Harvard Summer Program- Arab and European Literary and Cultural Encounters, Aix-en-Provence, France

This unique program, situated in the picturesque town of Aix-en-Provence, brings together students of Arabic and French language and culture to examine historical, literary, and cultural aspects of Arab and European interactions in the colonial and postcolonial (contemporary) eras. Themes include cross-cultural perceptions, tradition versus modernityBINARIES, travel, exile, immigration, gender, and family. Field trips and lectures on topics related to the area supplement class time.

The program will be of particular interest to those who focus on Arabic and French language and area studies. There are two courses, taught by faculty from Harvard:

• An intensive upper-level language class (Arabic or French) introducing you to literary and cultural texts that treat Arab-European encounters
• A literary and cultural criticism course (in English) covering seminal works of contemporary literary and cultural theories on postcoloniality (i.e., negritude, orientalism) and Mediterraneanism as ways of understanding the primary texts

Course of study

You must take COMP S-136 and then choose either the Arabic or French track of COMP S-134.

Course credit

See Study Abroad Credit Information.

Faculty

Application

Before applying, review the Admission and Policies and FAQs pages.

You must be at least 18 years old and have completed at least one year of college or be a first-year student in good academic standing to apply.

The application materials, outlined below, are due January 28, 2016:

• A completed online application (available in early December) that includes:
  • A $50 nonrefundable application fee
  • A statement of interest in the program, including information on relevant coursework and travel experience abroad (previous travel is not a prerequisite)
  • Transcripts (student record accepted for Harvard students)
• Two confidential letters of recommendation e-mailed (PDF format) directly from the recommender to William Granara at granara@fas.harvard.edu:
  • One from a current or most recent language teacher addressing language-learning skills and achievement
  • One from someone of substantially longer acquaintance (but not a relative) who can attest to personal qualities pertinent to participation in an intensive study abroad program

You will be notified of admission decisions by mid-February.

Cost

There is a nonrefundable $50 application fee. The program cost includes the following:

• Tuition
• Room and some meals
• Field trips

In addition to the program fee, you are responsible for:

• A health insurance fee (waived if you have US insurance that provides coverage outside the United States)
• Transportation to and from France
• Independent excursions
• The cost of passports and visas (if the latter is needed)
• Any immunizations

How to pay and funding options

See Payment and Funding for payment deadlines and more information, including funding options for Harvard College students.

Accommodations

Students are placed in homes with local families, chosen by the experienced staff of our local host institution, the Institute for American Universities.

Additional information

Contact William Granara, granara@fas.harvard.edu.

Students with disabilities

Contact the disability services coordinator as soon as possible. See Students with Disabilities for more information.

This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:

http://www.summer.harvard.edu/programs/study-abroad/aix-en-provence-france