Paris: Capital of Modernity - HIST 390 (3 credits)

The “City of Lights” and the “City of Love,” Paris holds enormous appeal for the millions of tourists from around the world who flock to visit it every year, and for those who can only dream of strolling along the Seine. In this course, we will study the mystique of the city and the power that it still exerts over the collective imagination of people who have never even seen it.

In order to do this, we will focus on the city’s history during the second half of the nineteenth century and the first years of the twentieth, including the so-called Belle Époque (the “Beautiful Era”, from about 1871 to 1914), since Paris’ allure owes a great deal to the streets, buildings, parks, and monuments that were built during this period. It was at that particular moment that Paris became a capital of art and culture whose global renown was perhaps greater than that of any urban centre before it.

To fully appreciate this great cultural flowering, we will also be looking at the artists and intellectuals who made Paris such a vibrant and dynamic hub of the arts shortly before and after the turn of the twentieth century. But we will devote the bulk of our time, both in the classrooms and in Paris itself, to understanding the individuals, forces, and processes that shaped the mythical city during these 75-odd years. We will attempt to determine who benefited from the sweeping, revolutionary changes that were necessary to beautify Paris, and who suffered. We will compare these changes to those that have reshaped cities around the world (including Vancouver) over the past century as we try to understand what it is that made the new Paris truly “modern.”

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: none beyond general requirements; open to students across Arts disciplines with an interest in history and culture.

Final selection will be made by the lead faculty program director. 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

In the first part of the program, students will meet on UBC campus to prepare for their studies in Paris. These sessions introduce major historical themes and sources and review course logistics, safety, and expectations.

In-country study period

The in-country portion runs May 4 - May 22, 2026. Students will participate in site visits, walking tours, and museum sessions across Paris. Daily schedules will combine discussions and lectures with exploration of neighborhoods, monuments, and archives to connect history to place.

Post-travel and overall dates

After returning from Paris, students complete final course assignments. The overall program runs May 4 - June 12, 2026.

Field activities

Students will visit neighborhoods, monuments, and archives central to Parisian history, including sites associated with revolution, urban transformation, and cultural life. Walking tours and museum sessions form an integral part of the course.

Housing

Students will stay in shared accommodations arranged by the program, with easy access to public transportation for daily activities.

Transportation

Students will use local public transit passes (metro, bus, RER) for daily travel within Paris.

Safety

Students will be advised to exercise caution in urban environments, avoid public protests, monitor local media, and follow program guidelines. 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 History 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 led by Michael Lanthier, Department of History, Faculty of Arts.

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.