Academic Resources | English

As a participant in a study abroad program administered by Columbia University, you are considered a member of the Columbia community and are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, civility, and respect. Students are therefore expected to conduct themselves in an honest, civil, and respectful manner in all aspects of their lives. Students who violate these standards of behavior interfere with their ability and the ability of others, to take advantage of the full complement of university life and are subject to disciplinary measures. For more details of what is expected of you during your stay, please review the program participation agreement you signed before leaving.

Reid Hall Course Policies and Expectations

• All students are expected to abide by the Columbia University Faculty Statement on Academic Integrity.
• Attendance and participation are mandatory.
• Medical absences must be justified by a dated medical certificate from a French doctor.
• Students are only authorized ONE unjustified absence per course for the duration of the program. However, these always have to be communicated in advance to the faculty member and the academic coordinator.
• Each subsequent unjustified absence will lower the final grade by 1 point (i.e.: with one unjustified absence a 16 becomes a 15, etc.).
• In addition to attendance, students should plan on being punctual. Please note that 3 tardies (10 minutes late or more) are equivalent to 1 full absence.
• Assignments handed in late without the authorization of the instructor will be penalized.
• In addition to punctuality and motivation, students should do their best to be engaged critics and scholars, by participating actively in class, producing original work, and having pleasure in reading, writing and thinking.
• No eating in class.
• No cell phones in class.
• Leaving the classroom once class has begun is considered very impolite in France.

Conversion Scale

Students will be graded on the French grading system of 0-20 in all classes (Reid Hall, local university, directed research). The Columbia in Paris program uses the following conversion scale between French and American systems:

19-20 A+

16-18 A

14-15 A-

13 B+

11-12 B

10 B-

9 C+

7-8 C

5-6 C-

3-4 D

0-2 F

Pass/Fail

Students have the option to take a course as Pass/Fail. In order to do so, students must submit a written request to the Program Coordinator before the deadline indicated in the academic calendar. They must also contact their home school advisor for written approval of your request. This approval must also be forwarded to the Program Coordinator.

Important points:

• Students can only Pass/Fail ONE course per semester.
• Students cannot Pass/Fail a Sciences Po language course.

The methodological tutoring is reserved for French university courses. Students are entitled 4 hours of methodological tutoring per university course. The methodological tutors are specialists in their own fields: literature, history, economics, art history, cinema, sociology and political science. Their role is to provide guidance with regards to the methodology of the French university assignments (ie. dissertation, commentaire composé, exposé, fiche de lecture). They help create a study plan for the semester, explain the bibliography of the courses and target relevant books and articles to read before writing papers. In addition, tutors help analyze and understand the topic of a paper in order to formulate a precise problématique and organize ideas following a well-structured outline.

Rules:

• Do not be late - if you are, be courteous to your tutor
• If you have to cancel, do it 48 hours before your scheduled appointment
• After the 3rd cancellation and / or delay, the tutor reserves the right not to grant you a session anymore

Public Libraries
The city of Paris has 57 public libraries that you can visit to check out books or consult documents. To obtain a library card visit the public library nearest you and preset the necessary documents (library form, ID,and proof of housing). You do not need to live in Paris to request a library card.
Click here for more information.

French Universities (Paris I & Sciences Po)
Each of our partner French universities has a library on its campus that you can visit and use by presenting your student ID card.  Be sure to activate your student card prior to your visit.