"I'm very keen on drawing from the HBCUs because of my own experience as an undergrad at Fisk," Mayes says.

The program, running May 31-July 6, charges a $6,734 program fee and tuition for undergraduates and $7,232 fee for graduate students. Housing and meals are included. Students are responsible for paying their own travel expenses and making their own travel arrangements. According to Anne Timmons, recruitment coordinator in the division of International Programs Abroad, Syracuse offers tuition grants to students based on need.

Students are required to participate in weekly discussions based on assigned readings, lectures and site visits. Students also must make one oral presentation, keep a detailed journal, be tested on the assigned readings and submit a term paper based on the experience. Independent study also is required.

Syracuse promotes the program through their catalog and Web site as well as other online sites such as Studyabroad.com and iiepassport.org.

Mayes says she hopes Syracuse will have the vision to stabilize the program before other schools start trying to emulate it. Last year, Columbia University attempted a similar program, however, it did not get off the ground due to lack of interest, according to Mayes.

As for the future of Paris Noir, Mayes says they are looking to add an internship component to the program, starting informally this summer with one student. "I would like to see a semester program on Paris Noir," Mayes says. "It would enhance any French studies program. And there's keen interest."

Applications for Paris Noir are available at: <http://suabroad.syr.edu/> or can be obtained by calling Syracuse University's Division of International Programs Abroad at: (800) 235-3472.