Oxford Summer Seminar
Since its inception in 1966, the Oxford Summer Seminar has offered students from UMass Amherst and other American universities the opportunity to live and study at Oxford University for six weeks in July and August. Students can earn up to eight credits from courses in literature, political science, art history, law, and history. All courses are taught by distinguished British faculty in small groups or individual tutorials.
While at Oxford, students live and dine at Trinity College—founded in 1555 and noted for its magnificent architecture and gardens. In addition to its academic schedule, the Seminar organizes field trips to nearby sites of literary and historical importance such as Blenheim Palace, Stonehenge, and various London museums.
For further information, contact the Oxford Program at @email; or visit the Oxford Summer Seminar website.
Alternative Theatres: Edinburgh Fringe Festival
The Department of English offers its annual summer study abroad program at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The course takes advantage of the Edinburgh Fringe Theatre Festival as well as the International Theatre Festival. Edinburgh hosts the oldest and largest theater festival in the world, set in one of Europe’s most beautiful and historic cities. The festival experience is exhilarating and inspiring, with over 2700 shows taking place every day in over 250 venues. The course is designed to help you navigate the Fringe Festival with confidence, exposing you to fresh, inspiring, cutting-edge theater that will change the way you see the world.
Students see approximately 15 shows together with faculty, most in the first few days. Once used to the city, students can follow their own chosen itinerary. The course features small group discussions as well as meetings with artists involved in creating shows at the fringe. All coursework is submitted online, including foundational assignments completed in July and performance journals written in Edinburgh. The small group (approximately 25 students and 5 faculty) makes for a wonderful, personal dynamic. Students live in comfortable, centrally located apartments, and can walk everywhere!
The program is currently hosted by the University of New Mexico.
Education Abroad
Many English majors choose to study in Great Britain and Ireland, but English majors may also study in other countries, such as Australia, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Germany and the Netherlands. Students planning to go abroad should speak to one of the chief advisors and receive prior approval for all courses. The department normally allows students spending a year abroad to count a maximum of four (approved) courses toward major requirements. For those spending a semester abroad, the limit is three courses.
All students planning on studying abroad must complete initial advising and a pre-application form in the Education Abroad Advising Center, located at the International Programs Office, 455 Hills South; open Monday through Friday, 10 am to 4 pm; phone: 545-2710. More information is available on the International Programs Office website.