English Theater, Literature, and Art in London

Literature, theater, and the arts flourish in London. The city has an incomparably rich literary and cultural past and present, and is arguably the world’s pre-eminent city for theater.  The goal of the London program is to immerse Carleton students in this rich milieu, taking-in and making use of the city itself as a visual text and an historical phenomenon in order to enrich their understanding of English literature and culture.

DIRECTOR

David Wiles, Associate Professor of Theater

David is Chair of the Department of Theater and Dance at Carleton. He teaches courses in acting, voice, dramatic literature and directs Carleton Players productions. He is an actor and has authored articles on acting theory.

PREREQUISITES

The seminar is open to students of any major at Carleton. Participants are urged, prior to the start of the program, to take any 100-level English course.

OVERVIEW

Literature, theater, and the arts flourish in London. The city has an incomparably rich literary and cultural past and present, and is arguably the world’s pre-eminent city for theater. The goal of the London program is to immerse Carleton students in this rich milieu, taking-in and making use of the city itself as a visual text and an historical phenomenon in order to enrich their understanding of English literature and culture.

COURSE OF STUDY: 16 CREDITS

ENGLISH 286: After Sunset: British Fiction, Film and Drama 1945-1989 (6 Credits)

Great Britain in the years after 1945 experienced a transition from its status as the world’s greatest empire and preeminent naval power to that of a junior partner of an ascendant United States during the Cold War. That shift in power was reflected in works that appeared on stage, in print, and on film and television screens as Britain divested itself of its colonies, worked to transform itself socially and recover from the damage of two World Wars. Students will explore Britain’s views of itself as reflected in its fiction as it looked back, looked inward and looked anew at its people, institutions, history, and the influx of immigrants from its former colonies. The work of Beckett, Churchill, Kureishi, Lessing, Osborne, Rushdie, and others, viewed through a post-imperial lens will help us to create a sense of life after the country’s postwar transformation.
Instructor: David Wiles

ENGLISH 282: London Theater (6 Credits)

Students will attend productions of classic and contemporary plays in London and perhaps Stratford-on-Avon (about two per week) and do related reading. Class discussions will focus on dramatic genres and themes, production and direction decisions,acting styles, and design. Possible guest speakers may include actors, critics, and directors.  Students will keep a theater journal and develop several entries into full reviews of plays. Instructor: Jane Edwardes, former Theater editor for Time Out [London]

ENGLISH 278: Imperial Britain: Then and Now (4 Credits, S/CR/NC)

A combination of talks, background readings and guided site visits will give students perspectives on British culture and history as its Empire developed, flourished and as the country transitioned to its modern day status as a major artistic and financial center. Students will develop a sense of the shifting political, social and economic forces as they relate to our studies.
Instructor: Local Faculty

HOUSING

Students will stay in double, triple or quadruple rooms at Pickwick Hall, 7 Bedford Place, London WCIB 5JE, conveniently located in Bloomsbury, near the British Museum and within walking distance of a number of London theaters.  Students will have breakfast at the hostel and eat lunch and dinner on their own with an allowance provided by the program.  The hotel includes a common kitchen, laundry facilities, and a lounge with two computers and high-speed internet access.

CLASS SCHEDULE

Classes will meet Monday through Thursday mornings in a seminar room at the Swedenborg Society, a short walk from Pickwick Hall. Field trips to London sites and museums will occupy some afternoons as well.  London theater performances will be scheduled for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and/or Thursday evenings. Students are expected to attend all classes and performances and all scheduled group trips.

EXCURSIONS

In addition to frequent class meetings at London museums, historic houses, and other sites of literary and historical interest, group excursions will likely include trips to sites associated with the British Empire’s role as a dominant commercial and military power, including one or more major port cities, other sites relevant to our readings, and a theater focused trip to Stratford-on-Avon. There will be a mid-term break that will allow time for individual travel. Students may also wish to travel independently before or after the program as well as on weekends when group travel is not planned.

EXPENSES

Carleton’s 2012-2013 comprehensive fee covers room and board, all program-related theater and museum tickets, and group-travel while in England. Many incidental expenses are also included. Students are responsible for books, their own transportation to and from London, personal travel in England and beyond, and all additional personal expenses. Estimates for minimum expenses beyond airfare run from $400 to $500.  Student financial aid is applicable as on campus.

See the Off-Campus Studies Office or website athttp://go.carleton.edu/ocs for further information regarding work study contracts, loans, and other subjects related to financial aid.

APPLICATIONS

Application are still being accepted, and are available from the Office of Off-Campus Studies, Leighton 119 or online at http://go.carleton.edu/ocs. Please turn applications in to Professor Wiles in Weitz 213.

If you have immediate questions about courses, please email David Wiles, dwiles@carleton.edu.  Other questions may be addressed to the Off-Campus Studies Office.