Sign Language Studies in Paris
Paris, France
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.
Courses
- LIGN 9GS: Sign Languages & Deaf Culture in the U.S. & France (PDF draft syllabus)
- LIGN 149GS: Historical Roots of ASL (PDF draft syllabus)
Why you should go
Some estimates claim that one third of the signs used in ASL today are related to French signs. The two languages, however, are not mutually intelligible. Practice with French signs for many basic concepts will enable students to experience how comprehension can be achieved through an implicitly negotiated process of creating bridges between signs of different languages. Participation in excursions and cultural visits will turn students’ classroom discussions into actual practice, where their knowledge of ASL will truly be an asset in live interactions with French deaf people.
Who should go
Anyone! No prior signing or linguistics experience is required. Both courses in the seminar may be applied toward the linguistics minor in language studies/ASL. The upper division course has been approved for the DEI requirement since its focus is the exploration of cultural connections between ASL and several sign languages of people of color. Consult your academic advisor to determine officially how the courses will apply to your graduation requirements.
Information Sessions
- English: Tuesday, October 22, 3-4:30 pm
- ASL: Tuesday, October 29, 3-4:30 pm
- Register here to get the live Zoom link for either/both of the sessions , and/or to get the post-session recordings
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:
- 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)
- 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
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 and return transportation provided.
- 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.
