Paris Fall Seminar

Study in Paris with Skidmore Professor William S. Lewis from the Philosophy Department. The fall 2013 Paris Fall Seminar, titled "'68 and After: Revolution and Reaction in French Politics and Culture," offers students the chance to study the profound cultural changes which occurred in France after the evens of May 1968 and to place them in the context of French History and Political thought. 

Unique characteristics
  • Enjoy the historical and cultural riches of Paris
  • No previous French language study required
  • Intensive French language study
  • Courses taught in English (except French language)
  • Housing with French families
  • Superior on-site support at the Skidmore Center
Bill Lewis

The Program and Seminar Director

The Paris Fall Seminar program, offered every fall, is a faculty-led program designed to offer students an opportunity to study in Paris, even if they have little or no French language skills. The program is hosted by the Skidmore in Paris program, which has been offered since 1980. The Seminar Director position is filled by a different Skidmore professor each year, and past directors have come from the departments of History, Government, Foreign Languages & Literature, and English.

The Seminar Director for the fall 2013 program is William S. Lewis, Associate Professor of Philosophy, who teachers Social and Political Philosophy in the Department of Philosophy and Religion at Skidmore College.

Participants enroll in a total of four courses: a beginning or low-intermediate French language course, a course on French culture, society or history related to the topic of the seminar, and two additional courses within the theme of the seminar. There is no French language requirement for the Paris Fall Seminar − all courses, except the French language course, are taught in English.

2011 Students at Eiffel Tower web

'68 and After: Revolution and Reaction in French Politics and Culture
Paris Fall Seminar 2013

In the United States, people refer generically to the "sixties" as a decade that fomented social change. In France, however, all one need do is refer to "May 1968." That spring, what started as student protests spilled over into widespread social unrest and general strikes; the country was paralyzed and the government almost fell. These revolutionary events led to drastic changes in French society: old institutions were transformed and class and gender roles were challenged along with the very idea of what it is to be French. By actively exploring the places and institutions that were changed as well as by interacting with people who were and are affected by these changes, Paris will become a living laboratory for program participants. Theoretical investigations, interviews and site visits will allow program members to understand cultural change in general. No prior French is required to participate in the Paris Fall Seminar, but you will acquire an excellent foundation in the language on the program.


The Skidmore Center 

Staffed by our Resident Director and staff, the program center is located in the heart of Paris, in the 3rd arrondisement, close to the Centre Georges Pompidou, the well-known and vast complex for the arts and culture.

The Skidmore Center serves as a home base for our students while they are in Paris. It houses classrooms for program courses, computer facilities, Skidmore’s administrative offices, and a small resource library. The Resident Director and staff are available throughout the program to provide whatever support and assistance our students might need. Skidmore aims to use only French in the program center, maximizing the linguistic benefit of the program and integration into French culture.

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