Paris
Photography
Summer
The Lexia in Paris Summer Photography program is designed to give students the visual and technical photography skills to produce their own body of work. Students’ coursework will involve photographing daily in and around Paris, culminating in a cohesive portfolio of photographic work encompassing their experience in Paris and demonstrating an understanding of photography within the culture both visually and conceptually. Taking full advantage of the city’s cultural richness and role in the history of photography, the Art History class includes visits to the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Musée l’Orangerie, and a broad range of historical and contemporary photographic galleries.
No prior knowledge of French is required. However, language is integrated into the photography program as a conversational workshop, encouraging students to become more immersed in the culture of Paris. Social encounters with French artists, as well as organized field trips contribute a greater understanding of the culture for Lexia students.
"Thank you Lexia for a wonderful semester!!!!"
Program Options
Students on the Lexia Paris Photography program study abroad for a five-week summer term. A list of courses and course descriptions can be found below:
Summer Program
Students on the Lexia Paris Photography summer program take two courses for a total of 8 semester credits or 12 quarter credits.
- Photography
- Art History
Courses
Photography (Four semester/six quarter credits)
Student’s coursework will have them photographing daily in Paris, concentrating on the technical and aesthetic aspects of digital photography. Students field research project will work towards a cohesive body of photographic work that encompasses their experience in France, demonstrating an understanding of photography within the culture both visually and conceptually. Students are required to have their own digital camera and laptop.
Art History (Four semester/six quarter credits)
The French art history course spans from the Renaissance to contemporary art. The majority of lectures are on site, taking place in different locations each day and emphasizing the importance of seeing and understanding works of art within their historical contexts. Therefore, class time will consist of visits to important public spaces, monuments, galleries and museums.
Dates & Deadlines
Coming soon!
Housing
Homestays: Students live in homestays throughout Paris, which allows them to have a rich intercultural and linguistic experience. Students should be aware that the "traditional" family (two parents, children) is becoming a rarity in urban Paris; they may be placed with an older couple or single person, cousins, or in other family configurations. In single or double rooms, students share safe accommodations in apartments equipped with the essentials. Most housing providers are long-term Paris residents and offer insights and the chance to practice French and intercultural skills.
Excursions
The program fee covers all Lexia excursions, which are designed to help students discover areas and aspects of culture that are typically less easily accessible to tourists and give a broad representation of the breadth of French culture and its people. Excursions outside of Paris may include some of the following:
Chartres: According the art historian Emile Male the Gothic cathedral in Chartres is “the mind of the Middle Ages manifest”
Lyon: Basilique de Fourviere; Vieux Lyon (Old Medieval Quarter); Musée des Frères Lumière (inventors of the first moving picture camera)
Strasbourg: Largest city in Alsace; Palais de l’Europe; Old Town
Burgundy: Visits to Dijon (capital of Burgundy) and Beaune
Normandy: Normandy Beaches, site of D-day landings; Bayeux
Mont St. Michel: 8th century abbey on an island between Brittany and Normandy
Integrated into some of the courses, excursions in and around Paris are an essential part of the Lexia program. These field trips can include:
- Musée d’Orsay
- Musée de Louvre
- Notre-Dame de Paris
- St. Julien-le-Pauvre
- Sacré Coeur
- Musée Cluny
- Panthéon
- L'Hôtel des Invalides
- La Sainte Chapelle
The Lexia staff assists students in adjusting to and interacting with the local culture. Students are encouraged to attend extracurricular events. Students with particular extracurricular interests should alert the Resident Director once abroad, so that s/he may help the student become involved. The program staff may also inform students of cultural events and independent travel opportunities available to them.
Cost
Summer: $6,495
Tuition: $4,745
Housing: $1,750
Program Fees Include:
- On-Site Orientation (2-4 days)
- All Tuition and Fees
- All Scheduled Program Excursions
- Housing Costs
- Services of Lexia Resident Director and Program Staff
- Comprehensive Medical Insurance Policy
- International Student Identity Card (ISIC)
- Official Transcript from Elizabethtown College
Budget
Not included in the Program Fee are the following estimated expenses based past students' experiences during the semester-long program:
- Airfare Ranges from $800–$1,100
- Meals not Covered $2,080
- Books & Supplies $230
- Personal Expenses $1,400
Estimated Total Additional Expenses: $4,660 – $4,960
Instructors & Institutions
The Lexia program offers students opportunities to explore this dynamic city and historical region, while confronting the daily challenge of a changing society. One of the recognized strengths of the Lexia programs is the strongly supportive faculty and staff. The Lexia Resident Director provides students with the necessary information to live and study in France. The faculty of the Lexia program consists primarily of French professors, with occasional lectures by specialists from government and industry. These faculty members also serve as Field Research Project advisors and offer a link to local students.
The "Cours de Langue et de Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne" was created by the Sorbonne in 1917 for the purpose of teaching French language and culture to foreign students. The professors offer traditional teaching, including "practical classes" where all aspects of the French language are taught through phonetics training and laboratory work, along with lectures on French civilization. Classes are small and are offered at the elementary, intermediate, and advanced levels. Students take both an oral and written test to place them into the appropriate language level. Formal classroom instruction takes place for ten to fifteen hours a week.
Academic Year students with sufficient French proficiency have the option of enrolling in the Conferences at the Sorbonne (in French: art history, literature, film, and history) if their schedules do not conflict with regularly scheduled Lexia courses. The student body at the Sorbonne is very international and the students find themselves surrounded by people from around the world.
Credits
The typical course load is four courses per semester. Students who successfully complete Lexia’s program requirements are able to earn the equivalent of one full semester or academic year of college/university level credit, pending approval from their home institution.
It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the credit transfer policies at his/her home institution and department, including advising appointments, paperwork and pre-departure or re-entry activities. We strongly suggest that students contact their study abroad or other appropriate office early in the planning stage to ensure that they complete all requirements.