Design the blueprint for an inspirational summer...

It couldn’t be easier to cherry-pick a programme of study to match your unique interests and learning goals. If you are studying French, La Catho also offers a selection of electives targeted at French speakers. Designed to improve your linguistic skills, you will gain practical experience to become more confident when communicating in different situations.

Courses are offered over two sessions: ESP 1 and ESP 2.

*Please note: some courses are offered in English, French and some in both languages

Pick ONE morning class elective from the list below:

All class-times are the same: 9:00am – 12:00 noon and are offered either ESP 1 or ESP 2

Liberal Arts Courses

Project Management for Everyone

Contact Hours: 39 | English | ESP 1 & 2

Class time: 9.00 am – 12.00 noon | Number of credits: 6 ECTS/3 US credits

It couldn’t be easier to cherry-pick a programme of study to match your unique interests and learning goals. If you are studying French, La Catho also offers a selection of electives targeted at French speakers. Designed to improve your linguistic skills, you will gain practical experience to become more confident when communicating in different situations.

An interactive course to develop the methodology and practical tools needed to manage projects in fields ranging from engineering and science to management and communication.

Understanding Challenges of Climate Change*

Contact Hours: 39 | French and English | ESP 1

Class time: 9.00 am – 12.00 noon | Number of credits: 6 ECTS/3 US credits

Gain a better understanding of the causes and consequences of climate change while considering adaptation and mitigation strategies.

*This course will include 18 hours of French language instruction and 21 hours concerning climate change.

Courses Taught in French Only

 3. French Language & Culture*

Contact Hours: 42 | French | ESP 1 & 2

Class time: 9.00 am – 12.00 noon | Number of credits: 6 ECTS/3 US credits

This course covers reading and listening, comprehension, written and oral expression, and vocabulary and grammar at varied levels, through practical written and oral work, discussions, presentations and debates, role-play, and writing short essays and summaries.

*An initial placement activity will sort students from beginner to advanced levels.

Pick ONE afternoon class elective from the list below:

All class-times are the same: 1:00 – 4:00 pm

Liberal Arts Courses

World Class Museums

Contact Hours: 39 | English | ESP 1 & 2

Class time: 1:00 – 4:00 pm | Number of credits: 6 ECTS/3 US credits

Explore art and art history with an overview of the cultural heritage of the Lille region and its renowned museums.

Multilingualism in Education

Contact Hours: 39 | English | ESP 1 

Class time: 1:00 – 4:00 pm | Number of credits: 6 ECTS/3 US credits

This course will provide an insight into multilingualism by reviewing historical language contact, sociological perspective, and the prevalence/variety of languages worldwide. This course will then examine different education and multilingualism models from around the world.

Introduction to French Cinema

Contact Hours: 39 | English | ESP 1

Class time: 1:00 – 4:00 pm | Number of credits: 6 ECTS/3 US credits

Study French cinema and the art of cinematography. Examine the various ways of ‘reading’ a film by viewing representative works from across the cinematic history of Northern France.

Introduction to Art and Cinema

Contact Hours: 39 | English | ESP 2

Class time: 1:00 – 4:00 pm| Number of credits: 6 ECTS/3 US credits

An overview of French art and cinema and the study of visual cultures. Discuss how to interpret art forms (whether a painting, a photograph, or a film) from different periods of French history. Educational visits are included.

5. Introduction to French & Francophone Women Writers

Contact Hours: 39 | English | ESP 1

Class time: 1:00 – 4:00 pm | Number of credits: 6 ECTS/3 US credits

An introduction to literary representation of gendered experiences in a range of leading contemporary female French-speaking writers.

Understanding Contemporary France

Contact Hours: 39 | English | ESP 1 & 2

Class time: 1:00 – 4:00 pm | Number of credits: 6 ECTS/3 US credits

Broaden your understanding of French culture and society through discussion and analysis of audio, video, and written works.

7. Black Americans in France

Contact Hours: 39 | English | ESP 1 

Class time: 1:00 – 4:00 pm | Number of credits: 6 ECTS/3 US credits

New class for 2023 – course description coming soon.

Techniques of Traditional Cartoon and Digital Animation

Contact Hours: 39 | English | ESP 2

Class time: 1:00 – 4:00 pm | Number of credits: 6 ECTS/3 US credits

A practical and theoretical introduction to drawing anatomy, animation, traditional animation, digital animation, and TV paint software. Learn in a new state-of-the-art facility in neighbouring Roubaix (easily accessible by public transport).

Business & Communication Courses

Corporate Culture, Human Resources & Innovation

Contact Hours: 39 | English | ESP 1 & 2

Class time: 1:00 – 4:00 pm | Number of credits: 6 ECTS/3 US credits

Investigate the role of Human Resources as a strategic and innovative business partner. Explore the influence of Corporate Culture on an organisation’s agility and the promotion of innovation, diversity, and well-being.

International Teamwork & Communication

Contact Hours: 39 | English | ESP 1 & 2

Class time: 1:00 – 4:00 pm | Number of credits: 6 ECTS/3 US credits

A theoretical and practical introduction to the issues that inform teamwork and communication within an international and intercultural environment.

International Marketing & Communication

Contact Hours: 39 | English | ESP 1 & 2

Class time: 1:00 – 4:00 pm | Number of credits: 6 ECTS/3 US credits

Have you ever considered the challenges faced by international marketers when trying to communicate their message to an increasingly globalised audience? Students will examine, analyse, and discuss contemporary advertising campaign strategies.

Political Science & Law Courses

European Union Policy Making

Contact Hours: 39 | English | ESP 1 & 2

Class time: 1:00 – 4:00 pm | Number of credits: 6 ECTS/3 US credits

An introduction to the European Union, its policies, interactions with Member States, and the varied economic, social, and environmental problems it faces. This course includes a visit to the interactive Parlamentarium in Brussels.

Introduction to European Studies: History, Politics, and Society

Contact Hours: 39 | English | ESP 2

Class time: 1:00 – 4:00 pm | Number of credits: 6 ECTS/3 US credits

A broad overview of current and classical themes of European integration concerning current challenges faced by the EU, Member States, and their interactions with the rest of the world. This course includes a visit to the interactive Parlamentarium in Brussels.

European Security Architecture and Conflicts in Europe

Contact Hours: 39 | English | ESP 2

Class time: 1:00 – 4:00 pm | Number of credits: 6 ECTS/3 US credits

The main objective of the course is to familiarize the students with the philosophical and diplomatic disagreements on European security and the main reasons of the conflicts in Europe, with a view of wider European security architecture. The course will also discuss the role of international organizations (OSCE, EU, UN) and actors (EU, USA, Russia) in tackling European security dilemmas and conflict resolution processes.

Law and Religion in Multicultural States

Contact Hours: 39 | English | ESP 2

Class time: 1:00 – 4:00 pm | Number of credits: 6 ECTS/3 US credits

This course aims at discussing several challenging concepts and issues, which sit at the center of the intersection of law and religion in multicultural states. This course will particularly examine pressing consciously driven claims, which arise in the context of public schools, universities, and workplaces in modern liberal constitutional states.

Health Studies Courses

Health: A Common Good

Contact Hours: 39 | English | ESP 2

Class time: 1:00 – 4:00 pm | Number of credits: 6 ECTS/3 US credits

Examine how health needs are understood and addressed in our societies in relation to various disciplines, including sociology, anthropology, and economics. 

Sustainability & The Sciences Courses

Sustainable Cities

Contact Hours: 39 | English | ESP 1 & 2

Class time: 1:00 – 4:00 pm | Number of credits: 6 ECTS/3 US credits

 A theoretical and practical examination of sustainability issues facing cities globally. Discuss sustainability-related solutions and imagine new ones through study visits, meetings with professionals, creativity sessions, and prototyping activities. 

Current Practices in Renewable Energy

Contact Hours: 39 | English | ESP 2

Class time: 1:00 – 4:00 pm | Number of credits: 6 ECTS/3 US credits

An introduction to the fundamentals of energy with an overview of renewable energies and their application, including solar, wind, biomass, and other sources.

Brewing Technology and Marketing: the Nordist Expertise

Contact Hours: 39 | English | ESP 1

Class time: 1:00 – 4:00 pm | Number of credits: 6 ECTS/3 US credits

For centuries, the North of France has been renowned for its brewing industry. This course offers a global approach to brewing technology, marketing, and sales through local case studies, site visits, and active learning. Students will have the opportunity to brew their own beer in the JUNIA ISA micro-brewery.

Courses Taught in French Only

Communication Française (minimum A2+)

Contact Hours: 39 | French | ESP 1 & 2

Class time: 1:00 – 4:00 pm | Number of credits: 6 ECTS/3 US credits

This course aims to advance student skills and knowledge in relation to the French language of gesture, idioms, expressions of opinion, judgement, and agreement/disagreement,  in a variety of cultural and social situations.

Représentations du Nord et de la Belgique
dans le cinéma franco-belge (minimum B2+)

Contact Hours: 39 | French | ESP 1

Class time: 1:00 – 4:00 pm | Number of credits: 6 ECTS/3 US credits

An overview of French and Belgian film, cultures, film vocabulary, formal film analysis, and film theory, across period and genre, and through a variety of critical lenses.

*All courses are subject to availability.

 
At A Glance
Summer in France
Dates
May 24-June 22 (session 1)
June 22-July 26 (session 2)
May 24 -July 26 (session 1 and 2)

*These are summer semester start dates, not dates of arrival. Please talk to an advisor for arrival dates and airfare booking.

Duration
4 weeks or 8 weeks
What's included?

Airfare, materials for class, in-country transportation, laundry, some meals, and spending money aren’t included.