|
 Home << Study Abroad Options
<< Enclaves << England: London
England: London -
Academics
 |
Changing of the guard. |
Courses
Students earn a full semester of American University
(AU) credit. These credits are readily transferable
to other colleges and universities. Following are
descriptions of the courses offered. In addition to
the Core Course and Internship which are required,
students select two additional courses from the Electives
list below.
Core Course
British Life & Cultures
(SIS-309-001S; 3 credit hours---required)
The aim of the course is to take students beyond the
initial aspects of cultural difference and to offer
insights as to what makes British culture distinct.
The course will cover the historical processes that
have shaped British society and that govern the social
attitudes and outlook of modern Britons. In addition,
the course will offer some practical assistance in
enabling students to adapt to the context of living
& studying in London, including several field
trips to re-enforce the material taught in class.
The course aims to facilitate student orientation
in the context of British society and the workplace,
and to offer an important socio-historical framework.
Elective Courses
Media in Britain
(COMM-507-001S; 3 credit hours)
This course introduces the students to the fundamental
concepts behind journalism as a profession, the production
issues around journalism and the range of ‘news
values’ which determine the selection and treatment
of the stories we read. Students will examine a range
of newspapers (tabloid, broadsheet) to determine how
those products’ editorial stances are based
on the needs and expectations of their target readerships,
and how these are manifested in terms of both content
and style. The course will also include a discussion
of ethics with particular emphasis on the subject
of privacy and the public interest, and students will
engage in a detailed consideration of the power of
the press through analysis of the systems of organization,
ownership and control at an international level.
History of Britain 1815-present
(HIST-322-001S; 3 credit hours)
This course will examine the key political, social
and cultural developments of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain over the past 200 years; from war with
France and world-wide imperial expansion to the present
with Britain as a medium-sized state torn between
allegiance to its former colonies, America and the
expanding European Union.
Contemporary British Theater
(LIT-309-001S; 3 credit hours)
Students are required to attend a significant number
of productions and review these systematically. In
addition, theatre professionals give guest lectures.
The course reviews the varieties of theatres available
(commercial, subsidized, and fringe) from a variety
of perspectives. Economic, aesthetic, and historical
aspects of theatre management and production are considered.
A major theme is the economics of theatre management
and play production. The course will introduce students
to a variety of texts, performances and theatrical
venues that reflect the vitality of contemporary British
theatre.
British Politics: Making Sense of Britain
(GOVT-334-001S; 3 credit hours)
The overall objective of the course is to provide
the students, in a systematic fashion, with the basic
understanding of the system of government and the
political process in Britain, as well as the socio-historical
processes that have shaped modern Britain. The Monarchy,
the Parliament, political parties, the Prime Minister,
political ideology, and political culture are among
the topics discussed in this course. Throughout the
course, comparisons with American politics and society
will be made as a point of reference to provide the
student with a better framework for understanding
British politics. Students are expected to participate
regularly in class discussions and keep up with current
affairs in Britain.
Offered starting in Spring 2008:
Diaspora Studies: An Ethnic History of Modern
Britain
(SIS-396-006S; 3 credit hours)
The aim of this course is to highlight how London
has always been host to diverse cultures and peoples,
which informs its present multicultural landscape.
The course takes a historical and anthropological
perspective, charting how different communities came
to, and settled in London, and will highlight the
contributions they have made and well as the difficulties
they have faced. It illustrates how these communities
changed the face of London, and developed a complex
sense of place and belonging. The main focus is on
African and Asian diasporas after 1945, but an introduction
to the Jewish and Irish experience is included. The
course will ground students in the idea of diaspora,
the ambiguity of diasporic identity, the making of
community, and look critically at changing concepts
of race, nation, and citizenship in Britain.
Music in 20th Century Britain
(PERF-496-001S; 3 credit hours)
This course will examine a wide range of musical styles
important in twentieth century Britain. The nature
of the musical material, the forms and the instrumentation
will be studied, as well as the cultural, political
and economic context in which it was created.
| 
