ENGLAND
God(s) and England:
Saints, Sinners, and Saxons

 

Actively learn about England's rich religious history and contemporary religious culture through exploring such beautiful and significant locations as London, Oxford, York, and Whitby.  Investigate prehistoric stone circles, Roman ruins, Saxon churches, medieval cathedrals, and contemporary mosques and temples.  Read select primary and secondary texts and have frequent class discussions in order to better understand how the English have defined, fought over, and sought the divine.

Anticipated Learning Outcomes

Although a short study abroad course of this nature places certain limits on the depth of coverage, students who successfully complete this course will be able to competently articulate, orally and in writing, the key features of:

• pre-Christian religious expression and belief in England
• the influence of the Roman Empire on English religions
• the Celtic Church
• the purpose and function of abbeys and monasteries
• the Anglo-Saxon Church
• the impact of the Norman invasion on the English Church
• how architecture expresses religious faith and practices
• Medieval Christianity in England
• the Reformation in England
• the Church of England, historically and today
• the English Civil War
• Victorian challenges to religious faith
• the (at times) contentious relationship between church and state
• the significance of social class to religious faith in England
• features of contemporary (ir)religious life in England
• non-Western religious practices in England
• differences between rural and urban English religious life
• how major English literary texts reflect English religious culture

Eligibility

The Program Leaders may determine other eligibility requirements, but at a minimum, all applicants shall meet these requirements:

• 3.2 cumulative GPA or good standing in the Honors College)
• Permission of instructor(s)
• Current WKU student eligible to register for WKU courses
• Good academic standing (Undergraduate Catalog p.27; Graduate Catalog p.30)
• 18 years of age or older at time of departure
• Parental/legal guardian expressed consent required for those under 18 at time of departure
• Eligible to obtain a visa for FLSA destination(s) and through all transit points (if needed) as determined by US DOS and host country
• Possess passport valid for at least six (6) months after FLSA return date
• No current disciplinary sanctions as verified by Judicial Affairs
• Full payment (or signed payment agreement) prior to departure
• Permission of instructor
• Completion of all pre-departure orientation

Program Package

• Include 3-credit hour tuition ($1,062 estimated value), round-trip airfare, accommodations, group excursions, and medical insurance.  
• Not included are transportation from home to the U.S. departure airport /return from airport to your home, meals and personal spending money. 
• Final program fee subject to change due to travel arrangements.

You may contact Student Financial Assistance to determine your funding options if needed.  You will need to provide the course number, name, your name and 800#, and the Study Abroad course fee as stated above, in the email you send to financial aid.

Logistical Considerations  

• The course includes a group flight that originates and returns to Nashville.
• Study Abroad courses are not eligible for employee tuition waiver.
• Independent travel (before and/or after the programs start and end date) is permitted with prior notification to the WKU Representatives leading the program. There may be medical insurance issues to deal with, as well as changes to the airline reservations (with possible additional cost to participant), so advanced notice is required.

Funding Options

• WKU Worldtopper Scholarship (apply via the Topnet Application form)
• Honors travel grant (Honors student only)
• Honors Development Grant - all Honors students in this program MUST apply for this grant.
• Student Government Association scholarships
• Check with your major department for additional available scholarships
• Study Abroad courses are not eligible for employee tuition waiver
• Other funding options

Planned Itinerary (tentative and subject to change): 

This itinerary is a close estimate of our travel days and locations. This itinerary will be updated as more specific arrangements are made.

May 27 - Fly from Nashville (BNA) to London Heathrow

May 28 - Arrive in London; transportation to Harlaxton

May 28—June 3 - Harlaxton College, Grantham

• Stone formations in Derbyshire
• Peterborough Cathedral and Mosque
• Lincoln
• Stamford
• Oxford
• Grantham

 June 4 -  York

• Yorkminster Cathedral
• Quaker Meetinghouse

June 5—6 - Whitby

• Whitby Abbey
• Hike to Robin Hood's Bay

 June 7—10 -  London

• Westminster Abbey
• The Globe Theatre
• Wesley Chapel
• Hindu Temple
• Brompton Oratory
• British Museum

June 11 - Fly from London Heathrow to Nashville (BNA)

To learn more, Contact us!