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Academics

University Information

BCA Strasbourg introduces students to the European learning style at one of the country's oldest and most distinguished centers of learning. Founded in 1621, the University of Strasbourg is the largest university in France with more than 40,000 students.

Courses are available in the departments of performing arts, history, art history, archeology, literature, linguistics, philosophy, natural sciences, sociology, modern languages,business, political science, economics and theology.

BCA offers students the chance to study at several institutes within the university, including the following:

Institut International d'Etudes Françaises(IIEF)

The IIEF offers French-language instruction for foreign students. Founded in 1920, it is one of the oldest institutes for foreigners in France. Most BCA students take at least some of their courses at IIEF, choosing from an array of options that include French history, art, politics and literature.

Institut d'Etudes Politiques

Many students choose BCA Strasbourg because it provides the opportunity to study at the Institut d'Etudes Politiques, a very prestigious "grande école" for political science, economics and history.

École de Management (formerly IECS,now EMS)

Another grande école within the Université de Strasbourg system, the EMS specializes in business and economics. Many EMS courses are also taught in English.

Course Selection

Shortly after arriving in France you will take a placement exam at the IIEF to determine which classes are best suited to your level of French. The IIEF has 6 levels, each one corresponding to one of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference (CEF) (to view the grid that details the CEF, click on this link: Language Self Assessment Grid.)

Semester students with beginner level French should expect to take all their courses at the IIEF and/or business courses in English at the EMS; students with an intermediate or advanced level of French will be expected to take one or more classes in French at either Marc Bloch, the IEP or the EMS.

Full-year students should expect to take university courses during their second semester if they are at an intermediate level (DAEF) or above. Year students also have the option of enrolling in the IFE internship program for their second semester provided that they sign up for the IFE program before arriving in France.

 

French level	Course options	IIEF diploma	Corresponding Council of Europe (CEF)
Beginner	Can take all classes at IIEF	CFA 1	A1
	Can take all classes at IIEF	CFA2	A2
Intermediate	Can take all classes at IIEF	CPLF	B1
	at least 2 credits taught in French outside IIEF	DEF	B2
Advanced	at least 4 credits taught in French outside IIEF	DAEF	C1
	at least 6 credits taught in French outside IIEF	DSEF	C2

 

BCA Courses

Three courses are available exclusively to BCA students. Beginners German is an introduction to practical language skills that will help you when you travel in Germany. History and sociology of French cinema is a popular course taught by a University of Strasbourg professor. The Global Conversation is an online course in which students at BCA centers around the world learn about the global environmental movement.

The Global Conversation

All BCA students are strongly encouraged to take The Global Conversation, which is taught by BCA Derry Resident Director Jim Skelly. This 3-credit, semester-long course has both online and face-to-face components that will encourage you to get involved in the local community as well as share your experiences with other students studying around the world. In Strasbourg, you will find yourself engaged in exploratory exercises to assess needs and social issues in the society around you.

Required BCA Course in Social Justice (1 credit)

Taught in French by Resident Director Alex Neff, all BCA students (excpet those in the IFE program) are required to take Justice sociale et valeurs républicaines en France

This 1 credit course provides an introduction to the concepts of social justice, which are the basis of the French republic: liberté, égalité, franternité. 

You will look at how these values evolved since the Revolution and examine the way in which they shape church-state relations, immigration policy, social security and the ongoing debate about "l'identité nationale".  Half of the course takes place during the pre-semester orientation, and the rest runs during the semester.

 

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