The School of Humanities & Social Sciences

The School of Humanities and Social Sciences, located in the beautiful old section of Aix-en-Provence, once a medieval village, is the only study abroad center in the region that offers classes in both French and English.  The School prides itself on the diversity of its course offerings in both languages, which enables students with any background in French language the ability to gain access to a study abroad experience. The multiple course offerings allow students to fulfill many of their general education requirements and complete major and minor requirements linked to areas in the humanities, social sciences, education, and the arts.  Students find courses in subject areas such as psychology, political science, comparative literature, art history, studio art, business, economics, philosophy, education, history, archaeology, civilization, theatre, government and the French language from the beginning to the advanced levels.   In addition, students who have an advanced level of French proficiency (at least the equivalent of 4 college semesters of the French language) are eligible to take and transfer credits from the University of Aix-Marseille.

The School of Humanities and Social Sciences curriculum places emphasis on enhancing the spoken, written and comprehension of the French language; acquiring knowledge of the distinctive characteristics of the arts and cultures of France and Europe; understanding attitudes, ideas, values, and behaviors in one’s own culture and that of others; and gaining international awareness and sophistication.

The School welcomes students with diverse academic backgrounds with varying language abilities.  Those who have considered this program have been students who are serious about gaining an international perspective on culture, government, arts, and learning, and who are interested in an integrative approach.  This may include those interested in studying the French language, those interested in gaining insights on European perspectives, and/or those interested in exploring the evolution of historic and contemporary relationships and practices.

Instructors are from a variety of nationalities but mainly French, American, and British.  This in itself gives a strong international flair to the learning environment and helps foster understandings that expand the mind through their comparative nature.

The Marchutz School of Fine Arts

The Marchutz Arts Core Program is open to students of all majors, skill levels, and backgrounds, and offers an immersive experience in painting, drawing, art history, and art theory, with excursions to Paris, Giverny, Venice, and the Vaucluse.  

The Marchutz School also has elective courses open to all students, regardless of which academic program they enroll in, in art history, creative writing, archaeology, painting and drawing, photography, architectural design, sculpture, and more.  

Students enrolled in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences or the School of Business and International Relations may take courses at the Marchutz School of Fine Arts along with their other courses. An studio fee may apply. Please see the Summer Course Page or the Semester Course Page for the most recent offerings. 

The mission of the Marchutz School of Fine Arts is, above all, to develop the student's capacity to see. 

Students will learn from a myriad of available resources including masterworks, architecture, figure and portrait work, landscape and cityscapes, and conceptual and multi-media design. The human imagination, memory, perception, and craft are interwoven throughout the curriculum. These resources and programmatic themes help students look around their environment as well as within themselves until their artistic expression springs from a union of sign and insight - one of the major learning outcomes for all students.

The School of Business & International Relations

The IAU Business & International Relations Program gives all semester and summer students the opportunity to take business courses while studying abroad in France. IAU business courses are approved by Fairfield University, an IAU partner institution whose Dolan School of Business is accredited through AACSB, The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.  

Through the Business & International Relations Program, students will have the unique opportunity to learn about international business strategies and procedures with a specific focus on the global market. Disciplines taught include, but are not limited to, economics, finance, international business, management and marketing. 

The French Honors Program

The French Honors Program is designed for French Majors or other students with demonstrated advanced-level French, interested in a comprehensive language and cultural immersion program. The French Honors Program comprises three components which are complementary and aim to enable students to make the most of their studies in Aix-en-Provence.

• A weekly French Honors course (FRE/LIT/ART 411)
• One hour per week follow-up session which integrates the themes of the student's chosen course with current sociocultural-political events in France
• Special activities and field trips

Additionally, students will be expected to keep a daily journal in French. This journal will be examined and discussed on a regular basis in the weekly seminar meeting. 

IAU Journalism Class

Students Study French Theatre with Professor Muriel Cros