African Americans in Paris

THE DEADLINE FOR THE CLASS DEPOSIT AND COMPLETE APPLICATION IS JANUARY 14, 2026.

2025-26 Course Information: 

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 11:59 pm on the due dates.

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 (5:30 pm), and Welcome Dinner (7 pm).  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.  More information on the hotel and reviews are available on Tripadvisor.

Monday Breakfast at the hotel; 9:45 am 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; 9 am 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.; 7 pm Chocolat movie.

Wednesday Breakfast at the hotel; 9:30 am From Harlem-sur-Seine to Africa in Paris Tour of the Goutte d’Or neighborhood (2 hours) with Walking the Spirit Tours; Lunch; Tour of the Assemblée’ Nationale (Parliament of Paris) (1 ½ hours)

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

Friday Breakfast at the hotel; 3 pm Black European Art Tour at the Louvre (2 hours); 4:30 pm Walk to the dock for the 30-minute Cruise of River Seine; Farewell Dinner

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

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