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Course OfferingsStudents take a total of four classes comprising of two required courses (a key course and an experiential education course) and two courses from the elective classes.
Note: MGMT 80 can only satisfy the Core Cultures & Ideas 3 requirement if it is completed on the SCU campus.
REQUIRED COURSESStudents can choose from one of the following four key courses:
British Life & Cultures (INTL 110)
This course serves as the anchor of a study program in London, offering students an opportunity to place what they are learning in their other courses into a larger, contemporary context. It also enables students to appreciate more of what they observe during their stay in Britain. British Life & Culture presents a clear and structured background to the social, political and cultural institutions of contemporary Britain. Britain, and London in particular, can no longer be regarded as an historical anomaly based on good theater, famous museums, historical theme parks and stately buildings. The nation is experiencing rapid and exciting changes in its identity and in its relationship with Europe and the rest of the world. The course explores the new Britain through a unique balance between classroom instruction by British faculty and guest speakers from all walks of public life, and guided visits to places of both historical and contemporary significance. (Note: this course does NOT fulfill an Upper Division Comm. Elective).
Students can also choose from the experiential education courses:
London Internship (INTL 119)
(Required for Fall Internship Option students)
Based on academic background, personal interests, qualifications, and professional goals participants in the SCU London program are interviewed and (if qualified) placed in a community-based, internship placement in and around London. An international internship at FIE is a pre-professional, field-based experience coupled with academic analysis and reflection. It is an educational experience whose goals are to develop professional and cultural skills and provide personal and career awareness. It is an experience through which students can begin to apply classroom theory to practice. An international internship provides an opportunity to experience working life in another country, and challenges pre-conceived notions of cultures and of the professional world.
(Fulfills COMM 198 for Communication majors; Updated: January 22, 2010 - This course is NOT Approved to fulfill FNCE 198 for Finance Majors)
London Service Internship
(Required for Fall Service Internship Option students)
Classroom based seminars that allow students the opportunity to build on their workplace experience through reflection, discussion and analysis. Seminars address topics such as dealing with expectations, the realities of service internship, global citizenship, social responsibility and intercultural sensitivity. Placement with a host organization that is working toward social goals and can support the learning objectives inherent in a service internship.
Please note when planning your academic schedule that every effort will be made to give participants their preferred classes. Courses may be canceled due to low enrollment.
British Politics (POLI 149L)
This is an introductory course on contemporary British politics, and therefore requires no previous political science requirement. The overall objective of the course is to provide the students in a systematic fashion with the basic understanding of the system of government and the political process in Britain, as well as the socio-historical processes that have shaped modern Britain. These include the Monarchy, the Parliament, political parties, the Prime Minister, political ideology, and political culture; are among topics discussed in this course. Throughout the course, comparisons with American politics and society will be made as a point of reference to provide the student with a better framework for understanding British politics. (5 units)
(Fulfills Upper Division Electives for Political Science majors)
(Approved as Upper Division Comparative Politics and meets the requirement for Political Science majors)
(Fulfills Democracy Pathway requirement)
Contemporary British Theater (THTR 111)
This course introduces students to a variety of texts, performances and theatrical venues that reflect the vitality of contemporary British theatre. London has around one hundred theatres, of which fifteen are occupied by subsidised companies. Large commercial theatres can be found in the West End offering a variety of light entertainment, musicals and comedies. Off-West End productions may feature plays with more individual themes. The most innovative and experimental work is usually found in the 'fringe' theatres. This course will try and offer a 'taste' of all these modes of production, and a consideration of state subsidy for theatre within a critical framework. Students will be expected to analyse and comment critically upon various shows in performance.
(Fulfills Theater & Dance elective)
Ecology, Environment and Economics: Market Forces and Sustainability (ECON 199L)
The protection and sustainable management of the natural environment is an area of growing concern across the globe. It is widely recognized that most environmental problems, whether small-scale or global, are the result of a complex interaction of natural processes with economic forces and decisions. The course examines the continuing conflict between market forces and environmental integrity and explains how economic theory views the relationship between economic activity and the natural world. Examples of local, regional, national, and international issues are presented and discussed. The course will give students an opportunity to develop a critical understanding of the different ways in which economic decisions, market forces, and government policies can affect environment. Suitable internship required.
(ECON 199L fulfills a requirement for the Sustainability Pathway in the Core.)
(ECON 199L is also an elective in Economics, listed as independent study.)
Ethical Dilemmas: Business and the World (PHIL 199L)
The course seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of corporate social responsibility where companies integrate social and environmental concerns into their business practice. The course also traces the rise of corporate social responsibility in Europe and explores the evolving relationship between business practice and wider society. It looks at the emergence of international standards and codes of conduct and examines whether these influence business practice. In addition, the course considers whether managers should be responsible not only to company shareholders, but also to others. The course also evaluates the impact of ethical consumption, fair-trade initiatives and climate change policy. Finally, in light of London's importance as an international financial center, the course considers the role of ethics in finance, investment and banking.
(Fulfills Applied Ethics Pathway requirement)
Ethical Leadership (PHIL 3BL)
In this course, students learn the interconnectedness of leadership and ethics. We examine the ethical background of what leaders are, what they do, and how they do it. Students assess the public and private morality of leaders, the moral obligations of leaders and followers, the ways in which leaders shape the moral environment of their environments, and the temptations of power. This course looks at how leaders convey values through their actions (and inactions), language, and their power and influence as role models. The course aims to expand students' moral point of view by first considering personal ethics, then moving on to look at leadership and the common good, and finishing with an examination of ethics in a global community.
(Fulfills core Ethics and for the Ethics pathway).
Food, Society and Culture in Britain (ANTH 91)
(currently not offered)
Bangers and mash? Bubble and squeak? What is British cuisine and how has it changed from wartime to the present? Have negative stereotypes of British cuisine been replaced by a new food culture of focused on celebrity chefs, ethical choices and a new-found best of British pride? Or, do fast-rising rates of obesity, childhood diabetes and dependency on supermarkets and ready meals tell a different story?
Using a multi-disciplinary approach, this course examines the critical issues in food
today and the interconnectedness of food, culture and society in modern Britain. The rich and multicultural heritage of London provides a multitude of opportunities to explore the issues herein and use our senses to taste, smell and see the food cultures of this dynamic city.
(Fulfills ANTH 91)
Fundamentals of Finance (FNCE 121)
The course seeks to introduce students to fundamental concepts in corporate finance and provide an understanding of basic financial calculations. The course also aims to provide a basis for further studies related to managerial responsibilities and financial markets.
(Fulfills FNCE 121 for business majors)
Global Marketing (MKTG 178L)
This course explores the decision-making process in the marketing of products and services in the international marketplace. It covers the formulation of key elements in international marketing strategy, such as the identification and assessment of potential markets, the design of appropriate products and services, the setting of prices, and the promotion and distribution of products and services, all within the constraints of particular cultural, economic, and political, and legal contexts.
(Counts towards Upper Division Marketing Elective requirement for marketing majors.)
(Updates 2/26/2010 - MKTG 178L fulfills the MKTG 178 requirement for business majors. Students who repeat the MKTG 178 course on campus may not receive credit for it.)
History of Britain, 1815 to Present (HIST 139L)
This course will examine the key political, social, and cultural developments that make up the remarkable story of Britain from 1815 to the present time. Students will develop an awareness of the main and evolving frameworks of British society, an understanding of Britain's changing place in the world, and an ability to critically analyze simple primary historical sources.
(Fulfills History Elective)
History of Modern Design (ARTH 133)
This course examines the products of applied design during the past 150 years, including examples of furnishings, industrial design, fashion, and graphic design, in relation to demand, technology and production, standards, fine art, social reform, and the dynamics of consumption.
(Fulfills Upper Division Art History requirements)
(Fulfills Beauty Pathway requirement)
International Diplomacy (POLI 127)
(Full semester; Available only to Peace & Conflict Resolution students)
This course will cover in some detail the work of diplomatic missions in the execution of foreign policy and their organization to accomplish that work. Course objectives include explaining the activities of the various sections and agencies that compose diplomatic missions in order to improve understanding of the role of diplomacy in advancing national and international interests, to highlight the different skills and professions engaged in "diplomatic" work, and to show the services and assistance that citizens, companies and other organizations can expect to obtain from diplomatic missions. The experience will be that of missions based in London and selected locations in mainland Europe.
(Fulfills a Political Science elective)
International Trade (MGMT 80L)
The course is designed to enable the students to understand the critical importance of the role of multinational decision-making and strategy with respect to trade issues. It examines major issues in international trade and commercial policy and uses real-world applications to derive and illustrate models of international trade. The course covers rationales and benefits of international trade, protectionism, the political economy of commercial policy, international trade and development, and economic integration and world trade.
(Updates 11/17/2014 - fulfills the MGMT 80 requirement for business majors and starting fall 2014 also fulfills Core C&I 3 requirement for all undergraduates.)
Investigation of a Global City (SOCI 193)
(Full semester; Available only to Peace & Conflict Resolution Option students)
This is a trans-disciplinary, thematic, and academically rigorous interdisciplinary seminar. It combines challenging classroom learning and field learning. The overall focus is on the nature of the global city and what this means for understanding globalization and the lived experience in a diverse urban environment. It includes an exploration of the key economic, political, social and cultural processes that have shaped and consolidated London as an archetypal global city. In addition to readings, lectures, student presentations and other in-class learning, this seminar is supplemented by educational excursions that help students understand the globalization of the city. Examples of possible field locations include Spitalfields, Hoxton, the Docklands, and the London Transport Museum.
Media in Britain (COMM 199)
This course will explore British media organisations as social, economic and cultural entities and will examine specific determinants and processes of production. Areas of study will include broadcasting and the film industry, the press and the 'convergent' new media of digital television and the Internet.
(Fulfills Communication Upper Division Elective)
Music in 20th Century Britain (MUSC 115)
(Fall Quarter and Spring Semester)
This course will examine a wide range of musical styles important in twentieth century Britain. We will consider music-making from diverse settings: the South London Anglo-Caribbean community to "Madchester" all-night parties; rural folk clubs to West-End Variety shows; and coal-mine brass bands to art-house cinema. We will examine the nature of the musical material; the forms and the instrumentation; and the cultural, political and economic context in which it was created. Students will attend shows related to the course material.
(Fulfills Music elective)
Peace and Conflict Resolution (POLI 127L)
Students in this course will examine conflict and peace at various levels, linking local and global issues, through critical thinking and interdisciplinary approaches. Because a large part of peacemaking involves the appreciation of human diversity, the course will focus on multi-cultures, and matters of difference related to religion, gender, race, ethnicity, and socio-economic class. The overall aim of this course is to provide the students with a set of conceptual tools through which to evaluate and understand contemporary issues in peace and conflict resolution and combine philosophical inquiry, historical knowledge, critical analysis and experiential learning in the course of empowering students for a citizenship of peace with social justice.
(Fulfills Public Policy Pathway requirement)
Shakespeare and Elizabethan Literature (ENGL 118L)
In this course students will study a selection from the work of William Shakespeare in relation to Elizabethan culture and the wider literary traditions of renaissance drama. The plays that we study will be considered both as texts that reflect the preoccupations of both sixteenth century writers and their audience and as plays alive in performance.
(Fulfills Renaissance and/or 17th century requirement)
Social Psychology in the Global Context (PSYC 150L)
(Fall, Spring Semester)
The world in the 21st century is an increasingly smaller place, where social psychology is a global phenomenon by necessity. Communication between people and the societies they belong to is increasingly virtual and instantaneous. Boundaries between nations and continents have becoming increasingly permeable. This course will familiarize students with concepts in social psychology in the context of the 21st century global community, focusing in particular on the way in which different societies around the world manage international concerns and issues.
(Fulfills PSYC 150 requirement for Psychology majors/minors.)
Social Welfare Issues in the United Kingdom (SOCI 193L)
The object of this course is to introduce participants to the historical and conceptual framework within which social welfare provision has developed in the U.K. In addition, comparative perspectives on U.S. and U.K. practice will be developed: contrasting notions of "philanthropy" will be analyzed. The contrast between Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal in the 1930's and the Welfare State in post-war Britain will serve to exemplify historical similarities and distinctions between the two national approaches. This course is intended to explore current issues in social welfare provision particularly in the non-profit, non-governmental sector.
(Fulfills Upper Division elective requirements for Sociology Majors)
(Fulfills Human Rights in a Global World Pathway)
Strategic Brand Management (MKTG 186L)
The Economic Integration of the European Union (POLI 119L)
The course will provide a comprehensive examination of the processes of European economic integration, and offers a critical analysis of EU policies in their broader political/economic context. The course also focuses on the external dimension of Europe in the global economy.
(Fulfills upper-division requirement of International Relations for the Political Science major / minor and the International Studies Minor; Also counts as an Upper Division Economics elective for Economics majors).
Theology and Communication (COMM 175A) [Visiting Faculty Led Course]
Do the practices of communication have any consequences for theology? We know that St. Paul claims that "faith comes from hearing" and that Christian theology has taken communicative expression seriously throughout the centuries. This course examines how theology has used communication, how it has evaluated communication, how communication contributes to theology, and how new communication technologies have a contemporary impact on theological and religious practices. Examines a variety of communication expressions (art, music, poetry, television programs, films, web sites) as religious expressions; students will create their own theological expression using some contemporary medium. Taught by Fr. Paul Soukup, SJ from the Communications Department. COMM 175 is a distance learning course. The instructor will be on-site for initial class meetings, with lecture, discussion, and assignments continuing via the internet throughout the term.
(Fulfills Core RTC 2 requirement - please note that only ONE CORE Religious Studies course may be fulfilled while abroad)
(Fulfills Communication Major List A requirement)
Transnational Studies - Global Diaspora (SOCI 193L)
The course will be a study of Britons from multi-ethnic backgrounds, who have evolved from diaspora communities into multicultural ethnicities. The strobe will be on London, a "global city" where much of the debate focuses on these transnational communities that inhabit the capital, the unique mixture of cultural assets and beliefs, and the consequent challenging inequalities. The study will include the Black community, Chinese and South Asians, and religions in the global diasporas –Jewish, Islamic & Sikh.
(Fulfills Upper Division elective requirements for Sociology Majors)
(Fulfills Core Cultures & Ideas 3 requirement)
Understanding Civilizations: Islam and the West (RSOC 22)
This course aims to introduce North American college students to the religion and culture of Islam and how these relate to the Western world (centred on Europe and North America). The course adopts an historical approach, charting developments in the Middle East since the rise of Islam, and contextualising the current relationship between 'Islam' and the 'West'. A number of key issues are addressed in order to examine and challenge stereotypes and demystify 'the Other.'
This course includes a tour of Istanbul. More info.
(Fulfills CORE RTC 2 requirement - please note that only ONE CORE Religious Studies course may be fulfilled while abroad).