The Critical Studies Program emphasizes the analysis of literature, film, and other forms of visual expression through the use of contemporary critical theory. It is designed to allow students with advanced French language to explore the interaction among the fields of literature, aesthetics and psychoanalysis, and to examine the problems involved in such analysis. The language of instruction is French. Students enroll in a combination of special program courses and regular university courses. The Paris Center for Critical Studies maintains strong relationships with the Université Sorbonne Nouvelle Paris 3 and the Université de Paris Diderot. Furthermore, the courses offered at the Center are taught by faculty drawn from the Parisian universities who are recognized researchers in their field. This program is administered by the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) on behalf of a consortium of which The University of Iowa is a member. Participants join a group of students from other U.S. colleges and universities. UI students earn resident credit on this program.

The program is of interest to students, having the requisite language proficiency, in comparative literature and literary criticism, history, film studies, French and Francophone literatures, gender studies, philosophy, and the visual and performing arts.

Academic Program

The academic pre-session consists of an intensive language course meeting four hours daily with weekly private half-hour tutorials. During the regular semester, participants take two required classes (Writing Workshop and Theory and Method in Critical Studies), and two or more from a combination of CIEE classes at the Center and classes at the University of Paris. Subjects include Arab world studies, communications, literature, cinema/media, and theater arts.

CIEE core and content classes are taught in French to CIEE students. Regular university courses are with French students. Academic year students take the two required CIEE classes in the fall and may opt to continue the Writing Workshop in the spring. Students typically earn 16 sh each semester.

The program is best suited for students who are self-motivated and able to take responsibility for their own learning, students able to set their own reading and study schedules. The Writing Workshop is designed to help develop strong writing skills and the ability to articulate ones ideas and present a strong argument — qualities already well-developed in the typical French university student.

For More Information

Students are required to meet with the program adviser in the UI Study Abroad office before initiating an application. Detailed program information is found at this CIEE webpage.

The Paris Center for Critical Studies & University of Paris

The Paris Center is newly located in the lively Sentier neighborhood in the 2nd arrondissement, less than a minute away from the passages and cinemas of the Grand Boulevards, a 10-minute walk from the Palais Royal, and a 15-minute walk from the Opera Garnier. The Sorbonne Nouvelle is a 20-minute bus ride away.

Following reforms in the 1970s, the former University of Paris was split and then re-formed into 13 interdisciplinary universities. Three of these kept the Sorbonne name as part of their official title: Paris-Sorbonne (Paris IV), Sorbonne Nouvelle (Paris III), and the Panthéon-Sorbonne (Paris I). Most of the thirteen no longer occupy the historic Sorbonne building in the Latin Quarter, and the four that do were also given other premises elsewhere in the city.

Courses at Paris III taken by program students are typically taught in the Censier buildings, easily accessible by metro from any point in the city. Universite de Paris Diderot is the other school frequently attended by program students, and likewise attainable by metro.

A more recent reorganization in conjunction with measures of standardization throughout the European Union has modified the academic calendar such that classes at the University of Paris run from early October to mid-December and mid-January to May.

Living Arrangements

Housing is included in the program fee. Students are placed in either a small furnished studio or a furnished room where they share kitchen, bath and living areas with a French roommate.

Breakfast and some other group meals are provided during the three day orientation period. Meals during the semester are the student’s responsibility.

Travel Arrangements

Students make their own travel arrangements to arrive in Paris by a designated date. Specific information will be provided in post-acceptance materials from CIEE .

Eligibility

Overall GPA 3.0; 5 semesters of college-level French or equivalent (more is strongly advised); prior coursework in some of the following fields: philosophy, semiotics, film studies, visual studies, gender studies, cultural studies, French literature, Comparative literature; demonstrated interest in critical theory.

Costs

The Program Fee is charged on the U Bill and covers tuition, housing, group excursions, orientation and other support services, an iNext travel card that provides insurance and other travel benefits, and the UI administrative fee.

The semester program fee for Fall 2011 was $17,408 for students that are Iowa residents and $18,788 for non-residents. Additional costs include round-trip airfare, meals, books and supplies, and personal expenses.

How to Apply

Students complete a CIEE application on the web. They must first meet with the program adviser in the UI Study Abroad office for instructions and to obtain a UIowa CIEE program Application sheet. Applications are considered on a rolling basis and early application is advisable.

Application Deadline

Application deadlines are October 1 for the spring semester and March 1 for the fall and academic year programs.

Following acceptance, students receive arrival and other information from the Portland office, as well as a Program Handbook with comprehensive student information for France.

All students attend a general TIPS orientation for UI Students Studying Abroad. Additional small group meetings address specific topics, as well as billing and credit procedures at Iowa.

CIEE also conducts online orientations for its students.