London First-Year Program
Spend your first semester of college in London, one the world's most dynamic global cities. Join a select group of St. Lawrence first-year students for a semester-long liberal arts program at the site of the University's long-standing London Semester Program. Participants will complete their London First-Year Program (FYP) and three additional courses in one of the world's most diverse and exciting locations.
- Based in London
- Fall semester
- Take courses with other SLU students in London
- Live in student housing
London FYP Learning Goals
Communication Skills Learning Goals for the First-Year Program
The London FYP provides an overall experience in a learning community in which students will:
- Consider their semester in the city of London in an integrated way, in both the short- and long-term
- Build connections across all courses in the program through field trips
- Grow their ability to manage interpersonal conflicts in order to develop resilience in an independent living environment
- Develop intercultural skills
- Plan for integrating holistically into campus life upon return
Students admitted to St. Lawrence will be able to apply to the London FYP online via their Status Page. Applications open in March and are due each year on April 25th for the following Fall semester.
Location Academics Co-Curricular Housing Calendar Orientation Program Contacts
Location
London is a city rich in culture. From the Roman wall which forms part of the contemporary Barbican Center to the National Theaters on the South Bank to the architectural dominance of St. Paul's seen from the Thames, London is a city with a long and fascinating history. It is the banking and trading center for all the world, even as it wrestles with contemporary urban problems. Housed in the center of London, the London FYP allows students to explore the intellectual, cultural, and social life of this large, cosmopolitan center.
Academics
The courses on the London FYP are taught by the accompanying St. Lawrence University faculty member, Professor Tom Greene, and faculty from British universities. The courses are designed and offered exclusively for St. Lawrence University program participants.
Required Courses:
Urban Green (FRPG101) (Fulfills the FYP general education requirement)
Today, more than half of the world's population lives in cities. As the urban population grows, so does the demand on urban resources and the impact from energy, water, waste, air, and food. The ecology of urban systems considers the interactions of living and nonliving components and environmental planning seeks a restorative footprint. Students will develop a research project examining both the built and social system of London’s sustainable urban environment. For example: climate resiliency, smart cities, biophilic design or alternative urban food systems. This course is Speaking Intensive and fulfills the FYP general education requirement.
London's Urban Geographies (GS/SOC 205) (Fulfills SOCIAL SCIENCES distribution requirement)
This course provides an introduction to the disciplines of urban studies and urban geography. It outlines how cities can be interpreted as economic, social, cultural and political entities. Using London as both an example and a laboratory, it interrogates a range of continuities and changes, problems and potentials across the urban fabric. It also explores a variety of theories and concepts for making sense of these realities. Foremost, it invites students spending a semester abroad to think about and through their temporary home. Following Henry James (1881) the course is based on the premise: ‘If you get to know your London you learn a great many things’.
Electives (select 2):
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FA 261L Art & Architecture in London (Fulfills ARTS/EXPRESSION distribution requirement)
An introduction to the study of art history and appreciation of art in its historical context gets you out of the classroom and into some of London’s major galleries. -
HIST 245L Britain in the 20th Century (Fulfills HUMANITIES distribution requirement)
Examine Britain’s history as one of the world’s major empires, its transformation through two World Wars, and the social and political changes that have defined Britain in the modern era. -
GOVT 214L Issues in British Government and Politics (Fulfills SOCIAL SCIENCES distribution requirement)
An intensive introduction to the principal institutions, parties, and ideologies in British politics. It will also focus on current political issues and processes, including the welfare state, economic policies, the EU, Northern Ireland, and devolution in Wales and Scotland, while integrating an international and comparative outlook. -
GOVT 262/ECON 262L Economic Integration of the European Union (Fulfills SOCIAL SCIENCES distribution requirement)
Examine the processes of bringing together the economic systems of individual European countries into a viable unified entity. It will offer a critical analysis of the European Union policies in their broader political-economic context. The course will also address the peculiar and often problematic relationship between Great Britain and the European Union. -
ENG 212L/PCA 237L Theater in London: Introduction (Fulfills ARTS/EXPRESSION distribution requirement)
A chance to see and study some of London’s renowned theatre from the classics and musicals of the famous West End to ‘fringe’ theater – works that are new and provocative. -
ENVS 372 Transboundary Wildlife Ecology – Wildlife can face a perilous existence, particularly across vast complex landscapes, or when protection changes across political boundaries, or when well-intended policy is limited. Bridging science, policy, and ecology, transboundary wildlife conservation is an emerging concept in environmental governance with an eye toward aligning protection policies. Today, the plight of biodiversity is strengthened by participatory wildlife conservation involving stakeholders and stewardship initiatives. This course will explore ecological and cultural values as viewed within and beyond the United Kingdom’s political borders, protected areas, and private land using transboundary wildlife case studies. This course counts as an ESP towards the Environmental Studies and Sciences major.
Co-curricular
The Program includes field trips to places in London and opportunities to travel elsewhere in the UK.
The art courses feature weekly gallery visits to such places as the National Gallery, the Tate gallery, Victoria and Albert Museum, the Banqueting House, the Soane Museum and the Royal Academy. Theatre courses feature live theatre performance and associated activities.
Housing
Students are housed in residential facilities in central London within commuting distance of the program office and classrooms and within easy walking distance of a bus or tube stop. Most students will live in shared rooms. A Community Assistant will reside in the residence where students are housed to help foster a living-learning community.
Supplies for breakfast are provided in the common area of the residence facility. Students will receive a stipend to cover the costs of lunches and dinners. Information about inexpensive eateries will be discussed during orientation.
Calendar
The Fall semester typically begins in mid-August and ends in mid-December.
For a more detailed calendar for specific semesters, please contact CIIS directly.
FALL 2023 CALENDAR
August
Tuesday 22: Meet in Newark for pre-departure orientation & group flight
Wednesday 23: Arrive in London, on-site orientation
Thursday 24 - Tuesday 29: Orientation continues
Wednesday 30: Classes begin
September
Wednesday 20 – Saturday 23: FYP Study trip*
(*DO NOT MAKE ANY TRAVEL PLANS FOR THE WEEKEND BEFORE)
October
Saturday 87- Sunday 15: Fall vacation
Monday 16: Classes resume
November
Monday 13: Last day of both elective classes
Tuesday 14 to Friday 17: Final exams of both electives
Monday 20: Required courses continue
December
Friday 15: End of program
Saturday 16: Move out and flight home
Orientation
On-site: Upon arrival in London, students will participate in an on-site orientation to the program and the city, featuring lectures, tours, introductions to the course offerings, and a theater performance. Students are required to attend all orientation meetings and activities.
(*Please Note: The program ends in London to permit students the flexibility to travel in Europe or to the destination of their choice. Students will not return to the St. Lawrence campus.)
Program Contacts
If you are interested in learning more about the London FYP please contact one of the following people.
CIIS Office: Caitlin Hatz, Director of Off-campus Programs - Questions about eligibility, program logistics, and other off-campus opportunities.
Faculty: Sara Ashpole, Director of the London FYP- Questions on academics and program overview.
Access the Application
Students admitted to St. Lawrence University will be able to apply to the London FYP online via their Status Page. Applications open in early March and are due on April 25th for the following Fall semester.
Due to visa restrictions and program requirements, international students and HEOP students must spend their first semester on campus in Canton.
To be eligible to enter the UK as a student visitor, all program participants must be 18 years old by the program start date. Admission to the program is based on the quality of the application and the applicant’s previous academic record. Candidates for the London FYP must also present evidence of maturity, responsibility and cultural sensitivity. If you have questions about the application process or about the program, please contact the Center for International and Intercultural Studies at St. Lawrence University at 315-229-5991 or ciis@stlawu.edu