France: The French Revolution - History, Myth, and Fiction - FREN 395 (3 credits)

The revolution of 1789 left a profound mark on the French imagination. As a foundational rupture, it inspired a considerable amount of discourse aimed at recounting, explaining, and commenting on this event, which sought to break free from the old order and build a new world. Novels, poems, songs, plays, newspapers, engravings, and pamphlets published during the decade of 1789-1799 attempted to capture this revolution as much as they contributed to its mythologization. More than two centuries later, the representation of this political and social upheaval remains a significant aspect of French identity.

Historians, writers and filmmakers continue to share the duty of questioning these years of euphoria and violence to give them meaning for the present. Through a combination of visits of historical landmarks and museums, and the study of authentic 18th-century documents and contemporary fictions, this course aims to equip students with the necessary tools to better understand this event, its legacy, and the debates around its diverse interpretations. It also seeks to provoke a general reflection on the relationships between history and fiction and on the recurring debates surrounding the representations given to the origins and repercussions of this period in French history.

General Global Seminar requirements

To participate in a Global Seminar, students must:

• Be in good-standing in their faculty (as defined by home faculty)
• In the year leading up to the Global Seminar, have full-time student status (as defined by home faculty)
• Have completed 2nd year requirements before the start of the program (i.e., eligible for 3rd or 4th year standing)
• Have at least a 70% academic average in your last full-time academic session before applying
• Maintain a 70% academic average leading up to the program
• Meet any program specific requirements listed below including pre-requisites before participating

Program-specific requirements

• Minimum year level completed before participating: 1
• Prerequisite: minimum CEFR A2 level (for example, one of FREN 202 or equivalent)

Final selection will be made by the lead faculty program directors. Space in the program may be limited.

Students who wish to participate in the summer after graduating may be eligible on a case-by-case basis.

Pre-departure and on-campus preparation

May 4 - May 14: on-campus classes at UBC, Monday to Friday, 10:00 - 15:30. Sessions introduce key historical contexts, readings, and film excerpts, and review logistics and safety. Course expectations and assessment are explained before travel.

In-country study period

May 17 - June 9: in-country learning in Paris and Lyon with a day trip to Vizille. The schedule combines classroom discussion and close reading in the morning with site and museum visits in the afternoon. Students use public transit in Paris and Lyon; the Vizille trip is by mini-bus with a professional driver.

Overall dates

May 4 - June 8, 2026.

Field activities

Planned visits and activities include a welcome gathering at Place de la Bastille; the Palace and Park of Versailles; guided walks at sites such as the Palais Royal, Tuileries, and Champs de Mars; the Panthéon; La Conciergerie; Musée Carnavalet and Place des Vosges; Musée Gadagne in Lyon; and the Musée de la Révolution française in Vizille.

Housing

In Paris, students will stay in an individual or shared room at the Maison des étudiants Canadiens. In Lyon, students will stay in an individual room with a local host family.

Transportation

In Paris and Lyon, students will use public transportation. The field trip to Vizille will take place in a rented mini-bus driven by a professional driver.

Safety

Students will be advised to exercise a high degree of caution, avoid public protests, monitor local media, and follow the instructions of the instructor and host families. A detailed safety plan will be provided one month prior to departure.

Base program fee, before awards: $5500*

The final fee depends on the number of students in the seminar. All Global Seminars only run if there is a minimum number of students enrolled.

Cultural Experience in France Grant (CEFG) for Arts students

This program is generously supported by the Cultural Experience in France Grant for Arts students. Eligible Arts students applying to the program will automatically be considered for the CEFG funding. No additional application is required. Students who have previously received large awards for a Go Global program (like GSO, ARA, Pathfinder or others) may participate in this program and be eligible for CEFG funding. However, students who have not received major Go Global Awards will be prioritized for funded spaces. There is a limited number of fully funded spots available in this program.

Eligibility criteria for CEFG

• Acceptance into this program.
• Enrolled in a UBC Vancouver degree program in the Faculty of Arts (B.A., B.Mus., etc).
• Have a minimum GPA of 70% in the top 24 credits of the previous academic year with no failed or incomplete courses in the assessed period.
• Current full-time students (minimum 9 credits per term) in 2025-26 Academic Year
• Depending on the number of eligible candidates, priority may be given to students in a French major or minor.

To be eligible for the 100% funding, additional consideration: demonstration of financial need (priority to students who meet UBC Enrolment Services financial aid criteria for non-repayable loans and bursaries).

Students accepted into this program who are not eligible for the Cultural Experience in France Grant will receive a $1,000 Go Global Award.

The program is offered by the Department of French, Hispanic, and Italian Studies, Faculty of Arts. Local partners include Lyon 2 and the Centre international d’études françaises (CIEF).

All travel and program activities involve risk of harm to participants. Go Global and Seminar program leads take reasonable precautions to reduce risks. However, not all harms can be anticipated or prevented. 

While travelling on UBC programs, students have a responsibility for their own safety and the safety of the group.

Some common issues for travellers include:

• Illness and injuries (e.g. respiratory illnesses, flu, food poisoning, sprained ankles, etc.)
• Fatigue and heat exhaustion
• Violence like robbery, or gender- and race-based harassment or attacks, especially in urban areas
• Traffic accidents
• Lost documents (passports, credit cards, etc.)

Before Applying:

• Get to know the places you will be travelling by using available resources like Global Affairs Canada travel reports.
• Consider your own mental and physical health alongside what you know about the conditions during the program (e.g. how physical is the program? What are the living conditions? What can I do to prepare myself?)

Before departure:  

• Participate in all pre-departure activities offered by Go Global and your program teaching team to learn about the program and ways to prevent and respond to incidents.
• Ensure you have adequate travel medical insurance that will cover you in the location and for the duration of your trip.
• Be aware of how to use your travel medical insurance, if you need it, and where to access medical care or other emergency assistance in the locations where you will be travelling. 

During the program: 

• If you don’t feel safe, say something! Let your program leads know how you feel, or about incidents that occur. Don’t hesitate to contact Go Global during your program.
• Know your own needs: be aware of your own mental and physical health and your limits. Communicate with your program lead and group about making adjustments, as needed. 

Public health: COVID-19 and other diseases

Students and faculty are required to comply with the entry requirements of the host country, regulations of transportation carriers, and any local public health orders. These rules might require vaccinations (e.g. for COVID-19, yellow fever, etc.) to enter the country or to participate in certain program activities. Some places may require masking, testing or isolation in various circumstances. It is your responsibility to research and comply with any requirements.

COVID-19 and other infections can spread easily in a group setting. Most programs involve shared accommodations. Unless required by local public health authorities, isolation for those infected during the program may not be possible. 
 
Review local requirements before applying and before departure. Check the Global Affairs Canada Advisory under Entry Requirements for your Global Seminar destination to learn more. Keep in mind that program conditions can vary and rules can change before or during your trip.