African Americans in Paris

THE DEADLINE FOR THE CLASS DEPOSIT AND COMPLETE APPLICATION IS DECEMBER 1, 2024.

The recording for the info sessions can be found at
https://www.facebook.com/University-of-Florida-African-Americans-in-Paris-Spring-Break-Class-100801624863626/?ref=pages_you_manage

2024-25 Info Sessions: 
The info sessions can be found on the class Facebook page at the link below.

The 2-3 credit hour course will be offered in Paris, France during spring break 2025. Before we leave for Paris, the class will have to complete online assignments and will then visit a number of historic sites in Paris.

Please contact Dr. Austin at polssdw.ufl.edu for more information
or see https://people.clas.ufl.edu/polssdw/courses/course-1/
or our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/University-of-Florida-African-Americans-in-Paris-Spring-Break-Class-100801624863626/?ref=page_internal.

If you’d like to apply for the class, click on: https://ufabroad.internationalcenter.ufl.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgramAngular&id=11955

Info Sessions will be held on:

Course Flyer UF in Paris – AAiP

Time and Location of Course

The course will take place during spring break in Paris, France.  We will have meetings during the fall and early spring semester.  During these meetings, I will provide information about the course requirements and about the logistics of planning your travel arrangements to and from Paris.

Description and Goals

This course will explore the African American presence in Paris. Since the mid‐1700s scores of African Americans have visited, lived, and worked in France. Students will research the experiences and perceptions of Black Americans and study why and how a sustained pattern of visitation has occurred.  Students will look at African Americans in Paris through their own academic lens and make connections from their own scholarly disciplines to the topic of African Americans in Paris. There are many disciplinary approaches that will facilitate learning about African Americans in Paris. For example, political science, performing arts, English and creative writing, sociology, history, and economics all offer a point of entry to this topic.  The course will introduce students to three groups Black Americans who have traveled to Paris: 1) political persons, 2) academics, and 3) culture bearers. These themes will be explored via visitations to the arrondissements (districts) where Black Americans experienced world wars, the Pan‐Africanist movement, study abroad opportunities, lives as writers and artists, and lives as entertainers and ordinary citizens.

Required Readings

The required articles that you will use when writing your papers can be found on the class page on canvas.

You will also have to watch two online lectures that can be found on the class site in canvas and the videos below:

Assignments

The required papers must range from 4-6 typed, double-spaced pages.  Each must be uploaded onto Canvas by 11:59pm on the due dates in January and February 2024.

January 22nd General Alexandre Dumas and Alexandre Dumas II Paper: An Analysis of the Count of Monte Cristo

The following readings and film will assist in the writing of this paper: the three reserve articles, “Alexandre Dumas,” “Alexandre Dumas fils” and “Alexandre Dumas pere,” and the film The Count of Monte Cristo (1 hour 45 minutes) which is based on the experience of Dumas and Napoleon can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pHGX4qwVBw,

In this paper, you must first briefly discuss the backgrounds of Alexandre Dumas, Alexandre Dumas pere, and Alexandre Dumas fils.   Then, discuss the major themes in the film that is based on the book written by Alexandre pere, The Count of Monte Cristo.

February 12th Toussaint L’Overture, and Haitians in Paris

Read the reserve articles: France dismissed a petition for it to pay $17 billion in Haitian reparations, Religion as A Context of Reception: The Case of Haitian Immigrants in Miami, Montreal, and Paris, and Toussaint L’Overture.  Also, watch the film, Egalite for all: Toussaint L’Overture and the Haitian Revolution 55 minutes which can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOGVgQYX6SU

In this paper, discuss L’Overture’s background and his contribution to the Haitian independence movement during the French Revolution that emancipated the slaves and briefly established Haiti as a black-governed French colony.  Second, what are the most significant problems for Haitians in Paris (based on your reading of “Religion as a Context of Reception”)?  Finally, in your opinion, should Haitians receive reparations from the French because of their treatment?  

February 28th Online Exam

The exam will consist of true-false and short essay questions.  It will be based on information in the African Americans in the City of Light book, my online lectures, and the required documentaries.  It must be completed before we leave for Paris.

Paper Assignment (Due on April 22nd) only for students receiving the additional credit hour

Write an 8-12 page paper about a topic of relevance to African Americans in Paris.  You may choose to write about an individual or topic that is discussed in the textbook or select another topic.  The paper must be typed, double-spaced, and include a bibliography and citations.  Include a title page, an introduction that explains the focus of the paper, and a conclusion at the end that summarizes the main points of the paper.  In addition, include a section before the conclusion that explains the benefits you received from the course for your future career and educational endeavors.  You may want to reflect on an experience you had there during a site visit or discuss a person or topic that you had little knowledge about before you took the class.

Final Grades

Your grade will be based on:

 For students receiving 3 credits       For students receiving 2 credits

Open-Book Exam            50%                Open-Book Exam          50%

Two Papers (20% each)  40%              Two Papers 20% each    40%

Required Meeting            10%                Required Meeting          10%

Additional Paper 100% for 1-credit class

Grading Scale

94-100A     90-93 A-      87-89 B+     84-86 B     80-83 B-     77-79 C+

74-76 C      70-73 C-     67-69 D+   64-66 D       60-63 D-     Below 60  E

Rules of Etiquette in Paris

You must have the COVID vaccine and follow all COVID protocols.

I must know where you are at all times and have your contact information.

All students must travel to the site visits with the group (unless I say otherwise) and must attend all tours and activities.

We must meet our tour guides on time.  Please wear comfortable shoes because we will be doing a lot of walking.

You cannot use profanity during group meetings, tours, or dinners.

Please keep noise to a minimum at the hotel, especially during the evenings.

All students must be alert during the site visits. Get enough rest during the evenings so that you can pay attention and understand the information given during the tours.

Tentative Itinerary in Paris

Sunday Arrival, Orientation (5:30pm), and Welcome Dinner (7pm).  A shuttle will transport us from the airport to the hotel at noon.  Other arrangements will be made for students who arrive later in the day.  We will be staying at the Hotel ibis Paris Bercy Village, 12éme.  For more information on the hotel see the link http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187147-d197496-Reviews-Ibis_Paris_Bercy_Village_12eme-Paris_Ile_de_France.html.

Monday Breakfast at the hotel; 9:45am Paris Touristique with Kevi Donat in mini bus (3 hours); Lunch; Walking Tour of the Latin Quarter (1 and ½ hours)

Tuesday Breakfast at the hotel; 9am Visits to Alexandre Dumas’ Home (Chateau Monte Cristo) and Josephine Baker’s home (Le Beau Chene) via a private coach. (About 5 hours of tours and lunch).  There is a lot of walking today.; 7pm Chocolat movie.

Wednesday Breakfast at the hotel; 9:30am From Harlem-sur-Seine to Africa in Paris Tour of the Goutte d’Or neighborhood (2 hours) http://www.walkthespirit.com/paris-tours/black-paris-tours/; Lunch; Tour of the Assemblée’ Nationale (Parliament of Paris) (1 ½ hours) http://en.parisinfo.com/paris-museum-monument/71377/Assembl%C3%A9e-Nationale-Palais-Bourbon

Thursday Breakfast at the hotel; Free Travel Day (I can arrange activities in Paris if you like.)

Friday Breakfast at the hotel; 3pm Black European Art Tour at the Louvre (2 hours) http://www.discoverparis.net/entree-to-black-paris-black-images-in-european-art; 4:30pm Walk to the dock for the 30-minute Cruise of River Seine http://goparis.about.com/od/sightsattractions/a/Paris_Boat_Tour.htm; Farewell Dinner

Saturday Breakfast at the hotel; 9:15am Tour of Versailles Palace (Two Hours); Free afternoon and evening

Sunday Breakfast at the hotel and departure by shuttle to the airport