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ILACA > Fall Programme 2007

Fall 2007 - Dates of Term: September 3 - December 7; Mid-Term Break: 14 to 20 October

COURSES - coming soon: timetable and updated syllabuses

  Britain Today: Issues and Perspectives (mandatory)
Martin Upham, political scientist
Timetable: Mon 3.30-4.30pm, Wed 10.00-12.00
Syllabus updated
An interdisciplinary approach to history, politics and the study of social trends, Britain Today challenges students to dissect and examine contemporary Britain. In history, students encounter the formative events of the state such as the Conquest, the Reformation, the English Revolution, the development of Liberal Democracy, and the impact of war in the twentieth century. In politics they engage as witnesses with national and local government and Parliament. In social trends, they probe the factors that unite and divide British society. The course is excursion intensive and makes special use of London's resources as a world capital and centre of government. Each student enrolling in the program at the London Centre is required to participate in this course.

  Western European Politics
Laura Brunell, Gonzaga University
Timetable: Mon 12.30-2.30pm, Tues 12.00-1.00pm
Syllabus updated
Discover the traditions, ideas and institutions that have shaped Western Europe's political and economic development. Explore contemporary political challenges facing Europe as a whole.

  London: Biography of a City
Lisa Bowers-Isaacson, historian
Timetable: Tues 1.30-2.30pm, Thurs 1.30-3.30pm
Syllabus updated
Throughout its history, London has been the political, cultural, trading, and financial capital of England. This course is an introductory survey of the history of London from its Roman origins to 1945, with emphasis on how royalty, trade, religion, and social conditions have shaped the pattern of the city's growth. It draws upon primary source materials, historical map, and guided walks. The course is divided equally between in-class lectures and discussions and specially created walks through city neighborhoods. Each student completes two projects based on personal exploration of London streets.

  Modernism and Contemporary Art
Carole Machin, art historian
Timetable: Tues 4.00-6.00pm, Thurs 4.00-5.00pm
Syllabus updated
This course studies those trends in twentieth century art collectively known as Modernism, examining how each challenged the artistic ideas of earlier centuries.  By directly encountering British, European, and American examples in London's magnificent galleries, students can come to an understanding of the diverse nature of Modernisma and the profundity of its influence.  An in-depth study of contemporary British, art patronage, and the rold of galleries in shaping public taste will be intregal to the course, illustrated by the award every autumn of the Turner Prize fo contemporary art.

Advanced Studio Art (co-requisite: Modernism and Contemporary Art)
Zoe Telford, artist
Self-motivated students enrolled in Modernism and Contemporary Art can use the London semester to develop their visual thinking skills and a personal visual vocabulary. They will draw inspiration from the wider London art scene, visit galleries and studios, and draw regularly. They will be given guidelines, keep a sketchbook, meet artists, and present an end-of semester exhibition to a non specialist audience. (20 contact hours per semester).


  The Play's the Thing: Writing for the Stage
Julia Pascal, playwright and producer
Timetable: Thurs 10.00am - 1.00pm
Syllabus updated
This drama course explores new plays on the London stage as a stimulus for personal creative writing. Students will learn to build a critique of contemporary stage work, examine inspiration, probe individual creativity, evolve plot, develop character, and understand structure; above all they will develop their own writing style. By the end of the course, they will have written a one act play and have a solid grounding in modern theatre supported by the viewing of at least six new and current London productions.

 

Shakespeare, the Dramatist
Jean Elliott, director, actress and scriptwriter
Timetable: Mon 10.00 - 11.30am, Tues 10.00 - 11.30am
Syllabus
updated

This course is an English literature course structured around Shakespeare plays in production at the time of the class. Five or six plays are selected and students study them as scripts, taking an actor's or director's approach rather than a scholar's. The primary consideration is the relationship of the play to the audience. This course covers the movements of characters on and off the stage, how an actor might present a character or interpret a speech, which aspects of the play a director might seek to emphasize, and so on. From this approach, an appreciation of Shakespeare's poetic skill, his use of imagery and metaphor, and the underlying themes of the play, arise naturally and easily. Students also consider what advantages the modern theater has over an Elizabethan playhouse and vice versa, and how Shakespeare leveraged the advantages and coped with the disadvantages. Students will see at least six British Shakespeare productions in London or in Stratford.

Please Note: course offerings are subject to change at any time without notice, due to on-site availability and total program enrollment. All syllabuses may change due to new material or excursions.

EXCURSIONS More to come soon

Theatre and other activities
. All students will see The Merchant of Venice and We the People at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, Macbeth with Patrick Stewart and King Lear with Ian McKellen
. Theatre students will see a modern version of the The Merchant of Venice, Antigone, Rhinoceros, Parade, The Giant and The Arsonists.
. Shakespeare students will also see Love's Labour's Lost all at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, .
. Dali exhibition at Tate Modern
. Bonfire Night fireworks party
. David Elgar concert
. Thanksgiving dinner at the Centre

Field trips
. Tower of London
. Hatfield House
. Long weekend in Wales
. Overnight in Stratford-upon-Avon
. Brick Lane walk
. Kew Gardens
. Bath
. Cambridge


For information on submitting an application, on financial aid and refund policy, please see the AHA international website
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