Bridging Words and Worlds: Spain and France

Location: Barcelona, Spain and Arles, France. The program begins in Barcelona.

Dates: June 2 – 28, 2025. Students should NOT purchase flights until receiving instruction from our office to do so. Students should plan to arrive before the first scheduled day of activities; this may mean departing the day before.

Credits Offered: 3-6 credits. Students may take one or both courses, both at the undergraduate level. Both courses will be instructed in English. They are:

• SPAN 241 – Civilization of Spain (3 credits)
• FREN 242 – Modern French Civilization (3 credits)

Application Deadline: February 14, 2025

Program Fee: $4150 – 4470 (price to be finalized in March 2025). Includes housing (student residences and hotels), transportation to/from airport and between Barcelona and Arles, on-site orientation, cultural activities, excursions (including one overnight excursion), and international health and travel insurance. Airfare is NOT included in the program fee. All students are responsible for arriving at their study abroad location by the first day of the program.

Payment Schedule: $350 application fee and deposit is due on or before February 14, 2025. $3,800-4,120 (remaining program fee balance; estimate, to be finalized March 2025) is due on or before February 28, 2025. Payments must be made with certified check or money order. No cash, personal checks, or credit cards. Payments should be made at the Office of Education Abroad during office hours.

Students are responsible for meeting the payment deadlines regardless of funding source, i.e. Macaulay Opportunities Fund, scholarships, loans, or any other type of financial aid. Late fees will be applied to all delayed payments.

Financial Aid: Please be sure to meet with the Financial Aid Office to discuss your particular financial aid package.

Scholarships: Students should visit our Scholarships Page for opportunities.

Join us in the summer for an unforgettable faculty-led study abroad experience that takes you from the vibrant streets of Barcelona to the historic town of Arles. The program features two courses, one exploring the transmission and translation of chivalric tales in the Iberian Peninsula during the Medieval and Early Modern periods, and the other focusing on key moments in French history and how they shaped the diversity and interconnectedness of languages, literatures, and cultures in modern-day France. Students will engage in immersive experiences that highlight the cultural exchanges and linguistic dynamics of Spain and France, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of cross-cultural interaction and communication in the Mediterranean.

For additional details, including the program itinerary, please consult the program academic page here.

Course Information:

FREN 242: Modern French Civilization – A multilingual perspective

This course explores the social, political, and historical context of the languages and dialects found within France. From the regional languages of Catalan, Occitan, and Breton to immigrant languages like Arabic and Wolof, we will examine the linguistic and cultural landscapes that have shaped and continue to shape Modern and Contemporary French literature, culture, and society. Drawing on certain key historical, cultural, and social developments such as the French Revolution, the rise of the Republic, and the impact of colonization and decolonization, we will make connections to contemporary debates related to language, culture, politics, and identity in France. Through a combination of lectures, case studies, and field trips, students will develop a deeper understanding of the ways in which language shapes individual and collective identities.

The course begins with a focus on the historical ties between France and Spain, examining the history of the French language, transitioning to the formation of the French Republic, covering the French Revolution, Universalism, Enlightenment, and the roles of education and laïcité. Midway through the course, students will study the complex legacies of colonization and decolonization, with a focus on migration and diaspora. The final week focuses on contemporary French culture, including music and cinema.

SPAN 241: Civilization of Spain – Translation & Cultural Exchange in Chivalric Literature

This course on the Civilization of Spain examines the medieval and early modern periods of the Iberian Peninsula, with emphasis on linguistic diversity and cultural exchange. By adopting a historical perspective, we challenge contemporary notions of the nation-state as represented by modern Spain, encouraging reflection on how a country’s identity extends beyond its current borders.

This course will serve two main purposes. First, it will offer an overview of the artistic, economic, social, and historical developments in the Iberian Peninsula during the Medieval and Early Modern periods, focusing on the themes of translation and cultural exchange. Second, we will delve deeper into these concepts by analyzing selected texts from the Iberian chivalric literary tradition.

By interrogating the complexities of translation, adaptation, and cultural exchange, we aim to unravel the multifaceted nature of medieval and early modern Iberian literature and its broader implications for understanding identity, cultural dynamics, and historical transformation.

Prerequisites: All applicants must fulfill the general eligibility requirements.

Credits & Grades: Students in this program will receive both credits and letter grades. Grades will count toward their Hunter GPA.

Program costs will depend on how many credits you wish to take, along with the final program fee, which will be determined in March 2025. The table below is simply a guide and all costs should be considered as estimates.

*If enrolling in both courses, students will pay for an additional 3 credits of tuition.