Philosophy, Politics and Law in Britain, 2008
Please browse through the following information for an introduction to the upcoming Fall, 2008 trip to Norwich, England. I will organize informational sessions at the beginning of the Spring semester where I will discuss all the details for the 2008 trip, including application procedures, and take any of your questions. Please feel welcome to e-mail me, Professor Steven Scalet, with your questions at any time: sscalet@binghamton.edu. We also have a brochure that I can send you. I will post this brochure as a link on this page in the next few weeks, so check back for this additional notice.
The Program
The PPL in Britain Program provides students with an opportunity to spend either a semester or a full year studying at The University of East Anglia in Norwich, England. Professor Steven Scalet will lead a group of students during the Fall semester, 2008. This page contains information regarding student life at UEA, an overview of life in Norwich, a number of useful links with travel information and advice from past participants that students accepted to the program can consult prior to departure from the United States. In addition, basic information about UEA can be accessed from the UEA Home page.
Special Features of PPL in Britain
Norwich is a great town to live for a semester. You will travel with Professor Scalet and approximately twelve other students for the Fall semester, 2008. You will enroll in three classes, one taught by Professor Scalet and two other UEA classes. These courses can transfer into Binghamton credit and can count toward your major, whether it is a PPL major or another major. The program is sponsored through the PPL program, but the program is open to any student and can accommodate the requirements of most majors on campus. You will live and eat on campus with ready access to London and the many remarkable villages in England, including Norwich. By enrolling as a UEA student and living in the residence halls, you will have a total immersion experience, yet the common class with Professor Scalet allows for close ties with the Binghamton program participants. There will also be an organized weekend excursion to London led by Professor Scalet early in the program. The exchange relationship with UEA also allows your costs to be much lower than typical study abroad programs, and financial aid is possible. You can experience this 3-month study abroad program for about $3000 - $4000 beyond what your costs would have been if you stayed at Binghamton, taking into account all living expenses, including lodging, eating, and program fees.
International travel is often a life-changing experience that creates friendships and contacts for a lifetime. International study abroad also provides a distinctive element to a resume and can set you apart for job opportunities.
To offer just one testimonial from a graduate of this Program, Edo Banach, class of 1997: "I was a charter member of the PPL in Britain program and, as such, did not know what to expect. From an academic and personal perspective, the experience was life-altering.
"Norwich is a wonderful small city (not just a college town) with rich history, a top-notch "football" team, good food, and it is a short train ride from London-- a great launching point for travel throughout Great Britain and the rest of Europe.
"UEA is situated in a beautiful, modern campus. As a UEA visitor, you will have access to a wide array of interesting classes and activities, beyond the superb activities and classes arranged by PPL in Britain. UEA Professors are top-notch and fellow students are intelligent and supportive.
"Do
not miss this opportunity to study and travel in one of the best
kept secrets in Europe. Best, Edo."
The University
The University of East Anglia is in Norwich, a mid-sized English city
located in the countryside north and east of London. The University is
relatively young (founded in 1963), and is one of the most successful
and prestigious of the "new" British Universities. Norwich
is a lovely, thoroughly English city. Excellent theatre, a substantial
dedication to the arts, and stunning architecture explain much of Norwich's
appeal.
History
1996-97 was the inaugural year of the PPL in Britain program, and the program has run intermittently ever since, based on the availability of faculty to lead the trip. Past trips have consisted of about 12 BU students, and future trips will be limited to a similar number. The small scale of the program benefits students by guaranteeing personal attention from the faculty advisor and a friendly and informal atmosphere within the group. The result has been a truly memorable and valuable experience for all participants. For 2008, PPL Director and Professor Steven Scalet will lead the group with his wife Debby, who works in the Dean's office at Binghamton University, and their two year-old daughter Sophia, who wants to learn a British accent.
The City
Norwich is a bustling city of approximately 160,000 people, located one and a half hours from London. Frequent, pleasant train service means students can take full advantage of London's cultural opportunities, while avoiding the exorbitant cost of living in one of the world's most expensive cities. Contemporary concerts are frequently held on the UEA campus and classical and choral performances often occur in the Norwich Cathedral. The UEA student body is friendly and open. Social interaction is brisk, easygoing, and generally centered around pub culture, which is truly a joy unto itself.
The combination of excellent beer (Caffrey's), good music (jazz improv
at Boswell's every Thursday and Irish fiddling at various off-campus
pubs), and the overall laid-back nature of the English pub scene offers
Binghamton students the opportunity to enjoy their free time. In addition,
the academic and social opportunities available as a result of direct
enrollment in a British University are significant. Binghamton students
can pursue ideas and topics that are not offered at BU, or, for that
matter, within any American Universities. The Director's Course is a
small seminar, and, as such, encourages a large amount of discussion
and debate, unlike many typically large lecture classes. Intellectual
development is not limited to time spent in class; the UEA Philosophy
department hosts a weekly lecture series that attracts many of the leading
figures in various areas of contemporary philosophy. Bernard Williams,
(Ethics and the Limits of Philosophy) Martin Hollis, (The Cunning
of Reason) and Binghamton's own John Arthur (Words That Bind)
were among the highlights during the Fall '96 semester.
Norwich has a medieval city center with numerous restaurants and stores. One of the Britain's largest supermarket chain's, Sainsbury's, is a brief walk from the main downtown area. Fresh fruits and vegetables can be had for reasonable prices at the covered open-air market in the City Center (or, as the British say, Centre). The side streets of Norwich are home to many used clothing stores where you can buy trendy retro clothes for a fraction of their original cost. It is on these side streets, that you will get a sense of how Norwich was hundreds of years ago. They boast actual cobblestone street, small shops, and cozy, obscure pubs.
The Classes
Students are expected to enroll in the "director's course," a class taught by the BU faculty member who leads the program and acts as Program Director. This class counts as a seminar for PPL majors. The Director's course, like other UEA classes, will translate as Binghamton credit, and all classes will be graded.
In addition to the "Director's Course," students will have an opportunity to take two additional classes taught by UEA faculty. This is a unique opportunity for BU students to experience a thoroughly different method of learning and interact with British students. Also, it enables students to take classes that are not offered at Binghamton. Past students have enjoyed, and heartily recommend, the following classes:
- Russian Politics
- Moral Philosophy
- Social and Political Philosophy
- Body and Society
- Descartes
- Western European Politics
- Reason and Enlightenment
- Medieval English History
Classes are typically smaller at UEA, approximately the size of discussion sections or upper-level seminars at BU. Some classes only have lecture meetings, while others have a lecture combined with a discussion section taught by the professor. Classes are, as one past student put it, "on average, far less structured than at Binghamton. They meet at sporadic times, and you will find that you spend significantly less time in class than at Binghamton. Much of the work is expected to be done outside of class." Another commented, "If a class interests you, take, it. Don't get too caught up in what you think that you need or are expected to take." Pre registration exists at UEA, and it's worthwhile as a way to get into popular classes. Besides the three regular classes, PPL in Britain students also attend a two-credit seminar led by the Director. Its purpose is integrative, giving students an opportunity to reflect on their experience living abroad.
The Application
All majors are welcome to apply. Applications and additional information
can be picked up from the Office of International Programs in Hinman
Commons or the Philosophy Department Office in the Library Tower. Applications
may also
be downloaded directly at
http://oip.binghamton.edu/Content/SAP/SAP_How_To_Apply.htm. All
email inquiries regarding details of the program should be directed to
Professor Scalet at
sscalet@binghamton.edu.
The Cost
Study at UEA is inexpensive in comparison with other study abroad opportunities
in the UK. Students pay SUNY tuition plus a differential, a program fee
(which funds group activities in England), living, and travel costs.
Though aesthetically attractive and within an easy commute to London,
living in
Norwich does not carry the high cost that accompanies living in a larger
city. In addition to the great appeal of Norwich itself, this cost difference
creates a considerable attraction for this program.