ASA: Academic Study Associates 2008 Programs

The academic program is composed of a 3-hour French language course each weekday morning and an 1 1/2 hour afternoon cultural elective which takes place four times a week. Upon arrival in Nice, students are given a comprehensive diagnostic exam and, based on the results of this examination, placed in French courses at one of seven levels from beginning to advanced.In total, students participate in 51 hours of French instruction and 24 hours of instruction in cultural electives. Morning French courses are taught exclusively in French by native speakers from the University of Nice Facult?? des Lettres with specialized training in the teaching of French as a second language. Afternoon electives are taught by university instructors from both the US and France. At the end of the program, ASA will provide a transcript including brief course descriptions, instructors' comments and final course grades. With the exception of French Cooking, all cultural electives will be held on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons. The Cooking course will be held twice a week for four hours a time (either Monday & Thursday or Tuesday & Friday). Students may choose from the following afternoon courses:

French Art History

This course's objective is to provide students with the tools to understand and evaluate the works of art under consideration and exercise that knowledge to develop an active appreciation of art. Museum visits include the Marc Chagall Museum, the Matisse Museum, the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Nice, the Maeght Foundation in St. Paul de Vence, and the Picasso Museum in Antibes.

French Cooking ($180 Supplement)

Chef Jean Montegard of Nice's Lyc??e Hotelier will spend eight separate afternoons with a small group of students in a commercial kitchen and supervise the preparation of four complete menus, including appetizer, main dish, and dessert, after which students will enjoy the meal they have prepared. Bon Appetit!

French Literature

An introduction to French literature designed to acquaint students with significant works in preparation for AP French literature. Examples from fiction and drama are used to give students a unique insight into French history and culture. Students critically examine the works of great French writers such as Hugo, Voltaire, Baudelaire, Jules Verne and Sartre for a fuller understanding and appreciation of French literature. For students with at least 3 years of high school French.

French Conversation

A complement to morning language classes, this elective is designed for students with at least two years of high school French who wish to improve their oral fluency. Afternoon classes will be spent in both the classroom and in Nice, where students will be able to apply the conversation techniques and grammar studied in class in conversation with French natives. (Prerequisite: at least 3 years of French)

French Cinema

Students learn how to analyze and interpret French films spanning a broad range of genres. They will study the work of French directors such as Marcel Pagnol, Luc Besson, Louis Malle, and discuss the techniques characteristic to each artist. (Prerequisite: at least 2 years of French.)

Studio Art: ($75 supplement)

Designed for students of every level, this course focuses on the basic techniques of sketching and painting and takes advantage of Nice's many picturesque neighborhoods and natural beauty.