Great Cities

France • The Netherlands • Czech Republic • Italy

December 29, 2025 - January 16, 2026

ACM’s Great Cities J-Term Traveling Seminar is designed for students interested in an academic and cultural experience in Italy, France, The Netherlands, and Czech Republic. Students explore major cities across Europe using literature and the arts as a guide to understanding the rise and establishment of the urban setting. Through readings and media studies, students examine the artistic process from inspiration to creation. Site visits and guided tours then allow students to experience the historical, geographical, and demographical foundations that inform the fictional representations of European cities and their impact on perceptions of those cities today. Students have the opportunity to learn from and exchange their observations with experts from ACM as well as distinguished on-site scholars and local guides in order to frame their own perceptions of the cities and these cities’ representation through the arts.

Please note: ACM reserves the right to cancel programs due to low enrollment. Itineraries are tentative and subject to change at the discretion of ACM. Students should consult with an ACM advisor prior to purchasing their flights.

Academics
Students can choose one of the following courses:

• European Studies 303: Europe and the Urban Space
• Anthropology 301: The Artist and the City
• Literature 375: The European City in Literature
• Communications 375: The European City in the Visual Arts
• Geography 201: Europe and its Cities

View the 2025 syllabus here. All content and the itinerary is subject to change.

Itinerary
View the 2026 itinerary here. All details are tentative and subject to change. ACM reserves the right to alter the itinerary.

About the Professor

   
Suzanne Canessa, PhD.
Coordinator and Professor at the Center for French Studies
Dr. Suzanne Canessa is a Coordinator and Professor at the Center for French Studies since 2023. She is a journalist and Professor of Literature, French, and Music at ACM since 2020. She holds a Bachelor in Musicology, a Master in Applied Languages (English and German), a Master in Comparative Literature, and a PhD in Musicology and Comparative Literature from Aix-Marseille University and the University of Tübingen (Presence of Johann Sebastian Bach in the 20th-century novel, which will be published by Peter Lang this year). She writes on a regular basis for La Marseillaise-Zébuline, Bachtrack, and Cult News about Music, Literature, Performing, and Visual Arts. Her work and research explore the ongoing and multimodal dialogue between Arts and Culture. She is fluent in French and English and advanced in German and Spanish.




Sophie Simon, PhD. 
French Language Instructor, Centre d'Études Françaises
Sophie Simon is a French language instructor at ACM-IAU, teaching students at various levels and participating in custom programs during the summer and winter sessions. She is also involved in the J-Term Great Cities program, where she teaches European culture and literature, focusing on cities and countries such as Aix, Marseille, Paris, Amsterdam, Prague or Rome. In addition to her teaching role, Sophie Simon assists with administrative and coordination tasks at the Center for French Studies (CEF), including correcting placement tests, recommending courses, managing tutoring sessions, and organizing conversation clubs and student field trips. With a dynamic approach to teaching, Sophie Simon is known for constantly creating new activities and visual learning material, and integrating digital applications to enhance student engagement. She adapts her teaching methods to cater to all learning styles (visual, auditory, kinesthetic), ensuring that each student receives a personalized learning experience. A particular area of focus for her is French phonetics and pronunciation, where she integrates simple techniques to help students develop clear and accurate spoken French. She is committed to regularly updating her programs based on students' feedback. She holds a Master’s degree in French as a Foreign Language (FLE) and a Master’s in Translation and Interpretation (Literary translation) from Aix-Marseille University, as well as a dual Bachelor’s degree in General Linguistics and Translation & Interpretation. Fluent in French, English, Spanish, and Czech, Sophie brings a diverse linguistic and cultural perspective to her teaching. Her academic background and international experience allow her to create a dynamic and engaging classroom environment, where students use their existing language skills to enhance their French learning and explore its cultural context.


Program Fees

Please view the Tuition and Fees page for details.