The London Olympics Experience

Summer 2012: July 25 to August 13 (tentative dates)

Program Location

This program will take place in greater London. Students will live in fully furnished apartments in JMU's Madison House, home of JMU's Semester in London, located in central London. Classes will be held nearby, at Florida State University’s London study center. Students will participate in daily excursions to relevant sites, organizations, and cultural events associated with the London Olympics.

Academic Program  

The London Olympics Experience will immerse students in the life of the 2012 London Olympics games, and the impact these games have on the life, economy, and culture of London. This program will focus on three aspects of the Olympics: how the media presents the Olympics, the impact of the Olympics on the life of London, and the London Cultural Olympiad, an international cultural celebration that will run concurrent to the games. Beginning with the Opening Ceremony and continuing through the Closing Ceremony, students will engage in daily excursions, tours and visits, and will regularly attend cultural performances and events associated with the international London 2012 Cultural Olympiad occurring during the Olympic games. Performing artists and companies from across the globe will descend onto London for a unique creative festival. It is not possible to include any competitive sporting events in this program, because tickets for all events have been sold out for months. However, students will be given the opportunity to acquire individual tickets while in London. Students will enroll in six credits; all students will enroll in The London Cultural Olympiad, which will meet in the afternoon and evenings; students will also select either The Impact of Olympic Games on Culture, Commercialism and Community, or The Media and The Olympics, which will meet in the mornings and early afternoons.

These classes will all include classroom (lecture, discussion, presentation) and contextual learning activities (visits to relevant sites, organizations, cultural events, etc.) Students will be assessed by a combination of essay, relevant projects, and exams.

Classes will be held at Florida State University’s London study center, conveniently located near the students’ residence. No partnerships or affiliations are planned for this program.

Tentative course offerings:

• THEA 303- Experiencing the London Cultural Olympiad (3) (Required)
• SMAD 398/SCOM 395/KIN 490/WRTC 320- The Media and The Olympics (3)
• IDLS 391- Impact of Olympic Games on Culture, Commercialism and Community (3)
  Note: Other credit options may be possible.

Accommodations

Students will receive a weekly food stipend, and will be able to shop locally and cook in their own apartments. Madison House provides free wireless internet, and the program will provide students with cell phones while participating in the program.

Students will need a passport but will not need a visa. No immunizations or background checks are required.

Program Costs

For the current projected costs for this program, please click on the following link to the Fees for JMU Study Abroad Programs page.

Application

Interested students must complete the application, submit an essay stating why you want to participate in this program, and a faculty recommendation letter.

A 2.00 minimum GPA is also required.

For more detailed instructions and to download the application, please click on the following link to the Applications and Forms section for JMU Short-Term Programs.
For More Information

For additional information about the JMU Olympics Program iin London, please contact the program directors:

Rustin Greene
Professor
School of Media Arts and Design   
E-mail:  greenerp@jmu.edu
Tel: 540-568-7806

Maggie Burkhart Evans
Director of Residence Life
E-mail:  evansmb@jmu.edu
Tel: 540-568-6275