Sessions For: College of Literature, Science & Arts

Attend an information session with CGIS and French Language Instructors to learn more about our three faculty led French language programs. These information sessions will go over the application process, program details, and other key considerations when applying for these programs. Complete your LSA Language Requirement through French 230 in Grenoble or French 232 and French Identity in Aix-en-Provence. Or continue your French language study with Intermediate French in Grenoble (for students who have completed French 232). These sessions will be recorded.

These Info Sessions will discuss details about the Global Intercultural Experience for Undergraduates (GIEU) program for Sp/Su 2026. It will cover info about the program structure including the pre-departure requirements, academic component, and local site information.

Register here to join a NACADA Webinar Watch Party on campus! Co-sponsored by ACUM and the Newnan Advising Center, these sessions will be offered across campus in multiple locations. Please see the NACADA website for more information and topics for the webinars.

An interdisciplinary research group focused on the role of critical theory in the academy today and the question of how we study culture in our current political climate.

The Political Ecology Workshop (PEW) is an interdisciplinary space for scholars at all career stages with interests in political ecology and related critical approaches to the study of environment-society interactions. PEW brings together a range of divisions across campus, including Anthropology, History, Environment and Sustainability, Political Science, Sociology, and all Area Studies departments and programs. We have founded a collaborative, multidisciplinary community with a shared investment questioning how environments and societies are co-produced and the ways in which power and inequality impact the dynamics and understandings of this co-production. We have run PEW as an RIW for two years and all the workshops have been possible from our committed participants from diverse fields. This year, we intend to develop our membership further by inviting scholars from broader fields and promoting PEW on listservs across campus.

PEW supports graduate student development, including for earlier-stage students seeking interdisciplinary conversations as they develop environment-society research projects and later-stage students seeking to incorporate political ecology into their work. PEW emphasizes dedicated time for graduate students to receive feedback on their work and facilitates faculty-student mentorship. It allows students to access a range of critical environmental studies perspectives they might not have encountered through coursework or departmental activities, and to grow from the feedback and insight of faculty and peers who share this commitment to interdisciplinary scholarship and professional development.

Being part of MCSP means fully engaging in opportunities to promote meaningful connections, deep learning, and commitment to positive change. MCSPers will use this session to sign up for the Fall 2025 events in the following program areas:
Intergroup Relations Council (IRC)Programming Board and You (PBU)Peer Advisors for Community Service (PACS)MCSP Film part of the Ann Arbor District Library (AADL)/MCSP Film Series.

Welcome to the Arabic Placement Test
About the test
The test is approximately three hours in length, and it is composed of three portions:
a. The writing portion is completed on paper and it is worth a total of 100 points.
b. The reading portion is completed on Canvas site, and it is worth a total of 48 points.
c. Right after finishing with the reading portion, each student will have a follow-up interview with a proctor. The interviews last approximately 15 minutes and it is worth a total of 20 points.
Important:
a. Students who receive 60% or above will be placed in Arabic 401 and thus placed out of the language requirement.
b. Students who are not able to write in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) do not need to take the placement test and they will be advised to enroll in Arabic 101.

Where can I view my results?
a. Placement results are posted within 7 business days after the test.
b. You will not be notified of your score automatically.
c. You may view your placements via: Wolverine Access > Student Business > Academic Records > View Placement Exam Results.

Important information about the test
* Placements are valid for only one year. If you fail to register in the course that you are placed in, you will be required to retake the test.
* Retaking the placement test is only permitted after the placement results expire.
* Students who are currently taking an Arabic course will not be allowed to take the placement test.
* Students who took or are currently enrolled in an Arabic course are not eligible to take the Arabic placement test. They should register for the next course level.
* The test assesses students’ proficiency in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), NOT colloquial Arabic.
* If you speak an Arabic dialect but you do not know how to read or write or have little knowledge, feel free to register in Arabic 101.
* Students who know some Arabic because they came from an Arabic-speaking household or have studied Arabic before, must take the Arabic proficiency test in order to determine their placement.
* Students who have taken Arabic at other institutions and wish to continue their Arabic study at UM must take the placement test to determine their level. Credits for Arabic study undertaken at another institution prior to joining UM or in a summer program while attending UM, transfer in as generic departmental credits and students must take the placement test to determine credit equivalencies to UM courses.
* If you place in or beyond the 401 level, you will have satisfied the LSA language requirement.
* Students are encouraged to take a placement test as early as possible in their studies in order to determine the level they should enroll in, or if they test out of the language requirement. This is extremely important to avoid delays in graduation and complications with placement.
* Arabic 101, 201, 401, 501 are offered ONLY in the Fall semester, and Arabic 102, 202, 402, 504, 511 are ONLY offered in the Winter semester.
* Arabic 103 (the equivalent of Arabic 101 & 102, combined) AND Arabic 203 (the equivalent of Arabic 201 & 202, combined) are offered in the Spring-Summer terms.

UM’s Arabic curriculum is a dual register curriculum in which students learn to speak and understand the Levantine dialect (the dialect of Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Lebanon) in addition to developing the four language skills of formal Arabic (fuSHa).

If you have questions regarding the placement test, please contact the program director at, mesarabicprogram@umich.edu.

Join CGIS Advisor Juliana Mesa to learn more about the Spanish 230 and Spanish 232 program offerings abroad.

CGIS: Spanish 230 in Buenos Aires, Argentina
CGIS: Spanish 230 in Granada, Spain
CGIS: Spanish 230 in San José, Costa Rica
CGIS: Spanish 232 and Intercultural Development in Alicante, Spain


DATES:
Friday, October 17, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm (Info Session) Thursday, November 6, 2:00 - 3:00 pm (Info Session) Tuesday, December 2, 1:30 - 2:30 pm (Info Session) Tuesday, January 6, 3:00 - 4:00 pm (Drop-in Group Advising)Thursday, January 8, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm (Drop-in Group Advising)IMPORTANT NOTES

CGIS Spring/Summer 2026 applications open in October 2025 and close on January 15, 2026.Check out to M-Compass brochure (see links above) carefully. Each brochure includes multiple tabs: Overview, How to Apply, Academics, Finances, etc. It is your responsibility to read them carefully before applying. For example, you will find details such as the eligibility criteria (e.g., course and grade prerequisite, GPA) and the application requirements (e.g., instructor recommendation questionnaire, valid passport, etc) under the How to Apply tab.

Join CGIS Advisor Juliana Mesa to learn more about the Spanish-language programs in Spring/Summer 2026. These program offerings are pre-approved by the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures (RLL). Students can earn 300- and/or 400-level Spanish credits depending on the program. Please visit the program brochure to learn more about course pre-requisites and other eligibility criteria
CGIS: Advanced Spanish in Alicante, SpainCGIS: Advanced Spanish in Santiago de Compostela, SpainCGIS: Public Health in Santiago, Dominican RepublicCGIS: Spanish in Madrid - 300/300
DATES:
Friday, October 24, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm (Info Session) Friday, November 7, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm (Info Session)Thursday, December 4, 1:30 - 2:30 pm (Info Session)Thursday, January 8, 10:00 am - 11:00 pm (Drop-in Group Advising)Tuesday, January 13, 10:00 - 11:00 am (Drop-in Group Advising)

Start your winter semester with a day devoted to service, justice and community. Choose to participate in service, community conversations, social justice education, and advocacy opportunities that will address inequity in our community. We will conclude the day with dinner and reflection. Please see the schedule of the day:
10:00 am-10:15 am Welcome 10:15 am-10:45 am Motivational Keynote Speaker11:00 am-3:30 pm Social Justice Education, Advocacy Opportunities, Service and Community Conversations4:00 pm-5:00 pm Food and ReflectionAll parts of the day (The motivational keynote speaker, service or community conversations, and dinner/reflection) are essential and required to fulfill a PACS and IRC event. Make sure you register for the motivational keynote speaker, the post-service dinner and reflection, and your choice of a service opportunity or community conversation to receive credit for a PACS and IRC event this semester.

Come join us for our in-person OS Application Workshop! OS faculty and current students will offer guidance, tips, and resources on best tying yourself, your interests, and OS together in your application materials. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet with current students to get individualized feedback on your resume and essay.
Space is limited, so sign up asap to guarantee your spot!

Important note: attendance at this event will NOT guarantee admission into the OS program. This is a casual event designed to offer you helpful guidance and feedback on your application materials and answer any questions you might have.

Join CGIS Advisor Will Clancy and IES Abroad as we talk about Summer International Internship Opportunities with IES Abroad. This information will go over basic information about the IES Abroad Summer Internship offerings and outline the application and placement process. Students are encouraged to attend and ask questions!

CGIS has partnered with four internship provider organizations that maintain portfolios of placements around the world, offering the chance for undergraduate students to participate in quality international internships in the summer. This info session will provide a general overview of each program and provide additional details regarding financing your experience abroad and getting started on an application.

The Center for Global and Intercultural Study (CGIS) has partnered with four internship provider organizations that maintain portfolios of placements around the world, offering the chance for undergraduate students to participate in quality International Internships over the summer. This info session will go into detail about the program for one of these providers, CIEE.


CIEE Summer Global Internship programs combine a full-time internship with an integrated academic seminar (earning 6 total credits) to provide professional exploration and specific skills development over the course of 8+ weeks during the summer. You’ll learn to contextualize real-world experience while learning about local business culture, intercultural communication, professional development, and linkages between local and global industry trends.
With 18 approved locations in 17 different countries across the globe and placements in a wide variety of career fields--Arts, Business, Communication, STEM, Health Sciences, Policy/Law, and many more--you're sure to find a fantastic option that's the right fit for you!

Sound interesting? Come join us either in-person or virtually to learn more!

Hey Honors Students! Do you love reading? We hope you will join us in reading and discussing any, or all, of our 2025-2026 Honors Reads selections!
This past summer, the Honors Program read The Volcano Daughters, which repeated the mantra “The Word Makes the World.” This curious phrase inspired us to consider how writing and storytelling not only reflect culture and individual experience, they actively shape it. Through this theme, we hope to:
Explore how authors channel history, identity and lived experience through words.
Discuss how texts and the act of writing can expand our perspectives and foster understanding.
Fall Term Selections (Registration required, links below):September 23rd, 5-6PM: She Would Be King by Wayétu Moore
October 16th, 11AM-12PM: Plato and the Tyrant by James Romm
November 12th, 3-4PM: The Correspondent, by Virginia Evans
December - none...classes end early on Dec 8.
Winter Term Selections (Registration required, links will be available in December):January 21. 4-5PM: book tbd VOTE to select the book!
February 9, 3-4PM : Kitchen, by Banana Yoshimoto, Megan Backus (Translator)
April TBD: focus will be on poetry!

How does it work?Review the options and select the book or books that you want to read.Register to attend the relevant discussion.Read the book in advance of the discussion and come prepared to share your reactions. What questions or insights did the book provoke?Book discussions will (generally) last 50 minutes.Who can attend?Honors students at all levels are welcome.There is no limit to the number of sessions you can attend.Does it count toward the Sophomore Honors Award (avialable to current second year students or new transfer students) or the new Junior Honors Award (available to 2025 first year students)?2nd year Honors students and new transfer students to the Honors Program are eligible to earn engagement points towards the Sophomore Honors Award. Earn 1 point/book read for a maximum of 3 points.New first 1st year students to the Honors Program may count each Honors Reads participation as a "breadth engagement experience" toward the Junior Honors Award requirements. Reading the book and participating in the discussion are required in order for this activity to be eligible toward either the SHA or the JHA.Questions?
Email Denise at dguillot@umich.edu

The Center for Global and Intercultural Study (CGIS) has partnered with four internship provider organizations that maintain portfolios of placements around the world, offering the chance for undergraduate students to participate in quality International Internships over the summer. This info session will go into detail about the program for one of these providers, Sage Corps.
Sage Corps Internships sends college students to work with startups. Students can work full-time alongside CEOs, CMOs, and CTOs to build real solutions to real problems. They provide opportunities for specializations including, but not limited to, business strategy, data analytics, graphic design, marketing, software development, and UI/UX design.
These internships combine a full-time internship with an integrated academic seminar (earning 3-6 total credits) to provide professional exploration and specific skills development over the course of 8 weeks during the summer. You’ll learn to contextualize real-world experience while learning about local business culture, intercultural communication, professional development, and linkages between local and global industry trends.
Sound interesting? Come join us virtually to learn more!

We want to make our events accessible to all participants. CART captioning services will be provided for the panel conversation. If you anticipate needing additional accommodations to participate or would like help filling out the RSVP form, please email Cherice Chan at chericec@umich.edu.

Please join the Department of Germanic Languages & Literatures for a series of film screenings (shown in German with English subtitles). All films are held in North Quad 2435 with pizza served at 6pm and films beginning at 6:30pm, unless otherwise noted.

What happens when an ancient language meets modern technology? This lecture will discuss the role played by media technologies—such as the phonograph, typewriters, the telegraph, and computers—in the revitalization and modernization of Hebrew since the end of the nineteenth century. After lying dormant for two millennia as a mainly written language, Hebrew awoke from its literary slumber and became a living modern vernacular. The revitalization of Hebrew is unique and unprecedented in world history, and it has been studied in various fields; but the role of modern media technologies in mediating this revival has not yet been considered. This lecture will delve into questions such as: what was the role of sound recording technologies in shaping the reemerging modern Hebrew speech? And how did the Hebraized typewrite pushed for the modernization of writing in Hebrew?. It will show how these media, whose emergence ran in historical parallel to the revitalization of Hebrew, were an active force in shaping the language as a modern communicative medium. Hebrew was a historical media lab: written from right to left and in unique script, it posed technical as well as conceptual challenges to media which were originally designed for Latin script and Western writing systems. The adaptation of these technologies to Hebrew required various adaptations that shaped lingual mechanisms, which had social and political ramifications on the emerging Hebrew culture.

Jewish Journalism in Dark Times

Panelists: Naomi Brenner (Ohio State University), Gilad Halpern, and Matthew Handelman (2025–2026 Frankel Institute Fellows)
Moderator: Shachar Pinsker (Co-Head Fellow)

Join us for a roundtable discussion exploring the transformation of Jewish journalism during the interwar years (1918–1939) and World War II, an era of profound upheaval. Panelists will analyze how Jewish newspapers and journals became vital platforms for political, literary, and cultural engagement. The discussion will highlight dramatic shifts in journalistic practices, including evolving editorial strategies, reporting methods, and technological innovations in format and distribution and the transnational and transcultural elements that come to the fore during that time. Panelists will also examine the economic pressures and opportunities that shaped the Jewish press, and consider the influence and role of Jews as journalists within the broader media landscape.

Gilad Halpern, journalist and media historian, draws on recent doctoral research on The Palestine Post amid imperial decline and rising nationalism, bridging professional and scholarly perspectives. Naomi Brenner explores entertainment fiction in the Hebrew and Yiddish press, focusing on the aesthetics and politics of the roman-feuilleton as a transnational literary form.
Matthew Handelman investigates the cultural politics of German Jewish intellectuals and the primacy of culture in political discourse from the Weimar Republic onward.

Central to the conversation is the role of Jewish periodicals as spaces for cultural expression, literary experimentation, and political debate. These publications not only documented Jewish life, but actively shaped identities, fostered transnational dialogue, and provided forums for writers, artists, and intellectuals grappling with questions of survival and belonging. This roundtable offers timely insights into journalism during a time of crisis, illuminating enduring questions about Jews and media.

We want to make our events accessible to all participants. CART captioning services will be provided for the panel conversation. If you anticipate needing additional accommodations to participate, please email Cherice Chan at chericec@umich.edu.

In a compelling lecture performance, author Jessica Roda presents themes from her groundbreaking book *For Women and Girls Only*, joined by actress, writer, and producer Malky Goldman—the book’s remarkable protagonist. The event offers a nuanced exploration of the representation of Hasidic female identity in media, on screen, and on stage. Goldman, who was raised in the ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Mea Shearim in Jerusalem, shares her deeply personal journey navigating the arts from within and beyond the boundaries of her Hasidic upbringing. Through dialogue, multimedia, and live performance, the evening exposes the tensions between tradition and self-expression, visibility and erasure, community expectations and artistic freedom. Roda contextualizes Goldman’s story within broader questions of gender, religion, and representation, challenging reductive portrayals of Hasidic women in mainstream media. Goldman’s voice—grounded, creative, and courageous—offers a powerful counter-narrative, reclaiming agency and complexity for Hasidic female identities on public stages. The performance invites audiences to reconsider assumptions and listen to stories often silenced or misunderstood.

What does a motor company and its founder have to do with religion in America? A lot, it turns out. Henry Ford did not just mass produce cars. As a member of the Episcopal Church, reader of New Thought texts, believer in the “gospel of reincarnation,” mass marketer of antisemitic material, and employer who institutionalized a social gospel, Henry Ford’s contributions to American models of business were informed by and produced for an America he understood to be broadly Christian. Though Ford’s efforts at the head of the Ford Motor Company have commonly been understood as secular, the Motor King was explicit that his work in engineering and auto production was prophetic and meant to remake the world. This talk offers a religious history of Henry Ford and the Ford Motor Company, repositioning them within critical studies of religion and examining how Ford transformed American religion in the twentieth century.

The 36th Annual David W. Belin Lecture will be delivered by Dr. Ayala Fader on Thursday, March 26, 2026. Food will be served at the pre-lecture reception, and Fader will sign books after the lecture. All are invited to join the Frankel Center for our most popular community event of the year!