Before beginning the GISP, students may wish to take an extra 2-week session of intensive French courses. The cost of this session (300 CHF) is not included in GISP fees and credits.

Course structure 

French Courses

Throughout the program, students will be involved in an intensive French course in order to facilitate the University's "immersion" approach to teaching French as a foreign language. The level of proficiency of students in French is assessed prior to the GISP, allowing the University to place them in a group of French-learners with similar strengths and weaknesses. The French course amounts to a total of 120 hours. Specific needs can be catered to and the course may be specifically tailored for advanced language learners. Final assesments allow students to acquire up to 12 ECTS credits.

GISP multidisciplinary modules

These 6 modules are taught in English and run concurrently to the intensive French course. Each module, described in the Syllabus is assessed and worth 3 ECTS credits.

Module 1: Historical Perspectives on Geneva's Intellectual, Cultural and Political Influence taught by three historians serves as a necessary background.

Module 2: Science in Geneva aims to present Geneva-based science and to address – from a global perspective - the current complexity of the scientific sector, be it its research, its technological and industrial stakes, its funding and communication challenges or its place in our society.

Module 3: International Law and International Organizations aims to familiarize students with the general principles of international law and humanitarian law, particularly as they relate to the activity of the International Organizations (IO’s) based in Geneva.

Module 4: International Relations and International Political Economy aims to present the multiple dimensions of contemporary international relations, and notably how these are shaped by some key institutions that constitute the “Genève internationale”.

Module 5: European Integration, Europe and Switzerland provides the main contours and implications of the process of European integration focusing on the EU political and legal system, the educational dimension of the EU project and on the Swiss relationship with the EU.

Module 6: Multiculturalism and Plurilingualism aims to address the main issues related to multiculturalism and plurilinguism, taking advantage of the example provided by Switzerland on these dimensions.

GISP participants should take into account that the course-load may vary from week to another. (See Course structure 2011 and Planner).

Credits

GISP rewards participants with a total of 30 ECTS credits. Completion of the French classes amounts to 12 ECTS credits while Modules 1- 6 are worth 3 ECTS credits each. Please note that the GISP Certificate of attendance may only be delivered to a student who will have acquired more than half of the credits attached to the multidiciplinary modules.

The credits obtained are transferable to the students' home university. Part of them may also be recognized in the framework of the University of Geneva Master Programs (depending on the internal rules of each faculty).  

Calendar for GISP 2012

Classes start on Monday 20 February 2012 and end on Friday 25 May 2012.