(Photo, above: Summer Session 2011 in the United Kingdom. Professors Jamila Gavin and Julie Pfeiffer with students.)
Summer
Session in the United Kingdom
June 27 - July 23, 2011
Faculty Director: Julie Pfeiffer
Application
Deadline: Thursday, April 1, 2010
As a part of its master's degree program in the writing and study of children's literature, Hollins will offer its fourth summer study session in the United Kingdom in summer 2011. In addition to regular course study, students will experience firsthand the settings for many important children's books through day and weekend trips to sites in Oxford and London.
Application Procedure
1. The application should be printed out and completed by the applicant and returned to Julie Pfeiffer by April 1, 2010. (Late applications will be accepted as space allows). Students may fax applications to (540) 362-6097 or mail them to Hollins University, P. O. Box 9677, Roanoke, VA 24020.
2. The letters of reference should be given to two faculty members who can assess your academic performance, motivation, and ability to work in a group. Leave the appropriate form with the faculty member willing to write for you and request that it be returned by the application deadline. Letters of recommendation may be e-mailed to Professor Pfeiffer at jpfeiffer@hollins.edu. It is the responsibility of each applicant to see that all materials are in place by the application deadline.
3. A short personal interview may be scheduled with Professor Pfeiffer. Eligibility criteria that will be considered during the selection process include faculty recommendations, GPA, academic and personal reasons for participation, and personal qualities (maturity, independence, adaptability, ability to contribute to and engage with the group, flexibility, ability to deal with stress, physical stamina, conscientiousness, and a sense of humor).
4. Students will be informed in writing of decisions on their application shortly after April 1, 2010.
5. Students admitted to the seminar will be expected to confirm their intention to participate by signature on a letter of agreement, due no later than April 15, 2010.
6. On acceptance to a program, students will be asked to complete a health history to aid the faculty director in preparing an appropriate environment to deal with any current health problems and/or to help the director or others respond on your behalf should you become ill abroad.
7. Regarding health insurance: Trip fees include supplemental health insurance.
8. A student with a disability that may affect participation should discuss necessary accommodations as soon as possible with the seminar faculty director.
Study and Tour Coordinators
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| Julie Pfeiffer |
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Jamila Gavin |
Julie Pfeiffer teaches English and children’s literature at Hollins University. She edits the journal Children’s Literature and has published on Charlotte Bronte, children’s literature and gender theory.
Jamila Gavin’s book Coram Boy won the British 2000 Whitbread Children’s Book of the Year Award. She is also the author of Danger by Moonlight, Grandpa Chatterji, Monkey in the Stars, The Surya Trilogy, The Blood Stone, and numerous others. She was writer-in-residence at Hollins in summer 2006.
Prequisite
At least one summer of coursework in the Hollins graduate program in children’s literature.
 Location
We will spend a week in London, two weeks traveling through the North of England, including Haworth, the Lake District, Edinburgh, and Newcastle upon Tyne, and a week in Oxford.
Course of Study
English 550: The Subversion of Genre in British Children’s Literature
We are often quick to place texts in a category -- to label them and stack them neatly in their place. Yet children's literature in particular reminds us that genre is a complex, shifting idea, less an absolute than a starting place. This course will draw on classic and contemporary texts by British authors to explore the ways that realistic fiction and fantasy fiction intersect. Texts might include work by C.S. Lewis, Philip Pullman, Jamila Gavin, Frances Burnett, Arthur Ransome, Charles Dickens, William Wordsworth, Beatrix Potter, Diana Wynne Jones, etc. This is a travel-study course that will include time in London, the Lake District, and Oxford. It will begin as an online course in early June 2011. (4 credits, taught by Professor Pfeiffer)
English 510: Creative Writing Seminar: Children’s Literature
A workshop course in the writing of imaginative literature for children—picture books, poetry, fiction, drama, and creative nonfiction—with some study of published works in the appropriate genre. No previous experience required. Students will complete a reading list in preparation for an intensive, week-long writing workshop. Following the workshop, students will develop a portfolio of original material. (4 credits, taught by Professor Gavin)
Tentative Itinerary
Please note that the actual times and detailed logistics of this programme will become firm when the actual bookings take place next year. Classes will be held most mornings, Monday – Friday.
- Early June, 2011 – online class begins. Please do not plan to travel to Europe before the trip begins; you’ll need to be available to participate in the class on-line and will be completing research/writing assignments.
- Wednesday, June 22 - Sunday, June 26: Children’s Literature Association Conference at Hollins University (Optional but recommended!)
- Sunday, June 26: Depart from North America by own arrangements
- Monday, June 27 - Sunday, July 3: London
o Foundling Museum
o Theater performances
o Victoria and Albert Museum (Beatrix Potter exhibit)
o Visit with Cally Poplack (Egmont Publishing)
o Trip to Henley Regatta
- Sunday, July 3: Travel to Haworth
o Bronte Parsonage Museum
o Trip on Steam Train - Tuesday, July 5: travel to Lake District
- Tuesday July 5 – Sunday, July 10: Intensive Writing Workshop
o Dove Cottage and Rydal Mount
o Swallows and Amazons boat trip
o Walking tours
- Monday, July 11: travel to Edinburgh
o Literary tour of Edinburgh
- Wednesday, July 13 - Saturday, July 16: Newcastle upon Tyne
o Introduction to archives at Seven Stories
o Visit the Children’s Literature Museum, 30 Lime Street, Newcastle
o Archival research projects
- Saturday, July 16 - Friday, July 22: Oxford
o Guided tour of Oxford
o Bodleian Library Workshop
o Mad Hatter Boat Tour
o Natural History Museum
o Time to complete writing projects
- You can plan to return to the U.S. on Saturday, July 23 or begin independent travel
Housing
In London students will stay in double, triple, or quadruple rooms at Pickwick Hall. Students will have breakfast at the hotel and eat lunch and dinner on their own. The hotel includes a common kitchen, a lounge with high-speed Internet access, two computers, and laundry facilities. In Oxford, the Lake District, and Newcastle, we will stay in youth hostels or college housing with partial board.
Class Schedule
Classes will meet Monday through Friday mornings. Guided tours and field trips will occupy some afternoons as well. London theater performances will be scheduled for two evenings. Students are expected to attend all classes and all scheduled group trips and theater outings.
Program Fees
The fee for the trip is $4,000 plus regular tuition. A deposit of $1,500 is due May 1, 2010. $1,500 is due November 1, 2010, and $1,000 is due May 1, 2011.
Students who fail to pay according to this schedule face being dropped from the trip, with any money already paid to be forfeited.
Due to the necessity to prepay for many activities and accommodations, cancellation or withdrawal will incur substantial financial loss to the withdrawing student. Hollins University strongly recommends travel insurance for all participants. Here are a few travel insurance companies you may want to contact:
 Included
in the cost of the trip:
- Housing
- Transportation for all group trips
- All entrance fees for site visits
- Arranged guest speakers
- Transportation within London
Not included in the cost of the trip:
- Transportation to Britain
- Tuition
- Some meals
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