FREN 285: Contemporary French Society through Film and Media France

FREN 285 (4 credits)

Contemporary French Society through Film and Media

4 weeks in Toulouse, France

Professor Stephen McCormick

This is an intensive French language and culture course in the southern French city of Toulouse, home of the painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. For four weeks students will live and study in "la ville rose," or the pink city, so called because of its rosy brick buildings. Warm, sunny, and laid back, Toulouse will offer intermediate and advanced language learners a very different experience than programs in European capital cities, such as Paris. During the period abroad, students will take language classes at a French language school, live with host families, travel on group excursions, and, in the afternoons, take the W&L FREN 285 course "Contemporary French Society through Film and Media" to continue to build confidence in oral and written expression. This course will investigate language, culture and social dynamics of contemporary French society, while also examining the historical region of Occitania, the region in which Toulouse is located. As a group, we will visit the towns Albi and Carcassonne, and visit Cordes-sur-ciel, a medieval hilltop village. Students will also have two free weekends in which to either organize independent travel, or to stay and enjoy Toulouse. This course is open to any student who has completed FREN 162 or 164, or the equivalent. There will be two levels, intermediate and advanced.

Prerequisite: FREN 162 or 164, or equivalent. Open to intermediate and advanced levels.

Program Fee (paid to W&L): $3,385.  (This fee includes: Pre-departure orientation; on-site orientation; a French Language course taught by a French professor; homestay accommodation for four weeks with breakfast and dinner during weekdays and three meals a day during weekends; excursions and community engagement activities;a farewell dinner; a group airport transfer at beginning and end of program.)

Estimated Other Expenses: Airfare and ground transportation - $1,500-1,700; Personal expenses - lunches, personal purchases - $800.

For further details, please contact Professor McCormick at mccormicks@wlu.edu.