Discovering Historical Paris:
The Importance of Collective Memory

May 26–June 6, 2009

 

Itinerary Register


Download and print program description.

Program leaders: Wendy Allen, professor of French,
and Richard Allen, professor of computer science

One of the key characteristics of France is the importance the French give to their history. Much of this history is associated with Paris and is kept alive through historical monuments, museums, parks and even street names. No matter where one goes in Paris, the past lives on: from Notre Dame and Sainte Chapelle of the high Middle Ages through the reigns of Henry IV and Louis XIV; from the rise of Napoleon to Haussmann’s rebuilding of Paris; from the Belle Epoque and the Great War through the Occupation; and from the Liberation through the postwar period dominated by De Gaulle.

But history is never just about the past; it is about the present as well. During our time in the capital, we will see how, during the past two centuries, various groups and political communities in France have used competing constructions of the past to define their identities and legitimate their goals. Our journey will also include visits to Chartres, Versailles and Giverny.

Late spring is a beautiful time to visit the City of Lights and to wend our way — literally and figuratively — through its rich history. Please join us!

Early registration is recommended. This program is a reprise of the Allens’ 2007 program, which sold out months in advance.

Program Leaders
Professor of French Wendy Allen and Professor of Computer Science Richard Allen custom designed this program using their intimate knowledge of France and French culture.

At St. Olaf since 1977, Wendy has taught courses in French language, culture and literature and has led numerous January Interim courses for students in France. Her particular areas of research include 17th-Century French literature, contemporary France, second language acquisition and pedagogy. She has also been deeply involved with St. Olaf’s Foreign Languages Across the Curriculum.

Richard came to St. Olaf in 1975 to establish the computer science program, and he has been involved ever since. For the past 20 years, Rich has conducted research on French artificial intelligence teams in Rennes and Grenoble. He has spent three successive sabbatical leaves in France working on these teams. As a result of working in the Middle East, Rich developed and teaches a course on Islamic geometric patterns. An ardent Francophile, he visits France — in particular, Brittany — as often as he can.

In addition to leading this Study Travel program originally in 2007, Rich and Wendy led the Term in the Middle East for St. Olaf students in 2001–02, the Global Semester for students in 2005–06 and will lead it again in Fall 2008.

Program Site
As Paris — and France itself — move deeper into the millennium, the French fear a loss of identity. France continues to attract record numbers of immigrants from its former colonies. Many native-born French have expressed concern that the country will lose the battle to keep its language distinct and unadulterated by foreign (particularly American) slang or catchwords (e.g. le weekend and le software).

Though Paris is in flux culturally and socially, it lures travelers for the same reasons it always has. You’ll still find classic sights like the Tour Eiffel, Notre-Dame, the Arc de Triomphe and Sacré-Coeur, as well as the blooming parks, gardens and squares, the Champs-Elysées and other grand boulevards, the River Seine and its quays, and all those atmospheric cafés.

Paris’s beauty is still overwhelming, especially at night, when it truly is the City of Light.

(adapted from frommers.com)

Program Fee
The program fee is $4,150 per person through Feb. 1, 2009. Based on double occupancy, it includes:

  • Seminars by Wendy and Richard Allen

  • Roundtrip airfare from Minneapolis/St. Paul

  • All accommodations

  • Breakfast daily and several other group meals

  • Entrance fees

  • Group tours

  • Ground transportation

  • Gratuities

For single occupancy add $700. For land only, making your own arrangements to and from Paris, subtract $1400.

The program fee after Feb. 1, 2009, is $4,300 per person and could be subject to additional airfare because group seats cannot be guaranteed after this date. Payment schedule

Continuing Education Units
Approximately 36 hours of continuing education are available.

Register
Register online, call toll-free 866-255-6523 or fax 507-786-8232. A deposit of $500 per person guarantees your space.