London Courses – 2022 London Imperial Summer

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Studying abroad can be a more meaningful and invigorating learning experience than at home—both inside and outside of the classroom. You may be more curious and alert than you usually are so use this heightened energy to enhance your studies as well as your cultural and geographical explorations. You may also encounter different teaching styles and course processes; be prepared to adapt and to learn.

Courses

You may take at least three and up to six credits. Summer students taking a Field Study course may take seven credits. At least one 3-credit course is required. Course availability is contingent upon student enrollment and is subject to change.

Click the course title to view course details, description, and availability.

• Art and Social Change

  London Imperial Summer

  Art Sociology 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  Taking advantage of London’s museums and galleries, the course covers a broad spectrum of British art with a focus on eras in which changes in artistic production overlapped with significant philosophical or societal change. While exploring art from the past to the present day, the aim is to provide a stimulating and enjoyable introduction to some of the most significant themes and movements in British art, while also considering questions about the dialogues between cultural forms and ideology.

• History of Identity and Conflict

  London Imperial Summer

  Gender, Race, and Identity History 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  This interdisciplinary module offers students a chance to study conflict and its reconciliation throughout time, with a particular focus on the historical role played by identity (e.g. national, ethnic, religious) in confrontation and resolution. You will analyse the topic from a variety of angles, including history, war studies, international relations, politics, philosophy and sociology, enabling you to understand better concepts such as war, peace, reconciliation, nationalism, and identity. At all times students will be encouraged to come to their own independent conclusions through engagement with a variety of sources and texts, to engage in academic debate, and to develop their key skills of critical analysis.

  Students will develop key study skills on this course via the evaluation, analysis, and use of primary sources; study of secondary sources; critical appraisal of scholarly debate, and engagement in academic discourse. At all times students will be encouraged to think critically and come to their own independent judgements.

• LGBTQ+ London

  London Imperial Summer

  Gender, Race, and Identity Sociology 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  Through film, memoir, fiction and theory, this course will address the history and experiences of LGBTQ+ people in London’s past and present. The course will be divided into two interlinking sections: Sam Dolbear will first approach the historical record of London’s queer life: from various places and spaces of the city to histories of care, community, law, language and resistance. D Mortimer will then address questions pertaining to the present. Through creative exercises, gallery visits and participatory excursions, the group will creatively enquire as to how disability and queerness intersect in the city and how capitalism unimagines and un-ables queer futures. This portion of the course introduces Crip theory, feminist theory and contemporary QTPOC artist collectives in order to map a landscape of a contemporary queer London.

• Theatre in London

  London Imperial Summer

  English Theater 400-level 3 credits Taught in English

  The course introduces London theatre based on the study of six to eight live performances, supplemented as necessary by streamed or recorded live shows. The performances are the main object of study. Accordingly, the course aims to develop an ability to engage with and respond to live theatre and articulate that response in discussion and writing. Performances are chosen based on critical theatrical topics with the form, organization, conventions, history, and theatre financing. Students will explore the variety of theatre in London in terms of venues, subjects, genres, and performance styles. Some topics include:

  • Shakespearean Theatre

  • Theatre Space

  • Place and Conventions

  • Theatre Business

  • Actors and Acting

  • Theatre

  • Politics and Society

  • Comedy

  • Theatre Adaptations

  • Ibsen and the New Realism

  • Modernism and Counter-realism

  • Greek Tragedy

  Each class session will examine the show we have previously seen, then introduce one of these general theatre topics to discuss the show we will see next. The course involves theatre visits, a backstage tour, reading, class discussion and presentations, individual research, and some practical theatre work.

To request a course syllabus: syllabus@usac.edu

Field Studies

Optional field studies are an excellent way to deepen your academic experience abroad. During your 1-credit field study course, you will participate in carefully planned excursions that allow you to explore the cultural, historical, and natural features of England and Northern Ireland. These overnight field experiences, combined with required academic components such as readings, research, and written assignments, will increase your understanding of the sites and locales visited.

As an experiential learning method, optional field studies complement the larger academic program and provide you with opportunities to learn in new ways, to gain hands-on experience, and to connect your classroom learning to the world around you.

Optional field studies have an additional fee, are subject to meeting minimum enrollment requirements to run, and may not be available every summer session. Refer to the course list above for current field study offerings.