Mark Cruse is a professor at Arizona State University, where he has been on the faculty since 2005. Dr. Cruse is leading ASU’s Urban Imagination in 19th Century Paris this summer, which will be his fourth year leading students on this program abroad.
Thomas Jefferson once wrote, “A walk about Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty, and in the point of Life.” A global center for architecture, art, cinema, fashion, food and music, Paris continues to inspire and attract people from around the world.
During the four-week “Urban Imagination in 19th-Century Paris” program, we not only “walk about Paris,” but use the city itself as our classroom as we visit significant monuments, museums, neighborhoods and many out-of-the-way places never visited by tourists.
6 essential excuses to study Paris in Paris:
- Beauty! Paris is considered one of the loveliest cities in the world because of its perfectly proportioned streets and buildings, extraordinary monuments, and charming old neighborhoods.
- History. Paris has been the site of events that have shaped not only French but world history, many of which (the French Revolution, Napoleon’s reign, the invention of department stores) we study on this program.
- Art. The museums and galleries in Paris are among the most famous in the world, and house everything from pre-historic sculpture to contemporary audio installations. We look at a lot of great art on this program.
- Cultural immersion. This program gives students the opportunity to experience French language and culture firsthand while living with host families. Whether you have no French or are an advanced student, you will learn much about France and yourself by living in Paris with Parisians.
- Travel. We go to the Loire Valley, land of the châteaux, for a weekend, and there are two three-day weekends for you to travel on your own.
- Food. It really is as good as they say it is, and when you are in France, not expensive either.
My pledge as your professor and guide, is that by the end of this program, you will know more about Paris than any guidebook – and have a lot of fun in the process.
This custom program is supported by ISA and is a part of ASU’s faculty-directed programs; for more information and to apply, check out ASU Urban Imagination in 19th Century Paris or contact markus.cruse@asu.edu.
