College of Arts and Sciences
  Department of Theatre Arts

The British Studies Program         (pdf version of this page)
New Mexico State University partners with a consortium of universities to provide students the opportunity to study in London every summer. NMSU Theatre Arts students have been active and enthusiastic participants in the Theatre and Shakespeare courses, gaining valuable practical and theoretical insights into their profession while enjoying some of the best theatre in the world!

The Basics
British Studies Program students earn six hours of upper division credit in the course of one month in London. To be eligible for the program, students must have attained sophomore status (28 credits including successful completion of Math 210 and English 111G) and have a cumulative GPA of 2.5.

Dates vary each year, but courses generally run from early July to early August. Classes usually meet Monday through Thursday twice a day (some courses require evening meetings). There is also a five-day mini-break to allow students to travel throughout England and to the Continent.
 
      British Studies Program – Theatre Students at the intersection of Kemble and Kean Streets (Summer 2007)

The Courses
The British Studies Program offers a series of outstanding courses every year. Each course mixes lectures and guest speakers with site visits and workshops—our classroom is London itself! Recent course offerings include:
     + Criminal Justice
     + Public Health
     + History (World War II)
     + Photography
     + Business
     + Politics
     + Sociology
     + Humanities

All courses are open to all interested and eligible students, but NMSU Theatre Arts majors often find that two specific courses apply most directly to their degree programs. Those courses are…

Theatre – The Theatre course exposes students to the whole of the London theatre scene. Students explore the highest quality commercial theatre in London’s West End; unique national theatre companies like the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre, which are dedicated to preserving theatre’s past and forging its future; historical theatres including Shakespeare’s Globe, the Old Vic, Drury Lane, and Covent Garden; and the experimental and edgy work on London’s fringe scene. As part of the course, students will see 6 – 10 shows representative of the wide range of theatre on offer in London. Guest lecturers cover all aspects of London theatre—actors, directors, designers, critics, scholars, and producers frequent the class to share their unique experiences. Other highlights of recent courses include:
   Workshops – interactive work with theatre artists and scholars at Shakespeare’s Globe, the Theatre Museum, Shakespeare’s Birthplace, the New Shakespeare Company
   Site Visits – tours and visits to the British Museum, the Old Vic Theatre, the National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company, London’s West End, the National Portrait Gallery

                      British Studies Program – Theatre Students at Samuel Johnson’s House (Summer 2007)

Shakespeare – The Shakespeare course concentrates on the work of England’s foremost playwright. Students explore Shakespeare’s biography, Shakespeare in performance, the Shakespeare Industry, Shakespearean criticism, and Shakespearean textual studies. As part of the course, students will see 6 – 10 plays at venues including Shakespeare’s Globe, the Royal Shakespeare Company, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, and the Royal National Theatre. Guest lecturers represent all aspects of Shakespeare studies—actors, directors, designers, critics, and scholars all address students on their contributions to the Shakespeare industry. Other highlights of recent courses include:
   Workshops – interactive work with theatre artists and scholars at Shakespeare’s Globe, the Royal Shakespeare Company, Shakespeare’s Birthplace, the New Shakespeare Company
   Site Visits – tours and visits to Shakespeare’s Birthplace, the Old Vic Theatre, the National Theatre, the National Portrait Gallery, the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey

                         British Studies Program – Theatre Students at Shakespeare’s Birthplace (Summer 2007)

The Logistics
Finances
Tuition – Fees for the British Studies Program total $5300. In addition, we recommend that students budget at least $2000 in spending money for the month in London. All in all, expect to spend no less than $7300 for the course.
Tuition Fee includes: round trip airfare from Houston to London, housing for four weeks in London, tickets and entry fees for course activities, ground transportation to and from the airport in London, train and bus tickets for class-related activities outside of London
Tuition Fee does not include: round trip airfare to and from Houston, food, books and printed materials related to class, transportation, tickets, and entry fees for activities not related to class, an essential “Tube Pass” for travel on London’s subway system
 
Deposit – At the time of application, students will need to make a NON-REFUNDABLE $275 deposit to secure a spot in the program. Part of that cost goes towards an International Student ID card that will offer access to a variety of discounts while in Europe. The remainder of the $5300 ($5025) will be due upon acceptance to the program and will be accepted no later than 1 May.

Financial Aid – Student loans can be applied toward the cost of the course. In addition, NMSU has six Travel Stipends available to British Studies students. To apply for financial aid, please see the “Steps to Take” section below.

Travel – Students are responsible for arranging transportation to Houston for their international flight. Once in Houston, British Studies students from NMSU will travel together to London. All American citizens entering the United Kingdom must have a valid passport. See the “Steps to Take” section below for links on how to apply for or renew a passport. In London, most travel will be via “Tube,” London’s subway system. Your professor will work with you to make sure you feel comfortable traveling by Tube and navigating London’s streets!

Housing
Course fees include a private room for each student. Rooms are organized into six room suites with shared showers, toilets, and fully equipped kitchens. All rooms are equipped with ethernet cables and ports, but students who don’t wish to bring computers are offered access to on-campus computer labs. Rooms are cleaned every other day, and the campus features 24-hour security, a health center, a convenience store, and laundry facilities. Within five minutes’ walk of campus, there are numerous restaurants, small shops, a bank, a post, office, and a grocery store. Queen Mary is located in the Mile End area of London’s East End. The campus is a short walk to a Tube stop, and then twenty minutes via subway to the heart of London.
 
                                                                Tower Bridge – London

The Steps to Take
1) Contact your NMSU Theatre Arts representatives for information and to get current updates on the course.
     Dr. Laura Grace Godwin     lgodwin@nmsu.edu      575-646-5766
     Tom Smith     tomsmith@nmsu.edu      575-646-5479

2) Visit the British Studies Program website operated by Midwestern State University, the lead partner in the British Studies Consortium, to look up course syllabi and other important information.
     British Studies Program

3) Visit the NMSU Study Abroad Office for an application and to get information on stipends and financial aid.
     Room 237 Garcia Annex     stdyabrd@nmsu.edu     575-646-5107
     NMSU Study Abroad Office 

4) Make sure you have a valid passport. Renew online or visit a post office in person if it is your first passport.
     http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
     http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_832.html
     http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_830.html

The Links
For more information on London and course activities, visit…
   Shakespeare’s Birthplace
   The Royal Shakespeare Company
   Shakespeare’s Globe
   The Old Vic
   The Victoria & Albert Museum
   The British Library
   The Tower of London
   The Banqueting House
   Westminster Abbey
   The National Theatre
   Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park
   Official London Theatre Guide
   London Theatre Guide
   The National Portrait Gallery
   The National Gallery
   What’s On Stage
   Time Out: London
   London Town
   This is London
   Visit London
   Visit Britain

                                                                    Westminster Abbey – London
                                                       Shakespeare Statue – Stratford-upon-Avon