UMD-Spring Break: France: Race Relations in the US and France (GVPT)

This is a new course format containing two parts: (1) a spring semester course at the College Park campus; (2) a spring break study abroad component in Paris, France from March 17-26, 2023. The course will focus on racial and ethnic politics in the U.S. and France. The goal of the course is to contrast the experiences of racial and ethnic minorities in the U.S. with those in France. It is designed to explore how racial and ethnic groups shape and are shaped by the American and French political system. Among the topics to be covered include the meaning and measurement of race and ethnicity, immigration politics, prejudice, and political representation. 

Steps to Register for Course: 

1. Apply to this program on the Education Abroad website 
2. If accepted, email kcortes@umd.edu to receive the registration code
3. Register for the GVPT388R course in Testudo, and enroll for that course by the Spring 2023 registration deadline (early February 2023).

Note: Registration for Spring 2023 will open on October 28th. This program is only open to students enrolled in the Spring 2023 GVPT388R course. GVPT388R is scheduled to meet on Tuesdays from 11am - 1:45pm.

Please refer to this link for additional information from the Department of Government & Politics website.

IMPORTANT: The Education Abroad Risk Management Committee must approve all institutionally sponsored international travel for undergraduate and graduate students. Program and country assessment is ongoing and appropriate action will be taken to prioritize your safety and security. COVID-19 vaccinations will be required for all study abroad participants in accordance with UMD's vaccination requirements. 

IMPORTANT: Please familiarize yourself with the updated financial commitment, withdrawals and refunds policy. We strongly encourage students to purchase CFAR Worldwide Trip Protection in addition to the CISI Insurance Plan which is covered in your program cost. Additional information about insurance can be found here. Last, please apply or renew your passport now (expedited processed) if you plan to study abroad as there are significant delays.

You must be in good academic and judicial standing and you must not have any registration blocks to participate in this program. The minimum GPA for this program is listed above.

UMD freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate students are eligible to apply.

If you are interested in this program but do not meet the eligibility requirements, reach out to the program director (listed in the Contacts tab) to discuss your interest in the program.

You must register for the GVPT388R course in Testudo and enroll for that course by the Spring 2023 registration deadline (early February 2023). After you are registered, Education Abroad will enroll you in this one (1) credit UMD course:

• GVPT388O: Race Relations in the US and France

The credit you earn during this program will count as resident credit. This course also counts towards GVPT major credit.

Housing information will be updated shortly.

Please refer to the following resources for funding study abroad:

Financial Aid
Scholarships
Financial Commitment, Withdrawals and Refunds Policy

*This program qualifies for eligible Pell Grant recipients to apply for the Gilman International Scholarship. Online applications will open in mid-August and are due Thursday, October 6, 2022, at 11:59pm PT.

PLEASE NOTE: All University of Maryland study abroad programs are financially self-supporting and, therefore, subject to cancellation due to low enrollment.

Antoine Banks is an Associate Professor in the Department of Government and Politics at the University of Maryland. He is also Director of the Government and Politics Research Lab. His research interests include racial and ethnic politics, emotions, political psychology, and public opinion. His book, Anger and Racial Politics: The Emotional Foundation of Racial Attitudes in America, published by Cambridge University Press, explores the link between emotions and racial attitudes and the consequences it has for political preferences. His articles have appeared in journals such as American Journal of Political Science, Public Opinion Quarterly, Political Behavior, Political Analysis, and Political Psychology.

For course, itinerary or in-country information, please contact the Program Leader. For general questions or assistance with applying, contact EA Short-term Programs.

As a part of this program, you will engage in the following activities:

• Lecture on race relations in France by a local expert
• Bus tour of different neighborhoods in Paris (e.g. African neighborhood should be included)
• Tour of Grande Mosquée de Paris and Musée national de l'histoire de l'immigration
• Tour of Quai Branly
• Tour of Louvre with emphasis on colonial history and race relations