Faculty-Led: French Sign Language Summer
ASL 113 - French Sign Language and Deaf Culture in France (4 Cr.)
The ASL program at the University of Rochester, located in Rochester New York, offers a unique study abroad experience in France in Summer 2023 for Deaf and hearing college-level ASL students and professionals. This two-week program gives ASL users an opportunity to learn French Sign Language and French Deaf Culture in a formal setting and further their understanding of the international Deaf World.
Deaf Culture, History and Sign Language in France
May 14-June 3, 2023
ASL 113 - French Sign Language and Deaf Culture in France (4 Cr.)The ASL program at the University of Rochester, located in Rochester New York, is offering a unique study abroad experience in France in Summer 2023. It is open to Deaf and hearing college-level ASL students and professionals. This three-week program gives ASL users an opportunity to learn French Sign Language and French Deaf Culture in both formal and informal settings to further their understanding of the international Deaf World. It is available to anyone who meets the prerequisites (see below); it is not limited to University of Rochester students.
The ASL program at the University of Rochester holds classes at the University in Paris, France. A native Deaf French faculty member from UR is affiliated with several faculty members in the Deaf community and they jointly plan the program, schedule, and curriculum offered to ASL students and professionals.This 4-credit program will focus on basic and advanced learning of conversational LSF (French Sign Language) and on field trips fostering a broad understanding of French Deaf Culture and general French Culture in Paris (weeks 1 & 2) and in regions beyond the capital (week 3). Students will attend classes on LSF and French Deaf History and Culture in the first week. They will also attend guided tours of culturally significant sights such as renowned museums, Deaf theater, Lyon and other villages and Deaf schools. All classes and tours will be conducted in LSF and International Sign. Study will begin before going to France, as students will receive the course syllabus and materials for review and familiarization. This will be built upon during the LSF and Deaf Culture classes in Paris, France.
Prerequisites
UR students must have successfully completed ASL 105 Intermediate American Sign Language. For non-UR students, a Sign Communication Proficiency Interview is not required, but if applicants have one, it must be rated at the intermediate- level or above. Applicants’ sign language proficiency will also be evaluated by a conversation with the Program Director, Professor Chastel. Learning written French is optional for this program.
Guillaume Chastel M.A in Deaf Education/Math Gallaudet University Washington DC, 1997. Lecturer for ASL 3, 5 & Deaf Culture. Workshops include Math & Science Interpreting, ASL Numbers & fingerspelling, and other topics since April 03'. Born in Paris and grew up in Aix-en-Provence in the South of France.
Professor Guillaume Chastel
(585) 286-2714 (VP)
guillaume.chastel@rochester.edu
UR ASL Program
(585) 273-5165
ASL@rochester.edu
Center for Education Abroad
(585) 275-7532
The program cost is approximately $4,000. The cost includes accommodations in France, program-sponsored in-country travel, site visits, field trips, and some meals.
Not included in this price are items such as the cost of roundtrip airfare between Rochester and Paris, books, academic supplies, passports, food, and other personal expenses. Estimated costs for lunch and dinner over the 20 days are a minimum of $300. Program costs are subject to change due to currency fluctuations, unexpected increases in transportation costs, program changes or University of Rochester policy changes.
Program Dates
All participants must meet at 8 p.m. on May 14th. The course program will conclude on June 3rd. Please make sure that your return flight leaves no earlier than Saturday, June 3rd.
Program Requirements
This program is open to anyone who has at least 15 credit hours of university instruction and at least intermediate-level ASL skills. You must have a minimum of a 2.0 GPA to participate in any travel abroad program or be accepted upon special permission of the instructor. All participants require final approval by the faculty member. The University of Rochester also reserves the right to review conduct records as part of our application process and student conduct records are taken into account when making the determination on an applicant.
Scholarships for UR Faculty Education Abroad Programs
UR Scholarships
University of Rochester students may be eligible to receive a scholarship for this Program. Read the Scholarships document in your Learning Content for details.
Other scholarships
There are many scholarships and funding sources, both need and merit-based, for education abroad, and we encourage you to apply. Visit our
Scholarships page for more information.
Do not wait until the last minute to research what you may be eligible for, as scholarships are competitive, and will not be awarded for poorly-written applications. Scholarships for short-term and summer programs, and for international students, are limited, so it’s especially important to begin looking for scholarships sooner, rather than later.
Applications may require a copy of your official transcript, essays or personal statement, letters of recommendation, and financial aid information.
Note that
RIG and
Discover funding may be applicable to education abroad.
How to Apply
Apply online for the LSF and French Deaf Culture Summer Program. Program Continuing Education Credit for Professionals
If you would like to earn RID CEU’s for registered interpreters for the Deaf, contact Guillaume Chastel for information. His E-mail address is
guillaume.chastel@rochester.edu
