• Why study history in Paris?
  If there is one location in the world that is at the epicentre of modern civilization it would have to be Paris. Here, students will find evidence of everything from revolution to religious turmoil to fashion and art. There really is no better place to immerse yourself in modern Western history. The moment we step onto the streets of the Champs Elysées, we will trace a line of monumental history; from the Tour Eiffel and the Arc de Triomphe, to the Louvre and the Cathédrale Notre-Dame. Whether we dine in the Latin Quarter or in the legendary Montmartre, we will connect with the diverse lifestyles and histories of the 'City of Light'. This course examines contemporary issues in modern Western history and literature, where economic, political, military, cultural and environmental concerns will be discussed in depth.

Courses

Courses offered for grade 12 students

• The West & The World

  This course examines contemporary issues in modern Western history and literature. Economic, political, military, cultural and environmental concerns will be discussed in depth.

  Why study history in Paris?

  If there is one location in the world that is at the epicentre of modern civilization it would have to be Paris. Here, students will find evidence of everything from revolution to religious turmoil to fashion, art and the World Wars. There is no better place to immerse yourself in European history. The moment we step onto the streets of the Champs Elysées, we will trace a line of monumental history; from the Tour Eiffel and the Arc de Triomphe, to Louis Vuitton, the Louvre and the Cathédrale Notre-Dame. Whether we dine in the Latin Quarter or in the legendary Montmartre, we will connect with the diverse lifestyle and history of the ‘City of Light’.

Itinerary

• Dates

  • Course Begins: February 7th
  • Departure Date: March 11th
  • Return Date: March 20th (tentative)
  • Course Ends: May 14th (tentative)

• Preparatory meeting (February 5th, 2011)

  Students and staff will come together at a preparatory meeting the Saturday before online sessions begin in order to review details of the program. The preparatory meeting is designed to give students and staff a chance to meet and discuss expectations and clarify details for the months ahead. We have found that this meeting ensures that our students are ready to enjoy every minute of their online experience and March Break journey.

• Course begins: Online sessions
  (February 7th- March 10th, 2011)

• Weeks 1 & 2; Age of Reason & Enlightenment

  While studying the Age of Reason and Enlightenment students will begin to unearth the foundations of the modern Western world. As we discuss the philosophies of Europe’s influential Enlightenment thinkers we will examine the way their creeds helped shape political ideologies up until present day. We will also look at the various roles the Church played and how it figured predominantly in both the political and social arenas.

• Weeks 3, 4 & 5; The French Revolution & Napoleonic Era

  Leading into our journey abroad, the second unit of study will focus on the wildly turbulent periods of the French Revolution and Napoleonic Era. As they explore the contrast between the rich aristocracy and the destitute peasantry of France, students will begin to see how the seeds of revolution were sown.

• March break excursion to Paris
  (March 11th-March 20th, 2011)

• Day 1, Friday March 11th; Departure to Paris

  Students will hit the ground running as they arrive in the ‘City of Light’. A walkabout in Paris will give students a brief introduction to their new surroundings. Among the bistros and cafés near the hotel, students and teachers will sit down to their first dinner as a group.

• Day 2, Saturday March 12th

  Our first morning lecture will take us to the awe-inspiring Pantheon where historical giants such as Rousseau, Voltaire and Victor Hugo have their final resting place. After a lunchtime scavenger hunt in the surrounding markets students will reconvene at Paris’ aesthetic mecca, the Louvre.

• Day 3, Sunday March 13th; Day trip to Versailles

  There’s no better place to witness the opulence of the aristocracy than at Louis XIV’s Palais de Versailles. As they wander the pristine gardens and the gilded hallways of the palace on this full-day trip, students will truly understand what life was like under the reign of the Sun King.

• Day 4, Monday March 14th

  Students will journey to the Palais Royal for their morning activities and a game of Ultimate Frisbee. Afterwards, we’ll walk to the nearby Arc de Triomphe where Napoleon paid homage to the soldiers and revolutionaries who died during the tumultuous wars of his era. In the afternoon, the Champs Elysées will afford students the opportunity to experience true haute couture. We will meet back at the gothic Cathédrale Notre-Dame before venturing into the Latin Quarter for an evening of Parisian cuisine.

• Day 5, Tuesday March 15th

  In the morning students will travel to L’Hotel National des Invalides to visit the burial site for some of France’s war heroes, including Napoleon’s Tomb. Only a short walk away from this icon’s final resting place is the Musée Rodin, home to hundreds of the famous French sculptors’ works, including The Thinker and The Gates of Hell.

• Day 6, Wednesday March 16th

  Considered a masterpiece of late Gothic architecture, students will enjoy their morning activities in the shadow of L’église Saint-Eustache. Of course, no trip to Paris would be complete without rising to the top of the Tour Eiffel and taking in a bird’s-eye view of the awe-inspiring city.

• Day 7, Thursday March 17th

  While sitting on the steps of the Basilique du Sacré-Coeur, located at the highest point in Paris, students will enjoy a breakfast of croissants and French pastries. We will continue our tour of the city in Montmartre, which is home to the historic heart of the Bohemian movement. An evening at the Pompidou will allow students to explore the modern arts, from Picasso to Pollock.

• Day 8, Friday March 18th

  In the morning students will travel to the Musée d’Orsay, which is home to thousands of paintings, sculptures and photography of world-renowned French artists. Students will grab baguettes, fresh fruit and prosciutto before heading to the Jardin des Tulleries for a relaxing Parisian picnic. Later, students will experience first-hand the delicate balance of life as they walk through the ancient catacombs of Paris.

• Day 9, Saturday March 19th

  Between a drink of hot chocolate at Angelina’s café and a ride on the 100-metre Grande Roue de Paris, our last full day in the City of Light will give students an opportunity to take in all the sights one more time. Students will have a chance to revisit some of the bistros, cafés and sites that have become their own and grab some last-minute souvenirs for their loved ones at home.

• Day 10, Sunday March 20th; Departure Day

  As we bid adieu to Paris and prepare for our return flight home, students will have time to reflect on their epic March Break journey and unwind as they take a day’s respite before continuing their online sessions.

• Online sessions continue
  (March 22nd-May 13th, 2011)

• Weeks 7 & 8; WWI, the Roaring 20s & the Great Depression

  As our online sessions start back up we will begin with discussions on the rivalries and tensions that ushered in the First World War, as well as its aftermath. The decades that follow were a time of transition and we will look at the social, artistic and cultural dynamism of the Roaring Twenties and the subsequent decline during the years of the Great Depression following Black Tuesday.

• Weeks 9 & 10; Storm Clouds – the Rise of Fascism

  After studying the events of the Great Depression students will begin to see how the rise of fascism and the creation of multiple fascist regimes across the world came into being. The rise of Hitler and the Nazis in 1933, as well as the implementation of deliberately discriminatory laws against Jews and other racial groups, will give students a clear understanding of the implications involved with a totalitarian state.

• Weeks 11 & 12; World War II

  Students will turn their focus towards one of the greatest periods of devastation in recent history, World War II. We will examine, in-depth, the main players, politics, alliances and events that rocked the world during this calamitous period of time. Deep questions about humanity will be explored as students reflect on the unprecedented tragedy of the Holocaust.

• Week 13; The Cold War

  Students will see that although WWII came to an end, the state of political conflict, military tension and economic competition that existed throughout continued long into the Cold War. Examining propaganda, the nuclear arms race, and the technological advances that arose as a result, will begin to give students an idea behind what fueled the rivalries between the Soviet Union and the superpowers of the Western world.

• Week 14; Course Summary

  A week before our course ends, students will have time to review and prepare for their upcoming final exam and wrap-up any assignments. Online discussions with the entire group will give students the opportunity to share ideas and follow-up with any lingering questions.

• Final Exam/Assignments (Saturday, May 14th; tentative)

  After wrapping up our online sessions in mid-May students will come together to demonstrate the depth of their understanding in a final exam. Any final projects or assignments will also be collected on this date. Surrounded by their peers and teachers, students will celebrate the completion of their course with a graduation ceremony.

• Paris
  In PARIS, we will reside on the left bank of the Seine in the heart of the buzzing Latin Quarter. Known for its lively atmosphere and quaint bistros, the Latin Quarter is both an ideal hub to explore the sprawling arrondissements of Paris, as well as the perfect location to find and sample all that Parisian cuisine has to offer. From street crepes and fresh croissants to classic picnics shopped for in the local market and shared in nearby Luxembourg Gardens, students will have the opportunity to try some of the most delicious French food in all of Paris.

MEI Gear

• Clothing and Accessories
  At MEI, we not only provide our students with the best possible education, staff and travel experience - we also provide them with the best in fashion and accessories! After years of experience, we understand that having the proper clothing is an important aspect of travelling. With that in mind, we have designed a number of clothing articles for all types of climates and activities so the student can be prepared for any situation. From hoodies and tees to windbreakers and flip-flops, MEI gear allows you to travel in comfort and in style! MEI gear includes other items as well, like our high-quality water bottles. Each student is also issued a beautifully bound journal for their travel writing and cultural observations.
• Health and Fitness
  Healthy living, exercise and active learning is a big part of the MEI lifestyle. Each morning students are encouraged to start their day off on the right foot by doing some exercises or exploring the city with a supervised jog. With our MEI workout gear, keeping in shape will be easy and comfortable. Healthy bodies equal healthy minds, and students who are in the best physical condition are sure to stave off fatigue and make the most of their experience abroad.
• MEI Gear Store Coming Soon
  Look here for ways to order exclusive MEI gear soon!

• Transportation
  
  • Return airfare from Toronto's Pearson International Airport
  • Transportation between hotel locations via private coach
  • Transportation for all listed program excursions
  • Transfers to all accommodations
• Trip Related
  
  • Breakfast and dinner daily
  • Entrance fees to all course-specific sites
• Course Components
  
  • Ministry-approved credit(s) upon successful completion of the course(s)
  • Custom course pack
  • Student Login
  • MEI journal
  • Digital yearbook
  • Fall reunion