shops of the Champs-Élysées
- Treat yourself to fresh baguettes and croissants at every boulangerie and take a stroll in the gorgeous squares and parks that line the city
- 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! As a program participant, you will make the CIEE Community Language Commitment to always speak French, fostering your language proficiency and helping you better understand local culture.
Daily Life
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HOUSING
All housing is within a 45-minute commute to CIEE Paris.
Homestays: Live with a French family, with or without another CIEE student, and immerse yourself in the city’s language and culture. Each student has an individual room. -
MEALS
Homestays: Host families include breakfast daily, plus five additional meals per week.
Paris, France Where You'll Study
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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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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 Université Sorbonne Nouvelle, in addition to classes at the CIEE Center.
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 Sorbonne Nouvelle. All classes are taught entirely in French by esteemed faculty, who are active researchers in the fields of cinema, visual arts, textual analysis, theater and critical theory.
Most students will take one course at the local university. More advanced students, with the permission of CIEE Paris faculty and staff, may take additional elective courses.
Université Sorbonne Nouvelle (Paris 3) is a branch of the University of Paris (UP), the second oldest university in Europe, the founder of the first doctorate degree, and the alma mater of many historic intellectuals. It hosts nearly 20,000 students.
GPA
3.0
Language Prerequisites
4 semesters of college-level French (or equivalent) required.
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Program Requirements
- FREN 3103 PAFR: Writing Workshop I
- FREN 3104 PAFR: Writing Workshop II
- One course at the Université Sorbonne Nouvelle
- Two electives chosen from any combination of:
- CIEE elective courses (French-taught courses only)
- Additional Université Sorbonne Nouvelle 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
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
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 and written essays, 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 Center are typically for CIEE students only. Classes are scheduled Monday-Thursday and meet three or four times per week. 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 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.
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Language of Instruction
French
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
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 their second-semester classes at the Université de Paris.
Spring 2023 CIEE Courses
Click to OpenLanguages and Cultural Studies
Visual and Performing Arts
Fall 2023 CIEE Courses
Click to OpenLanguages and Cultural Studies
Visual and Performing Arts
Host Institution Courses
Click to OpenStudents will enroll in UP courses on site but indicate the department of interest during course selection. 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.
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.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.
Scholarships
Click to OpenScholarships & Grants
CIEE offers 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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Spring 2023 18 weeks | Deadline Passed | Jan 2, 2023 | May 6, 2023 |
$22,950
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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 = $17,233 ** Housing = $5,250 *** Insurance = $167 Total Fees = $22,950Estimated 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 = $1,500 † International Airfare = $1,250 †† Local Transportation = $475 Books & Supplies = $200 Visa Fees = $165 ††† Potential travel to consulate for visa = $500 †††† Personal expenses = $3,000 Total Estimated Costs = $7,090Financial 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. † Students in homestays should budget $1,500 semester for meals not included in the program fee †† round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure ††† average cost, including Campus France fees †††† If no consulate in your home area |
Fall 2023 18 weeks | May 1, 2023 | Aug 14, 2023 | Dec 16, 2023 |
$22,950
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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 = $17,203 ** Housing = $5,250 *** Insurance = $197 Total Fees = $22,950Estimated 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 = $1,500 † International Airfare = $800 †† Local Transportation = $400 Books & Supplies = $300 Visa Fees = $165 ††† Potential travel to consulate for visa = $500 †††† Personal expenses = $2,300 Total Estimated Costs = $5,965Financial 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. † Some Meals are already included in homestay costs †† round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure ††† average cost, including Campus France fees †††† If no consulate in your home area |
Spring 2024 18 weeks | Nov 1, 2023 | Jan 8, 2024 | May 11, 2024 | |
Academic year 2023-2024 39 weeks | May 1, 2023 | Aug 14, 2023 | May 11, 2024 |
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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Delphine Mauny
Center Director
A born-and-bred Parisian, Delphine has extensive experience in international education, having worked with American high school students, college students, and adults traveling to France.
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Franck Le Gac
Academic Director
Franck oversees the coordination, quality, and planning of all courses and educational programming in Paris.
Get Started
Here's what you need to do to take the next steps:-
1
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.