Reid Hall

Reid Hall is a complex of academic facilities owned and operated by Columbia University that is located in the Montparnasse quartier of Paris, France.^[1] It houses the Columbia University Institute for Scholars in addition to various graduate and undergraduate divisions of over a dozen American colleges and universities. For over a century, Reid Hall has served as a link between the academic communities of the United States and France.^[2]

In 1964, the property was bequeathed to Columbia University,^[3] and has since seen lectures by such notable French intellectuals as structuralist critic Roland Barthes, deconstructionalist philosopher Jacques Derrida, existentialist philosopher Simone de Beauvoir, cinema critic Michel Ciment, and Edwy Plenel, former editor-in-chief of Le Monde. In addition to Columbia University, it currently houses undergraduate and graduate divisions of over a dozen American institutions, including:

• American Graduate School in Paris
• Barnard College
• City University of New York
• Dartmouth College
• Hamilton College
• Sarah Lawrence College
• Smith College
• Tulane University
• The University of Delaware
• University of Florida
• Vassar College
• Wesleyan University
• University of Kent Paris School of Arts and Culture

Over the years, Reid Hall has also hosted lectures and events featuring some of the most prominent French intellectuals. Among them are:

• Roland Barthes: A renowned structuralist critic and semiotician, Barthes is best known for his works such as “Mythologies” and "The Death of the Author". His lectures at Reid Hall delved into the intricacies of language, literature, and cultural symbols.^[4]
• Jacques Derrida: The father of deconstruction, Derrida’s philosophy challenged traditional notions of meaning and interpretation. His influential works include “Of Grammatology” and "Writing and Difference". Derrida’s presence at Reid Hall brought profound insights into the nature of texts and the act of reading.^[5]
• Simone de Beauvoir: A leading existentialist philosopher and feminist, de Beauvoir’s seminal work “The Second Sex” remains a cornerstone of feminist theory. Her lectures at Reid Hall explored themes of existentialism, ethics, and gender.^[6]
• Michel Ciment: A distinguished cinema critic and editor of the magazine “Positif,” Ciment’s contributions to film criticism are widely recognized. His sessions at Reid Hall often focused on the analysis of cinematic art and its cultural impact.^[7]
• Edwy Plenel: Former editor-in-chief of “Le Monde” and co-founder of the investigative journal “Mediapart,” Plenel is a prominent figure in French journalism. His talks at Reid Hall addressed issues of media, politics, and social justice.

Reid Hall continues to serve as a vibrant center for academic and cultural activities, fostering dialogue and collaboration among scholars, students, and intellectuals from around the world.