Summer A-Term in London

During A-Term of Summer Quarter 2013, from June 19 - July 23 (note: modified* A-Term dates) the Department of English will offer a five-week, summer session of its highly successful program of study in London.

We have found that by keeping our numbers small, by tailoring our courses to what is immediately able to be seen in London and in England, and by asking students to actively participate, everyone emerges feeling fuller, as students, as tourists, as people.

*Students should note that the program begins and ends earlier than A-term classes in Seattle, which run June 24-July 24. B-term courses begin on July 25.

The program consists of three courses totaling 15 credits: “London's Theater,” taught by Professor Juliet Shields of the UW Department of English, “Contemporary Britain,” taught by Professor Michael Fosdal, and “Art, Architecture, and Society,” taught by Professor Peter Buckroyd. Professors Buckroyd and Fosdal are both British faculty who are experienced teachers of American students. (All students will take all 15 credits.)

Students in the program will maintain their UW residency and any financial aid eligibility already established. Credits earned will be recorded on students’ UW transcripts and apply directly to UW graduation requirements. Credits earned in the English course may be used to satisfy requirements for the English major.

Housing and partial board (2 meals a day) for students will be arranged with families in London and is included in the program fee. A London Transport pass, good for travel on all underground trains, overground rail, and busses within your homestay zone, will also be supplied.

If you would like to be added to an email list to receive updates about this and other English department study abroad programs, please click here to subscribe to the engl_abroad mailing list.

Homestays

Since 1986, Janet Dunlop has been our London Homestay Coordinator. She screens prospective homestay families for our program, and matches students up with London families. Homestays are an integral part of the program, giving students a unique opportunity to live like a Londoner, a cultural experience that dorms and apartments just don't provide. Janet Dunlop lives in London, and she is available to assist students throughout the program.

London is a large city. Few people can afford to live in the very center of town, and commuting is a way of life. Students should expect a commute to and from class of about 35-45 minutes, via The Underground or bus. All students will receive a London Transport Pass, good on all underground trains, over ground rail, and buses between the homestay zone and central London (included in the program fee.)

SCHEDULE NOTE: As noted above, students should be prepared to arrive at their homestay before the start of the program, on Monday, June 17, or Tuesday, June 18. Students will move out of their homestays on Wednesday, July 24.

Teaching Style/Classroom

Courses in the London Program are taught as much on the streets and in the museums, theatres, and art galleries of London as possible. Thus all the courses in the program include travel and walking to various London destinations. To successfully participate in this program, students must be capable of meeting the physical requirements the courses demand.

While much of the program will take place on the streets and in the buildings of London, there will, of course, still be time spent in our classroom on 6 Great James Street, which is located in the Holborn neighborhood in central London. Credits and grades earned on the London Program will count toward UW residency and degree totals. Students receive regular, numeric grades that are factored in to their UW GPAs.

Concurrent Enrollment for UW Study Abroad programs will be discussed at the pre-departure meetings. Students may also reference the IPE website for more information.

Excursions/Group Trips

Some excursions and group trips are included. Transportation for field trips will be via chartered bus with professional drivers. During overnight trips, students are housed in established hotels or bed and breakfasts. Some typical destinations include Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwick Castle, museums, and historic pub tours, but please note that the Summer 2013 excursions have not yet been finalized.

Eligibility

The London program values diversity. Any UW student from any campus, including Evening Degree, is eligible to apply to the program. There are no pre-requisites for any of the courses in this program. We try to provide as much information as possible on this site and in our printed materials, but that is no substitute for human interaction. We strongly recommend that interested students attend an Information Session or meet individually with Bridget Norquist or Professor Webster.

Enrollment is limited to 30 students.

Application Process

To apply, please use IPE's online application.

Applications are due by February 15, 2013

The application includes

• Personal Statement,
• 3 short answer questions,
• 2 Faculty recommendations** and
• Electronic signature documents related to University policies and
  expectations for study abroad.

**In most cases, we require that letters of recommendation come from UW Faculty or Teaching Assistants. However, if you are a new transfer student (particularly if this is your first quarter @ UW) we will accept letters from faculty from your transfer school(s) in lieu of (or in addition to) UW Faculty recommendations. Letters from family friends, employers, high school counselors, or high school teachers generally will not meet the requirement. If you have any questions about this or any other part of your application, you are more than welcome to contact Bridget Norquist or Professor Webster.

Following the on-line application process, students may be contacted by the Program Director for an in-person interview.

To apply, please use IPE's online application.

Depending on the applications submitted, we may maintain a waiting list for the program. Students who are invited to participate in the program will be required to return a signed payment contract and risk form before the deadline indicated in their acceptance email.