Faculty-Led Programs
/ Study Abroad in France
FLPOverview Summer Study Abroad in France & Netherlands
Led by Professor Isaac D. Scherson
Since the early 1990s we have witnessed revolutionary developments in computer and communications technologies. There is a RISC processor inside almost every digital appliance, such as cell phones and tablets, and almost all communications are channeled through a global digital communications network. The Internet has further led to new ways of doing business, of developing economies, of participating in politics, of relating socially, of managing resources, of managing and disseminating information, of teaching, learning and of doing research, among many, many others.
However, not all sectors of society have had access and have benefited from these advances. Underprivileged communities are being left behind and suffer from a lack of access to the technology as well as from a lack of access to the services offered by the technology. The so- called Digital Divide, the technology gap between the “Haves” and the “Have-Nots”, has become an acute socio-political problem of our modern times. In different countries and/or regions of the world, different approaches have been proposed to tackle the problem. This program focuses on the Digital Divide in Western Europe, particularly in socially aware countries such as France and the Netherlands. Academic materials will cover concepts from the basics of the technological revolutions and the associated enabling technologies to the characterization and analysis of the socio-political and socio-economic problems related to the stratified access gap dubbed the Digital Divide. Research into solutions as implemented in the two countries in question will be conducted by the program participants.
FLPExcursions Academic & Cultural Excursions
Locations You’ll Explore:
- France: Paris, Rennes, Lille
- The Netherlands: Amsterdam
Excursions may include a visit to France Télécom Research and Development Laboratories in Issy-les-Moulineaux, France; a tour of Philips Research Laboratories, in Netherlands; and a visit to flower-growing agricultural areas to learn about applications of computer and communications technology to seemingly low-tech endeavors. Language of Instruction
English
FLPLanguageOfInstructionText
Language Study
None
FLPLanguageStudyText
Duration
Schedule
FLPSchedule
Week One
Stay in Paris. Lectures and collaboration with Colombbus, the University of Paris, and a research and development laboratory.
Week Two
Lectures and planned visit to France's Loire Valley, specifically Angers, to visit an agricultural school and explore the use of digital technologies in the wine industry.
Week Three
Amsterdam. Lectures and visits to University of Amsterdam and a Research and Development Laboratory. Exploring the use of technology to keep the Netherlands “above water.”
Week Four
Back to Paris. Wrap up course contents and work on research and term papers. Intensive week prior to finishing the course and prepare for return to the US.
Lodging
FLPLodging Your lodging costs are included in the fees for this program. You will be housed in a variety of accommodations while traveling and studying abroad. These may include shared, budget-style accommodation, single- or double-dorm rooms, or shared hotel rooms. More detailed information on lodging will be available soon.
Course Work
FLPCourseOpportunities In this program you will take the following required two courses, totaling 9 UC quarter units. You may be able to petition these courses towards various departments, beyond the UCEAP subject area designations listed below, on your home campus. See “Course Equivalents” note below.
Core Course
COMPUTER SCIENCE 165 (4.5 UC quarter units, Letter Grade only)
The main goal of this course is to serve as an interdisciplinary platform to introduce students to the study of modern socio-political problems created by fast technological advances through the study of the Digital Divide. In addition to learning the history of contemporary digital technologies, students will also learn about the basics of the technology itself: what is a computer, what is digital communications, what is the Internet, what are mobile devices, and more. Further, students will learn how the whole integrates to provide the devices and services we now take for granted.
The Digital Divide will be defined as a socio-political phenomenon that results from the unequal access to the technology and the services by different sectors of human society. A methodology of analysis of the problem will be presented and students will learn about techniques for the definition, characterization and analysis of problems of this sort. Finally, once the problem has been well defined and understood, possible solutions will be presented and their applicability critically explored by the students.
Directed Group Study
COMPUTER SCIENCE 189 (4.5 UC quarter units, Pass/No Pass only)
The course will include four field trips, one on each Saturday. In preparation for the field trips, students will work in groups of maximum three to research the importance of the sites to be visited. Some field trips will require students to interview persons and/or conduct polls at the sites. In addition to the previously mentioned preliminary research work, students will be responsible for the development of interview/polling questionnaires. Field trip reports and analysis of the data collected during a field trip will be submitted in a special group report by the Wednesday following the activity.
Course Equivalents: As with all UCEAP courses, subject area listings do not indicate that these courses will satisfy specific major or other degree requirements at any particular campus. Work with your home UC campus academic department before departure to identify potential requirements that could be fulfilled through this program's coursework. Units
FLPUnits You will take two courses totaling 9 UC quarter units on this program.
Internships, Research, and Independent
Study
FLPInternships The Directed Group Study allows you to focus on particular topics in small groups. Concurrent additional independent study, internships, or research are not an option on this program.
Check back for updates, including a detailed syllabus. Information is published as it becomes available.
FLPFacultyBio
Dr. Isaac D. Scherson is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science (Systems) of The Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences, and in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science of the Henry Samueli School of Engineering at the University of California, Irvine. Dr. Scherson started his teaching career at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico (UNAM) at age 19 when he was only a second year Mechanical and Electrical Engineering undergraduate student. He started teaching undergraduate Algebra and Continuum Mechanics in the School of Engineering of the UNAM. After completing a MSc degree in Electronics at the same UNAM, he moved on to earn a PhD in Computer Science from the Dept. of Applied Mathematics of the Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
After finishing his PhD, Dr. Scherson moved to California and held faculty positions in the Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering of the University of California at Santa Barbara (1983-1987), and in the Dept. of Electrical Engineering at Princeton University (1987-1991) before moving finally to UCI where he is currently a Professor of Computer Science. While on sabbatical from UCI, Dr. Scherson was Visiting Scientist/Professor at the University of Paris VI (Pierre et Marie Curie, 1997-2004), Visiting Scientist/Professor at the University of Lille 1 (Lille, France, 2003), Visiting Scientist with the INRIA (Rennes, France, 2004), Conseiller Scientifique to France Telecom Research and Development (Paris, France, 2005-2009), distinguished guest lecturer at Ulm University (Germany, 2005). In addition, he is a sought-after speaker having given numerous Invited Distinguished Lectures in academic and research institutions in various countries such as Germany, France, Romania, Poland, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile.
Parallel to his academic career, Dr. Scherson kept strong ties with the industrial private sector and participated as a consultant in R&D project management, in the definition, conception and design of a number of high-tech systems, as a strategy adviser in Intellectual Property matters, and in collaborations dealing with fundamental research to advance the state of the art.
Dr. Scherson spent two years in Chile as a Study Center Director for the University of California Education Abroad Program. He was in charge of both the Chile and Argentina programs.
Since 2001, when he was invited to a special IBM workshop on the Digital Divide, Dr. Scherson developed a keen personal interest in studying the socio-political and economic effects of modern digital technologies. In particular, he has focused on the interaction between government, academia and private sectors; on the Digital Divide as a consequence of social stratification; and on the application of Information Technologies to solve socio-economic problems.
On-site Support
FLPOnsiteSupport As a UCEAP participant, you will be supported by your UC faculty leader, the UCEAP Systemwide Office, and the University of California, which includes a network of study abroad offices at every UC campus. Drawing on UCEAP’s worldwide resources, your faculty leaders will guide you academically, culturally, and logistically, with strong support from UCEAP staff in California.
Estimated Cost
FLPCost Studying abroad with UCEAP, the official UC study abroad program, allows you to enjoy exceptional value and perks! Often, the expenses of participating in UCEAP programs are less than those of non-UC study abroad programs. The cost listed in the chart below include: 1) program fees that are paid directly to UCEAP in the current year, and 2) an estimate of the amount needed to cover your personal living expenses abroad. Recreational travel and entertainment are not included.
If you receive UC financial aid, it will be repackaged and customized to the cost of your UCEAP program. In other words, the amount of your financial aid package will take into account the estimated TOTAL COST of this experience, as it is estimated below.
These expenses are estimated for the current year. Amounts are subject to change due to potential changes to UC fees, exchange rate fluctuation, etc.
Here’s what is included in the estimate:
Your Program Fees:
- UC fees
- All Program Costs, including tuition & instructional expenses
- Accident and medical insurance
- Orientation and advising
- Lodging and partial meals
- All excursions and entrance fees for cultural activities
- Automatic transfer of credits and grades to your UC transcript
Estimated Personal Expenses:
- Pre-departure expenses (health clearance, student visa, etc.)
- Round-trip airfare and other travel-related expenses
- Meals not covered by program fees
- Books and other incidental expenses
Your Program Fees + Estimated Personal Expenses = $9,400
Estimated EAP Costs* *Based on estimated 2012-13 costs.
FLPMiscFees
FLPScholarshipOpportunities Scholarships
UCEAP scholarships for the 2012-13 academic year are available for the new 50th Anniversary UC Faculty-Led Summer Programs. Please visit our scholarships overview page for general information and details regarding eligibility requirements and application deadlines.FLPMiscInfo
How to Apply
Application Process
FLPApplicationProcess
To apply for this program, follow the steps below. You will apply directly to the UCEAP Systemwide Office.
- Create an account with MyEAP.
Note: Once you register with MyEAP you will receive an auto e-mail from UCEAP with instructions specific to your UC campus. Please disregard this e-mail.
- Select this program from the dropdown menu.
- Complete the online MyEAP application.
- Gather the required documents as listed in the MyEAP application Instructions.
- Mail your application including all the required documents directly to the UCEAP Systemwide Office (must be received by April 13, 2012):
Mailing Address
Attn: Ann Logan
UCEAP Systemwide Office
6950 Hollister Avenue, Suite 200
Goleta, CA 93117-5823
APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 13, 2012
Application RequirementsClass Level: Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior, Graduate Language Prerequisites:None GPA: 2.50 cumulative GPA at the time of application and maintained through the end of the last term prior to departure. Minimum Criteria: All applicants must also have: - Serious academic goals and a clear plan for integrating UCEAP studies into the student's UC degree program
- Social and cross-cultural sensitivity; the ability to adapt successfully to a different environment and an new education program model; and the ability to exhibit appropriate standards of behavior in a variety of situations, show evidence of maturity, stability, and self-discipline, in a variety of situations
- A willingness to abide by program regulations
- An endorsement by the UCEAP Systemwide Office Selection Committee and completion of all application requirements
Selection Process
FLPApplicationDeadlines The deadline to apply is April 13, 2012.
Don’t delay! Applicants are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you are selected for the program, you will be notified within one week of your application submission. At that time, a $400 non-refundable fee will be assessed to secure your participation in the program. The payment will be applied towards your UCEAP program fees.
|