Curriculum

While abroad, students are required to take 16 credits for the fall or spring semesters or 13 credits for the summer program (which may require pre- and post-program instruction). Within these credits, students have the potential to earn up to 6 internship credits, and interested students can also earn substantial credit toward a minor in British Communication and Media. For all terms, students are required to take a 1-credit University Studies course that is tied to the standard JMU calendar. 

The Semester in London academic program includes courses, outings, and internships. All courses meet twice a week, once in a classroom and once on an outing. Our professors take their students to the source to learn about London by experiencing London. Outings include visits to museums, galleries, theatre performances, important historical and political sites in London, and other relevant sites. You may join most classes on their weekly outings, even if you're not enrolled in that class.

 

Internships in London

The JMU Semester in London program offers students the unique opportunity to complete an internship overseas.

Partnered with Anglo Educational Services (AES), JMU is able to offer students placements in one of more than 200 professional sites in London. Positions are widely varied and available in nearly every field. This option allows students to build essential life and career skills while experiencing the British lifestyle firsthand. Students can earn up to six internship credits!

After participating in these carefully planned and closely supervised practical studies experiences, students return to the United States with a clearer view of their place in the world, a deeper understanding of other cultures and a stronger sense of where their skills and talents can take them.

 

Minor in British Communications

The interdisciplinary British Communication and Media Minor enables students to expand their knowledge of communication and media in Great Britain, and to enhance their appreciation of the impact culture has on communication and media. Students must participate in JMU’s Semester or Summer In London program to complete this minor. The minor requires at least 18 credit hours, chosen from courses offered both at JMU and in London. Students may double count a maximum of 6 credit hours towards both a major and this minor. 
Click here to access the course requirements for this minor.

For further details, contact program director, Amy Paugh at 540-568-7932 or paughal@jmu.edu. This program does not work for all majors, so please talk to your advisor and director Paugh for individualized curricular advice. 

  

Courses

ARTH 316: Masterpieces of British Art
Survey of painting and sculpture in Britain (1530 to 1860) concentrating on 18th and 19th-century painting. British art is viewed in the context of European civilization. Weekly visits to London museums, including the Portrait Gallery, Sir John Soane's House, the Wallace Collection and the Tate Gallery. Satisfies GenEd Area: Arts and Humanities, Visual and Performing Arts. (included in the Incoming First Year program).
Credits: 3
Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

ENG 412N / HUM 200L / THEA 449: The London Theater
Study of London theatre. Consideration given to current productions of classic and contemporary works. Emphasis on production elements including acting, directing, design, writing and economic considerations. Note: HUM2 00L satisfies Gened Area: Arts and Humanities, Literature. To receive this GENED credit student must register for the course as HUM 200L. You may not receive credit for both HUM 200L and Theatre 449. (included in the Incoming First Year program).
Credits: 3
Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

POSC 371L / SCOM 472L / SMAD 472L: Topics in Comparative Politics: British Media and Politics
A study of the media's role in political campaigns, concentrating on past/present elections, the media's role in covering political parties and coverage of the governing process. Discussion of electronic and print media will occur. Topics to be examined include campaign videos, CSPAN, political ads, editorial cartoons, TV debates, convention coverage and radio talk show commentary.
Credits: 3
Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

SCOM 347L: Communication, Diversity & Popular Culture
Study of the rhetorical dimension of communication practices and texts found in popular culture. Emphasis on issues of diversity as they are manifested in the communication practices found in popular culture. Emphasis on strategic communication choices in a diverse, multicultural world. Emphasis on critical thinking, self-reflexivity and communication analysis.
Credits: 3
Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

SMAD 301L / SCOM 351 / WRTC 351L / ARTH 389: Culture by Design (Visual Rhetoric)
Study of how mediated communication molds perception and influences cultural change. Emphasis on how language and imagery, sound and music are combined in current media to create meaning. Consideration of emerging media and their implications for cultural design.
Credits: 3
Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

SMAD 360L / SCOM 360L / HUM 251L / WRTC 360L: British Media and Society / Modern Perspectives: British Media and Society
Study the history, nature, and impact of mass media in the United Kingdom. Emphasis on the impact modern media has on society, and society has on media. Consideration of similarities and differences in mass media in the United States and Great Britain. Consideration of the relationship between mass media and the arts. Focus on 20th century mass media in London, one of the world's pre-eminent and most influential media centers. All variations of this course satisfy the GenEd Area: Arts and Humanities, Human Questions and Contexts (included in the Incoming First Year program).
Credits: 3
Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

SMAD 463L / ENG 463L / SCOM 395: Film Adaptations
The study of the process of adapting literature into feature films. Consideration is given to the original literary work, as well as to the changes undergone in its adaptation to film.
Credits: 3
Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

IDLS 486: Field Internship
This internship and seminar provides students with opportunities to experience life in London from the perspective of an individual working within an organization. Students are placed in agencies and workplaces in London; they participate in a concurrent seminar in which they are mentored by a faculty member and prepared for situations they will encounter in their work setting. Students who complete these internships will return home with a unique internship portfolio that documents their learning successes. All London internships will be arranged by Anglo Educational Services (AES) and will include IDLS 486. Students wishing to satisfy departmental internship requirements much check with that department for approval and inform the Director of the Semester in London Program. There will be an additional fee of $600 billed to students who take this course.
Credits: 3
Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

IDLS 486: Internship and Field Experience
This internship and seminar provides students with opportunities to experience life in London from the perspective of an individual working within an organization. Students are placed in agencies and workplaces in London; they participate in a concurrent seminar in which they are mentored by a faculty member and prepared for situations they will encounter in their work setting. Students who complete these internships will return home with a unique internship portfolio that documents their learning successes. All London internships will be arranged by Anglo Educational Services (AES) and will include IDLS 486. Students wishing to satisfy departmental internship requirements much check with that department for approval and inform the Director of the Semester in London Program. There will be an additional fee of $600 billed to students who take this course.
Credits: 6
Offered: Fall, Spring

UNST 390: Special Studies in University Studies
This 1-credit course, in which all Semester in London students enroll, encourages critical engagement with London and the broader UK environments. Students reflect on the meaning of their study abroad experience and its relationship to their academic, professional, and personal development. This course is tied to the standard JMU term dates and may require pre- and post-program instruction.
Credits: 1
Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

WRTC 103: Critical Reading and Writing
Fosters reflective, critical reading, writing, and research in public discourse, culture, humanities, technology, and science. Challenges students to consider cross disciplinary modes of inquiry through multiple genres with an attention to enlightened, global citizenship. Emphasizes revising for rhetorical effectiveness. WRTC 103 fulfills the General Education Area: Madison Foundations, Writing, and is a prerequisite for all WRTC courses numbered 200 or above. May be used for general education credit. May not be used for major credit. (included in the Incoming First Year Program).
Credits: 3
Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Independent Study:
You may take an independent study, in your major, under the supervision of a JMU faculty member and with the approval of the Semester in London Program Director.
Credits: 3
Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer