Tower Bridge, Big Ben, Parliament, West End Theatre, and more! Studying in a “new place” is now an option for students interested in traveling to London during the Winter 2021-22 break. Three JSU faculty will be teaching courses there for students interested in studying abroad. A virtual information session about the program is scheduled for Monday, February 22, at 7 p.m. on Zoom. 

The JSU courses are in music, history, and literature, but students may choose any course offered in the CCSA London Winter program, which provides course options ranging from nursing to theatre.

On this program, Dr. Andy Nevala will be teaching “Responding Creatively to London’s Rich Artistic and Musical Scene,” which can count as a music elective. About the course, Nevala stated, “We will visit the National Gallery of Art and the Tate Modern Museums as well music venues such as JazzLive at the Crypt and famed Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club. Students will be introduced to how different combinations of music and art affect emotions and how creativity springs out of mixing artistic genres such as photography, art, and jazz music. A final assignment allows expression of creativity through a multimedia project inspired by responses to the artistry directly experienced on site in London.”

Another JSU course is “Love, Lust & Death: England’s Tudor Dynasty,” a history course taught by Barbara Cook. This course covers “the most fascinating family in English history.” According to Cook, “The history of the Tudor family is one of the most interesting, exciting, and thought-provoking eras of Western civilization. In just the last ten years, the number of books, documentaries, TV series, and movies dedicated to this one family attest to the attraction 500 hundred years later. The tales and lore of this famous family should inspire any young college student to want to learn more. You cannot get closer to this subject than standing on the ground where these people loved, lusted, and died.”

As part of the Tudor course, students will visit the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, Greenwich, Westminster Abbey, Windsor Castle, the British Museum and the National Gallery.

Students interested in Harry Potter have two choices on this program: a Harry Potter course or a Gothic literature course. The Gothic course will be taught by Dr. Staci Stone, who is excited to accompany JSU students “across the pond,” so that they can experience study abroad. “While study abroad allows students to learn about another place and culture, students learn a lot about themselves—how to manage travel, acclimate to new systems, and become more independent,” said Stone. “In addition to being a lot of fun, study abroad looks great on a résumé because it tells employers that you are motivated, willing to take risks, and can solve problems.”

Stone’s class on Gothic literature will feature vampires, cemeteries, and magic. In addition to experiencing a real Gothic cathedral, students will see a modern treatment of Gothic themes when taking the Harry Potter Studio Tour. The class will visit sites related to literary readings, such as Highgate Cemetery, Westminster Abbey, and the Tower of London. 

“This program will be the fourth time I have taught students in London,” said Stone. “I’ve never had a student who regretted going. In fact, former study abroad students are the best recruiters for the program because they are always so enthusiastic about the experience. I hope that JSU students decide to join us on this life-changing program.” 

Students interested in learning more about the program are invited to join the Zoom session on February 22 at 7 p.m. at 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87847590678?pwd=MEtNY0JxbjRiK3JNMEw5Q3QyWHlqQT09