Study Abroad | Grenoble
Fall 2025: Academics

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AcadEmics Overview

AIFS Abroad offers a unique global educational experience for students on this program, with the following academic options available:

Program Name	Early Start Available	Credits	Notes
French Language and Culture	Early Start Available: No	Credits: Up to 17	All students take a French language course available at Intermediate, Advanced and Superior levels. Your level of French is determined by a placement test taken on-line before arrival in Grenoble. Levels are confirmed after arrival in Grenoble. Then choose from electives taught in French or English. Students may only take French electives which correspond to their placement level. For example: B1 (200 level) may only take B1 level French electives, B2 (300 level) may only take B2 level French electives, etc. Electives taught in French carry 2 recommended semester credits. Electives taught in English carry a recommended 3 semester credits. English electives require a minimum of 10 students to run. The minimum course load is 12 credits and the maximum course load is 17 credits. Requirements All students must take a French language course and a French Vocabulary Enrichment* course. Students placed into French 301 or French 401, must take French 304/404 (2): Written and Oral Expression in addition to the French Language Course and French Vocabulary Enrichment. Students placing into French 201 may take either French 210: French Vocabulary Enrichment or French 220 (2) : French Grammar Reinforcement Students placing into French 401 may take either French 410: French Vocabulary Enrichment or French 403 (2): Introduction to Linguistics Attendance is required. In accordance with Université Grenoble Alpes regulations, students absent from classes without prior authorization may not be eligible to take exams or may be awarded lower or failing grades. Total hours attended in language classes are recorded on the university transcript in addition to continual assessment grades awarded during the program. Grades The system used at all levels of education in France is based on a scale of 20. Exceptional students usually earn between 14 and 16, which is equivalent to a U.S. B+ or A, while grades of 17 and above are rare. A grade of 12 or 13 is good, and equivalent to a B; an average of 10 represents work that merits promotion or the conferral of a diploma and is a U.S. C grade. Grading is usually more competitive than in the U.S. No AIFS Abroad participant is permitted to take a course without receiving a grade. Pass/Fail options are not available. Eligibility Notes B1 Intermediate French language level and above (3 – 4 semesters of French or equivalent).

Program Name

Early Start Available

Credits

Notes

French Language and Culture

Early Start Available: No

Credits: Up to 17

All students take a French language course available at Intermediate, Advanced and Superior levels. Your level of French is determined by a placement test taken on-line before arrival in Grenoble. Levels are confirmed after arrival in Grenoble. Then choose from electives taught in French or English. Students may only take French electives which correspond to their placement level. For example: B1 (200 level) may only take B1 level French electives, B2 (300 level) may only take B2 level French electives, etc. Electives taught in French carry 2 recommended semester credits. Electives taught in English carry a recommended 3 semester credits. English electives require a minimum of 10 students to run. The minimum course load is 12 credits and the maximum course load is 17 credits.

Requirements

All students must take a French language course and a French Vocabulary Enrichment* course. Students placed into French 301 or French 401, must take French 304/404 (2): Written and Oral Expression in addition to the French Language Course and French Vocabulary Enrichment.

*Students placing into French 201 may take either French 210: French Vocabulary Enrichment or French 220 (2) : French Grammar Reinforcement
*Students placing into French 401 may take either French 410: French Vocabulary Enrichment or French 403 (2): Introduction to Linguistics

Attendance is required. In accordance with Université Grenoble Alpes regulations, students absent from classes without prior authorization may not be eligible to take exams or may be awarded lower or failing grades. Total hours attended in language classes are recorded on the university transcript in addition to continual assessment grades awarded during the program.

Grades The system used at all levels of education in France is based on a scale of 20. Exceptional students usually earn between 14 and 16, which is equivalent to a U.S. B+ or A, while grades of 17 and above are rare. A grade of 12 or 13 is good, and equivalent to a B; an average of 10 represents work that merits promotion or the conferral of a diploma and is a U.S. C grade. Grading is usually more competitive than in the U.S.

No AIFS Abroad participant is permitted to take a course without receiving a grade. Pass/Fail options are not available.

Eligibility Notes

B1 Intermediate French language level and above (3 – 4 semesters of French or equivalent).

Art

Course Code: Fine Arts 311-312 /411-412

Instruction Language: French

The Fall semester considers the development of art in France through creative movements and the works of selected artists, including the study of street art in Grenoble.

Economics

Course Code: Econ 301-302/Pol Sci 301-302/401-402

Instruction Language: French

Draws on current events, economic data, case studies and the press to show how French companies operate in an evolving global market. Subjects covered include political influence (local, national and international), working practices and conditions, legal requirements, the power of private enterprise etc.

Foreign Language

Course Code: French 403

Instruction Language: French

The objective of this course is to introduce students to methods, both European and American, to the study of the structure of language with reference to Chomsky, de Saussure and others. Through concrete examples and practical exercises the course questions how we traditionally study grammar. Students are required to select either this course or French 410. The course is taught at the same time as French 410. Students in advanced B2 level may request to follow this course.

French Language

Course Code: French 305-306/405-406

Instruction Language: French

Covers major developments in contemporary French literature (two novels plus extracts from major writers are read per semester). Poetry and drama are also discussed. Different content for fall and spring.

Course Code: French 205-206

Instruction Language: French

Students read and discuss two or more novels per semester, in addition to studying examples of French poetry, drama and short stories. Students are introduced, via extracts, to the work of writers in other French-speaking countries.

Course Code: French 220

Instruction Language: French

This course is designed to consolidate, expand and enrich students’ understanding of the French language through the study and review of French grammar. Recommended for advanced B1 level students. Class meets 2 hours per week and complements French 201. Takes place at the same time as French 210 Vocabulary Enrichment.

Course Code: French 301/B2

Instruction Language: French

Students with at least 4 semesters or more of recent college French will usually place at this level. Students will learn to understand and express themselves in a variety of situations, not necessarily familiar to them, that require them to exchange information and provide personal opinions using complex linguistic structures. Grammar areas include: uses of the subjunctive, imperfect, preterit, conditional and imperative in specific situations (arguments, degrees of possibility, cause, consequence, etc), direct and indirect pronouns and use of negatives.<br/>

Course Code: French 310/410

Instruction Language: French

Expands and enriches students’ understanding of the French language through the study of vocabulary: origins of words, metaphors, synonyms and homonyms. Class meets 2 hours per week and complements French 301/401 and 304/404. Students in advanced B2 level may request to follow Introduction to Linguistics which is taught at the same time as French 310.

Course Code: French 215-216

Instruction Language: French

Educational experience, the media, culinary habits, beliefs and superstitions, immigration and its social ramifications, leisure, women’s issues, professional training and differences between Paris and the provinces are discussed.

Course Code: French Language 201

Instruction Language: French

For students with at least 2 or 3 semesters of recent French. The course concentrates on communication skills (oral and written): expressing ideas, opinions and feelings, describing people and places, debating and asking questions. Students are expected to be able to understand the main points of a discussion, film, lecture or radio/television program and to pick out the important arguments in a newspaper/magazine article. Grammar areas covered include: present, past, future and conditional tense, present subjunctive, gerund, passive, pronouns and prepositions.

Course Code: French Language 401/C1

Instruction Language: French

Students with extremely good French (6 semesters or more of recent college French) will usually place at this level. Students will learn to interact naturally and with spontaneity and should be able to express the subtleties of their feelings and thoughts both in spoken and written French. Students work at moving with fluency between different tenses, making convincing and structured arguments supported by concrete examples and learn to nuance their use of language to suit a given situation. The grammar covered is designed to refine and develop communication skills and consolidate knowledge already learned.

Course Code: French 304/404

Instruction Language: French

Techniques of written expression teach the skills needed to write a comprehensive essay in French, while techniques of oral expression allow students to improve their presentation skills in French. Organization of work, vocabulary, style and mastery of tenses. Complements French 301. Meets 2 hours a week. Separate grades are given for oral and written work on transcript.This is a required language elective.

History

Course Code: History 305

Instruction Language: English

This course traces the history of the close intellectual and political relationship between France and the U.S. from American Independence to the present day. Minimum enrolment of 10 required

Multidisciplinary

Course Code: French 217

Instruction Language: French

This course is designed to deepen students’ knowledge of the fundamental elements which have contributed to creating French society today, including the development of language, beliefs and attitudes through Greek, Roman and Egyptian myths, religious influences, inventions (ie cinema) and famous people (Jean Moulin, philosophers, etc).Fall semester only

Political Science

Course Code: Econ/Poli Sci 201-202

Instruction Language: French

After surveying the evolution of the French Republic, concentration is on issues pertinent to a sound understanding of contemporary French society. Subjects include institutions of the Fifth Republic, May 1968, the Socialist years and the economy (regional development, state aid and employment).

Course Code: Political Science 325

Instruction Language: English

Topics are: the historical context of union, the organization and functioning of existing institutions, the policy-making process regarding key areas of commercial and economic cooperation. Questions about the type of unity Europeans want and possibility for further enlargement. A minimum enrolment of 10 is required.

Sociology

Course Code: Sociology 360

Instruction Language: English

Concentrates on the multiculturalism of modern France, studying the historical background and contemporary reality of the various components of French society today. Grenoble will be taken as an illustration of how different nationalities arrived in France at different times, and how a city has evolved with these changes. A minimum enrolment of 10 is required.

Theater

Course Code: French/Theater 315/316

Instruction Language: French

Using poetry, theater and story-telling, students are encouraged to develop and improve their French speaking ability. Each semester, students direct and act in a French play,. Evaluation is based on participation, including the final production in front of a live university audience, a journal and a research paper on the play.

Academic Credit & Transcripts

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Credit Transfer

As a part of the AIFS Abroad application for semester programs, you will complete a Course Approval Form, which will be signed off by your study abroad office staff and/or faculty at your university.

For J Term/Summer programs, no such approval form is needed; however, students are still responsible for ensuring credit can be brought back from their overseas program.
In any case, we recommend getting additional courses approved in case you need to change courses while abroad.

Overseas universities do not use the credit system employed by American institutions. AIFS Abroad students must make special arrangements to transfer credits, but since AIFS Abroad courses are given at recognized universities or the AIFS Abroad Centers (which are transcripted by Fairfield University), there usually is no difficulty in arranging transfer credit toward U.S. degrees provided the proper procedure is followed.

European Credit Transfer System (ECTS)

Many of the European institutions that AIFS Abroad works with award credits under the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). ECTS enables cooperating institutions to measure and compare a student’s performance and facilitates the transfer of credits from the European institution to the U.S institution.

Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR)

Language levels are defined according to the CEFR and will be listed on your transcript on completion of the program. CEFR organizes language proficiency into six levels (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2) which can be regrouped into three broad levels according to the needs of the local institution: Beginner: A1, A2/U.S. Level 100; Intermediate: B1, B2/U.S. Level 200-300; Advanced: C1, C2/U.S. Level 400

Transcripts

When you complete your program, an official transcript is sent to your home institution directly from AIFS Abroad or the host university. Another official transcript may be retained by AIFS Abroad in Stamford, but this is not the case for all programs. Please contact transcripts@aifs.com to find out how to request additional transcripts.

Generally, your school should receive your transcript 60 days after completion of the program. (Cannes Semester programs, Perth, Sydney, Dublin, Limerick, and Wellington Programs exception: Transcripts issued and retained by the host universities. Transcripts for the Cannes Semester programs are issued by Chapman University.)

Transcripts may come without an English-language translation, so participants will need to organize translations with their home university.

Academic Records

Credit assessment methods in overseas universities may not be comparable to those in U.S. universities. Grading may involve exams, papers, individual projects, class discussion or some combination of these. Although academic institutions abroad may grade on a variety of scales, admissions counselors and registrars at U.S. institutions are familiar with international grading systems and can convert grades.

Course Selection

AIFS Abroad Program Advisors are available to assist you in the process. The following procedure is recommended:

Read course descriptions for the selected program and select courses. Obtain approval from your academic or study abroad advisor for the preliminary courses selected. Final approval of credit transfer for completed courses is at the discretion of the Registrar or appropriate official at the home institution. Students must ascertain that courses taken meet their individual academic program requirements. Recommended credits in this catalog are based on 15 classroom hours per semester credit.

I would absolutely recommend this program. The trip has been such a positive experience. Wonderful program!

AIFS has a lot to offer. The more I talked to American students from other programs, the more I realized that AIFS was clearly the best choice

This program opened my eyes to a culture and society I knew very little about. I made great friends and had a fabulous time during the process. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.

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Study Abroad | Grenoble
Fall 2025: Academics

Select Your Program Option:

AcadEmics Overview