Bruno Etienne The AUCP Marseille academic program is organized in collaboration with this internationally renowned expert on Islam. > More on Bruno Etienne

The Marseille academic program, taught by committed local experts and tenured professors from the Institut d’Etudes Politiques and l’Université de Provence and La Maison Méditerranéenne des Sciences de l’Homme, focuses upon French and Arabic language and civilization, Middle East area studies, immigration issues, inter-religious communication and cross-cultural mediation. On-site course work in France is supplemented by a one-week program in Tunisia for Fall and Morocco for Spring combining lectures, visits, and guided encounters with the local population.

All AUCP course work is conceived to be highly pertinent to the on-site setting, French Practicum, the mandatory core program, provides an especially strong link between academic work, direct French cultural contact, and the guided reflection on the student’s overall experience.


The Marseille program is open to non-French majors. That said, all AUCP courses are given in French and students sign a binding language pledge to speak only French during their stay.
Participation in the academic program requires an “advanced” level in French, which translates as an ability to meet all-French course work requirements in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. A minimum of two years college French, or equivalent, generally prepares students for the AUCP academic program.