Summer 2007 in Britain! SYLLABUS/ITINERARY | NEXT MEETING | WHY THIS COURSE? | FORMS | ABOUT/CONTACT DR. KEY | CLASS BLOG

British History Abroad: British Rulers & British Ruled since 1700

• Greetings.
  • This Summer 2007, in British Rulers and British Ruled based at Harlaxton and London, we will be reading and discussing a number of classic works--Daniel Defoe on early-eighteenth century Bath and Jane Austen on early-19th century Bath, for example, before we travel to Bath itself; or George Orwell's classic Down and Out in Paris in London (1933) before walking the East End of London. We will also be using David Cannadine's The Rise and Fall of Class in Britain as our basic text because it is pretty interesting and gives us a framework for thinking about what we observe, read, and even touch and taste during the program.
  • What will you gain?
    • Visits to and discussions about places where the rich lived, were educated, and ruled over three distinct centuries. (For example, we will see Sir Robert Walpole's Norfolk home, Houghton, and his Westminster home, no. 10 Downing St., thus learning about the two bases of power of the first Prime Minister, who ruled Britain from 1721-1742. We may have time to go to beautiful Richmond Park, on the Thames and in the London suburbs, where Walpole fought a losing battle with deer poachers, who resented his attempt to change common lands into his own private deer sanctuary.)
    • Because this program is based mainly at Harlaxton and during the last week in London, you will have the opportunity to explore on your own (whether the acres of gardens at Harlaxton, the adjacent village, or the small but vibrant city of Grantham, via a free shuttle maintained by Grantham; or whether farther afield--most Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays are open to your own travel or study, although I will certainly offer a specialized trip if a number of students have a specific, research-related trip in mind). You will be able to grow as a researcher, historian, and citizen of the world. The class discussions, assignments, and overnight trips will give you a basis not only for British history (obviously my specialty), but British society and culture writ large. And understanding the relations between elite, middle, and working class politics and culture will give you a set of research tools that you will be able to apply to the rest of World, European, and American history.
    • Again: this is so much more than just a tour. You want to see Buckingham Palace?, the Tower of London? There will be plenty of opportunity to see the "must-sees." But we will also venture beyond tourist London to the inner workings of the elite West End, the poor East End, and the political warrens of Westminster.
  • Is it expensive?
    • The cost is $3,875 plus tuition for 6 c.h. and fees (about another $1,000 for both, but this depends on your year entering Eastern Illinois University). What do you get for that expense? All room and board (meals), all travel from and back to Chicago, bus from the airport to Harlaxton and back, all scheduled overnight trips (room and board in Norwich, Telford, London, etc.), all guided lectures/tours in London, etc. In other words, conceivably you could leave your wallet at home. (You will, however, probably want to do at least one trip on your own or with another of your classmates on one of the long weekends; Ryan Air, bus, and rail travel makes all of the Britain, even most of Europe, easily and cheaply accessible from Grantham.) So, overall, it is quite a bargain for over a month touring in Britain (indeed, check out what a month touring would cost on any of the "bargain" tourguides online to see what I mean).
      • Apply now for a History Department Study Abroad Scholarship.
  • What credit do I receive?
    • Six credits in upper division electives for history (which counts for all history majors). For those that need different credit than just 6 s.h. in upper division history (and elementary and secondary education majors, history majors and minors, etc., can use same), we may well be able to obtain 3 s.h. of upper division sociology, geology/geography, english, or political science credit, but that ultimately depends on the chairs of those departments (see me to provide material to request same). Senior Seminar credit for non-history majors (3 c.h.), is also available.
  • Cheers, mate, Newton

What: British History Abroad: British Rulers & British Ruled since 1700, HIS 3970 (or HIS 5997), 6 s.h. Where: Harlaxton Manor, near Grantham and Queen Mary College, London When: 3 June–6 July 2006 With: Dr. Newton Key, Professor of History, Eastern Illinois University How Much: $3,875* (includes all airfare, room and board, transport, admission, and event fees; does not include tuition) *(For estimated full cost--including tuition, cost of passport if not already obtained, a weekly stipend of personal spending money, etc.--see EIU HIS Program Budget) Who: All University Majors (20 student max.) How: Register Today (deadline 15 Feb. 2007)

Harlaxton Manor (front entrance)

last updated on January 24, 2007