Semester Gateway: London Pre-Sessional

British Cultures in Context

Quick Look

Academics: 3-week pre-semester program in London for students directly enrolling in U.K. university semesters.
Course: British Cultures in Context
Dates: September or January

Prior to the start of the standard British autumn or spring term, students convene in London at FIE’s South Kensington Study Center for an intensive course with a focus on the complex British political and cultural landscape. With extensive co-curricular excursions around the city, students will experience London through a rigorous academic lens.

FIE works with both U.S.- and U.K.-based institutions for Semester Gateway enrollments.

What Our Current Partners Say

“FIE offers a student facing and focused experience, and although they offer many programmes, each student is treated as an individual in a supporting environment. This is extremely important to the study abroad office at Swansea University who strive to achieve the same goal, hence we have no hesitation in promoting the London Experience as a pre-sessional prior to the autumn/spring academic sessions commencing at Swansea. The staff, at all levels, are professional and approachable.”
– Angela Jones, Study Abroad Office Coordinator, Swansea University

The Course: British Cultures in Context

This course will consider issues which have become central to British political and cultural debate, including an examination of how effectively parliamentary democracy operates as seen from the perspective of the constituent parts making up the United Kingdom.  An experiential approach will combine seminars and fieldwork to examine how successfully London fulfils its role as a governmental, cultural and economic capital within the UK.

Past Co-curricular Field Excursions

  • British Museum
  • Inns of Course
  • Fleet Street
  • The City
  • Museum of London
  • Parliament
  • East End
  • 2012 Olympic Site
  • Brick Lane
  • South Bank
  • Tate Modern Museum
  • Imperial War Museum
  • Westminster Abbey

Student Learning Outcomes

  • An understanding of the different perceptions of Welsh, English, British and European identities that operate within the UK framework
  • An overview of the historical processes that shaped Britain in the imperial age and that continue to resonate in the UK today
  • Familiarity with current debate and policies on inclusivity rather than exclusivity

Assessment

  • 25% for three essay-style question responses
  • 25% for a visual presentation
  • 25% for a 1,000-word essay paper
  • 25% for a final exam

 

Pre-Sessional Publication