Spring Quarter in London: "Literary London"

During Spring Quarter 2015, the Department of English will again offer 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.

The program will consist of four courses: London's Contemporary Theater taught by Dr. Carrie Matthews of the UW English Department, Englishes in England, taught by Professor Gail Stygall of the UW English Department, Art, Architecture, and Society taught by British Professor Peter Buckroyd, and Contemporary Britain taught by British Professor Michael Fosdal. Professors Buckroyd and Fosdal are our London faculty, and have been teaching our students to rave reviews for more than ten years. (Three classes are considered a full-time load, but students may take all four if they wish.)

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 English courses may be used to satisfy requirements for the English major.

Housing and board (2 meals per day) for students will be arranged with families in London. A London Transport pass, good for travel on subways and busses, will 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 underground trains, over ground rail, and busses between the homestay zone and central London (included in the program fee.)

SCHEDULE NOTE:  As noted above, the program begins with two days of required on-site orientation sessions in London scheduled for all day Thursday and Friday, March 26 and 27. Students will be expected at their homestays Tuesday or Wednesday, March 24 and 25, and must plan their travel so they arrive in London no later than March 25 so they will be ready to attend the first on-site orientation on Thursday morning. They will be expected to leave their homestays on the morning of Saturday, June 6. 

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, applicants will need to be ready to take a physically active role in the program.

While much of the program will take place on the streets and in the buildings of London, there will 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. Contact Bridget Norquist in English Advising with questions about registration, credits, or grading, and/or visit the UW Study Abroad Website.

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

Excursions and 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, Stonehenge, St. Paul's Cathedral, museums, and historic London pub tours, but please note that the Spring 2015 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. It is recommended (though not required) that applicants have successfully completed a 200-level literature course at the UW prior to participation. 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 the online application on the study abroad website

Application Deadline: November 21, 2014.

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.

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.