The 2022-2023 program will be directed by Professor Jeff Fieberg, .
Mandatory Classes:
all students must take a French Class at the appropriate Level
and
“France-Germany Wars! (HUM 295) This course will explore France's experiences from 1869-1945, focusing on the Alsace region and Strasbourg in particular. Students will examine the causes and impact of the Franco-Prussian War, formation of the German Empire, World War 1, the roaring twenties, the Depression, and finally will see how World War 11 shaped not only the border between Germany and France but French policies and attitudes after the war. Prerequisite: None. Taught by Dr. Jeff Fieberg.
Students must also enroll in TWO of the courses from the following list:
• Molecular Modernism: Manet to Marc ARH 263/CHE263 This course will focus on the development of painting from the 1860"s to the 1940"s, from Realism to Impressionism, Fauvism, Cubism, Geometric Abstraction, de Stijl, Surrealism, and Abstract Expressionism. spending time in and around Strasbourg, Paris, and Basel, we will study in art musuems, the Strasbourg classroom, and actual painting sites of these important artists. Paintings will put the art movements in historical context. the role of science and technology in this progression (including synthesis of new materials and how color theory informed painting) will be discussed. Scientific topics include light and its interaction with matter, color mixing, chemical and physical causes of color, and the biology of vision: these topics are discussed to gain a deeper understanding of paintings. Many demonstrations that display properties of light and biology of vision will be preformed. Scientific techniques used to analyze paintings in conservation science and forgery investigations (complete demonstrations of infrared reflectography to revel underdrawings and x-ray fluorescence to identify pigments) will be discussed. Taught by Dr. Jeff Fieberg
• Promoting Sustainability Literacy through Physical Literacy (ENSXXX). In this course, students will understand the concept of sustainable development and the challenges that our western lifestyle poses to the future of humankind, using a set of evidence-based approaches. Students will be encouraged to reflect about ways to meet some of the sustainable goals proposed by the United Nations, and will be invited to experience the kind of lifestyle habits that it implies. Different aspects of sustainable literacy will be covered, such as food and the way that ecosystems work. But a particular emphasis will be put on physical literacy through the understanding of the benefits of exercise for health and the acquisition of skills related to orienteering. With this skillset, student will be taught how to quantify physical activity, examine and reflect on their own active behaviour. They will also employ active transportation, as Strasbourg is ranked n°4 in the world for bike transportation (Copenhagen Index, 2017). Orienteering will also be used in natural setting, combining academic, cultural and leisure activities. By combining excursions in urban and natural settings, student will become sustainability-literate through the promotion of physical literacy. The class combines lectures, readings, student presentations, and visits of sites in Strasbourg and an overnight trip in the Vosges. Lastly, they will understand how to design and manage a project based on the UN SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) model, which is nowadays an important feature for many project to be accepted and funded.
• The Construction of Europe (POL 461). Capitalizing on Strasbourg’s location at the geographical center of Europe and as the home of three of the most important European institutions, students study the Council of Europe, whose main assignment is to defend Human Rights in Europe. How does the Council work, and how does its European Court of Human Rights ensure the respect of fundamental rights in Europe? Students also study the ways in which some European States have deepened their interconnectedness through economic, political, and monetary cooperation. In conjunction with a trip to the European Parliament, students consider how the European Union was born, how it works, and what makes it unique. All of these issues are approached comparatively, with an eye toward the United States, and in their impact on students living on European soil. No prerequisites; taught by staff.
Classroom Facilities in Strasbourg
The classroom area is located near the University of Strasbourg, a short walk from the main cathedral. It includes classrooms and an office, small library and study area.