From Proposal to Program Success

https://global.rice.edu/pariscenter/faculty-opportunities/teach-a-summer-course/

Why Teach

in Paris

This is not just teaching abroad. It’s designing a course where Paris becomes part of the classroom.

Opportunity to bring course material to life beyond the classroom

Strong institutional support so faculty can focus on teaching

Unique experience for both faculty and students

Immersive, place-based learning in one of the world’s most dynamic cities

What the Program Looks Like

• 3-week, 3-credit summer courses (possibility of 6-credit)

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• Three sessions throughout the summer

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• Designed for Rice undergraduate students

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• Courses must meaningfully integrate Paris; the Rice Global Paris Center will serve as home base

• Current Rice faculty (with department approval)
• One funded instructor per 3 credit course
• 3-credit courses (6 credits may be proposed with additional documentation outlining the breakdown of contact and preparation hours over the 3-week period)
• Must submit syllabus + draft schedule
• Day trips allowed, no overnight travel
• Rice Paris Summer courses, like all summer courses, do not count toward your academic year teaching load.

This is a structured program with strong support, but also clear expectations.

What Support You Receive

• Admin + logistics handled by Rice Global

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• Student recruitment + pre-departure support

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• Housing + travel support

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• Summer salary equivalent

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• On-site support in Paris

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Our goal is to remove barriers so you can focus on teaching.

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These are trends we’ve observed over time. There are always exceptions, but this is what we consistently see in courses that are successful.

Understanding

Your Students

• Most students are rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors
• Less interest in 100-level courses
• Typically need to be both compelling and fulfill a distribution requirement
• Students are looking for both:
• Strong academics
• A meaningful experience abroad
• Successful courses strike a balance between:
• Accessibility and appeal
• Academic rigor
• Experiential, place-based learning

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• Paris should function as part of the classroom, not just the setting
• Ask yourself: Why does this course need to be in Paris?
• Incorporate:
• Site visits
• Guest speakers
• Local institutions or context
• Avoid courses that rely primarily on lecture
• If it could happen anywhere, it likely won’t resonate

Designing a Course for Paris

• Your proposal should clearly show how the course will run

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• Required components matter:
• Draft syllabus
• Draft 3-week schedule

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• Strong proposals demonstrate:
• Clear structure and flow
• Intentional use of time in Paris
• Alignment between course goals and activities

What

Makes a Proposal Competitive

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Clear and meaningful connection to Paris

Appropriate level and fit for student population

Well-developed, thoughtful proposal

Strong student appeal

Keep in mind:

• You are competing with other proposals
• You are also competing for student enrollment

Faculty Perspective

Associate Professor, Psychological Sciences

Associate Director, Institute of Health Resilience and Innovation

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RGP Summer Course:

PSYC 354 Introduction to Social and Affective Neuroscience

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Summer 2025 and Summer 2026

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Enrollment for both courses has been over 15 students for both summers

Dr. Bryan Denny

Bringing a Course to Paris

• Proposal approach

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• Designing with Paris in mind

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• Promoting the course to students

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“Being able to actually live the information I’m learning right now — like the growth model he talks a lot about — in terms of emotional regulation, seeing and feeling myself physically regulate my emotions as I’m seeing everything, it’s generally a great way to apply things”

- Mariam Falana (student in Introduction to Social and Affective Neuroscience, Summer 2025)

Rice News Article on Dr. Denny's Course

From course design → course enrollment

Selection Does Not Guarantee a Course Will Run

Minimum enrollment required: 12 students

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• Students apply to a specific course
• Applications ≠ confirmed enrollment
• Students must still commit to participate

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→ In practice, courses need ~15+ applications to feel confident in running

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Rice Global outreach:

• Information sessions
• Email campaigns (academic advising listservs)
• Student ambassadors and events
• O-Week and ongoing promotion

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Faculty engagement is critical:

• Direct connection to students
• Early and consistent promotion makes a difference

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The Role of Faculty

• Talk about your course in your classes

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• Reach out to past students

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• Share through departmental networks

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• Collaborate with colleagues

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• Invite Rice Global to present if helpful

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Interested in Teaching in Paris?

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• Start developing your proposal early
• Reach out to discuss ideas or questions
• Connect with past faculty if helpful

Contact: global@rice.edu

merci

beaucoup!