French Sign Language and Deaf Culture in France

  France

• Paris: 
Paris

Term: Summer 

Description: The ASL program at the University of Rochester, located in Rochester New York, offers a unique study abroad experience in France in Summer 2009 for Deaf and hearing college-level ASL students and professionals. This two-week program gives ASL users an opportunity to learn French Sign Language and French Deaf Culture in a formal setting and further their understanding of the international Deaf World.

The ASL program at the University of Rochester works with the University of Paris 8th in Paris, France. A native Deaf French faculty member from UR is affiliated with several faculty members at the University of Paris 8th and they jointly plan the program, schedule, and curriculum offered to ASL students and professionals.

Highlights: This 6-credit program will focus on basic and advanced learning of conversational LSF (French Sign Language) and on field trips fostering a broad understanding of French Deaf Culture and general French Culture in Paris (week 1) and in regions beyond the capital (week 2). Students will attend classes on LSF and French Deaf History and Culture in the first week. They will also attend guided tours of culturally significant sights such as renowned museums, Deaf theater, Rennes, Mont Saint Michel, Lyon and Lausanne (Switzerland) and Deaf schools. All classes and tours will be conducted in LSF and International Sign. Study will begin before going to France, as students will receive the course syllabus and materials for review and familiarization. This will be built upon during the LSF and Deaf Culture classes in Paris, France.

The Art, Culture et Tourism Internationaux des Sourds (A.C.T.I.S) will provide guided tours to various museums and other sights in Paris and in France. This agency is overseen and staffed by Deaf people.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: approximately USD 4,100

Experience Required: yes

This program is open to any student who meets the academic prerequisites of the course and has at least 15 credit hours of university instruction. You must have a minimum of a 2.0 GPA to participate in any travel abroad program or be accepted upon special permission of the instructor. All participants require final approval by the faculty member. The University of Rochester also reserves the right to review conduct records as part of our application process and student conduct records are taken into account when making the determination on an applicant.

This Program is open to American and Canadian Participants.

Participants Travel to France Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Resume
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Year Founded: 1850