AHST 335: London’s Museums and Galleries                                   3 Credits

Prerequisite: Introductory history or art course, plus intermediate or higher art history, or advisor approval (or equivalent)

School of Record Articulation: Intermediate Level Art History

London is famous for the richness and diversity of its museums and galleries and there are over 250 registered art institutions in London. Through hands on experiential visits, this course will introduce students to the range and breadth of the museums and galleries in London. It will aim to build an appreciation of the variety of museums and galleries available, while offering first hand visual experience of the different art forms including visual art and media. Students will be asked to explore concepts such as the role of philanthropy in establishing museum and galleries, debates around repatriation of objects; public funding for the arts; different curating styles and the marketing of the arts, including the role of social media and innovation in order to gain a better understanding of the development of the museum and galleries in London over time and the challenges they face today. The course will be heavily based on experiential learning with visits to world-famous museums and galleries such as the British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum and Tate Modern, along with lesser-known examples such as Sir John Soane’s House, Leighton House Museum and Whitechapel Gallery.  

ANTH/SOCI 345: Global Cuisine and Food Culture in Britain                      3 Credits

Prerequisite: Intro to Anthropology or Sociology, plus intermediate or higher anthropology course, or advisor approval (or equivalent)

School of Record Articulation: Intermediate Level Sociology

This course will focus on the emerging global cuisine in London and examine it as a cultural phenomenon inextricably linked to immigration. Taking a historical perspective, the course will explore the role of culinary dishes adopted as “national dishes” in the UK, from fish and chips to chicken tikka masala, and analyse their origins and evolution into iconic British foods. The course will explore the role of the British Empire in assimilating and appropriating global cuisines and study the cultural impact this has had on the communities involved. The course will also introduce students to European legislation and how it created classifications to promote regionally important food products while analysing recent challenges such as the debate between the EU and the UK over fisheries and how the scope of our global cuisine may be impacted by the UK leaving the EU, and “Brexit.” Finally, the course will ask students to apply creative and original thinking by drawing lessons from global food cultures in how to address issues such as the rise in food banks, food waste, the rise of obesity and other health issues, the welfare of animals and global warming and review options for a sustainable future such as organic farming and “slow food.”

BUSI/ECON 313: International Management Strategies                 3 Credits

Prerequisite: Intro to business, plus intermediate business or economics course, or advisor approval (or equivalent)

School of Record Articulation: Intermediate Level Management

Students learn features of strategic management and planning and their application in an international field; Instruments such as a scenario-technique and portfolio analysis are practiced and students also learn to create their own strategies.

BUSI/MGMT 315: Communication Skills for Management               3 Credits

Prerequisite: Intro to business/management plus intermediate business course, or advisor approval (or equivalent)

School of Record Articulation: Intermediate Level Management

The course will focus on planning for effective communication and working visually using various media as well as how to make effective presentations. Students are expected to present ideas to the class and accept constructive criticism from the group.

COMM 455: Intercultural Communication               3 Credits

Prerequisite: Two college level Communications courses

School of Record Articulation: Advanced Level Communication

As a member of a multicultural globalized world, our ability to engage successfully in intercultural communication is arguably one of the most important skills we can possess. This course aims to fully engage with students’ experience of living in a different country by providing an introduction to communication between people from different cultures and backgrounds. As one of the world’s most diverse cities, the course will make use of London as a learning resource, focusing on the application of theory and research as well as contextualising the everyday encounters that students experience with individuals from other cultures during their stay. Students will be introduced to the potential effects of the cultural patterns (beliefs, values, attitudes) of their own culture on those cultural patterns of another culture and will explore how different cultural and ethnic identities influence role expectations, perceptions and intercultural interaction, all the while examining how our own social and cultural perspectives impact our perceptions and our ability to connect with others. The course will introduce students to theories including the Hofstede’s cultural dimensions model and Bennett’s Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity and Intercultural Development Inventory. The course has a keen focus on experiential learning in order to fully gain an understanding of international cultures and value systems and will include visits to and analysis of social structures and institutions including health care, education and social class.

CRIM 333: Comparative Criminology and Criminal Justice             3 Credits

Prerequisite: Intro to Criminal Justice plus intermediate criminal justice or criminology course, or advisor approval (or equivalent)

School of Record Articulation: Intermediate Level Sociology

This course will provide a global, comparative approach to the study of criminal behaviour and criminal justice systems. It will debate the causes of crime, with particular focus on the impact of ethnicity, gender, race and social class. Applying both a sociological and scientific approach, the course will analyse types of crime and its control, examining corrections, courts and policing around the world, with special focus on the UK and the US. Teaching methods will be by lecture, discussion and fieldtrips across the city of London to help students better understand the history of crime and its control in the UK. Comparisons between the US and UK perspectives and approaches in relation to similar crime types will be a focal point of the course.

ENGL 320: Creative Writing              3 Credits

Prerequisite: Intro to Criminal Justice plus intermediate criminal justice or criminology course, or advisor approval (or equivalent)

School of Record Articulation: Intermediate Level English

This course will provide students with the opportunity to develop their creative writing within the context of contemporary British fiction. Students will be introduced to the approaches taken by various British novelists and short story writers along with exploring those very areas that have inspired a variety of British writing. The course will employ London as a resource and inspiration for creative writing. London’s own literary scene will be explored to offer the perfect context for students to explore their own creative powers. A key part of the course will involve students sharing new and revised writing with one another and exploring strategies to deal with potential problems. Textual analysis will be used to help students to better understand and manipulate different forms and techniques adopted by a variety of diverse British writers and improve their own writing.

ENGL/THTR 315: British Drama – from Shakespeare to Modern Day                     3 Credits

Prerequisite: One college level English or Theater course

School of Record Articulation: Intermediate Level English

This course will introduce students to one of the richest components of London life – its theatre and drama scene. The course will introduce students to the specific national flavour of British theatre – from fringe to subsidized to West End - focusing on an array of wideranging works, including adaptations and new writing. There will be a focus on exciting and contemporary plays, ranging from enchanting to hilarious to shocking, reflecting some of the more provocative staged works. The course will look at the role of the Artistic Director in the UK, at the variety of different drama available, at the imagination behind adaptations of renowned works such as Shakespeare’s plays and their impact, and at new writing and the way in which it might challenge preconceptions of theatre as a “high culture” form of art. In addition to discussing the relationship between form and content, the course will place a number of the plays in their cultural, historical and critical context and assess the role of contemporary drama in challenging the status quo.

ENVS 345: London – Sustainable City                       3 Credits

Prerequisite: Intro to Sociology, plus intermediate or higher sociology course, or advisor approval (or equivalent)

School of Record Articulation: Intermediate Level Environmental Studies

On both sides of the Atlantic, the idea of a Green New Deal has become a much discussed policy area. This course will focus on the importance of sustainability for Britain, an island nation, and explore how the nation is responding to the global challenge. Students will be asked to apply a critical approach to issues including creating a green economy, investing in sustainable transportation systems, renewable power sources, flood defences and dealing with waste. By focusing closely on urban regeneration projects in London, one of the world’s global cities, students will be required to critically analyse the legacy of urban initiatives such as the 2012 London Olympics, and housing projects such as Beddington Zero Emissions Developments (BedZED), Hackbridge. The course will explore sustainability in Britain as a phenomenon beyond global green politics and ask students to apply a holistic approach towards a sustainable model which encompasses social, economic and cultural factors and in which we can all play an individual role.

GEST/HIST/SOCI 355: LGBTQ+ in Britain                  3 Credits

Prerequisite: Intro to Gender studies or sociology, plus intermediate-level Gender Studies, History, or Sociology (or advisor approval), or equivalent

School of Record Articulation: Intermediate Level Sociology

From identity politics and gender roles to issues of privilege and social exclusion, this course explores how Western culture came to view sex, gender and sexuality in the ways that we do, and how culture can shift our perspective of what’s “normal.” The course will aim to introduce students beyond binary definitions and question popular and problematic assumptions about sex, gender and identity in the UK today. It will introduce some of the key theories and thinkers and address the way in which these activists have helped shape UK law from the decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1967 under the Sexual Offences Act in 1967 to present day legislation. The course will address contemporary movements and debates including tensions between women’s right and rights of transgender people and the legal status of non-binary people. It will explore the progress made in human rights in the different parts of the UK and the issues that remain.

HIST 370: The British Monarchy Throughout the Ages                    3 Credits

Prerequisite: Introductory college-level history course, plus intermediate world or European/British history, or advisor approval (or equivalent)

School of Record Articulation: Intermediate Level History

This course will introduce students to the oldest of British institutions, the Monarchy. It will provide an overview of how the British Monarchy has evolved, often through very tumultuous times, outlining the changing role and function of the monarchy within our society over time. Using London as a resource, the life of the Royals from 1066 to the present day will be examined through field trips to renowned locations such as the Tower of London, Hampton Court and Buckingham Palace. The course will introduce students to concepts such as constitutional monarchy, the privy council, Royal prerogative and Royal Assent and explore ways in which these have historically shaped – and continue to shape – our current society. We will explore depictions of various monarchs in British society, the role of ceremony and tradition, and ideas such as the “Royal brand” and the relationship between tourism, media, film and TV and the Monarchy. Students will be expected to engage and critically analyze debates in contemporary British society, such as constitutional reform, “Megxit” and ideas behind adapting or even abolishing the British monarchy, in order to fully evaluate the role of the institution.

HIST 375: London: 2000 Years of History                  3 Credits

Prerequisite: Introductory history, plus intermediate or higher history course, or advisor approval (or equivalent)

School of Record Articulation: Intermediate Level History

Study London’s history through the ages. Journey through its Bronze Age beginnings and the city’s foundation by the Romans, onto the Plague, the Great Fire of London, Henry VIII and his many wives, the Blitz, all the way to modern day London. Understand what has made London the cosmopolitan, financial and cultural centre that it is today. The course will focus upon the economic, political and social history of the city and students will learn about London’s history through fieldtrips to important sites in London and via class lectures and discussions.

HIST/SOCI 335: British Life and Culture                    3 Credits

Prerequisite: Intro to Psychology, plus intermediate psychology course, or advisor approval ( or equivalent)

School of Record Articulation: Intermediate Level History

The British Life & Culture course seeks to develop students’ understanding and appreciation of key aspects of contemporary British cultures and society within a social, cultural and historical context. The course will be heavily focused on experiential learning and draw on student experiences as they familiarize themselves with their host nation. It will explore how we contextualize culture, history and language in order to frame a cultural group. Using an interdisciplinary approach, students will be expected to engage and critically analyze debates in contemporary British society, such as Britain’s departure from the European Union (Brexit), theatre and the arts in the UK and attitudes to nationalism and patriotism. Students will be required to apply a comparative approach between British and American identities and value systems with the overarching aim of helping to develop a broad understanding of their host country, with all its idiosyncrasies, and be able to evaluate and respond to their experiential context.  

HIST/POLI 355: Europe and Britain               3 Credits

Prerequisite: Introductory history or political science course, plus intermediate or higher history course, or advisor approval

School of Record Articulation: Intermediate Level Politics

The European Union (EU) stands out as a fascinatingly unique political organisation. A key institution of the post-war era, it has shown the potential for developing deep and wideranging cooperation between member states, going far beyond that found anywhere else in the world. This course will seek to assess the successes and failures of the EU and evaluate its viability and future, in particular against the backdrop of “Brexit” or Britain’s exit from the EU. It will look at the founding principles of the EU, its treaties, the decision surrounding the introduction of a central currency, its relationship with other nations such as the USA and ask students to examine its strengths and weaknesses in political, social and economic terms. In particular, the course will focus on the historic relationship between Britain, often regarded in simplistic terms as “the reluctant European” and the EU, challenging some of the preconceived notions about this relationship and questioning the perceived inevitability of the rupture and where it will lead.

POLI 307: Protection of Human Rights                     3 Credits

Prerequisite: Introductory political science course, plus intermediate or higher political science or human rights course, or advisor approval (or equivalent)

School of Record Articulation: Intermediate Level Politics

This course deals with fundamental questions of human rights protection and critically analyses legal aspects and achievements regarding human rights on the international universal and regional level, on the level of the EU and also on the national level. The course evaluates the role of international human rights protection and monitoring systems and deals with problems and challenges for the existing protection schemes. Human rights protection within the United Nations, the European Union, the Council of Europe and other International Organizations (e.g. OAS) are key focuses of interest. Current topics will be addressed in the introductory sessions, through oral presentations by students and in class discussions.

POLI 315: World Politics                    3 Credits

Prerequisite: Intro to Political science, plus intermediate political science course, or advisor approval (or equivalent)

School of Record Articulation: Intermediate Level Politics

This applied course explains the nature of contemporary world politics and explores current processes and developments in global politics. The course examines the role and power of a variety of political and economic actors, such as governments, international organisations, and multinational corporations. Students will examine the workings of organisations such as the United Nations, the European Union, the World Trade Organisation, and the International Monetary Fund, and become familiar with policy debates surrounding these key institutions of political and economic governance. Students will also be introduced to some of the key issues and developments in world politics. The course will also examine the different economic, political and philosophical influences on world politics and the contribution of Keynes, Hayek and Marx to this area of study. The view that is taken is that world politics and the global economic system are closely related, and that one cannot understand one without knowledge of the other. Given current events and geographical location, the course emphasizes developments in contemporary Europe.

POLI 332: British Politics                    3 Credits

Prerequisite: Intro to political science, plus intermediate political science course, or advisor approval (or equivalent)

School of Record Articulation: Intermediate Level Politics

This course will introduce students to key institutions, parliamentary norms and practices within British politics and examine their relationship with one another. It will provide an overview of how British Parliamentary democracy has evolved and outline the key functions of the monarchy, the executive, Parliament and its two Chambers and the judiciary. It will introduce students to our electoral and legal system, and to the political parties and how represent themselves and are represented. Students will be expected to engage and critically analyze debates in contemporary British society, such as constitutional reform, Britain’s departure from the European Union (Brexit), gender debates and attitudes to immigration. The course will require students to apply a comparative approach between British and American political systems.

PSYC 315: The Science of Wellbeing                         3 Credits

Prerequisite: One college level psychology course

School of Record Articulation: Intermediate Level Psychology

This course will provide an interdisciplinary overview of wellbeing as a scientific construct, with its underpinning biological, psychological, cultural and social determinants, exploring the factors that contribute to the wellbeing of individuals and populations. It will support students develop an understanding of wellbeing as relatively new concept (WHO, 1948) and its main current and emerging perspectives, rooted in psychology, neuropsychology and social behaviour theories. The course will also focus on some specific topics that are central to wellbeing, such as quality of life, happiness, resilience and what factors promote them; creativity and the arts and how these are being used in evidencebased ways to improve health and wellbeing, both in everyday life, but also within healthcare systems (i.e. art therapy and music therapy to improve physical and mental health conditions). The course will also introduce students to some of main wellbeing measures currently utilised in science. Students will be encouraged to use a range of tools proposed during the course and apply them to understand health and wellbeing and their meaning in different individual, group and organisational contexts. Students will also be encouraged to reflect on their own value systems around wellbeing, in order to appreciate the diversity associated with the individual’s lived experience of health and wellbeing. Current UK government policies on wellbeing will also be examined and discussed, in comparison with US similar policies and students will be expected to take active part in discussions, debates, analyses and individual and small group work as required.

PSYC 320: Theories of Personality                3 Credits

Prerequisite: One college level Psychology course

School of Record Articulation: Intermediate Level Psychology

This course provides an overview of the major personality theories and perspectives and the factors that influence human behaviour. It is hoped that students will be able to incorporate the most useful aspects of each theoretical approach and synthesize them to develop their own perspective regarding the nature of human personality development and functioning.

PSYC 345: Narrative Psychology: Making Sense of Ourselves                     3 Credits

Prerequisite:  Intro to psychology, plus intermediate psychology course, or advisor approval (or equivalent)

School of Record Articulation: Intermediate Level Psychology

This course will discuss the development of narrative psychology and the assertion that stories and storytelling provide meaning to individuals’ experience, shape their memories of past events and their understanding of the future, and importantly serve to define the self. The course will introduce students to a range of perspectives and issues in the area of narrative, self and identity. Students will be encouraged to critically assess the course material, as well as to engage with guest speakers and their stories, with the learning objective of fostering an understanding of how humans deal with a range of experiences including those they encounter during their study abroad. Additionally, how narrative, self and identity processes impact on cognition, emotion, and behaviour will be explored.

PSYC 365 Attention Awareness: Cross Cultural and Individual Differences           3 Credits

Prerequisite: Intro to Psychology, plus intermediate psychology course, or advisor approval (or equivalent)

School of Record Articulation: Intermediate Level Psychology

This course is concerned with the study of the scientific investigation of attention, an aspect of human cognition that plays a fundamental role in our awareness of the world and our engagement with it. Theories of attention will be discussed, and cross-cultural and individual differences will be considered in light of these theories. Students will be encouraged to critically engage with the material presented and to explore their own interpretations of cross-cultural differences, drawing on cultural and individual differences they experience during their study abroad experience, such as interpersonal differences towards offering help and assistance (asking for help with directions).

PSYC 430: Psychology of Ageing

Prerequisite: Intro to Psychology, plus intermediate psychology course, or advisor approval ( or equivalent)

School of Record Articulation: Advanced Level Psychology

With increasing life expectancy, we are living in an ageing society. This course will cover three major themes in the psychology of ageing: mind, brain, and behavior. Students will discuss cognitive, social, and emotional aspects of ageing, and consider how these impact decision-making in older adults. It will explore how the brain ages, and how these neurological changes affect memory, attention and other aspects of cognition. The drivers of healthy ageing will be discussed, as well as neurodegenerative disorders associated with abnormal ageing. Students will be asked to engage with the aging process and the elderly and their experiences of ageing within contemporary British and US societies.

SOCI 335: Diversity in London: Minority Ethnicities, Immigration and Integration         3 Credits

Prerequisite: Intro to sociology or Diversity related course, plus intermediate sociology course, or advisor approval

School of Record Articulation: Intermediate Level Sociology

London, home to nearly 9 million people, is arguably one of the most diverse cities in the world, with 40% of its population born abroad and 300 different languages spoken in the capital. Through reading, discussion and fieldwork, this course will focus on the character of ethnic, national and religious diversity in London and how different transnational communities have dealt with arriving, settling and living life as migrants in London. Starting with the post-war period and the 1948 British Nationality Act, the course will explore the experiences of minority ethnicities living in London and cover the period right up to the present day, exploring political and cultural responses within London to different groups (the South Asian community, Windrush generation, EU community etc.) and exploring how these have changed over time. The course will introduce students to the distinctive form and nature of Britain’s multiculturalism and critically analyse the legacy of the British Empire. Through classroom teaching and field trip-based research, students will assess the way in which London has experienced the process of immigration and integration and explore the creation of complex communities whose cultures shape the modern city today.

SOCI 365: London: Global City                      3 Credits

Prerequisite: Intro to Sociology, plus intermediate or higher sociology course, or advisor approval (or equivalent)

School of Record Articulation: Intermediate Level Sociology

London is home to over 9 million people, with 40% of the population born outside the UK and 300 languages spoken daily, as well as being a centre of government and business, media, fashion, the sports, arts and science in the UK. This course will provide an introduction to London as one of the world’s most global cities, exploring the factors that contribute to its global status and the strengths and weaknesses of this urban model. It will introduce students to how urban areas within London have emerged, changed, and grown, and explore how transportation, environmental pressures and water both constrain and facilitate growth. The course will introduce students to London life and issues such as gentrification, housing, local government, and inequality in the context of London’s diverse neighborhoods, and draw on census and spatial data on populations and communities in order to fully understand its complexities. Students will explore the role of different types of public spaces and architecture and analyse how these are experienced by different communities within London.