Location:

Paris, France

Program Type:

Full Degree

Degree Level:

Master

Specialty:

Area, Ethnic & Cultural Studies

Program Overview

Program Description:

This exciting Masters programme offers students the opportunity to explore key areas of the cultural and intellectual life of Paris. All teaching takes place at ULIP, within an historic building in the 7th arrondissement in central Paris. Students capitalize on site-specific fields of study within the unequalled resources offered by the city. The aim is for students on the programme to develop practical and theoretical skills in their chosen areas of study whilst deepening their knowledge of Paris in focused, taught core courses and directed research. Paris is not just the administrative centre of France, it is the heart of French cultural resources. It has been a thriving student city since the Sorbonne was established in 1253. As one of the most exciting and stimulating cities in the world, it is an ideal place to immerse yourself in French language and culture. It also provides a unique context for direct intellectual engagement with the realities of Paris, both past and present. Key facts: •This is a one-year programme (students are also able to study part-time over two years). •This programme is taught and assessed exclusively in English. •The degree is awarded by the University of London, upon successful completion of the required elements •All teaching takes place in Paris. •The taught elements are delivered by members of the academic teams from ULIP and Queen Mary, University of London Programme Structure Students undertaking this programme will be expected to complete four taught courses, which together constitute 60% of the marks. They will also be expected to conduct independent research for submission as a dissertation, which constitutes the final 40% of the marks. Taught courses Students undertake two core courses and two optional courses. They also receive study skills training in research, although this is a non-assessed element of the programme. Each course: •Accounts for 15% of the final mark •Is taught over 10 weeks with two hours of classes per week •Is examined through a written assignment of between 4,000 and 5,000 words Core courses There are two core courses: Encountering Paris and Interpreting Paris which are compulsory. They are taught during the Autumn term. The core courses offer a wide-ranging analysis of Parisian history and culture, drawing on research in the humanities and the social sciences. Literature, art, film, television and song are all examined, as are population trends, social and cultural geography and political ideas and institutions. Optional courses The optional course are taught during the Spring term. Options on offer may vary from year to year and include: •Exiles and Outsiders, taught by Professor Hussey and Dr Milne •French Intellectuals in the 20th Century, taught by Professors Jeremy Jennings and Julian Jackson •Paris in the 19th Century Novel, taught by Dr Louise Lyle Dissertation Each student has the opportunity to conduct independent research on a topic of their choice. The research focus should, however, concern an aspect of Parisian history or culture directly or indirectly associated with the topics scrutinised in either the core or the optional courses. Supervisors are allocated to students from amongst the MA teaching team, directed as far as possible according to each student’s interests and preferences. The dissertation topic is decided in the Spring term, and the final document of between 12,000 and 15,000 words must be submitted prior to the end of September of the year of study. Research methods The non-assessed research methods course, Researching Paris: Sources and Methods, aims to introduce students to resources for research within Paris. It seeks to equip them with requisite research skills and an awareness of research methodologies and resources. The course includes training in electronic resources and a guided introduction to a range of Paris-based resources for Humanities research (libraries, museums, and galleries). Programme Director Professor Andrew Hussey, OBE Dean of ULIP and Professor of French Professor Andrew Hussey is a specialist in French Avant-gardes; Surrealism, Situationism and Lettrism. He is also a historian of Paris, with interests in cinema, the contemporary novel (especially Michel Houellebecq), popular culture and the Arab world. He is a regular contributor to Granta, The Observer, BBC Radio and other media. He is currently the Literary Director of the Médi-Café, a British Council Creative Writing Project in North Africa and is writing a book entitled: The French Intifada, The Long War between France and its Arabs. His publications include: Paris: The Secret History (London, Viking-Penguin, 2006); The Game of War: The Life and Death of Guy Debord (London, Cape, 2001, Pimlico, 2002) and The Inner Scar: The Mysticism of Georges Bataille (Amsterdam, Rodopi, 2000).

Additional Program Information

Accreditation:

Our MA in Paris Studies: History & Culture is awarded by the University of London and validated by our Consortium Partner Royal Holloway- University of London.

Requirements:

Students should have a good upper second-class honours degree or equivalent. Those for whom English is a second language must provide satisfactory evidence of proficiency in English (see application form for more details). There is no French language requirement but students are encouraged to take appropriate language courses according to the level they have attained. Students with a high level of French are encouraged to read bilingually.

International Requirements:

Those for whom English is a second language must provide satisfactory evidence of proficiency in English (see application form for more details). There is no French language requirement but students are encouraged to take appropriate language courses according to the level they have attained. Students with a high level of French are encouraged to read bilingually.