Undergraduate Program

Study Abroad

***Informal Meeting: Tues., February 14 at 4pm and Wed., February 15 at 5pm in the English department, Bachelor Hall. Meet the other students and faculty, ask questions, and get more details about our 2012 itinerary.***

Welcome to Literary London! Live right in the heart of a cosmopolitan world-class city this summer, site of the 2012 Olympics. Why stay somewhere else this summer when you can get the jump on fulfilling your credits in London?

Enroll in an exciting London cultural immersion that will be one of the highlights of your college experience. Since 2006, we have brought 120+ students for an enriching, safe, and memorable study-abroad program. We have gained an excellent reputation for offering a genuinely integrated cultural and academic program. Everyone is welcome!

Detailed information on a range of course options and the 2012 application is available below. Literary London is first-come, first-served, with priority given to applications and deposits received by November 30, 2011.

Literary London 2012

May 14–June 22

Take afternoon tea at Harrod's and learn about tea traditions. Watch the sun set over Parliament. Visit the Poets’ corner at Westminster Abbey. Cruise the River Thames on a boat to Hampton Court Palace. Walk in Shakespeare’s footsteps and see great plays at the Globe. Study the avant-garde art at the Tate Modern. Read Monica Ali and tour literary Bloomsbury!

Our students enjoy a comprehensive, meaningful cultural and academic experience in London over 6 weeks. We offer a very good value for a set price, with a high standard of accommodation in flats located on Baker Street.

Take your choice of classes with our own English Department faculty—new and traditional classes earn 7 Miami credits and satisfy a range of Miami Plan and other requirements. This year, we will focus on traditional and ethnic London, combining literary and cultural study on-site. You might read about famous Brick Lane, sample the local curry cuisine, and then go see a Shakespeare play!

Students from all majors and other universities welcome.

what is Literary London?

Literary London is housed in the English Department and is an official program taught only by Miami professors. We bring our students to London and Stratford for an enriching academic and cultural experience for English majors, minors, non-majors, and non-Miami students. No transfer of credits necessary. Our faculty teach only MU classes, a variety of full-credit, London-based literature and creative writing courses that satisfy Miami Plan, English major/minor, and other requirements and electives. We look forward to having you on board in the coming year!

Course information and schedule

Choose 2 from a selection of literature and creative writing courses designed by Miami faculty to be taught on-site in London—new courses every year! Full description of 2012 courses available here.
Shakespeare on-stage, on-site courses and other Miami Plan credits, courses for English majors, minors, and non-majors always offered. Work on distribution, period, thematic sequence, and other credits. Literary London also satisfies the new Miami Plan Foundation III.A, Global Perspectives requirement.
Classes meet Tuesday through Thursday, with weekends free
Modern classrooms located conveniently in Bloomsbury, around the corner from the British Museum

Live in the heart of London!

Be a part of life in an exciting cosmopolitan city! Live independently with fellow Miami students in chic, upscale London neighborhoods—have all the city’s rich resources right at your doorstep. No commuting necessary!
Flats for 2–4 Miami students equipped with private bath, kitchen, and internet. Just bring your suitcase.
Equipped kitchen facilities allow you to save money and avoid set meal plans.
This year, we will be located in high-standard Baker Street flats. Some of our past neighborhoods include:

Queensway, across from Hyde Park and near Notting Hill

Kensington, in the Royal Borough of Chelsea and Kensington
Baker Street/Marylebone, near Regent's Park (photo on right)

Program components

To take advantage of new exhibitions and events, each year we do something slightly different—we always offer a mix of the classic and the modern! All components are always included in the single program fee.

Orientation and tour of all major London sites

Guided tours include Westminster Abbey, the British Museum, Shakespeare’s Globe, the National Gallery, the British Library, the London Eye, historic buildings, and more.
River Thames boat tours
Overnight visit to Stratford to see Shakespeare Heritage sites and a play at the famous Royal Shakespeare Company
Walking tours of London neighborhoods and course-themed walks
Day trips to Bath, Hampton Court Palace, Greenwich, other special sites

Tickets included for all group activities: 3-4 plays at the National Theatre, Old Vic; special exhibits and admissions for any individual course components
Travelcards for the London Transport system included, giving you free travel on the Tube and buses for the whole 6 weeks
A welcoming orientation-week dinner for students and faculty
Traditional high afternoon tea
Wireless access and computer/printing facilities at student center across from classrooms/AIFS offices
Access to the University of London Union (ULU) fitness facilities, discounted pubs and cafes, university shop

Safety and Security features

24/7 access to local London staff trained in safety and security to assist in any emergency
Registration with the US Embassy
Access to the AIFS student center and local staff for advice, help, and planning for students and families
Assistance if traveling outside UK and trip registration for students and families
Supplemental medical/travel insurance available
Healthcare and medical assistance on-site
Literary London is an official workshop program overseen by Miami’s Office of Lifelong Learning

Costs

Tuition costs are set annually by MU and paid to Lifelong Learning. Program fees are invoiced professionally by AIFS in CT and paid in USD$. Different payment options available.

Summer 2012 tuition has been set by MU: $499/credit for in-state students and $819/credit for out-of-state students, plus a one-time $125 registration fee assessed by Lifelong Learning.
Program fees for Literary London 2012 will cover costs for the whole 6 weeks: living in fully equipped flats in central London, transportation within London, tickets to all events—theater plays, guided museum and site tours, guided themed walks, orientation events, group trips—and a welcoming orientation-week signature High Tea for all students and faculty. Fees exclude airfare, books, and non-group meals. Fees will lock in a price and not fluctuate for currency changes. Program fees for Literary London 2012 will cover a similar set of components and be approximately $4,500 depending on final enrollment—we offer an extremely good value for 6 weeks in London. We also have suggestions for helping you keep costs down.

Financing Study Abroad

Visit these sites regularly to stay aware of deadlines:

Study-abroad scholarships
Lifelong Learning Workshop Scholarship Application: Any matriculated Miami student (undergraduate or graduate) with a 2.5gpa or higher is eligible to apply. See the website for further details and instructions for 2012.
Advising on scholarships: Office of International Education, Richard Menard (Email menardro@muohio.edu)

Current Calendar

New course descriptions and applications for 2012 available NOW.
November 30, 2011: Priority deadline for applications, course selections, and deposit checks. See application further. After November 30, applications accepted on first-come, first-served basis.
February 2012: Come join us for an informal gathering on Tues., Feb. 14 at 4pm OR Wed., Feb 15 at 5pm, BAC.
February-March 2012: Registration for courses.
March 2012: Second informal gathering for new students and faculty.
April 2012: Orientation with AIFS London representatives and MU faculty. Required meeting. Parents/families invited to join.

Arrange for passports early since this can take several months. Need information? See “Forms and Useful Information” below.

Forms and Useful Information

Literary London 2012 applications, course descriptions, and course selections available here
Passport information
(Lifelong Learning accepts passport applications during business hours in MacMillan. Please note you must have *an official passport photo.* On-campus/local photo service information is available here.)
Information about designing an independent Thematic Sequence
Independent sequences are usually approved with our sponsorship

Getting to/Arriving in London

Program runs May 14–June 22; vacate apartments by June 23.
Arrival assistance for all students
Explore different options for student airfares over several months. We do not book group flights because they have not proven economical. You may also wish to depart from your home city, use frequent flyer miles, or opt for other travel plans before or after the program.
Pre- and post-program accommodations and travel assistance for students and families available

Literary London faculty and staff

General inquiries: please email literarylondon@muohio.edu

Director, Dr. Kaara L. Peterson, Literature, English Department
Assistant Director, Dr. Catherine Wagner, Creative Writing, English Department
Faculty alumni: please contact our alumni faculty who will happily talk to you about their past experiences teaching in the program

James Bromley, Literature: Shakespeare studies, Renaissance literature
Shakespeare and other EM courses (134, 450)
Margaret Luongo, Creative Writing: the Short Story
ENG 399: Writing Historical London
Patrick Murphy, Literature: Medieval and Anglo-Saxon studies (327)
Kaara Peterson, Literature: Shakespeare studies, Renaissance literature
Shakespeare and other EM courses (440, 490, 134)
David Schloss, Creative Writing: Fiction, Literature and Film Studies
ENG 399 and ENG 345: British Modernism c. 1900-40
Catherine Wagner, Creative Writing: Poetry
CW courses; ENG 490: Art and the Word: Ekphrastic and Visual Poetry

Student alumni: our alumni students can answer questions you might have about life in London

Heather Baumer (Business)
Michelle Kimutis (ENG Ed.; Spanish)
Alexander Knollenberg (Engineering; English)
John Luckoski (Creative Writing/Philosophy)
Kathryn Perry (Literature)
Amanda N. Rainey (Art/Zoology)
Alexandria Rogers (Theatre)
Simone Waller (Literature/Philosophy; Classics)

Places of Interest

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