Study Abroad in Paris (Catholic University of Paris, ILCF): Academics

Required French Language Course – 3 hours per week

All students who enroll in courses at the Institut de Langue et Culture Françaises must take a minimum of three hours of French per week. In addition, students at the beginner, elementary and intermediate level of French may take up to four courses in English, worth three credits each.

French majors at the advanced level of French must take one advanced French language course for three hours per week, and may take up to four additional courses in French, worth three credits each.

For all levels, the following French language courses are available for three hours per week:

  • Oral French
  • Phonetics
  • Written French

The Institut provides free conversation classes with native French speakers.

Note: Since the courses in English end in December or May, this program is one month shorter than the program in Advanced French. Students receive three credits for courses in English but two credits for the French language course.

Course Load

The typical semester load is:    
     

Program in English (3 months)

    
Course   Credits
French language (3 hours x 11 weeks = 33 hours)  
2
Three ILCF courses (3 credits each: 4 hours x 11 weeks = 44 hours)  
9
One course at the University of London Institute in Paris  
3
Total:
  
14
     

Program in Advanced French (4 months)

    
Course   Credits
French language (3 hours x 15 weeks = 45 hours)          
3
Four ILCF courses (3 credits ech: 3 hours x 15 weeks = 45 hours)
  
12
Total
  
15

Student advising

Students meet with the AIFS staff in Paris before the academic semester begins. The Resident Director and staff provide advice on both academics and housing and serve as liaisons between students and the ILCF. They also help students adjust to the French system and help with questions or problems throughout the year. American students often find the French educational system different from their U.S. experience. In France, there is little interaction between the professor and the student, especially outside of class. If problems arise, the Resident Director will assist students.

Attendance

Attendance is required. In accordance with University regulations, students absent from classes without prior authorization may not be eligible to take exams or may be awarded lower or failing grades. Students should be prepared to adapt to different teaching methods, library facilities and academic environment. Lecture classes are very large, and students have little direct contact with teachers except in seminars and language classes.

Grades

The Catholic University uses standard French grading based on a scale of 20. Exceptional students usually earn 14-16, with 17 and above rare. A grade of 12 or 13 is good, and 10 is passing. Grading in France is usually more competitive than the U.S.

Interpretation of the French 0-20 scale at the University:

France U.S.
16-20 A
13-15  B
10-12 C
8-9 D
7 F

No AIFS participant is permitted to take a course without receiving a letter grade. Pass/Fail grade options are not available.

Registration and Withdrawal

Final registration for courses will take place in Paris with Danica Debizet, the AIFS Resident Director. Once classes begin, students have one week in which to drop a course or to add a course.   

If a student drops a course after the one week deadline it will be listed as withdrawn on their transcript.  Any student who withdraws from a course must sign a withdrawal form to give to the Resident Director.   

If a student stops attending class but does not complete a withdrawal form, the course will be shown as a fail on the transcript.  The only exception will be in the event of a medical or family emergency.

Students are not allowed to drop a course if it means they are taking less than the minimum course load of 11 credits (English program) or 12 credits (Advanced French program).  The maximum course load is 14 credits (English program) or 15 credits (Advanced French program.)   Financial aid students must take a minimum of 12 credits for full time status.

Transcripts

The Catholic University issues a transcript for all courses taken there. Transcripts list course titles, class hours and grades, but do not indicate the recommended units of credit listed in this catalog. Each institution issues its own transcript.

The Catholic University will not give a transcript to students who do not take final exams.

Libraries

Large libraries granting unrestricted access are relatively rare in France. Undergraduate students generally use the Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève or take advantage of the resources at the library of the Centre Georges Pompidou. Others pay a fee for access to the American Library, and still others discover the smaller French libraries in their own neighborhoods. The AIFS office has a small collection of books that students may borrow.

Schedules

Students should note that they may encounter scheduling conflicts as more than one course may be offered at the same time of day. The ILCF reserves the right to cancel or modify courses in unavoidable circumstances or for insufficient enrolment (fewer than 10 students).