Submitted by Elizabeth Mitchell on the 2024 Spring program in Athens, Greece…
I have officially completed my second week of study abroad and my first week of classes. After completing my first week of classes I can confidently say that my history of architecture in Paris class is my favorite so far. This class is intended to help us gain a better understanding of the architecture of Paris and why the city is the way it is. During our first class, we started at our study center for a brief introduction to the course and then immediately went on a field study. Our professor brought us around to the streets and showed us how to recognize older buildings from new. She walked us to the Notre Dame Cathedral and explained to us that gothic architecture was created in Paris. She said that during medieval times, churches were created to be a place for light and music so there was an emphasis on large stained glass windows to bring light into the churches, and large organs for the music. She told us the square shapes on the church represented the four seasons of humanity and the circles represented divinity. She then walked us to the oldest structure of Paris called the archaeological crypt of Paris, which was an ancient Roman bath. During this first class, I feel like I gained so much more insight into the history of Paris and I cannot wait to continue this class and deepen my knowledge of the city I will be living in. (Submitted on January 22, 2024)