Art History in Paris, France: City of Empire

Program dates: January 4 - 12, 2026. This program takes place over winter break, but is factored into your Spring 2026 course load and fees. 

Application Deadline: October 1, 2025

Deposit Deadline: October 10, 2025

You can pay your deposit online here:

• Under "Categories" select "Student Travel Deposit: College of the Arts".
• Under "Items" select "Paris: City of Empire - Art, Faculty-Led Study Abroad Deposit for Winter Break 2026".
• From there, you can add the item to your cart and complete the payment.

Withdrawal Deadline: October 15, 2025

Final Program Fee Deadline: The remainder of the program fee will be billed to your Kent State student account. The program fee deadline aligns with the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center's Spring 2026 due dates. You should refer to the first Spring 2026 due date.

Mandatory pre/post-trip class meetings: 

• December 5, 12:00 - 2:00pm

• February 6, 12:00 - 2:00pm

• February 20, 12:00 - 2:00pm

Course Information

Course Name and CRN:

• CRN 10682 (ARTH - 42089 – 001), or
• CRN 10687 (ARTH - 52089 – 001)

Number of Credit Hours: 3

KSU Sponsoring College: Art

Course Description:

Students will benefit enormously via the observation and study of works of art firsthand, in addition to the presentation and discussion of historical and contextual factors.

Through your visits and subsequent assignments, we will explore the legacy of imperialism, its imprint on art and culture, and its effect on contemporary issues in Parisian society.

Program Language of Instruction: English.

Faculty Contact Information

Program Contact Name: Joseph Underwood

Title: Associate Professor

Email: junder18@kent.edu

Phone: 330-672-3824

Eligibility

• You must be in good academic standing with an overall GPA of 2.5 or better.
• Open to undergraduate and graduate students.

This program is designed to take place every other year over Winter Break.

Below is a tentative itinerary; however, the exact sequence, sites, and departure city are subject to changes in availability and cost.

Day 1: Travel Day

• Depart CLE for Paris 

Day 2: Paris City Tour

• Arrive at CDG, settle into hostel, brief walking tour, passing by many of its historical and cultural landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and Champs-Élysées.
• Evening: Free time to explore the city or participate in optional activities

Day 3: Louvre and Musée Carnavalet

• Morning: Explore the Louvre's Department of Arts of Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas, which showcases artworks from various cultures impacted by colonization
• Afternoon: Visit the Musée Carnavalet, a historic museum in neighboring mansions with Paris art & history exhibits focused on 16th & 17th centuries.

Day 4: Musée de l'histoire de l'immigration and Musée d'Orsay

• Morning: Visit the Musée de l'histoire de l'immigration, dedicated to the history and contributions of immigrants in France
• Afternoon: Visit the Musée d'Orsay, which houses an extensive collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces, including works by Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, and Cézanne

Day 5: Panthéon and Musée de l'Armée

• Morning: Visit the Panthéon, a mausoleum dedicated to honoring notable French citizens, such as Voltaire, Rousseau, Victor Hugo, and Marie Curie
• Afternoon: Explore the Musée de l'Armée at Les Invalides, which displays a vast collection of military artifacts, including the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte

Day 6: Musée du Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac and Musée de la Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine

• Morning: Visit the Musée du Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac, dedicated to indigenous art and cultures from Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas
• Afternoon: Explore the Musée de la Cité de l'Architecture, offering insight into French architecture, including replicas of significant historical buildings

Day 7: Musée Guimet, Palais de Tokyo, Musée de l’homme

• Morning: Exploring the Asian art collections of the Musée Guimet.
• Afternoon: Visit Palais de Tokyo, one of the leading contemporary art spaces
• Afternoon II: Walk to see sites related to the historic Expositions Universelles (World Fairs), including the Musée de l’homme.

Day 8: Centre Pompidou and Musée du Louvre Part II 

• Morning: Explore the Centre Pompidou, a modern and contemporary art museum housing works by artists such as Picasso, Miró, and Warhol
• Afternoon: Visiting the Louvre collection to address the legacy of race in European artworks

Day 9: Departure from Paris

• Check out of the hostel
• Take bus to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport

Paris, France

One of the most visited cities in the world, Paris is an architecturally robust location with world-renowned cuisine and illustrious art.

• Explore the city as you walk along the same streets that some of the most prolific writers and artists have walked.
• You can also take boat tours along the canals for an even more unique view of the aesthetics of Paris.
• The cosmopolitan city has multiple landmarks to visit, including the Louvre, the National Museum of Natural History, and the highly successful Paris Shakespeare & Company.

Paris is more than just a tourist destination. It is a site bursting with culture and education.

• Visit the bookshops known not only for their selection of books but also for their timeless architecture.
• You can also walk through the Latin Quarter, which dates back to the Middle Ages, where students would attend the Sorbonne and learn Latin.
• What's more, Paris offers a unique cuisine that combines both tradition and innovation. You can explore new flavors in an international city that provides an energetic city life.

Transportation

Airports

Flights to and from Cleveland (CLE) are included in the course fee (traveling between CLE and CDG: Charles De Gaulle International Airport ).

Local Transit

Local transportation is included in the course fee. 

Housing is in a student-friendly hostel with a shared room of up to four (4) people. Each room will have access to a private or shared bathroom and shower facility. The hostel provides sheets, a pillow, and a towel. Students may opt to bring additional bedding or towels, if desired.

Please note that meals are not included in the course fee. Students are encouraged to explore the diverse culinary scene that Paris has to offer. You can also get produce and meals from the various markets in Paris. Students can expect to spend about 45 Euros daily for meals and snacks, for a total of about $500.