Life at the Institute
The Mission—The Summer Institute of French and Francophone Studies of the University of California at Santa Barbara offers a unique M.A. degree program designed for teachers and other professionals who want to perfect their spoken and written French and enhance their understanding of French culture in a rigorous immersion environment. Founded in 1977, the Institute brings together highly motivated students and a distinguished international faculty who work together in an atmosphere conducive to social exchange and intensive study. Like the Graduate Program of the Department of French and Italian at UC Santa Barbara, the Institute is committed to a broad, multidisciplinary perspective on France and the Francophone world. The Institute offers an excellent opportunity for professional growth by promoting high level proficiency in French and an in-depth understanding of contemporary France and the Francophone world, as examined through language, literature, the arts, and the social sciences.
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The Program — The Institute is a six-week residential full-immersion program, with French as the exclusive language of communication. The program is intensive: students take three or four courses per summer and normally earn their Master's degree in three summers (considerably less time than many other summer M.A. programs). Students and faculty live at UCSB's Santa Ynez apartments and have lunch together daily at the Faculty Club. Cultural activities (e.g., lectures, concerts, films, plays) provide further opportunity for social interaction. The curriculum offers a wide variety of courses on a three-year rotation in language, literature, linguistics, culture, the arts, and social sciences, and students have latitude in selecting their courses. Advanced courses in translation, writing, and speaking are designed to enhance style, fluency, and accuracy. Classes are taught by professors from major French and U.S. universities. Classes are organized as seminars with small groups in 90 minute periods, affording plentiful opportunity for interaction. Students can pursue independent research, either in tutorials or for the optional M.A. thesis, and avail themselves of the vast resources of the University of California, one of the top research institutions in the world. | |
| Photo: An outstanding feature of the Institute is the high-quality food: students and faculty eat daily at the UCSB Faculty Club, where the chef prepares an ever-changing variety of dishes that are as delicious as they are healthful. |
The Campus—UCSB is located in an area of remarkable natural beauty. Bounded on two sides by the Pacific Ocean and sheltered to the north by the Santa Ynez Mountains, the campus provides beaches, running trails, and a network of bicycle paths, which connect with paths in the adjacent residential community, Isla Vista. Less than an hour away is Los Padres National Forest, Santa Barbara's backcountry, which, like the university itself, offers challenging paths for exploration. UCSB is located about 10 miles from downtown Santa Barbara.
The Rule—All students sign an "Engagement d'Honneur" to speak only French, both in and out of the classroom, except in dealing with merchants, UCSB administrative personnel, and if they leave the Institute during the free weekend (July 13-14). This also means that M.A. students may not hold jobs outside the Institute during the session. Auditors and summer non-degree students may do as they like outside the Institute.
Residence Requirement — M.A. students are required to attend the Institute for three summers. Residency at UCSB's Santa Ynez residence is mandatory. Students and Faculty will eat their lunch meal together, Monday -Friday, plus three special dinners. Students should plan on participating in the Institute's extracurricular activities, several of which may be scheduled for weekends.
Teachers Workshops—Two 90-minute workshops in Teaching Methodology and Techniques are offered during the summer. These will cover subjects such as advanced placement, language labs, visual aids, etc. They are non-credit offerings but a Certificate is given to students who have successfully participated. Attendance optional.
Cultural Activities—The Institute provides cultural activities (plays, films and lectures) at which attendance by M.A. students is required.— 2007 ACTIVITIES CALENDAR (PDF)
Institute & Graduate Division Policy—Click here to download the 2007 Institute Student Handbook (PDF). This handbook will explain some of the Institute and graduate Division policies.
LA Times Article—This article appeared in the Los Angeles Times on July 10, 2002. IN THE CLASSROOM; At UC Language Institutes, It's Live and Learn; Santa Barbara program houses students, professors together for 6 weeks of immersion in French or Spanish. A master's can be earned in 3 summers. . . .click here to read the complete article.
Photo slide show—Graduate James Pao compiled three years of photos depicting life at the Institute. . . click here to view.
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-2010 , Telephone: (805) 893-7053 / FAX: (805) 893-7306
E-mail Chrissie Skehen: c.skehen@summersessions.ucsb.edu
To apply on line: http://www.graddiv.ucsb.edu/eapp
