Program Details
Program Eligibility
About
Social neuroscience involves understanding the biological mechanisms underlying our own behaviors as well as how we interact in the world with others. This course will provide you with an overview of social neuroscience concepts and tie them to real-world experiences in Paris and the United States to help you make cross-country sociocultural comparisons.
Examine how neuroscience concepts such as addiction, body language, and emotion are perceived in different sociocultural contexts; specifically how they differ between American and French people. To fully immerse in Parisian culture, you will venture on several excursions including to local museums like the Louvre, historical landmarks such as the Arc de Triomphe and Notre-Dame Cathedral, and meet with French neuroscientists. Through this immersive experiential learning, you will be able to assess the social neuroscience aspects of daily life and have a greater understanding of cultural nuances within interpersonal dynamics.
You are welcome to participate in this course with or without previous neuroscience coursework!
Housing & Meals
Live in shared housing with other program participants. A welcome and farewell meal are included in the program fee, some additional meals may be included. Additional meals not included can be taken at local restaurants and cafés.
Excursions
Excursions and activities in Paris may include:
- Walking tour of Paris
- Visit to the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe
- Visit to the Jardin du Luxembourg to complete social observations
- Visit to the Museum of the History of Psychiatry and Neuroscience
- Guided tour of the Louvre
- Lab tour at the Paris Brain Institute
- A pastry tour or cooking class
- Visit to Sainte-Chapelle and Notre Dame Cathedral to study emotional depictions
Accessibility
If you have a disability and plan to study abroad, visit our Accessibility Abroad page to learn about considerations, answer questions, and request accommodations before you go abroad.
Flight
The LAC will provide information on booking a designated flight. This flight will be the one the leader travels on and/or will include airport pick-up and transfers in-country. Estimated flight costs are noted in the budget, but fares may change until booked. You are advised not to book flights until given program confirmation from the LAC.
Learning Outcomes
Explore neuroscience research to understand the neurobiological basis of how we communicate with others and how we see ourselves in the world
Learn about French and American sociocultural similarities and differences related to topics such as addiction, body language, emotion, and more
Become a more informed world citizen in understanding how cultural nuances impact our behaviors and interactions with others
This seminar also offers you opportunities to:
- Develop independence by challenging yourself in a new environment
- Function as an effective team member by utilizing your personal strengths in a group setting
Faculty & Staff
This program is taught by Angeline Dukes.
Program Structure
One 3-credit course
Global Seminars are 3-week study abroad programs led by University of Minnesota faculty and staff that feature:
- Intensive learning in a location that illuminates the topic
- Small groups of 15–25 students
- No prerequisites or language requirements
- Included excursions and cultural activities
- Instruction in English
Coursework
Engage with French culture as you develop your understanding of social neuroscience. The course will cover neuroscience concepts such as addiction, body language, and emotion and how they are perceived in French and American sociocultural contexts. Each excursion during the program will have a corresponding lecture directly preceding it that relates to the neuroscience topic expected to be gleaned during the experience. Through this immersive experiential learning, you will be able to assess the social neuroscience aspects of daily life and have a greater understanding of cultural nuances within interpersonal dynamics.
You are welcome to participate in this course with or without previous neuroscience coursework.
Much of this course will be focused on experiential learning, however, you will also participate in reflections, in-class assignments, and a group project.
Receive credit for: NSCI 3441
Fulfills: TBD
Approved for: TBD
Syllabus for Parisian Pathways: A Global Perspective of Social Neuroscience
Sustainability
The Learning Abroad Center is committed to sustainability and incorporating this into our programs. This course can be tied to Sustainable Development Goals through course content and program activities including:
SDG 5: Gender Equality and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities—This course will address gender inequalities and other types of inequalities in the lectures as they relate to neuroscience research. Student will become aware of the inequities as a first step to become agents of change to reduce inequalities in research and daily life in the future.
Academic Registration
If confirmed, you will be registered for your course by the Learning Abroad Center once registration opens for your term abroad. Make sure you have no holds that would prevent registration.
If you haven't already, communicate with your academic adviser(s) as applicable to review the course for your major, minor, or college requirements. University of Minnesota students should use the Academic Planning Form (PDF), located on your confirmation checklist.
Dates Details
Submit the online application and complete the assigned application checklist according to the appropriate deadline:
| Term | Program Dates | Application Deadline | Confirmation Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| May Session 2027 | Mid-May to early June, 2027 | February 15, 2027 | TBD |
Program dates are subject to change.
If the deadline falls on a weekend, submit your materials on the following business day.
Important Note: Enrollment on this program is limited to 25 students. Admission is granted on a rolling basis and applications are reviewed in the order they are completed. Some programs may fill to capacity prior to the application deadline, therefore applying early is recommended. Additionally, applying early will allow for more time to plan ahead and prepare for the program.
Information Sessions
Join in-person or over Zoom. Register and learn more about this and other events on our events page.
| Date | Time | Location | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, May 5 | 2:30 p.m. | In-person at Heller Hall 230 or online. | Registration required. |
| Wednesday, May 6 | 3:30 p.m. | Online only. | Registration required. |
| Monday, May 11 | 11:00 a.m. | Online only. | Registration required. |
Orientation Dates & Locations
The Learning Abroad Center facilitates a pre-departure orientation in collaboration with your program leader(s) in addition to any additional orientation sessions scheduled by your program leader(s). It is your responsibility to know the information shared at these orientations.
Orientation consists of several sessions, all of which are created to support your preparation to go abroad:
- Online Health & Safety Orientation: This asynchronous module can be accessed in your LAC checklist and is mandatory.
- LAC Seminar Pre-departure Orientation: This asynchronous module can be accessed in your LAC checklist and is mandatory. The discussion post is due before your LAC Program Orientation meeting.
- LAC Program Orientation: Program details and important UofM information will be covered (finances, health & safety, policies, insurance, etc.). This will be scheduled in collaboration with your program leader(s). Details will be sent to you via email from the LAC and/or your program leader(s). This is a mandatory meeting. **For embedded programs, this will likely be one of your class dates prior to departure.**
- Program Leader Orientation(s): Your program leader(s) will schedule 1–3 additional orientation sessions prior to departure. These will cover academic requirements and preparation, final travel and program logistics, cultural knowledge, and more. Details will be sent to you via email from your program leader(s). These are mandatory meetings. **For embedded programs, these will likely be included in your class dates prior to departure.**
The Learning Abroad Center also offers 2 optional orientations:
Fees
The Cost of Participation (program fee) includes educational costs, program activities, housing, entrances to course-related excursions and site visits, some meals, international medical, security & evacuation insurance, local transportation, and program administration. Program fees can vary widely due to location, cost of living, airfare, and program inclusions. The estimated Cost of Participation for this program is forthcoming.
You must also budget for international airfare (with LAC guidance), visa (if applicable), passport and passport photos, meals not included in program fee, spending money, and miscellaneous living expenses. Additional estimated costs for this program are forthcoming.
The LAC strives to follow best practices to provide the lowest cost program while ensuring a quality academic experience.
If you do not see a budget estimate for the term you intend to go abroad, the fee has not yet been finalized. We strive to post fees for this program at least 30 days prior to the application deadline. The Learning Abroad Center will delay the posting of some fees until enrollments, inflation and exchange rates are determined. Note the average increase in fees will be 3–10%. Program fees are based on estimates and may change depending on international economic factors.
Billing & Payments
Visit Billing for information about the billing process for application fees, deposits, and program fees.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Visit Financial Information for information on using financial aid and scholarships for study abroad.
Enrollment Note: This program is considered part of summer enrollment for the purposes of registration and financial aid.
Flight & Deposit Advance
The Flight & Deposit Advance (formerly Bridging Loan) is a no-interest/no-fees program that allows you to defer payment of your flight and LAC program deposit until your financial aid is disbursed.
Cancellation Policy
Before you apply to or confirm your participation on this program, review the Learning Abroad Center's Cancellation Policy to inform yourself of the timeline and financial obligations for canceling.
Apply
You will be charged a $50 application fee for each application you submit.
Complete
After you submit your application, you will receive an email notification confirming that your application was received. Submitted applications are assigned an application checklist, which will include the following items:
- Application Essay
Detailed descriptions and instructions for submitting each checklist item are included on the application checklist assigned to you.
If you do not meet the GPA requirement for this program you will be required to submit an additional essay. It will be added to your checklist after you start your application, and you will be notified when it has been added.
Next Steps
- After you complete all required application checklist items, you will receive an automated email message indicating your application is ready to be reviewed.
- Your completed application will be reviewed by the Learning Abroad Center.
- If admitted, the Confirmation & Payment Agreement form will be added to your checklist. Complete this form to secure your spot on the program. By submitting the form, you also give your approval for the program deposit to be billed to your UofM student account.
- Complete the confirmation checklist, which include the following items in additional to program-specific forms:
- Passport Information
- Emergency Contacts
- Health Information Form
- Online Health & Safety Orientation
- Release & Waiver
- You will receive information about additional steps from the sponsoring college/department.
After You Apply
Before your program begins, review these resources.
Health & Safety
Learn more about staying healthy and safe abroad, including mental health and wellness, international travel insurance, and safety precautions.
Power of Attorney
Consider designating someone as your power of attorney to act as your legal representative while you’re abroad.
Student Identity
Consult our resources on student identities as you prepare for your abroad experience.
Travel Resources
Ready to go abroad? Our travel resources will help you pack and learn what to expect.
Program Contact
For further information or questions about this program, send an email to