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Curriculum IN Aix

CARDINAL STREET

CALENDAR:

FALL 2013: September 5–December 21
SPRING 2014: January 6–May 21 (provisional dates)

COURSE OF STUDY IN AIX

The curriculum of Gordon IN Aix has three components, but these can be flexibly adapted to the proficiency in French language and academic interests of each student.

1. Seminar in French Culture and History
All students in the program take a seminar on key topics of French culture and history. Special attention will be given to the challenges facing the Christian church in an increasingly post-christian and religiously-pluralistic Europe. The lead lecturer is Prof. Pierre Berthoud (professor and dean emeritus at John Calvin Seminary) who will be able to adapt readings, lectures, and discussion in a mix of French and English in keeping with the capacities of the students. View sample syllabus

2. French language study
Students enrolled in the program are expected to work diligently to further their command of the French language (grammar, written and oral comprehension), typically through courses taken at the Institut d'études de français pour étudiants étrangers (IEFEE), where students are placed in classes at the level of their proficiency.

3. Electives
Students can take additional classes in their areas of academic interest, according to their level of proficiency in French:

  • from courses offered at IEFEE in various subjects of French history and culture;
  • from courses offered Institut d'études politiques ("SciencesPo") in areas such as politics, economics, international relations, law, business and European history (with a few courses offered in English);
  • at the Faculté Jean Calvin Seminary in various areas of Biblical study and Apologetics.

Credits: The Gordon-sponsored Seminar in French Culture and History receives 4 credits.  For courses taken at French educational institutions, the Registrar of Gordon College follows the guidelines established by the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) for translating credits and grades from the French into the American system. At present, credit hours in the French system receive half that number in Gordon College’s system of awarding credits. Courses taken in university programs in France will be listed on the student’s academic transcript, but grades will not be included in calculating the GPA. The Gordon French department, in consultation with the Registrar, decides how the IEFEE courses are incorporated into Gordon’s French curriculum.