Would you like to spend a month studying abroad next summer in beautiful, historic London, while earning graduate course credits?
If yes, then join me next June on British Studies 2019, a month-long study abroad program hosted by the Southern Miss School of Library and Information Science (SLIS), for on-site lectures and guided tours of some of the U.K.’s most important and historic libraries, archives, and special collections.
The LIS course is offered May 31 - June 30, 2019, and carries six hours of credit from The University of Southern Mississippi, a fully-accredited university. Students participating in the LIS course will learn about historic and modern British repositories and collections on-site from distinguished British librarians, archivists, and information specialists.
View of Parliament from the South Bank of the Thames (photo by Dr. Matthew Griffis).
Registration
Registration is now open and early-bird registration, which earns a $50 discount, ends December 7th (Students from U.S. or Canadian LIS schools are welcome to participate; there are no out-of-state or out-of-country fees). Information about course requirements, including the tentative 2019 schedule and syllabus, is available at www.usm.edu/library-information-science/british-studies.
A valid passport is required so applicants without a passport are encouraged to apply for one now. For more program details and to apply online, visit the British Studies link at https://studyabroad.usm.edu/.
Accommodation
The British Studies Program is headquartered in central London at the University of Westminster’s Marylebone Hall, across the street from Madame Tussaud’s and very near the West End and Regent Park. The dorm rooms are small but modern; everyone gets a private room with a small, private bath and access to a shared kitchen. Participants quickly make friends with the students in their class as well as students from across the country. Note: This program includes extensive walking and taking stairs. There are also crowds in public transportation (buses and tube) and public attractions. The climate difference tends to affect allergies.
Costs
The cost for the program ($6,662 USD) includes graduate tuition for 6 credit hours in an ALA-accredited program, housing, academic excursions, including day trips to Greenwich, Bletchley Park, and Oxford, month-long Oyster (London tube and bus transport) card, and mandatory travel insurance (airfare is not included; however, students may opt in for a group flight departing New Orleans, Jackson, Dallas or Charleston on May 31 and returning home on June 30 at the cost of $1,300). There are no out-of-state fees. Qualified students can apply for financial aid at their university through their local financial aid office. The International Programs office at Southern Miss is more than happy to provide information and assistance regarding financial aid and credit transfer (601-266-4344).
The University of Southern Mississippi’s School of Library and Information Science is fully accredited by the American Library Association and students from LIS and IS programs across the U.S. and Canada have participated. Students complete a reflective online journal about their experiences and sites visited. Additional requirements include relevant readings, two book reviews, and a research paper on an approved topic related to British libraries, archives, special collections or services. See “Scenes from British Studies” or read students blogs at www.usm.edu/library-information-science/british-studies and read a special issue on British Studies, including some examples of student papers, published in SLIS Connecting e-journal at https://aquila.usm.edu/slisconnecting/
Dr. Welsh and British Studies LIS students, courtyard of the British Library.
For information about the course content, assignments, or schedule, feel free to contact:
Teresa S. Welsh, Ph.D., Professor and Director, USM School of Library and Information Science, teresa.welsh@usm.edu or call 601.266.4235
I look forward to seeing you in London!