Jan Term in London

Spend Jan Term studying in London, earning three to four credits in an intense, innovative academic setting that uses the cosmopolitan city of London as the classroom. Accommodations are at Daniel House, the Samford London Study Centre in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Daniel House is near the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Museum of Natural History, Harrods and Kensington Palace. In addition to a group trip outside the city, students will see many historic and cultural sites in London. Additional travel opportunities are available.

Eligibility, Course Requirements and Prerequisites

To register, a student must be currently enrolled as a full-time Samford student (minimum of 12 credits during the semester preceding participation), must have a minimum 2.5 GPA, and must not be under academic or disciplinary probation of any kind. Students must have met all prerequisites or requirements for the London classes in which they enroll. Students must maintain eligibility requirements prior to departure for London. Students must abide by participation and housing rules. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the program, and financial penalties incurred are charged to the student.

 

Classes

January Term I: December 27-January 9, 2010

Bridging London; GEOG 361

Field based exploration of the city of London and its environs. Students investigate historical development, commerce, naval power, imperialism, colonialism, scientific achievement, industrial revolution, financial systems, economic frameworks, transportation, governance, urban design, community, culture, society, ethnicity, international significance, and the intersection between globalization and urbanization. Winner of the American Punctuation Award for most commas in a course description.

Instructor: Dr. Eric Fournier (ejfourni@samford.edu)

Financial Implications of International Business; BUSA 391

With the recent problems exposed in the quality of financial reporting in many countries, a solid awareness and understanding of international accounting, finance and ethics is an important part of the portfolio of skills that future managers must possess. Moreover, the need for cross-border financial information has increased dramatically as business and capital markets continue to grow more global. This has brought international business to the forefront. This course is designed to provide an understanding of international business issues to current and future business managers.

Instructor: Dr. Bill Belski (whbelski@samford.edu)

Nursing in the British Isles; NURS 402

This course is an observation of the role of the nurse in the British health care system with an emphasis on historical influences on professional nursing. The course includes trips to various hospitals and health care facilities, museums and schools of nursing in London. The course objectives address Florence Nighingale’s impact on nursing and health care past and present, and Nightingale’s theory/philosophy of nursing and its influence on nursing education and nursing practice. Students also examine the differences between nursing education and health care policies in England and the United States. Finally, the course addresses the various roles of nursing in National Health Service agencies.

Instructor: Dr. Geri Beers (gwbeers@samford.edu)

Psychogeography and Representations of London; ENGL 205

The focus of this course is the multivalent ways London is represented as a central consciousness in fiction and film. In much contemporary fiction and film about London, the city actually functions as a character, both as protagonist and antagonist. We will look specifically to Martin Amis’ fictional construct of Notting Hill in London Fields, Monica Ali’s East End in Brick Lane, and Penelope Fitzgerald’s Thames-side in Offshore. As we read these fictional constructs, we’ll explore the literal landscapes to discover what the philosopher Guy Debord has called Psychogeography. All of our reading of film and literature will work toward illuminating how London has figured as a literary and filmic landscape.

Instructor: Dr. Bryan Johnson (bmjohnso@samford.edu)

January Term II: January 9-22, 2010

Appreciation With a British Accent; LOND 202

This is a General Education course designed to meet the university wide arts appreciation requirement. Appreciation with a British Accent employs the vibrant London Theatre and Art environment as a classroom to teach theatrical performance, criticism and design along with the great are of Europe. The student will attend numerous plays, visit some of the world’s great art collections and tour some of the world’s greatest theatres while the faculty enrich the experience with lecture and discussion.

Instructor: Dr. Don Sandley (dtsandle@samford.edu)

Coffee Talk in London; COMS 309/JMC 399

The seventeenth and eighteenth centuries saw the birth of the coffee house in London, and it was in these social hubs that Sir Joseph Addison and Richard Steele conceived The Tatler and The Spectator, publications which observed and speculated on the “minor morals” of the day. The periodical essay format was later imitated by others such as Samuel Johnson and Oliver Goldsmith and Horace Walpole. It is this model students will study and imitate, using London’s rich social settings as catalysts for their writing: coffeehouses, pubs, historical landmarks, churches, theatres, parks, transportation systems and neighborhoods. The study of the periodical essay will begin in the fall in Birmingham’s own popular coffee houses and students will analyze Addison and Steele’s work and consider the ways of observing our own culture’s “manners and morals.” Students will utilize their study and their own observation and writing to come to a greater understanding of cultural similarities and differences. Students taking this course will take detailed notes in London and will later write in the periodical essay format after excursions to various assigned spots in London. Each day’s assignment will focus on a subject that Addison and Stele highlighted in their essays, which might include relationships, fashion, mannerisms, conversation, religion, entertainment and others. We will end the day with late afternoon “coffee talk” at London coffeehouses to discuss and interpret the day’s observations. Students will use observation notes to develop three periodical essays (one in Birmingham, tow in London) and these will be compiled into Samford’s own version of The Tatler and The Spectator.

Instructor: Dana Basinger (dkbasing@samford.edu)

Pharmacy and Healthcare in Great Britain; PHRD 301/401

Pharmacy and Health Care in Great Britain is offered as an elective component of the early practice experience sequence for students enrolled in the second year of professional study at the McWhorter School of Pharmacy. The course requires one week of experiential placement in the Birmingham area and international travel to the Samford University Student Centre (or other housing facility) in London, England for two weeks. The course includes local travel within London to multiple health care, educational, cultural and historical sites, and travel within Great Britain for day trips in England and/or Wales. Course grade is based on completion of assigned readings, presentations and class participation during the fall semester immediately prior to the trip, participation in all group travel, activities and learning experiences while on the trip, and completion of a directed, reflective journal and a group presentation or paper on an approved topic upon return from the trip.

Instructor: Dr. Mary Monk-Tutor (mrmonktu@samford.edu)

Rise of the British State; POLS/HIST 479

This course examines the emergence of the national government in Britain over the past 500 years. It will use the London setting to raise specific issues about Britain, and more general introductory issues concerning history and political science.

Instructor: Dr. Fred Shepherd (fmshephe@samford.edu)

Extended Stay for Travel

Students may elect to stay and travel during the two weeks classes are not in session. No accommodations or university supervision will be provided during this travel time. Luggage storage is available at the Daniel House in London for a fee of £10. Students must return on designated group dates.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Arrangements for international group travel involve advance planning, deposits and prepayment for many services. It is necessary, therefore, to have a stringent cancellation and refund policy. Students should read the policy before placing the nonrefundable deposit. Copies are posted at the International Studies Office, and each student receives a copy at registration, when the deposit is made.

Samford also offers a full semester abroad program based at Daniel House, the London Study Centre.