Study Abroad

Italy & France

The Humanities and Western Civilization Program Abroad in Florence and Paris consists of four integrated courses, all taught by KU faculty. Two of these comprise the two-semester Western Civilization requirement. The other two courses are the Art and Architecture of Florence and Paris, and a course in European Culture and Society.

All four courses integrate classroom time with visits to local museums, such as the Uffizi and the Louvre, as well as a number of trips to major historical sites like the Medici Chapel and Versailles. In addition, walking tours of Florence and Paris will trace the histories of these two cities as they develop into major political and cultural centers.

Students start out in Florence and then move to Paris in each semester.

The Humanities and Western Civilization Program Abroad also includes several day trips from each city. In addition, there are two 3-day excursions, including a visit to Rome and a tour of regional France, usually Normandy and Brittany.

Academic Program

Students fulfill both semesters of their Western Civilization requirement plus an additional three hours in Art History and three hours in European Studies for a total of twelve KU semester credit hours. EURS 302 satisfies a requirement for the European Studies co-major, and the Historical Studies (HT) Component of the Humanities principal course requirement.

All students take the following 3-credit hour courses:

HWC 204 Western Civilization I

HWC 205 Western Civilization II

EURS 302 European Culture and Society, 1945-Present

HA 305 Art and Architecture of Florence and Paris

Classes, taught by KU instructors, are held in Accent facilities in Paris and Florence. Class hours are similar to campus. In addition, 1-2 local site visits will be scheduled each week. Most classes and museum visits will be scheduled Monday-Thursday. Fridays will be reserved for group day excursions or additional class time and local site visits. All site visits and excursions are an important part of the academic program and attendance is required. Participants have one free 3-day weekend in each city.

For more information on the European Studies co-major, visit www.ku.edu/~ces.

Accommodations

All accommodations are double occupancy. In Florence and Paris, students live in student apartments, scattered throughout the city. Most apartments have one to three bedrooms, a small kitchen and bath.

A Metro pass for central Paris is included for the duration of the Paris portion of the program. A Europass pass for five days of travel within two months is also included. Most participants choose to use the pass during the 10-day semester break. The Europass provides rail transportation in three countries: France, Switzerland, and Italy. No housing or meals are provided during the 10-day break.

Accent will provide instructions for students who wish to ship luggage between cities. The cost of shipping one bag (max. weight-55 lbs) between cities over the break is included.

Program Dates

Spring 2008
Depart US: Wednesday, January 9
Arrive Florence: Thursday, January 10
Mid-term Break: Friday Feb.22-Monday, March 3
Arrive Paris: Monday, March 3
Depart Paris: Friday, April 11

Eligibility

Open to students from accredited U.S. colleges or universities who have a minimum 2.75 GPA and have attained sophomore standing by the beginning of the program. Acceptance decisions are based on academic record, essays, and references.

Cost

Spring 2008

KU Students: Approximately $11,450
Non-KU Students: Approximately $11,750

The program fee includes all costs of instruction, KU tuition and administrative costs, double-occupancy lodging in Paris and Florence, pre-departure orientation at KU and on-site orientations in Florence and Paris, Paris transit pass, group entries to cultural sites, program-related excursions and day trips, a 5-day Europass for travel during the mid-term break, rental of some of the required texts, and emergency evacuation and repatriation services.

Additional Costs: airfare, passport and visa, meals, some books, accommodations during mid-term break, personal expenses, and insurance. The total estimated additional costs will be approximately $5,000, depending on the student’s personal spending habits.

An optional flight will be arranged for the group.

Note: All dates, costs, and program information are subject to change as necessary due to fluctuations in the exchange rate or other reasons

Financial Aid

KU students who qualify for financial aid in the form of Stafford and/or other loans, Pell or SEOG Grants, and scholarships may apply the aid to the cost of a Study Abroad Program.

Limited supplemental scholarships are available to KU undergraduates. Applications are available at the Office of Study Abroad. The scholarship application deadline is March 1 for Fall and October 1 for Spring.

Non-KU students should check into the resources available to them at their home institution.

Application Deadline

Deadline for Spring 2008: Monday, Oct. 1

Applications are available in the KU Office of Study Abroad, 108 Lippincott, and in the Humanities and Western Civilization Program office, 308 Bailey. You can also download the application on the web here .