Office of International Education and Development

Program Dates: July 1, 2024 - July 29, 2024

Program and Location

This program introduces students to the literature and culture of Shakespeare's London. Students will tour historic sites such as the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedral, and Windsor Castle and explore premier research and cultural institutions such as the British Museum, the National Gallery, and the British Library. Devoting special attention to Shakespeare's dramatic works and their afterlives, students will attend a half dozen or so performances at Shakespeare's Globe, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, the Rose Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon, and other venues.

Students will reside in London for the program's duration, with weekend excursions to Stratford-upon-Avon (i.e., Shakespeare's birthplace) and at least one other location to be determined while we're abroad. Previous excursions have included day trips to Cambridge, Canterbury, and Dover. Over the course of the program, students will be immersed in the literature and culture of London specifically and England more broadly in the Renaissance. No prior knowledge of Shakespeare, London, or the English Renaissance is required.

Academics

Faculty Leader

Dr. David Orvis

Department of English 

orvisdl@appstate.edu

https://english.appstate.edu/faculty-staff/directory/david-l-orvis 

David L. Orvis is professor and assistant chair of English at Appalachian State University, where he regularly teaches Shakespeare and Renaissance literature at virtually all curricular levels—from nonmajors Great Books classes, to dedicated majors courses (not one but two: Shakespeare’s Early and Later Works), to graduate seminars on topics such as Antiracist Shakespeare, Shakespeare Now, and (with Professor Başak Çandar) Global Shakespeares. Since 2010, he has organized a short-term summer study abroad program to London and Stratford-upon-Avon, immersing participants in the history, culture, and literary and artistic achievements of Shakespeare’s England, as glimpsed from the present. In 2015, Professor Orvis was elected to the College of Arts & Science’s Academy of Outstanding Teachers. His research focuses on sexuality and identity in Renaissance literature and culture, and his book Shakespeare against Love is forthcoming from Routledge.

Program Cost: $4,804

Program cost includes meals, lodging, events, tickets, textbooks, and in-country transportation. 

Please note - Students are responsible for the total program cost upon submitting the application and deposit. Refunds are contingent upon meeting the minimum enrollment of the program. If a student needs to withdraw before departure, that student may be eligible for a refund if the program has met minimum enrollment and is therefore viable. 

Non-billable costs are estimates only and will be affected by personal spending habits, currency fluctuations, etc. Prices listed in USD unless otherwise noted.  Students are encouraged to start planning for their study abroad program costs well in advance.

Appalachian reserves the right to cancel or alter the program format or to change costs in case of conditions beyond the university's control.  Further details about Appalachian's withdrawal/cancellation policy can be found at this link.

Application Process

1. To apply for this program, please contact one of the program leaders and provide your Banner ID and email address. Program leaders may request additional information or a meeting to discuss the details of the program and your interest.
2. When permission to apply for the program is granted, you will receive an email from your program leader with instructions to apply.
3. Apply to the program following the instructions from the program leader.
4. Print, sign and drop off your application at the Office of International Education and Development at Plemmons Student Union (PSU), Suite 321 ( 3rd floor), 263 Locust Street Boone, NC 28608. Your application will be considered complete when you have submitted your digital application, paid the $300 deposit, and dropped off your printed and signed application. The fee cannot be paid until it appears on your student account. Please note that it may take 2–3 business days for it to post to your account. You will receive an email with Instructions for paying the deposit fee. Instructions can also be found in the application.