What counts as “normal,”and who gets to decide? This course examines how definitions of mental illness and psychological abnormality vary across cultures, with a focus on British approaches past and present. Through site visits to places like the Bethlem Museum of the Mind, the Freud Museum, and Glenside Hospital Museum, students will explore how mental health has been understood, diagnosed, and treated in the UK. Conversations with local professionals provide insight into current practices, offering a thought-provoking lens on cultural differences in mental health care.

Explore the art of documentary filmmaking against the backdrop of some of England’s most recognizable film locations. This course combines production work with cultural context, as students create short videos while visiting sites in London, Bath, and Somerset. Alongside tours of places featured in films like Hot Fuzz, Bridgerton, and Willy Wonka, the course includes stops at the Cinema Museum and Warner Brothers Studios. Through collaborative projects and conversations with industry professionals, students gain insight into both the creative and technical sides of storytelling.

Long before true crime podcasts and documentaries, Georgian and Victorian England was gripped by dark tales of mystery and murder. In this course, you’ll dive into notorious cases like Jack the Ripper and the Thames Torso Murders, exploring how these stories reflect the fears and values of their time. With visits to the London True Crime Museum, the Metropolitan Police Archives, and guided crime walking tours, you’ll gain historical insights that deepen your literary analysis. The course also encourages thoughtful discussion about the ethics of telling stories that involve real violence and trauma.

Experience London as both backdrop and subject while exploring how theatre, music, and visual arts reflect and shape urban life. Attend a wide range of performances, from Shakespeare at the Globe to bold new productions in smaller venues, and connect what you see on stage to London’s broader cultural landscape. Visits to world-class museums, local galleries, and neighborhood arts spaces provide context for understanding how the city’s creative energy flows across time and disciplines. Through conversations with local artists and curated experiences across the city, you’ll examine how art and performance live within London’s streets, public spaces, and communities, revealing the dynamic relationship between culture and place.

Explore how London’s global culture shapes communication, from everyday interactions to public discourse. This course examines how values, identity, and interpretation influence cross-cultural exchanges. Visits to the British Museum, Westminster Abbey, the BBC, and the Houses of Parliament reveal how institutions, traditions, and media shape messages and their meanings. Through these experiences, students deepen their understanding of intercultural communication’s complexities and the challenges of navigating meaning in diverse social and political contexts, while reflecting on how communication evolves with cultural change and global connectivity.

Develop your photography skills while exploring London’s vibrant cultural landscape. This course offers personalized guidance for all skill levels as you build a portfolio that reflects your unique perspective. Photograph iconic landmarks like Big Ben and the London Eye, discover hidden corners of the city, and deepen your creative eye through visits to galleries and museums. A trip to rural Wiltshire, the birthplace of photography, provides historical context and inspiration. Alongside technical training, you’ll learn to capture stories through thoughtful composition, color, and light.

What happens when ethics intersect with medicine during moments of crisis and innovation? What rights do patients have? Why are doctor-patient relationships important? Examine these and other questions, including cloning, stem-cell research, and end-of-life care. Through visits in London such as the Old Operating Theatre, a cholera walking tour (don’t worry – it’s historical!), the Florence Nightingale Museum, and modern health care facilities, we’ll explore differences between US and UK approaches. We’ll visit the War Tunnels on a day trip to Dover and look at medical ethics during pivotal moments in British wartime history.

London’s art scene blends rich history with contemporary culture. This course visits major museums like the National Gallery, British Museum, and Tate Modern, alongside local galleries and neighborhoods where murals, street art, and performances animate public spaces. Students examine how art reflects the stories and identities of diverse communities, developing skills in interpreting visual storytelling that connects past and present. Through discussions, workshops, and site visits, they analyze how artists engage with social issues and contribute to cultural dialogue and change. The course also explores how art spaces and public art relate to community identity and urban development. By engaging with both historic and contemporary works, students gain a well-rounded understanding of London’s creative landscape as an evolving conversation.