Program Overview
This program takes advantage of its location and proximity to London to provide students with a wealth of experiences and an understanding of contemporary British culture. Located in Kingston upon Thames, on the borders of London and Surrey, it is just 25 minutes from London. The program includes many faculty-led excursions, including Greenwich, Bath, Stonehenge, Oxford, Kew Gardens and the Houses of Parliament, as well as course-specific field trips to literary and historical sites. There are also two long weekends free for exploring on your own beyond the Kingston and London area.

Faculty

Susan Kerner is a professor in the Theater and Dance Department at Montclair State University. She has directed London theater programs for New York University, Drew University and Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. A professional stage director, Ms. Kerner has directed plays in regional, New York and London theaters. Prof. Kerner will teach the Dramatic Workshop course listed below. All other courses are taught by University of Kingston faculty members.

Accommodations and Meals
Students will be housed in single occupancy bedrooms in Kingston University London residence hall apartments for three to eight students. Each apartment has an equipped kitchen, showers and toilets, with bed linens and towels provided. Laundry facilities are available on site. Meals are not included.

Academics - (click here for pre-enrollment form)
All participants will register for the British Culture and Society course (HIST 331), which provides students the opportunity to develop an understanding and appreciation of contemporary British culture and society, and the differences between Britain and your home culture and lifestyle. The course covers key topics such as the British system of government, the monarchy, media, theatre, sports, multi-cultural Britain, Britain's changing world role and national identity. The classroom discussions are supported by guided field-trips to places which re-enforce the learning, e.g. to the Houses of Parliament, the Royal Botanical Gardens (Kew), a performance at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, Hampton Court Palace, Stonehenge and Bath. We encourage you to make independent visits to different sites in the London area, and some of these visits will be offered with an academic guide, e.g. to Southall Gurdwara, the largest Sikh temple outside India.

Students select one additional course. Options include:

Dramatic Workshop  (THTR 435) will be taught by the accompanying MSU Faculty Director, Susan Kerner. The class reads and works together on scenes from classical and contemporary British plays. Students also attend performances at the Royal National Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe, and London’s Fringe theatres. Guest speakers include a prominent theatre critic, actors, and other London theatre professionals.

London and its Literature (ENGL 250 and ENGL 597) explores the contribution of London to English literary life since the middle of the 18th century and its representation in literary texts. Students consider selected texts within the specific historical, political and cultural context of London and its impact on the imaginations of writers since 1750, and visit Samuel Johnson's House, St Brides, a Dickens Walk, and the Jewish Museum.

Live Theater (THTR 432-72) will introduce students to English theatre through visits to a cross-section of shows in the West End, the National Theatre and the fringe. Students are offered the opportunity to meet with practicing actors, writers or directors and to understand how a play evolves from page to stage. There will be 5 theatre visits, lectures at Kingston and workshops.

Shakespeare’s London (THTR 432) provides students with an introduction to Shakespeare’s plays and the dramatic techniques he uses. The focus will be on the function of theatre and its engagement with ideas, society and psychology. Students will examine the differences between reading and performing Shakespeare’s plays. You will attend 4 or 5 performances depending on summer theatre schedules. At least one performance will be at the world famous Globe Theatre, a careful reconstruction of Shakespeare's own theatre.