Twenty-Fifth Annual London Study Tour
“Cultural Conversations in London”
December 29, 2008-January 9, 2009
Theatre 497H (Spring 2009)
This program is for Schreyer Scholars in all majors, and at any Penn State campus, who want an intensive academic and cultural experience in the theatre capital of the English-speaking world.
General information (and links)
Course information/requirements
Trip information
Application process
General Information
The London Study Tour embarks on its twenty-fifth year! To guarantee an honors-quality academic experience, the LST will be limited to twenty students. Prof. Susan Russell of Penn State's School of Theatre will organize and guide the tour, and teach its course component, Theatre 497H.
Theatre-going forms the heart of the LST and of its academic identity. London is the outstanding theatre city of the English-speaking world, offering consistently superb choices in classic plays, contemporary and avant-garde theatre, musical theatre, opera and dance. Students will see a minimum of seven theatre and dance performances: some will be purchased in advance by the instructor, and others will be selected by participants from a wide range of choices. As a complement to the theatre core, the LST’s faculty leaders will provide students with an orientation to London and its history, culture, and sights.
Some interesting links about London and the theatre scene (Note: these are all external links):
Londontown.com: Good general tourist site about London,
including attractions and restaurants
Travelbritain.com: Another good general site about London
London
pictures: Photos of many famous London sites
London street
scenes: Not your typical tourist photos!
London
theatre guide: The "official" guide, from
the Society of London Theatres
London theatre
guide: ...so this must be an unofficial guide!
Course Information/Requirements
Course Design: This course is designed for the student who is interested in observing a culture politically, theoretically, ethnically, religiously, socially, and philosophically through live theatre and dance. An extension of PSU’s new works festival Cultural Conversations, this course will explore issues of diversity that define the city of London based upon the kind of performances visible on London’s stages. Prior to arrival in London, each student selected for this unique course will choose a specific area of diversity to explore, such as race, gender, sexuality, politics, religion, ritual, or science, and the student will research the issue as it “plays out” in the U.S. and in the U.K.. Issue choices, a common language of inquiry that will frame the discussion of issues, and elements of play analysis will be discussed in the first of three mandatory fall meetings. Meetings two and three will feature mandatory group attendance at two specific School of Theatre fall productions followed by post-show discussions where the language of inquiry and elements of play analysis will be “rehearsed” and applied. Once in London, prior personal research on specific issues of diversity in the U.S. and the U.K. will act as a foundation for personal observations of both a culture in practice and the practice of theatre within a culture. The personal observations will be applied to journal work, post-performance discussions, and one topical seminar paper due by the end of the second week of Spring session. Ongoing observations will be shared in informal seminar settings over the two-week course, and an assessment of individual explorations will be based upon a journal, the post-show discussions, and the seminar paper.
Enrollment: Students accepted for the LST will enroll for 3 credits of Theatre 497H for spring semester 2009. You must successfully complete this course, or you will need to refund your travel grant (see below).
Pre-departure Seminars: Students will be required to attend several seminars which will be schedued in October/November at University Park. Times will be arranged according to students' schedules, and students at other locations may be able to "attend" by teleconference.
Course Design: The LST is designed to engage you intellectually and emotionally with the arts and culture of London. The course combines an intense, rapid exposure to London with opportunities to reflect upon these learning experiences. Reflection will take place both privately (through journal writing) and socially (in organized group discussions).
Course Work: Student journals will be read in two stages: the first half will be read by Prof. Russell while in London, and the second half will be turned in soon after our return to the United States. Students will be given a participation grade, which evaluates your level of inquisitiveness and positive contributions to discussions and other group activities. Students will also write a formal essay of 12-18 pages, due two weeks after returning to Penn State. The essay will be inspired in some way by your London experience, exploring a subject in theatre or dance from a historical, literary, or analytical point of view. Your topic should be based on consultations with the instructor.
Trip Information
Travel Arrangements (tentative):
Monday, December 29, 2008: Fly directly from Philadelphia and arrive in London the next day. You are responsible for getting to the airport on your own; we will choose the flight in early September, based on price and other considerations.
Friday, January 9, 2009: Depart London and arrive in Philadelphia the same day.
Accommodations: We will stay in attractive townhouse lodgings in the Bloomsbury neighborhood, near the British Museum and within easy walking distance to the West End theatres, Covent Garden’s restaurant and entertainment district, and all of Central London. Underground (subway) stations are close by, from which one can travel quickly and safely to anywhere in the metropolitan area. Studio apartments, each with its own bathroom and small but fully-equipped kitchen, will house two to four students each. Penn State faculty will reside in the building, and will be available for consultation throughout the trip. Free laundry facilities are on-site.
Costs: The estimated program cost is $1,500 per student. This price includes a Schreyer Ambassador Travel Grant of $800—in other words, the price without the grant would be $2,100. The estimated cost includes airfare, housing, at least four theatre tickets, and required travel while in Britain. There is no additional tuition cost for students who are full-time registered for spring. The SHC will offer additional funds to Scholars with demonstrated financial need (as determined by the office of Student Aid), and we encourage all interested Scholars to apply—don’t let cost be an obstacle to applying!
Note: An additional $800 is suggested for additional spending money for such things as the three student-selected theatre tickets, food and drink, club and pub visits, optional admissions, etc. Food, drink, and entertainment can be very expensive in London, and you’ll want to use that kitchen—at least for breakfast.
Application Process
To apply for this course, the student must chose one issue of local or global diversity that is personally compelling, and write a 750 word essay that describes the issue as it appears in society. As example: issues of race bias in local or national media coverage, issues of religious intolerance in law making, issues of gender bias in politics, and issues of discrimination based on sexuality as in the gay marriage controversy. The topic must have concrete examples that exist in society and concrete examples of how society “performs” the chosen issue of diversity.
You should email your essay, as a Word attachment, to Richard Stoller at rjs27@psu.edu by 8:00 AM on Monday, September 15, 2008. Applicants will be within two weeks of the deadline, and you will have until mid-October to make a commitment to participate (including payment of the program fee).
Cultural Conversations in London, 2008/9 - Susan Russell, PhD
