London

This program puts the city of London at the heart of student learning. Arguably, London is the world's most "globalized" city, with a third of its residents born outside the UK, a city in which over 300 languages are spoken, a post-colonial city shaped by the history of the British empire, and also a city whose multicultural origins begin with, perhaps even antedate, the arrival of the Romans in 55 B.C. Students study the phenomena of a global city through a number of different lenses. The London program offers electives in 8 departments and each course uses the city as a classroom.

Based in London
Fall or Spring semester
Program can accommodate up to 25 students per semester.
Pre-requisites: 2.8 GPA, prior course work with European content or a European Studies course
10 weeks of coursework. Pending COVID-19 conditions on-site, students will participate in a work experience placement offering experiential learning opportunities for the final month of the program.
Please note: due to the abbreviated academic calendar, students requesting Pass/Fail in any course must do so within the first three weeks.
Live with homestay families

Apply to the London Program

Location Academics Co-Curricular Housing Calendar Orientation Program Contacts

Location

London is a city rich in culture. From the Roman wall which forms part of the contemporary Barbican Center to the National Theaters on the South Bank to the architectural dominance of St. Paul's seen from the Thames, London is a city with a long and fascinating history. It is the banking and trading center for all the world, even as it wrestles with contemporary urban problems. Housed in the center of London, this program allows students to explore the intellectual, cultural, and social life of this large, cosmopolitan center.

Academics

The courses offered on the London Program are designed to immerse students in the city and its resources: attending live theatre productions, meeting actors and directors, visiting historical sites, meeting for the art class in many of London's most renowned galleries, exploring culturally diverse neighborhoods, and so much more. The courses are taught by professors from British universities and are offered exclusively for St. Lawrence University Program participants.

Throughout the semester, all students take Encountering Global London. During the first ten weeks of the semester, students also take three elective courses. For the final month of the program, students usually have the opportunity of a work placement experience or will take a .5 unit course offering experiential learning opportunities. Please note: due to the abbreviated academic calendar, students requesting Pass/Fail in any course must do so within the first three weeks.

Required Courses:

GS/SOC/GOVT 261: Encountering Global London, including a work placement experience for the final four weeks of the semester. Students will encounter global London firsthand by working with local companies and organizations. Previous placements have included schools, non-profit organizations, and organizations in the fields of finance, arts and theater, law, and more. (Fulfills HUMANITIES distribution requirement) (1.25 units of credit)

Elective Courses: (1 unit of credit each: students select 3)

FA 261L: Art & Architecture in London (Fulfills ARTS/EXPRESSION distribution requirement)
HIST 245L: Britain in the 20th Century (Fulfills HUMANITIES distribution requirement)
GOVT 262L/ECON 262L: Economic Integration of the European Union
GOVT 214L: Issues in British Government and Politics
ENG 212L/PCA 237L: Theater in London: Introduction
ENG 312/PCA 337: Theater in London: Classic to Contemporary
ENG 246L: Writing in London (Fulfills HUMANITIES distribution requirement)
GS205L/SOC205L: London's Urban Geographies

Students who are majoring or minoring in fine arts, global studies, government, history or sociology may apply to take the 200-level course offering at the 300-levels as an 'advanced study option'. Permission of the program director, the course instructor and the appropriate department chair is required. When approved for the advanced study option, the student meets with the 200 level course, but will also have an independent tutorial with the professor, culminating in a research paper which substitutes for some of the 200-level assignments.

Students are required to submit an application for the advanced study option prior to leaving campus by meeting with the department chair to ascertain if s/he has satisfied pre-requisites for a 300 level course in the specified department.

Upon arrival in London, students will meet with the course instructor to discuss their application for the advanced option and to identify an appropriate topic for their independent work. If the course instructor agrees, students may then register for the 300 level advanced option. Students may only apply for one advanced option.

Co-curricular

The program includes field trips to places in London and opportunities to travel elsewhere in the UK.

The art courses feature weekly gallery visits to such places as the National Gallery, the Tate, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Banqueting House, the Soane Museum, and the Royal Academy.

Housing

Students are housed with families in London and normally share a double room with a fellow student on the program. Homes are convenient to public transport and the typical commute is approximately 45 minutes to the program office and classrooms. Breakfasts and two evening meals per week are provided by the host families. Students will receive a stipend in order to purchase other meals. Weekend long homestays in London's Afro-Caribbean and Asian communities are offered by the program and are recommended.

Calendar

The Fall semester typically begins in mid-August and ends in mid-December. The Spring semester typically begins in mid-January and ends in mid-May.

For a more detailed calendar for specific semesters, please contact the CIIS office.

Fall 2024

August

Friday 23 Depart the U.S.

Saturday 24
Arrive in London and transport to homestay

Sunday 25 to Tuesday 27
Orientation

Wednesday 28
Classes begin

September

Wednesday 19 to Saturday 21
Program Study trip*

Saturday 28 to Sunday Oct 6
Fall Break

October

Tuesday 1- Sunday 6 (continued)
Fall Break

Monday 7
Classes resume

November

Monday 10
Last day of classes

Tuesday 11 to Friday 15
Final exams

Monday 18
Work experience placements begin

December

Friday 13
Placements finish at end of the regular workday

Saturday 14
Move Out and flight home

Spring 2025

January

Saturday 18
Arrive in London and transport to homestay

Sunday 19 to Tuesday 21
Orientation

Wednesday 22
Classes begin

February

Thursday 13 to Saturday 15
Program Study trip*

March

Monday 3 to Sunday 8
Vacation

April

Monday 7
Last day of classes

Tuesday 8 to Friday 13
Final exams

Monday 14
Work experience placements begin

May

Friday 9
Placements finish at end of the regular workday

Saturday 10
Move Out and flight home

*These are the anticipated dates for the Programme Study trip but could change. Additionally, students are prohibited from traveling outside the country the weekend before the Programme Study trip.

Pre-departure: The CIIS office organizes in-depth orientation sessions on-campus prior to the student's participation in the program. This includes a program-specific session(s) in which the students will learn more about the program, local culture, academic expectations, and any other important information. There is also an orientation session led by the CIIS office on culture shock, pre-departure preparation, as well as safety and security while abroad.

On-site: There is a three-day orientation in London at the beginning of the semester, featuring lectures, tours, and introductions to the courses. Students are required to attend all orientation meetings and activities.

Program Contacts

If you are interested in learning more about the London program please contact one of the following people.

CIIS Office: Caitlin Hatz, Director of Off-Campus Programs - Questions about eligibility, program logistics, and other off-campus opportunities.

Faculty Coordinator: Dr. Cynthia Bansak - Questions about program academics.