Description

In all of Europe, Northern England, especially the counties of Durham and York, are especially fortunate to have preserved exceptional fortifications dating back to the Roman Occupation. This course will study in depth this range, based in the most strategically important English bulwark against Scot invasions, Durham Castle, for the first two weeks. From Durham there will be field trips to Hadrian's Wall, and the best excavated Roman fortified camp in Britain, Housesteads (Vindolanda). There will be additional field trips to Alnwick, site of Harry Potter films, and Warkworth, home of the rebellious Percies, in addition to Barnard and Raby castles to the south. The following two weeks will be spent in York, itself still a walled city filled with medieval monuments, and supplemented by trips to Richmond Castle (John of Gaunt), Middleham Castle (Richard III), and Castle Bolton, where Mary, Queen of Scots was imprisoned. There will be a trip to the Leeds Armory Museum, encompassing a whole history of weapons and defense. The classes will cover building techniques and architectural goals, sieges, counter-measures, but also the routines of castle life, the importance of culture, entertainment, and provision in daily routines. The role of heroic women, who often defended castles in the absence of their husbands, will also be explored. The course will conclude with an expedition to Pickering, site of a strategic Norman motte-and-bailey castle and the terminus for the North Yorkshire Railway steam train (also used in Harry Potter) up to Whitby, a strategic seaside port. Classes and field trips are on a Monday-to-Thursday schedule, allowing for long-weekend explorations of all of the British Isles, and beyond. Please contact us for more details.

Courses:
* Medieval Studies 130A - Special Themes in Medieval Cultures (4 units). Each offering concentrates on an interdisciplinary aspect of medieval culture in the Middle East and Europe: the idea of the hero, mysticism, urban development. Extensive readings focused on medieval source material. May be repeated for credit. GE credit: ArtHum, Wrt.
* Medieval Studies 198 - Directed Group Study (4 units)

Highlights

Start off in Durham, taking field trips to Hadrian's wall, Housesteads, Alnwick, Warkworth, and more! Move on to York, a walled city, to explore and visit Richmond Castle, Middleham Castle, and Castle Bolton. End your journey with a trip to Pickering.
1) Durham, Yorkshire, and the areas around them are some of the most beautiful and historically well-preserved areas of Europe. These areas contain the largest project attempted by the Roman Empire, Hadrian's Wall, castles of the Marcher Lords of the North, and battle sites from Scots Invasions, the War of the Roses, the Pilgrimage of Grace, and Cromwell's campaigns.
2) In addition to the castles, both Durham and York cities contain other magnificent medieval monuments, more notably two of the most beautiful cathedrals in all of England, as well as Beverly Minster, and romantic monastic ruins within easy reach.
3) Even with the British pound at an unusually high exchange rate, this program is one of the less expensive of many that are offered, because of its remoteness from large metropolitan centers.

Degree Level

Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Minimum Education

High School

Subject Areas

Cost in US$:

TBA (please contact us for more info)

Program Fees Include:

Fees for UC Davis Summer Abroad include:
- Program Fee (USD 750)
- Course Unit Fee (approx. USD 287 per unit * 8 units)
- Accommodations & Activities Fee (varies by program, USD 950 - 4250)
- Summer Campus Fee (USD 290)

Fees subject to change; please visit the UC Davis Summer Abroad program webpage or contact UC Davis Summer Abroad for the most up-to-date information concerning program costs. Programs start around USD 5,000.

Experience Required

yes

To be eligible to participate in a UC Davis Summer Abroad program, you must: -be 18 years or older -have completed 15 accredited college units -be in good academic standing with a GPA of 2.0 or higher -be in good disciplinary standing with your academic institution

This Program is open to

American Participants.

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Scholarships are Available

UC Davis Summer Abroad is pleased to announce that the Education Abroad Center will award USD 15,000 in travel awards to participants in UC Davis Summer Abroad 2012 programs. All students enrolled in a UC Davis Summer Abroad program (Davis and Non-Davis) will have the opportunity to apply for an award ranging from USD 500 - 1,500. Application deadline: March 6, 2012. Visit the UC Davis Summer Abroad website for details.

Application Process Involves

• Disciplinary Clearance Form
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Transcript

Typically The Application Process Time is

4-5 weeks

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Job and Internship Network
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

UC Davis Summer Abroad's Mission Statement

UC Davis Summer Abroad programs offer students short but intense academic courses that are complemented with a wealth of cultural activities. The courses are structured in such a way that students gain knowledge not only in the classroom, but also from experiential learning that takes advantage of the program site. All of our programs are built around UC Davis courses and are led by UC Davis faculty. Many provide opportunities for students to visit non-English speaking countries while doing their coursework in English. Our class sizes are limited, generally enrolling from 18-30 students, thus allowing us to create intimate learning communities overseas. Programs are open to all students outside the UC system, alumni and professionals.