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CIEE Paris to Dakar Summer Francophone Studies Combo Program
The summer Francophone Studies combination program is designed for students with an interest in French/Francophone Studies, comparative literature, African Studies, and international studies. The program offers students the unique opportunity to spend time in both France and Senegal, gaining insights into the influence of France on West A... read more
The summer Francophone Studies combination program is designed for students with an interest in French/Francophone Studies, comparative literature, African Studies, and international studies. The program offers students the unique opportunity to spend time in both France and Senegal, gaining insights into the influence of France on West Africa and the ways in which French and local history, politics, religion, and culture have helped shaped modern-day Senegal.
What You'll Learn:
The goal of the Francophone Studies combination program is to give students a unique opportunity to learn firsthand about French and Senegalese societies today and explore the impact of French history and culture on modern-day Senegal. Through Francophone Studies courses exploring literature, politics, religion, culture, and film, students will develop a better understanding of the historical and cultural linkages that exist between France and Senegal today.
Academic Program:
The summer Francophone Studies combination program involves two 3 ½ week academic sessions and is designed for students with an interest in Francophone Studies, comparative literature, and the historical, political, and cultural connections between France and Senegal.
During Session I, students on this program will study alongside students enrolled in the Paris Language and Culture summer program. Established in 2004, the Paris Language and Culture summer program is designed for students who want to improve their knowledge of French language and culture, while learning about Paris and France through classes, activities, and excursions, or who wish to explore certain focused themes including philosophy, art history, Francophone culture, cinema, and French sign language.
During Session II, students on this program will study alongside students enrolled in the Dakar Senegalese Studies summer program. Established in 2011, this program gives students the opportunity to live and study in a French-speaking West African country, introduces students to Senegalese society and to issues such as education, women's roles, the impact of Islam, and development and globalization from a West African perspective, enables students to develop and/or acquire language skills in French and Wolof, and provides opportunities for cultural immersion through homestays with a local Senegalese family and participation in a community service project.
Academic Culture:
The program is made up of two 3 ½ week sessions. Courses typically meet every morning or afternoon, Monday to Friday, for three hours, with structured outings and one required overnight study tour each session. The courses are designed for U.S. undergraduates, so the teaching and learning methods will be familiar to participants. Moreover, all professors in the summer program are accustomed to teaching U.S. students.
CIEE Paris courses are intellectually rigorous, and students should expect to be active participants in all aspects of the class, keeping up with daily reading assignments and participating in class discussions. In addition to lectures and discussions, classes may include film viewings and outings related to the themes of the class.
In Dakar, students often notice striking differences between their home educational system and the Senegalese model, which is based on the French system. While students in the U.S. are accustomed to a very structured system, the Senegalese method generally requires students to take greater initiative and responsibility in a less structured environment. Some American students could misperceive a course as having a light workload or few assignments, but students are expected to engage in a great deal of individual study and extensive reading outside of the classroom. Classes are generally lecture-based, but CIEE teachers are encouraged to foster more interactive classroom dynamics. In addition to lectures and discussions, many classes involve student presentations, which may take up a greater part of the course schedule than students are accustomed to in the U.S.
Courses are designed to offer opportunities for students to draw a parallel between the theoretical information they receive in the classroom and the social and cultural experiences they have outside of class. Field trips and guest speakers supplement students' education and provide a practical orientation to their learning. CIEE students have access to local institutions and organizations for research and special activities. These include the West African Research Center (WARC), the IFAN library at UCAD, and the Baobab Center. Less
