London Seminar is a multi-layered study of the city of London’s evolution through its various literary, cultural, political, historical, artistic, and architectural incarnations. Primary focus of the course is “literary London,” the examination of how various writers characterized and documented life within this cosmopolitan city. Of great importance will also be key historical, political and social movements as they relate to the evolution of London and its denizens, dating from Roman times to its status as a postmodern financial and cultural capital. The course also explores London’s relationship to the larger concept of England’s rise and fall as a major world empire. Of major focus will be not only London’s role in the world, but the whole of England’s history, culture, and influence – literary or otherwise.

A major component of this course will be an eight day trip to London. The city of London and its surrounding areas will become a classroom for our students, allowing a physical realization of their conceptual work. They will experience first hand the historical sights, museums, cultural attractions and neighborhoods they study in the course. By experiencing this course and trip, students will have a greater understanding of the literary and cultural traditions of England, and a greater comfort with a foreign culture and its people. Students will also come to understand the importance of being a “world traveler,” its implications and responsibilities. There will be a fee for travel expenses.

The course is for juniors only. It will be a seminar format, meeting everyday per 6-day cycle. It will be on the level of an honors class in both course work and content, and will allow students to pursue individually designed research and thinking under the direct guidance of the instructor. All students take the NYS English Regents Examination.