Sign Language Studies in Paris
Paris, France
Why you should go
Some estimates claim that one third of the signs used in ASL today are related to French signs. Learning a sign language can liberate your communication skills in meaningful ways, increasing your awareness of different types of language structures and enhancing your conversations with people from cultures other than your own. In Paris, we study the history of American Sign Language while learning contemporary Langue des Signes Française (LSF) and visiting key cultural sites of today’s French Deaf Culture. Students put their classroom studies to work in conversations with up to ten different French Deaf people during the program.
Courses
- LIGN 9GS: Sign Languages & Deaf Culture in the U.S. & France (PDF draft syllabus)
- LIGN 149GS: Historical Roots of ASL (PDF draft syllabus)
Faculty Leader
Peggy Lottplott@ucsd.edu
Academic study of ASL and other sign languages has been the focus of much of Professor Lott's life. After encountering ASL as a child, she learned signs from friends during middle school and high school and snuck into one of San Diego's first sign language classes in the evenings. When she began as an undergraduate at UC San Diego, ASL wasn't yet offered in the LLP, so she reviewed the accuracy of her signs by enrolling in independent study in the Linguistics Language Lab. After graduating, she began teaching ASL at San Diego Mesa College, and just prior to taking several years to complete her PhD in Anthropology of Deaf Culture, she lived in Paris at L’Institut National de Jeunes Sourds for five months. Seeing students excel in their acquisition and understanding of ASL is her number one career goal.
Who should go
If you are interested in sign languages, you are the perfect candidate for this program! No prior signing or linguistics experience is required. All you need is a profound curiosity about languages and sign languages in particular. Linguistics 149 fulfills UC San Diego’s DEI requirement. Both Linguistics 9 and 149 can apply to a major or minor in Linguistics. Consult your college academic advisor to determine how the courses will apply to your graduation requirements.
Information Sessions
- Wednesday, Jan. 29, 3-4:30 pm
- Register here to get the live Zoom link, and/or to get the post-session recordings (English & ASL available)
Dates
| Departure from U.S.: | Sat., June 28, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Arrival: | Sun., June 29, 2025 |
| Mandatory Orientation: | Mon., June 30, 2025 |
| First Day of Class: | Mon., June 30, 2025 |
| Last Day of Class: | Fri., August 1, 2025 |
| Departure for the U.S. (or personal travel): |
Sat., August 2, 2025 |
Flight Information
- You will be responsible for purchasing your own airplane tickets, and your program coordinator will provide guidelines and resources during the pre-departure process to help you find an appropriate flight.
- Do not purchase plane tickets until the program is confirmed. All approved applicants will be notified by e-mail when the program has reached minimum enrollment.
Global Seminar Fees
All fees subject to change. See https://summersession.ucsd.edu/tuition/tuition.html for current tuition and campus-based fees.
| UCSD | Other UC | Non-UC | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Program Cost: (includes $500 administrative fee) |
$5,757.80 | $5,757.80 | $5,757.80 |
| Estimated Tuition and Campus-Based Fees: |
$2,514.43 | $2,564.43 | $3,454.43 |
| Total: (not including airfare or personal expenses) |
$8,272.23 | $8,322.23 | $9,212.23 |
Budget Sheet
Funding Options
See the funding options page to learn how financial aid and scholarships can help you pay for this program.
Museums, Cafes and and Historical Sites:
- Clin d'Oeil Festival
- L’institut National des Jeunes Sourds de Paris
- Jardin du Luxembourg
- International Visual Theatre
- The Louvre
- Musee de la Chasse
- Cafe Signes, & Furahaa
- Day trip to Versailles with an LSF guide
- Chateaux Vincennes with LSF guide
Excursions are subject to change without prior notice. No refunds are possible.
Housing
- Students will be housed in either student housing or local apartments with four or five other USCD students. There is a bathroom and kitchenette in each apartment.
- Our program partner will accept roommate requests during the pre-departure process. Roommate requests cannot be guaranteed and must be mutual. Each student must request the other student in writing separately.
- Internet access included.
- Access to public transportation.
- Fans available for pick up from the CEA CAPA Center (1 per bedroom)
- Exact housing location & roommate assignments will not be confirmed until June. Thank you for your patience.
- Housing arrangements are subject to change based on local circumstances without prior notice. No price adjustments are possible.
Included Meals
- Welcome group meal
- Farewell group meal
- Two lunches at LSF cafes!
Classroom and Computer Access
- Courses will be taught at the CEA Paris Center in the Marais District
- Computer lab and wifi available
- Laptop plug-in stations located in several locations in the building
- Wireless access may be intermittent due to local conditions. No refunds or price adjustments are possible.
Transportation
- Airport pickup transportation provided on arrival; Guidance provided for departure.
- Students will be provided an empty metro card and instructions on how to add funds to it via the user-friendly mobile app.
Phones
- Students must have cell service turned on at all times for safety purposes
- Information about local cell phone options will be provided during on-site orientation.
Insurance, Health, and Safety
- An in-depth orientation will be given after arrival, including health and safety procedures.
- Program partner staff will be available by telephone after hours.
- Students are covered by $250,000 Consolidated Health Plans (CHP) health insurance
- All students will be registered for UC travel insurance valid for program dates + 14 days cumulative.
- Students travelling more than that should obtain independent travel insurance.
