JOUR 596 is a three-week Maymester course where students and faculty will explore the dynamic sports environment of the United Kingdom in the iconic cities of London and Edinburgh. The course is open to all majors, but it’s a particularly valuable opportunity for Sports Media majors to learn how international sports organizations create content, work with sponsors, and engage with fans.

In London, we’ll go on-site at Tottenham Football Club, Wimbledon’s All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Twickenham Rugby Club and Lord’s Cricket Ground. In Edinburgh, we’ll check out rugby at Murrayfield Stadium, and take to the playing fields at the Gamecock Highland Games. We’ll also have a trip out to St. Andrews to explore the Old Course. Bonus: We’ll also follow the Harry Potter trail in both cities, visiting famous filming locations.

See it. Live it. Tell it.

The level of sophistication in communication is rising, requiring sports organizations, media companies, and sponsors to use multiple platforms to reach audiences.

No traditional classrooms here! This class is taught in stadiums, studios, and historic streets. Recent research shows that nearly half of U.S. employers want new hires with international exposure — this is your chance.

What’s the class?

The class is open to 25-30 students. 

• Counts as a CIC/SJMC elective (confirm with your advisor).
• Prerequisites: None
• Who can go? All USC undergraduates and graduate students are welcome, with priority to journalism, sports media, PR, visual communications, and Sport & Entertainment Management.

Are there language barriers?

No foreign language skills are required. While accents and slang vary in the UK, part of the learning experience is adapting to new communication styles.

During the trip, you’ll:

• Tour Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and explore fan engagement, sponsorship and stadium innovation.
• Tour Wimbledon and examine sponsorships with IBM, Rolex and others.
• Visit Lord’s Cricket Ground, including the Media Centre and MCC Museum.
• Tour Twickenham and Murrayfield, the homes of English and Scottish rugby.
• Visit St Andrews and the Old Course and explore golf history and sports tourism.
• Go behind the scenes at the Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour to explore film production and visual storytelling.
• Explore Harry Potter sites in Edinburgh, including Diagon Alley inspirations and Tom Riddle’s Grave.
• Visit Edinburgh Castle and connect with faculty and students at the University of Edinburgh (pending confirmation).
• Develop photography and visual storytelling skills throughout London and Edinburgh.
• Compete in the Gamecock Highland Games — a fun take on traditional Scottish Highland Games.

Trip program costs: $3,600 (estimated)

Includes:

• Hotel accommodations
• Daily breakfasts (London & Edinburgh)
• 7-day London public transport pass
• Select excursions and tours
• Welcome dinner

Your additional costs:

• USC tuition for a 3-credit CIC Maymester course: ~$1,550 (in-state rate for all study abroad participants)
• USC Study Abroad fee & required insurance: ~$225
• Local ground transport: ~$200 (airport to town, group travel)
• Airfare: $900–$1,200 (estimate, not included)
• Daily meals & extras: $30-40/day (lunch, snacks, a few dinners, souvenirs)
• Deposit: $600 to secure your spot (applied to tuition; refundable until Jan. 1, 2027)

Pre-departure

The London/Edinburgh trip requires three mandatory spring meetings for team-building, logistics, passports, applications, roommates and packing.

Trip leaders

• Clay Owen, Professor of Practice — ckowen@sc.edu
• Renée Ittner-McManus, Instructor — mcmanusi@mailbox.sc.edu

Application and Deposit

Spots are limited, and we expect the class to fill quickly after Thanksgiving. A $600 deposit secures your seat and is 100% refundable until Jan. 1, 2027.

Not ready to commit? Submit the application anyway and stay on the contact list (note: your spot isn’t guaranteed until your deposit is received).

Apply Now

Check your email after submitting the application for the deposit link.

Scholarships

CIC scholarships available: $1,000 - $1,500

The college has some study away scholarship money available for this course. Students must have applied and submitted a deposit to be eligible.

Scholarship Application Deadline: December 4, 2026. 

Still can’t afford the trip?
Meet with Scott Farrand to discover more options:
farrand@mailbox.sc.edu