British Pop Culture: London the Imperial City
Media and Cultural Studies in London, England
This program has closed as of February 2024 and is no longer taking applications. Please stay posted for this program in Summer 2025.
- Faculty Leader: Dr. Tabassum "Ruhi" Khan, UCR Associate Professor of Media and Cultural Studies
- Location: London, England
- Term: Summer Session B
- Travel Dates (to be confirmed): August 13 to September 3, 2024
- Plan to fly the day before from the U.S. (for instance, fly on August 12 to arrive on August 13).
Questions about the program?
Contact Dr. Khan for more information: ruhi.khan@ucr.edu. You may also contact Sonja Lind, Assistant Director of Education Abroad, at sonjal@ucr.edu or educationabroad@ucr.edu (general questions). You may also attend our Zoom info sessions on Mondays from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at https://ucr.zoom.us/j/99877343248.
FLEAP Courses (8 Units)
1. MCS 110J: Post-War Cinema - Heritage Dramas and British National Identity (4 units)
Prerequisite(s): Upper-division standing. Email Dr. Khan if you have questions or need permission.
2. MCS 132: Examining Intersections of Media and Popular Culture and How They Shape Our Political-Economic Contexts (4 units)
Prerequisite(s): Upper-division standing. Email Dr. Khan if you have questions or need permission.
Program Description
Join Media and Cultural Studies' Faculty Lead Summer Abroad program to London and learn how our pleasurable past times are not frivolous activities after all. Come to London to learn how our supposedly insignificant engagements are a significant influence in the organization of production in society, determination of avenues for employment, and ultimately regulation of our lives. Participate in exploratory and experiential learning in the capital city of the former British Empire to learn how ideological domination replaces military might; and how British Period dramas or ‘hat and frock shows' like Downton Abbey have become Britain's most important cultural export as well as cultural manifestation of globally ascendant neoliberal political economic policies which underline current sharp socio-economic inequalities. Soak in the ambience of this exciting city and address a simple but meaningful query-how do some elements of popular culture support hierarchies and what are the others that challenge it?
Take courses MCS 110 J on Post World War II cinema focusing on period dramas and MCS 132 examining intersections of media and popular culture and how they shape our political-economic contexts.
Third-Party Provider: CEA-CAPA
Our third-party provider CEA-CAPA is helping host this program in London. The Education Abroad Office will contact you about registration details for this organization. Note: CEA-CAPA provides scholarships you can apply to.
For more information on CEA-CAPA, see their website: ceacapa.com
Program Fees and Tuition
$7,951.79 estimated total*
Costs included in "Program Fees" are subject to change based on university approval, fluctuating exchange rates, unexpected changes in activities, and local prices.
Fees estimated below do include:
- accommodation
- classroom fees
- any excursions.
Fees estimated below do not include:
- international airfare
- personal travel
- entertainment
- out-of-pocket medical expenses
- special medical needs, and other emergencies
- other personal needs items not required by the program.
To participate in the program, you will pay two payments: The "CMSF" (program fee) and tuition for 8 UC quarter units and CMSF (programs fees).
- Summer Sessions Tuition and Fees (8 Units of UC credit): $2,482.92 (estimated*)
- "Course Materials Fees" (or "CMF") program fees: $5,468.87 (estimated*)
* The tuition, fees, and charges posted here are estimates based on currently approved amounts. These figures may not be final. Actual tuition, fees, and charges are subject to change by the Regents of the University of California and could be affected by State funding reductions. Accordingly, final approved levels (final balance due) may differ from the amounts shown.
Please note that payments will be paid to UCR (
click for payment instructions). Each program is designed and budgeted individually and may or may not include the same amenities or cover the same expenses as other UCR Faculty-Led Education Abroad programs. Students are responsible for understanding program-related fees for their program.
When to Expect to See Your Fees: Mid-June 2024.
Program Deposit
$300
To reserve a spot in the program based on a "first come, first served" basis, a non-refundable deposit ($300) must be paid by February 14, 2024 to Student Business Services. The $300 deposit will be credited to your program fee balance.
If a program does not run, or you are not approved to participate, the $300 deposit will be returned to your student account.
Please click here for payment options.
Health and Safety
International Travel Information about England (U.S. Department of State).
Level 2 travel advisory as of September 2023.
Flights
Since flights are not covered as part of this program fee, we recommend booking flights through our travel partner Student Universe, a website where you can book flights and make a payment plan: studentuniverse.com/travel-services/ucop/affiliate/UCRiverside
Scholarships
Note: You can apply to scholarships before or after you apply to this program. So, apply to both program and scholarship! Below are awards listed in order of when they're due.
- UCR Education Abroad Scholarship ($500-$1,000):
- Apply by February 1, 2024 (application link is on MyUCRAbroad)
- We'll host scholarship essay-writing office hours in Winter 2024 on Zoom (Meeting ID 986 8133 7534): January 16 at 10 a.m. and January 24 at 2:00 p.m.
- UCR HAF Travel Grant ($600):
- Fund for Education Abroad ($1,000-$5,000):
- Apply by February 7, 2024 (FundforEducationAbroad.org)
- We'll host scholarship essay-writing office hours in Winter 2024 on Zoom (Meeting ID 986 8133 7534): January 16 at 10 a.m.; January 24 at 2:00 p.m.; February 1 at 10:00 a.m.; and February 6 at 10:00 a.m.
- Gilman Scholarship ($2,500-$5,000):
- Apply by March 7, 2024 (GilmanScholarship.org)
- We'll host scholarship essay-writing office hours in Winter 2024 on Zoom (Meeting ID 986 8133 7534): February 15 at 2:00 p.m.; February 20 at 10:00 a.m.; February 28 at 2:00 p.m.; and March 7 at 10:00 a.m. (hybrid in person and on Zoom).
- Going Abroad Scholarship ($1,500):
- CHASS Awards, including "At Home in the World"
- CEA-CAPA Scholarships ($200 +):
Other scholarships may be available. Read more: international.ucr.edu/abroad/scholarship
Got Questions?
Attend our Zoom info sessions on Mondays from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at https://ucr.zoom.us/j/99877343248
