• Immerse yourself in the history and culture of one of the great cities of Western Civilization.
• Explore the Louvre, the Musee de Orsay, and other singular, world-class museums and cultural treasures.
• Acquire new visual skills to help you study, learn, and create.
• Experience the “Shock of the New” through visual creativity exercises and first-hand experience.

Regional FACTS

Paris
A center of Western Civilization for centuries, Paris is a uniquely rich destination for the study of the art, creativity, history, and culture.  We will be taking full advantage of this cosmopolitan backdrop as raw material for a series of creative projects.

Eligibility Requirements

All students must have completed Art 112A Intro to Animation/Illustration, and 113A Intermediate Illustration prior to June 2009. Students who complete the program will receive 6 units of academic credit that may be used to fulfill 6 units of upper division art electives. Enrollment will be limited to 16 students.

Program Overview

We will be flying as a group to Paris. Once we arrive, we will travel predominantly via the Paris Metro with occasional train trips to more distant destinations. In Paris, students will be staying in double rooms at the Maison du Canada approximately 2 miles south of the Latin Quarter. Room, board, transportation, and many activity fees are included in the cost of the program. Students will spend 21 days in Paris, with approximately 15 days of actual instruction. At the conclusion of the program students will be escorted to the airport for return to the U.S., or students may elect to remain for further traveling. Housing will be pre-paid through the end of June.

All assignments will be created in a dedicated sketchbook, and students will be provided with a art material supply list designed with travel in mind. Additionally, there will be several “pre-trip” meetings and assignments. Failure to complete these assignments or attend these meetings will disqualify a student from the trip.

Academic Program

Over the 21 days of this course, we will be visiting a many of the major cultural landmarks of Paris and the surrounding area. Each visit, and each day will be accompanied by sketchbook assignments designed to stimulate your visual creativity and enrich your experience in novel and unexpected ways. You will be learning about art, creativity, history—you will be learning new ways to experience LIFE. This course is not designed to train you to draw—it is designed to change the way you think and learn—and change how you think about drawing and visuals.

Course Enrollment
This course is offered by the Art Department and all participants must take the following 6 unit course: Art 192 (have web link included)

Accommodation, Safety and Visas

Students must make their own arrangements to obtain a valid passport well in advance of travel. International students must make sure to obtain additional valid permissions to travel internationally and return to the U.S.

French literacy is not required for the class itself, but for a richer experience, students are advised to study the language to some extent prior to the trip.

Program Leaders

Professor John Clapp
John Clapp is a children’s book illustrator and author, and a professor in the Animation/Illustration Department at San Jose State. Additional biographical information about his work, career, and experience is available on his website:
www.johnclapp.com

Program Dates

The proposed departure date is May 31st, 2009.
The proposed return date is June 21st-30th, 2009.

Application Deadlines

Application deadline is Thursday, February 1st, 2009

Application Forms

Estimated Costs

The program cost is approximately $3800. This includes tuition, room, board, transportation, and other fees, but does not include airfare or food.

Contact us at the Study Abroad Office, Clark Hall, Room 543 Tel  (408) 924-5931 Fax (408) 924-5976
or send us an email