Twenty-Third Annual London Study Tour
January 1-12, 2008
Theatre 497H (Spring 2008)
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-fourth year! To guarantee an honors-quality academic experience, the LST will be limited to twenty students. Prof. Bob Leonard 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 performances: some will be purchased in advance by the instructor, and others will be selected by participants from a wide range of choices. We will see plays presented by two of the great theatre companies of the world—the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal National Theatre. London’s commercial West End theatres offer a stunning variety of classic and contemporary plays and musicals. The London "Fringe" theatres offer avant-garde possibilities.
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. Special attention, of course, will be given to the history of the London stage, and its contemporary venues. Past LSTs have included guided tours of the British Museum, Westminster Abbey, the Restored Globe Theatre, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the National Gallery, Greenwich’s Old Royal Observatory, and the Victoria and Albert Museum. Please keep in mind that the exact list of tour activities may change between now and December.
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
Enrollment: Students accepted for the LST will enroll for 3 credits of Theatre 497H for spring semester 2008. 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. Durst 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 after returning to Penn State. The essay, which will be due the Monday following spring break, will be inspired in some way by your London experience, exploring a subject in theatre or drama from a historical, literary, or analytical point of view. Your topic should be based on consultations with the instructor.
Trip Information
Travel Arrangements (tentative):
Tuesday, January 1, 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.
Saturday, January 12, 2008: Depart London and arrive in Philadelphia
the same day.
Accommodations: We will stay in attractive and well-maintained townhouses 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 $1,300 per student. This low 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 may offer small scholarships to scholars with demostrated financial need (as determined by the office of Student Aid).
Full payment of the student component is due Monday, October 15, 2007.
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, but there are options for every budget.
Application Process
We expect to receive more applications than we can accommodate for the LST. Acceptance will be based on the quality of the application essay. The essay should reflect your best writing—about 750-1000 words—and should explain your motivations, aspirations, and expectations in participating in the London Study Tour. You may be contacted for a phone interview during the selection process. You must be a Schreyer Scholar in good standing to apply!
Please send essay along with the information below to:
Schreyer Honors College
Attention: London Study Tour
The Pennsylvania State University
10 Schreyer Honors College
University Park, PA 16802-3905
If you are visiting our office, we are located in C-4 Atherton
Hall.
You can also submit the essay electronically (as a Word attachment,
or as plain text within your message), to rjs27@psu.edu.
Application deadline is 5:00 p.m. on
Monday, September 24, 2007
Applicants will be notified by Friday, September 28.
Be sure to include the required information below!
Name
Student ID
Local Address
Local Phone
Home Address (where you'd be coming from on January 1)
Home Phone
Semester Standing
Major(s)/minor(s)
For additional information, please contact Dr. Richard Stoller at the above address or by email at rjs27@psu.edu.
