I'm writing to make you aware of the British Studies Program offered by The University of Southern Mississippi and consortium partners. If appropriate, please pass along the following information to members of the organization you advise who might be interested in this opportunity to Political Science in London through a four-week course. Thanks for your help and if you have questions please feel free to contact us at International Programs.

Through the British Studies Program offered July 3 - August 3, 2008, students can study abroad in London this summer and take part in an unparalleled learning experience. Your home base will be King's College in central London, within easy walking distance of Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square and the theatre district. Class field excursions enable students to explore the city and surrounding areas.

The Political Science course examines major contemporary issues facing the world community and the activities undertaken by international organizations to address them. Through a series of lectures and site visits in London and a field trip to Brussels and Paris, the course explores global topics such as armed conflict, terrorism, poverty, human rights, economic development, international trade and climate change. The course includes guest lectures from scholars, policy experts, government officials, diplomats and representatives from international organizations such as the European Union, Amnesty International, NATO, Greenpeace, Oxfam, and the World Bank. Excursions in and around London include visits to the offices of international organizations, British government institutions, embassies and research institutes.

The course is led by a U.S.-based professor and features guest lectures by British experts and excursions to sites relevant to your subject. You'll also have the opportunity to undertake a research project related to your own academic interests in your field of study. Each British Studies class takes students beyond London to various cities throughout the United Kingdom and Europe, including visits to destinations such as Dublin, Edinburgh, Paris, Brussels or Normandy.

The Political Science class confers six hours of undergraduate or graduate credit. Southern Miss offers the program through a consortium of 13 U.S. colleges and universities and the program has been running since 1976. Therefore, our staff and professors are veterans of the area and can provide advice on must-see cultural and historic sites, great restaurants in all price ranges and top travel destinations.

There's ample time for independent travel as well. You'll have the occasional weekend free for personal travel, and British Studies features a "mini-break" during the third week designed to give you and your fellow program participants a chance to visit places you've always dreamed of seeing. In recent years students have traveled to destinations such as Prague, Rome, Krakow, Barcelona and Athens.

The cost of the British Studies Program is $5,199 for undergraduates and $5,399 for graduate students. This price includes airfare, housing, tuition and academic travel. Financial aid for qualified applicants is applicable to the program cost, and our International Programs staff can help you with financial aid questions. The credit hours from The University of Southern Mississippi are transferable; check with your home institution regarding its requirements for credit transfer and financial aid.

For more information, please visit www.britishstudies.org or contact Southern Miss International Programs at 601.266.4344 or studyabroad@usm.edu. We want you to encounter the "global village" firsthand and join our former participants in saying it was the best learning experience you've ever had!

Very best,

Dr. Douglas Mackaman
Director, British Studies