PrincetonUniversity
 

Surroundings stimulate study of English literature

by Karin Dienst
Seven Princeton juniors have spent the fall semester immersed in English literature. Not only have they studied British writers, but they've lived in the city that inspired them.

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The English majors have been studying at University College London through a partnership between UCL and Princeton's English department. They took the junior seminar, "London: Mind of the Writer; Body of the City," taught by Princeton's Nigel Smith, a professor of English, as well as two courses offered by the UCL English department and one other course in a department of their choosing. The students earned a full semester of credit for the work done abroad.

This particular partnership between Princeton and UCL has been in place for five years, but this past semester was the first time a Princeton professor has gone to London to teach the junior seminar. Smith earned his Ph.D. at Oxford University and taught there before joining the Princeton faculty in 1999.

Describing the experience of holding a Princeton class in London as being "absolutely terrific," Smith said that the students were "profoundly stimulated by the new environment, and especially the number of theaters, museums and galleries." He said a highlight was visiting Shakespeare's Globe Theatre for a performance of "Richard II," and "seeing pure joy and engagement on the students' faces."

From the Princeton Weekly Bulletin.

The students enrolled in "London: Mind of the Writer; Body of the City" had a chance to explore the area as part of their educational experience. Visiting Hampton Court Palace were: (back row, from left) Nathan Floody, Carolyn Wise, Andrew Bosse; (middle row) John Dempsey, Ellenna Raymond; and (front row) Ysa Rodriguez.

photo courtesy of John Dempsey