Summer
Session in the United Kingdom
June 27 - July 24, 2009
As a part of its master's degree program in the writing and study of children's literature, Hollins will offer its third summer study session in the United Kingdom in summer 2009. Participants will have the opportunity to take two four-credit courses, "The Landscape of British Children's Literature" and "Creative Writing: Myth, Legend, and History." 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 March 1, 2008. (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.
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, 2008.
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: If accepted into this program, you will be required to ascertain that your current insurance will cover you abroad and to take out additional coverage for the period of the seminar if it does not.
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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| Jamila Gavin |
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Julie Pfeiffer |
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.
Julie Pfeiffer teaches English and children’s literature at Hollins University and is chair of the Department of English and Creative Writing. She edits the journal Children’s Literature and has published on Charlotte Bronte, children’s literature and gender theory.
Prequisite
At least one summer of coursework in the Hollins graduate program in children’s literature.
 Location
We will spend a week in Oxford, a week traveling through the North of England, including Haworth, the Lake District, Hadrian’s Wall and Newcastle upon Tyne, and two weeks in London.
Course of Study
English 550: The Landscape of British Children's Literature
This is a travel-study course that will include time in Oxford, the Lake District, and London. We will take advantage of our presence in Great Britain to think about the ways that place and space influence our readings of classic works of British children's literature. (4 credits, taught by Professor Pfeiffer)
English 510: Creative Writing: Myth, Legend, and History
A creative writing workshop course inspired by the myth, legend, and history of the British countryside. We will consider picture books, poetry, fiction, drama, and creative nonfiction, with some study of published works in the appropriate genre. No previous experience required. (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.
- Saturday, June 27: Depart from North America by own arrangements
- Sunday, June 28: Arrive in Oxford. From Gatwick airport you can take a train direct to Oxford; from Heathrow airport you take a train to Hayes and from there a train to Oxford. Check into the YHA, Oxford.
- Monday, June 29: “The Magical World of Alice and Harry Potter” – a guided walking tour centred on Lewis Carroll and ‘Harry Potter’. This will include visits to Christ Church and the Great Hall as well as the Bodleian Library and other sites including a river trip.
- Tuesday, June 30: Tour of Literary Oxford to include Tolkein and CS Lewis sites.
- Wednesday, July 1: Local Oxford coach pick up from the hostel to take you to visit Sarehole and Sarehole Mill in the morning and then the Cadbury Chocolate Factory in the afternoon.
- Thursday, July 2: Guided walking tour centred on Philip Pullman.
- Friday, July 3: Free afternoon in Oxford.
- Saturday, July 4: Oxford coach will collect you from the hostel and on to the Lakes District. Visit the Bronte Parsonage at Haworth near York where you will have a tour and then on to your hostel at Ambleside YHA.
- Sunday, July 5: Visit Dove Cottage and walk from there to Rydal Mount – and the rest of the day is free.
- Monday, July 6: Beatrix Potter day - take the local bus to Hawkshead and Bowness on Windermere. Visit Hill Top at Sawrey and also the Beatrix Potter Museum.
- Tuesday, July 7: Take the Swallows and Amazons boat trip.
- Wednesday, July 8: Local coach company will collect you from your hostel and take you to Newcasstle Upon Tyne. Visit Housesteads Fort and Hadrian’s Wall. On to Newcastle YHA.
- Thursday, July 9: Visit the Children’s Literature Museum, 30 Lime Street, Newcastle.
- Friday, July 10: Local coach company will collect you and take you to visit Nottingham Castle before bringing you into London to Pickwick Hall.
We will spend two weeks in London (July 10 - July 24). Activities might include:
- a J.M. Barrie day with a visit to Kensington Gardens where Barrie met the Llewelyn Davies boys who inspired him to write Peter Pan – and visit the statue of Peter Pan.
- Train trip to Henley on Thames to discover the Wind in the Willows exhibition at the River and Rowing Museum.
- Visit the Victoria and Albert Museum in London where you can see actual drawings by E.H. Shephard for A.A. Milne’s WINNIE THE POOH books. Also at the Victoria and Albert Museum where you can view the Beatrix Potter Collection.
- Train ride to the Roald Dahl Children’s Gallery in Church Street, Alyesbury, Buckinghamshire.
- Coach for day trip to Ashdown Forest to visit the Winnie the Pooh sites including the river/Pooh sticks.
- Visits to the Polka Theatre, the Unicorn Theater and a London musical.
- Readings and literary events
Housing
In Oxford, the Lake District and Newcastle we will stay in Youth Hostels with full board. In London Students will stay in double, triple or quadruple rooms at Pickwick Hall, 7 Bedford Place, London WCIB 5JE, conveniently located in central London (the Bloomsbury district), near the British Museum and within walking distance of a number of London theaters. 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 and two computers, and laundry facilities.
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 three evenings. Students are expected to attend all classes and all scheduled group trips and theater outings.
Program Fees
The fee for the trip is $4,500 plus regular tuition. A deposit of $1,500 is due June 1, 2008. Further installments of $1,500 are due November 1, 2008, and and May 1, 2009.
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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