Summer Study in Paris - Courses & Curriculum

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Type of Class	Program Length
College Credit French Language Courses	5 weeks
Enrichment Classes/Workshops	5 or 3 weeks

La Sorbonne College Credit French Courses

Beginning French: Through different activites, the students learn to master elementary conversational and written communication, and practices basic linguistic structures and tenses. Good pronunciation is stressed to establish a firm foundation for further study of language. NOTE: This class is for students who have taken no French or 1 year or less of high school French.

Elementary French: This course is intended to help students acquire the basic elements of spoken and written French. Students will learn to express themselves in everyday life situations in the present, past and future tenses through a functional approach organized around communicative goals. Conscientions daily homework and active participation in class are expected from every student. NOTE: This class is for students who have taken 1 or 2 years of high school French.

Low Intermediate French: This course involves an active review of complex sentence structure and all verb tenses in order to improve written and oral skills. Emphasis is on both reading and writing as well as comprehension of spoken French. Students engage in discussion and composition based on magazine articles. Cultural outings provide a direct experience within this French environment. NOTE: This advanced class is for students who have completed 2 or more years of high school French.

High Intermediate/Advanced French: This course is a continuation of Low Intermediate French. Please see paragraph above. NOTE: This class is for the best of our applicants who have completed at least 3 years of high school French.

Enrichment Classes/Workshops

Architecture: Paris offers some of the best-known architecture in the world. This course follows the city's development from Roman times to the present and teaches the general vocabulary of architecture. Discussions include elementary concepts of urban planning, aesthetics, structure and design. Major monuments, pivotal points of urban history and domestic architecture in Paris will be studied in class.

Art History: Paris is home to the greatest museums the world has to offer. After all, the city itself is a work of art! This class will provide you with a broad overview of the major periods in art history (Renaissance, Baroque, Impressionist and Modern) and the influence that French artists had on those periods. We will concentrate on painting and sculpture and will visit the city's great museums for guided tours and self-exploration. Come home with a familiarity of the works of DaVinci, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Delacroix, Monet, Rodin, Picasso and others!

Beginning Conversational French: An introduction to French with an emphasis on acquiring a basic level of proficiency in the language and understanding of the culture of France and the Francophone world. Speaking French from day one, students work with dialogues, vocabulary and grammer exercises devoted to French language and culture. NOTE: This class is for students who have taken no French or one year or less of French in high school.

Elementary Conversational French*: Students will review grammar points learned in beginning French and study more complex grammatical structures. This course is designed to improve: listening comprehension, through class discussion; speaking proficiency, through exercises on vocabulary and pronunciation; reading comprehension, through analysis of cultural readings; and writing ability through constant practice. NOTE: This class is designed for students who have taken 1-2 years of high school French.

Intermediate Conversational French*: Students will review grammar points learned in beginning and elementary French. Practice with the four skills: reading, writing, understanding, and speaking. Cultural outings will provide great practice of these skills. Also, an introduction to literary analysis of French stories and poems. NOTE: This class is for students who have completed 2 or more years of high school French.

Advanced Conversational French*: This course is a continuation of Intermediate Conversational French. Please see paragraph above. NOTE: This class is for the best of our applicants who have completed at least three years of high school French.

* NOTE: Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced levels of French are all available as an intensive double-period French class.

Contemporary Global Issues: Exposes students to a broad range of contemporary issues: wars and regional conflicts, nuclear and conventional weapons proliferation, North-South disputes, regionalism and integration, gender issues, ecological destruction, etc. It will also examine the nature of national diplomacy and international institutions (UN, NATO, IMF, etc.) used in the effort to resolve these issues.

Creative & College Essay Writing: Finally, a class where your mind has to wander! Inspired by entertaining and constructive writing exercises, you will work on establishing a distinct style, unique characters and sensible plot. You’ll explore the creative styles of known authors, playwrights and poets. Students examine in depth strategies and techniques used by accomplished writers to create total effects for their readers. Finally, all students will complete a college essay for evaluation and critique by the instructor. This class is workshop-style, and has a great “hands-on” approach to writing.

Drawing in Paris This class offers the opportunity for students of all abilities to develop their drawing skills while exploring this beautiful city. Skills and techniques will be practiced both in the classroom and on-site. Each class session concentrates on specific graphic elements such as form, composition, line, value and perspective, providing the beginner with the basic tools needed for personal expression. More advanced students are encouraged to develop their own styles and to review drawing concepts. NOTE: Students are responsible for materials, which can be bought locally in Paris.

Fashion…The Trendsetters Explore the latest trends of the fashion industry through this informal approach to fashion and design. Visits are made to museums, exhibitions, and the areas of Paris where the industry thrives today. Topics include ‘Textiles, Dress and Value’, ‘Dress and Identity’ and ‘Designers and Clients’. You will compare and contrast the different styles and designers that achieve fashion status in France. Increase your awareness of this exciting industry.

Film Studies: This course serves as an introduction and analysis of both American and European film. Students will study the language, structure and history of the cinema. Discussions include the similarities and differences of various European cultures and the contributions they have made to modern day film. Once students have learned some of the basics, the class will explore film criticism and the impact film has on our society.

History of Paris: Take a deeper look at the city you are visiting. This course offers a cultural history of Paris by considering distinctive periods of the city’s development. While lectures present a selected, chronological overview of the city’s history, visits of chosen sites, monumental buildings or particular urban districts focus on historical artifacts of the city’s transformations and of its link to earlier ages. You will discover how Paris had become one of the world’s greatest cultural centers.

Intercultural Communications: This course examines how culturally conditioned behavior affects relations between groups. It introduces techniques of ethnological research and observation and encourages students to examine issues such as identity formation, perception of time, space and the body, as well as non-verbal communication. In addition, students are introduced to the major traditions of the world and their worldviews.

International Business: This course introduces students to current issues in international business by focusing on economics, cultural, political and organizational issues raised by the operations of multinational corporations. The course explores, through open discussions and lecture, what it takes to be successful in the global marketplace. It examines multinational company’s motivations for international expansion and choices of entering foreign markets.

Paris Through Digital Photography: Learn how to shoot better pictures in the country where photography was invented. Explore digital camera use and functions, cropping, lighting, and flash. Learn how to download photos to your computer, back up your images, create slideshows and photo collages, adjust coloration, e-mail and print photos, and have fun while doing it! Students will practice their learned skills while exploring the picturesque city. Class assignments are designed to explore Paris as well as discover an essential visual medium. With Paris as a magnificent backdrop and faces in your program from around the world, your photo memories will last a lifetime. Students must bring a digital camera with necessary connection cables. Minor supplemental costs for printing.

KAPLAN SUMMER SAT PREPARATION CLASS

For nearly 70 years, Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions has helped students get a higher score on their SAT exam and gain admission to the colleges of their choice. Reformatted for the current SATs, Kaplan SAT training combines classroom instruction, supplemental practice materials and simulated full-length practice exams. Kaplan's unique combination of the highest quality study materials, realistic testing experiences, and dynamic teachers and tutors is unrivaled. After a diagnostic practice test, Kaplan generates a personalized score report of each student’s strengths and weaknesses. This score report is then used to help create a personalized study plan for each student to maximize his/her study time. Working in small groups, Kaplan instructors teach a comprehensive understanding of the math, writing, and verbal skills tested on the SAT. The Kaplan summer SAT preparation class uses a proprietary problem-solving approach, which immerses students in the content and strategies needed to score higher on the SAT. With Kaplan's SmartPoints™ system, students can make the most of their time—and scores. Administered under actual testing conditions, 3-4 full-length exams provide invaluable practice of the learned test-taking techniques as well as techniques to overcome test anxiety. Kaplan summer SAT preparation class work is supplemented with homework assignments, and teachers are available for extra help on a regular basis throughout the course. A full set of Kaplan SAT preparation books, as well as 8 full-length practice tests, and flashcards for on-the-go studying is included in the course tuition. Summertime is the “hassle-free” time to prepare fully for the SAT’s. Do it this summer! (5-week program only)

SUMMER STUDY PROGRAMS EXCLUSIVE!
COLLEGE PREP ADVANTAGE: KAPLAN’s Summer Study SAT/ACT Program INCLUDES Kaplan's College Prep Advantage at NO ADDITIONAL COST! Students enrolled in the SAT prep course get...

UNLIMITED access to Kaplan’s complete SAT and ACT prep courses, in the classroom or online (take the courses as often as you like).
PREPARATION for SAT SUBJECT TESTS (SAT II) and ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) exams with Kaplan’s ONLINE study guides.
A COLLEGE ADMISSIONS COURSE & PLANNER, Applywise, to help organize and plan your college application process.
A PERSONAL TEST ADVISOR to help map out your schedule of attack to attend the best possible college/university.
ACCESS to all of the above throughout your ENTIRE HIGH SCHOOL career…3 to 4 years!

Supplemental Cost: $795, regularly $999 if taken in your area.

Last Updated 11/22/11

"This was the most amazing experience of my life...imagine being able to meet people from around the globe while seeing the most beautiful sights and, best of all, eating your heart out at any restaurant in the city!! I couldn't have asked for a better summer!"
- Paige Blagg, Koloa, Hawaii