Engagement Details
Study Abroad: Postcolonial London
What to Expect
Study Abroad Location:
London, United Kingdom
Program Dates:
5/14/23-5/18/23
Course Description:
The learning objectives of this experience include learning about immigration and refugee issues in Europe and the UK in terms of culture and policy. Students will identify trends and themes in the transnational history of London and its relationship to empire and colonialism and will apply knowledge of these trends and themes to experiences in London. Students will learn about the influences of migration on London cultural sites and practices such as architecture, literature, food, football, and theater and will create and lead guided learning experiences for the class that engage themes from readings.
We'll learn about the influence of immigration and globalization on concepts of national identity and national and transnational histories, about how museums create and represent cultural identities, and about how museums negotiate the legacies of colonialism and imperialism.
London is an ideal program destination for discussing immigration and refugee issues because it is a hub for refugee centers, nonprofit organizations, and scholarship related to these issues. Our itinerary includes a visit to Oxfam to discuss global poverty alleviation, a guest lecture at Oxford University to discuss refugee rights and resettlement, and a visit to London's Migration Museum.
London's rich multiculturalism also makes it a great place to discuss the contributions and influence of immigrant communities on the food cultures and built environments of urban spaces, creating opportunities for students to visit neighborhoods and markets that reflect historic and growing immigrant communities in the city. Finally, London is an ideal location for discussing contemporary conversations about decolonizing museums because it is home to a great deal of museums, which are free and contain many artifacts from Britain's former colonies.
Other educational activities in this trip include: going to a football match and discussing the role of immigrants and refugees in British football culture, meeting with scholars from the Centre for Postcolonial Studies at Goldsmiths, University of London, and visiting the National Library to explore their post-colonial collections with their education team.
Term: Summer
Participation Instructions: See program requirements to determine student eligibility.