You are here

Summer Quarter in London 2020 (Cancelled)

Program Dates: 
June 20, 2020 to July 25, 2020
Application Deadline: 
January 31, 2020
Information Sessions: 
Friday January 24th, 3:30-4:30 pm, Allen Library Auditorium

Program Information

Description

During Summer A-Term* 2020, the Department of English will again offer a five-week version 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.

The program will consist of three courses: London's Contemporary Theater taught by Professor Peter Buckroyd (British faculty), Writing London taught by Professor Jessica Burstein (UW faculty), and Contemporary London taught by Natasha Langridge (British faculty).

Professor Buckroyd has been teaching our students to rave reviews for more than fifteen years. Read more here: LONDON CALLING: The City Is the Classroom

*Students should note that the program begins earlier and ends later than A-term classes in Seattle, Bothell, and Tacoma, which run June 22-July 22, 2020.

Students in the program will maintain their UW residency and any financial aid eligibility already established. Credits and grades earned will be recorded on students' UW transcripts and apply directly to UW graduation requirements.

Credits earned in English 344/444 (VLPA) and English 395 (VLPA) may be used to satisfy requirements for the English major. ENGL 295 will not count towards the English major, but will count as a VLPA. 

Housing and board (two meals per day) for students will be arranged with families in London. A London Transport pass, good for travel on subways and buses, will be supplied.

Homestays

Housing and 2 meals a day (continental breakfasts and dinners) for students are arranged with homestay families in London. Our London homestay company screens prospective homestay families for our program, and later matches students up with approved 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.

London is a large city, and commuting is a way of life. Students (and faculty) should expect a commute to and from class of about 45-60 minutes, via The Underground or bus. All students receive a London Transport Pass, good on underground trains, overground rail, and busses between the homestay zone and central London (included in the program fee). This is pretty great, since you also get to zip around the city in your free time--there is no additional cost.

Teaching Style/Classroom

Courses in the London Program are taught as much on the streets and in the museums, theaters, 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, students must be able to take a physically active role in the program. While much of the program takes place on the streets and in the buildings throughout London, there will still be time spent in our classroom in Birkbeck College, 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 Nancy Sisko in English Advising with questions about registration, credits, or grading, and visit the UW Study Abroad website.

Excursions

Program excursions and group trips are included in the program fee--there is no additional cost. Transportation for field trips may be via chartered bus (a "coach") with professional drivers. During overnight trips, students are housed in bed and breakfasts. Destinations typically include Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwick Castle, Avebury, St. Paul's Cathedral, museums, and historic London pub tours--but please note that that this has not yet been finalized. Questions and audible advance excitement is welcome!

Eligibility

The London program values diversity. Any UW student from any campus, including Evening Degree, is eligible to apply to the 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 Professor Jessica Burstein or Nancy Sisko.

Enrollment is limited to 30 students.

Application Process

To apply, please use the online application on the study abroad website. 

The application includes

  • 3 short answer questions,
  • 1 Faculty recommendation** and
  • Electronic signature documents related to University policies and 
    expectations for study abroad.

**Letters of recommendation from UW faculty or teaching assistants are required. We do not accept letters from employers, family friends, academic counselors, high school counselors, or high school teachers. We need to see you as a mature human in the academic realm. Don't panic, but don't ask your aunt, even if she's an amazing spirit (and we're sure she is). However, if you are a new transfer student we will accept letters from faculty from your transfer school in lieu of or in addition to UW faculty recommendations. If you have any questions about this, please contact Nancy Sisko

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.

Other Questions? Contact Mary Malevitsis for more information.

Contact Information: 

Mary Malevitsis
Graduate Program Coordinator
(206) 543-6077
mmalev@uw.edu

Program Status: 
Inactive/Archived
Share