Pau Courses – 2023 Summer Session II

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Studying abroad can be a more meaningful and invigorating learning experience than at home—both inside and outside of the classroom. You may be more curious and alert than you usually are so use this heightened energy to enhance your studies as well as your cultural and geographical explorations. You may also encounter different teaching styles and course processes; be prepared to adapt and to learn.

Courses

You may take three to seven credits in Session I and four to six credits in Session II. At least one 3-credit course is required each session you are enrolled. Course availability is contingent on student enrollment and is subject to change.

Click the course title to view course details, description, and availability.

French Language Studies

In Session I, there is no language requirement. In Session II, you will choose a 3-credit French language course. A 1-credit French conversation course is required for students at the intermediate level and higher in Session II. Language courses have a maximum enrollment of 15 students each.

Session I and Session II

• First Year French I

  Summer Session I

  French World Languages and Literatures 100-level 4 credits Taught in French

  Introduction to the language through the development of language skills and through structural analysis. The fundamentals of French grammar (all verb tenses), vocabulary and useful expressions are studied. The goals of these courses are to build reading, writing, listening and above all speaking skills and to enable the students to handle basic communicative tasks and social situations.

• First Year French II

  Summer Session I

  French World Languages and Literatures 100-level 4 credits Taught in French

  Summer Session II

  French World Languages and Literatures 100-level 4 credits Taught in French

  Introduction to the language through the development of language skills and through structural analysis. The fundamentals of French grammar (all verb tenses), vocabulary and useful expressions are studied. The goals of these courses are to build reading, writing, listening and above all speaking skills and to enable the students to handle basic communicative tasks and social situations.

  Prerequisite: one semester of college-level French

• Second Year French I

  Summer Session I

  French World Languages and Literatures 200-level 3 credits Taught in French

  Summer Session II

  French World Languages and Literatures 200-level 3 credits Taught in French

  These courses involve a review and deeper study of the structure of the French language and the French culture. Practice of oral and written communication: speeches, discussions, interviews, role-playing, writing messages, statements, letters and stories. Practice of listening and reading comprehension through authentic materials such as news, films and literary texts.

  Prerequisite: two semesters of college-level French

• Second Year French II

  Summer Session I

  French World Languages and Literatures 200-level 3 credits Taught in French

  Summer Session II

  French World Languages and Literatures 200-level 3 credits Taught in French

  These courses involve a review and deeper study of the structure of the French language and the French culture. Practice of oral and written communication: speeches, discussions, interviews, role-playing, writing messages, statements, letters and stories. Practice of listening and reading comprehension through authentic materials such as news, films and literary texts.

  Prerequisite: three semesters of college French

• Third Year French I

  Summer Session I

  French World Languages and Literatures 300-level 3 credits Taught in French

  Summer Session II

  French World Languages and Literatures 300-level 3 credits Taught in French

  Classes revolve around compositions that the student writes frequently on a variety of topics. Part of the class is used to correct the composition or exercises, which the student does outside of class and on teaching the necessary expressions and structures for essay writing. The goal of these courses is to enable the students to express themselves effectively in formal and informal writing on practical, social and professional topics and to achieve a personal style in written French.

  Prerequisite: four semesters of college-level French

• Third Year French II

  Summer Session I

  French World Languages and Literatures 300-level 3 credits Taught in French

  Summer Session II

  French World Languages and Literatures 300-level 3 credits Taught in French

  Classes revolve around compositions that the student writes frequently on a variety of topics. Part of the class is used to correct the composition or exercises, which the student does outside of class and on teaching the necessary expressions and structures for essay writing. The goal of these courses is to enable the students to express themselves effectively in formal and informal writing on practical, social and professional topics and to achieve a personal style in written French.

  Prerequisite: five semesters of college-level French

• Fourth Year French I

  Summer Session I

  French World Languages and Literatures 400-level 3 credits Taught in French

  Summer Session II

  French World Languages and Literatures 400-level 3 credits Taught in French

  Designed to improve the knowledge and expressive capabilities of advanced language students. Readings of narrative, drama, poetry, essays and journalism are analyzed for style, for the meaning of vocabulary in precise context and serve as a basis for subsequent discussion. Close study of the register of the French language and transposition exercises. Students work to strengthen their own personal style through frequent written assignments.

  Prerequisite: six semesters of college-level French

• Fourth Year French II

  Summer Session I

  French World Languages and Literatures 400-level 3 credits Taught in French

  Summer Session II

  French World Languages and Literatures 400-level 3 credits Taught in French

  Designed to improve the knowledge and expressive capabilities of advanced language students. Readings of narrative, drama, poetry, essays and journalism are analyzed for style, for the meaning of vocabulary in precise context and serve as a basis for subsequent discussion. Close study of the register of the French language and transposition exercises. Students work to strengthen their own personal style through frequent written assignments.

  Prerequisite: seven semesters of college-level French

• French Conversation

  Summer Session II

  French 300-level 1 credit Taught in French

  Acquisition and improvement of communicative and linguistic terms with the help of a constant interaction between teachers and students.

  Active listening and participation, contribution to written and oral activities.

  Presentation of the results of short research projects followed by debates.

  - Utilized methods and documents:

  In turn; Communicative exercises of progressive French grammar of an intermediate level; Cadences 2; etc...

  Articles from the press (Le Monde, Libération, Télérama, Courrier International...)

  Radio and television reports about present day society that foster oral expression by way of in-class debate.

  Prerequisite: two semesters of college-level French

Electives

These elective courses are designed to familiarize you with the region.

Session I

• France Today

  Summer Session I

  French 300-level 3 credits Taught in French

  This course will expose students to various aspects of French society and provide students a space to develop a more meaningful understanding of French culture. In addition, students will strengthen their foundational knowledge of French political, social, and education systems and develop the ability to analyze highly debated issues such as immigration and religion.

  Prerequisite: four semesters of college French, or equivalent

• French Theatre: Molière

  Summer Session I

  French Theater 400-level 3 credits Taught in French

  This course is designed for students who need to take advanced level French courses or who want to learn more about Molière and the classical French theater. Pau celebrates this year the 400 years of Molière. Students will enjoy watching the famous play Tartuffe in the beautiful Théâtre St Louis in the city center of Pau. In this class the students will read plays and work on the language of the Classiques. They will analyze the versification, understand what is comic in the Molière’s plays and analyze theatrical texts “Explication de texte à la française”. The course is also the occasion to play scenes of Molière and is ideal for the students who want to improve their oral skills, in particular their fluency, pronunciation, and intonation.

  Prerequisite: Six semesters of college-level French, or equivalent

• Sustainability in France

  Summer Session I

  Environmental Science Geography 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  Sustainability of natural ecosystems and the human societies that depend on them is threatened by warming climate and global upheaval. France has rich natural resources and strong environmental programs, but faces numerous challenges. This course will explore the natural legacy of France and address sustainability in terms of energy, agriculture, water, forests, and seashores. We will examine climate change effects and consider how society can reduce the impact of change and adapt to new conditions. Pau´s location in southwestern France provides excellent opportunities to study and visit sustainability projects.

• Survey of Art: European/Western Art

  Summer Session I

  Art 200-level 1 credit Taught in French

  Art history of western Europe through the 17th century, with particular emphasis on country specific art. For example, students in France will study influential French artists along with important European artists of that period. The art and vision of the world of each period are studied through architecture, sculpture and painting, including: Romanesque art (the great cathedrals) and the Renaissance (da Vinci, Michelangelo, El Greco). The objectives of the course are to develop a more complete knowledge of European and local culture through art and to learn to identify, analyze and appreciate works of art.

  Prerequisite: four semesters of college-level French

Session II

• Contemporary French Culture and Civilization

  Summer Session II

  World Languages and Literatures 200-level 1 credit Taught in English

  In this course we will examine the major social, political and historical events and movements of the 20th century, which have helped create French thought and culture. Readings for the study and exploration of topics include French culture, character, society, history, language and education, and will be taken from a number of sources - literary, scholarly and popular. When appropriate, students will take field trips to local points of cultural interest.

• La Chanson Française: Then and Now

  Summer Session II

  French 300-level 1 credit Taught in French

  This course analyzes French history, politics, society, and the experience of living in France as shown through French music from the 20th century to today, focusing on the evolution of French music during the past 50 years

  Prerequisite: four semesters of college-level French

• Seminar in French Language

  Summer Session II

  French 400-level 3 credits Taught in French

  This course is specifically designed for students with an advanced knowledge who want to augment their ability to comprehend spoken French and to express themselves more fluently in French.

  Prerequisite: six semesters of college-level French

• Theatre in French

  Summer Session II

  French 300-level 1 credit Taught in French

  Travail sur l'articulation, la prononciation, l'intonation, travail sur le corps, les émotions, l'imaginaire, travail sur des textes d'auteurs contemporains avec correction phonétique, pratique de certaines structures grammaticales adaptés au niveaux des étudiants.

  Produire un spectacle en français à l'université devant un public d'étudiants et de personnel de l'Université à la fin du cours.

  Prerequisite: two semesters of college-level French

To request a course syllabus: syllabus@usac.edu

U.S. Visiting Professors

While most USAC courses are taught by local faculty, the following U.S. professor will also teach in this program:

Pau Summer Session I, 2023

Course: Sustainability in France

Dr. Peter Fulé, Northern Arizona University

Dr. Fulé studies the ecology of forests and wildfires, and their links to global climate. He has worked in the southwestern U.S., Latin America, Asia, and the Mediterranean, applying ecological information for the restoration and conservation of diverse forests.