La Salle University
Program/University Overview:
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota sponsors and oversees the London study abroad program. A group of 25 – 30 students participate each semester. The program is designed to fulfill credits in the liberal arts. A program director from SMU lives nearby. Most faculty are native professors from regional universities. The program includes organized guided tours.
Unique Aspects of Program:
This twelve week Fall semester program, open to all majors, is located in London, one of the great cultural meccas of the world. Classes are a combination of lectures and guided field trips. Students explore first-hand the historical sites and rich resources of this renowned city. London has so many restaurants, sporting events, museums, theatres and outdoor markets that it is impossible to experience it all in one semester.
Theatre majors who meet institutional standards and who are in good academic standing in the department are required to participate. Under the guidance of SMU faculty, these students have the opportunity for production experience.
Business majors are also encouraged to study in London. Additional courses are designed specifically to provide exposure to the international business environment.
Country and/or City Information:
Location
While the United Kingdom is slightly smaller than Oregon, England’s share is about 50,363 square miles (130,357 square kilometers), or about the size of the state of New York. England is one of three nations that make up the island of Great Britain. The other two are Scotland and Wales. The United Kindgdom is composed of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Low mountains and rugged hills to the north are set against level and rolling plains in the south and southeast. Nearly half of the land is covered with meadows or pastures, while 29 percent is used for farming.
London is the capital city of the United Kingdom. It has an estimated population of 7.5 million and a metropolitan area population of between 12 and 14 million.
Climate
The climate is temperate, but skies are overcast more than half the time. Winds often blow from the southwest. The weather in the north is wetter and slightly cooler than in the south. Although winter temperatures rarely drop below 25°F (-4°C) and summer temperatures rarely exceed 75°F (24°C), humidity levels ranging from medium to high can make it seem colder or warmer than the temperature indicates. In the United Kingdom, temperature is measured in Celsius. F=(C*1.8)+32. Ex. 21°C = 70°F.
Time
When Central Standard Time is in effect in the United States, London is six hours ahead. Daylight Savings Time is also observed in the United Kingdom.
More Information
BBC News – http://www.bbc.co.uk/
Britain USA – http://www.britainusa.com/
British Council United States – http://www.britishcouncil.org/usa-education
Embassy of the US – London – http://www.usembassy.org.uk/
Foreign and Commonwealth Office – http://www.fco.gov.uk/
London By – http://londonby.com/
London Town.comVisit Britain – http://www.londontown.com/
UK Travel – http://www.uktravel.com/index.asp
US Department of State Consular Information Sheet UK – http://travel.state.gov/travel/uk.html
Admission Requirements:
All students must have at least a 2.0 GPA, preferably a 2.5 GPA, have attained second semester sophomore status and secured positive recommendations from the following: 1) Academic Advisor, 2) one full time faculty member (not in “Major” dept), 3) current Hall Director or Dean of Students.
Courses Offered:
LCT 375 – International Perspectives: United Kingdom (required) – 3 semester credits
This course is designed to ensure that all students have an awareness of the British cultural heritage and that they become increasingly aware of the reality of British society today. The first part of this course consists of site visits. Sites in the past have included: Bath, Blenheim Palace, Cambridge, Cantebury, Oxford, Salibury, and Windsor Castle. Four site visits will be scheduled. The second part of the course will be a series of lectures on contemporary British society.
LOND 301 – Art in London (required) – 3 semester credits
This course will introduce students to the history of Western art. Lectures will be supplemented by visits to the British Museum, the National Gallery, and the Tate. The objective is to familiarize students with major periods of art (Classical, Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque & Modern), artists, historical eras, and basic technical terms.
TA 301 – Theater in London (required) – 3 semester credits
($350.00 Special Course Fee)
This course is designed to introduce students to the various aspects of British theatre. The class attends at least eight performances throughout the semester, each one relating to some aspect of British theatre.
LOND 329 – British Politics – 3 semester credits
This course will introduce students to British Politics. Topics include: 1) British institutes: Crown, Parliament, Legal System, the Church, 2) Parties and Politics: Government from 1945 to present day, 3) Power and Personalities ie., MacMillan. Thatcher., 4) On going problems ie., Devolution, Northern Ireland, European Union, 5) Influence of the Media.
LOND 431 – British Contemporary Writers – 3 semester credits
This course will introduce students to a representative selection of British writers based in the British Isles that have been active in the last 20 years. The selection will include poetry, prose, and drama. Lectures will be given on their work as well as their literary and social background.
MG 410 – International Management – 3 semester credits
This course investigates business management in the international arena. Emphasis is placed on how managers in multinational organizations address such issues as strategic analysis, organizational structure, global coordination and control, communications, inter-organizational cooperation, and human resource management.
TA 330 – Dublin Theatre Workshop – 1 semester credit
($2200 Special Course Fee)
This two-week course is offered as an extension of the London Semester. The two-week workshop at the Gaiety School of Acting is intended to give students an intensive experience in the acting, technical or administrative areas of theatre production within the professional area. Participants study Irish theatre literature and hone their skills. Attending performances and visiting significant cultural sites also includes a weekend in Galway. An additional fee is required.
TA 358 – Acting: A British Approach – 3 semester credits
This course examines the British approach to scene work and the rehearsal process. Time will be spent in working with the Standard British RP dialect. Students work with scenes written by British playwrights such as Shakespeare, Noel Coward, Tom Stoppard, and Harold Pinter.
TA 360 – London Theatre: Page to the Stage – 3 semester credits
($350 Special Course Fee)
This course explores the transfer of dramatic literature from the page to the stage. Prior to attending a London production, students analyze and interpret a given text and discuss its possible production requirements. After viewing the production students assess it based on their pre-production analysis and interpretation.
Housing:
Students live in small furnished apartments (flats) located within walking distance to the classroom facility. Shops, supermarkets, and other goods and services are convenient.
Each flat consists of a kitchenette, a dining/living room, and a bath/shower. Bedrooms are mostly shared twins or triples. Students may indicate a roommate preference, but no guarantees are made. A weekly stipend is allocated to each student for self-catering. A stove and refrigerator, dishes, cutlery, furniture, bed linens and blankets are provided. Towels are not provided. The flats do not have washers or dryers, but laundromats are nearby. Students are required to buy or rent a cell phone.
Cost:
If you are a student at one of the US Lasallian universities or colleges, you will remain enrolled at your school and pay tuition and program fees there. Tuition is based on your campus tuition rates and may include an additional surcharge depending on the program. Contact the person on your campus responsible for study abroad.
Scholarship Information: N/A
Academic Calendar:
The tentative Fall 2011 program dates are September 5 – November 25, 2011.
Application Deadline:
February 11, 2011
Application Details:
Must complete Lasallian Consortium application along with the host school’s application. Please contact SMU to request an application.
For more information, please visit La Sallian International Programs Consortium.