London

Your London Experience

• Foundation for International Education (FIE) Study Center

  Our academic partner in London, the Foundation for International Education (FIE) is a non-profit organization with a reputation for academic excellence, cultural immersion and student support.

  In London, you'll attend all of your classes at the FIE Foundation House (114 Cromwell, Rd., London SW7 4ES):

  • Located in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, considered one of London’s most desirable locations.
  • Near the Gloucester Road Tube Station for easy connections to Zone 1 and Central London's popular attractions.
  • Strong reputation for international education and facilitating transformative study abroad experiences.
  • Within walking distance of the Royal Albert Hall, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Natural History Museum

  Site Director

  You'll also have a dedicated iCharleston site director – a College of Charleston graduate who has several years of experience working with first-year students. Your site director will be a mentor, program coordinator and sounding board. 

  Visit the FIE Website
• Housing

  Foundation for International Education Housing

  As a London participant in iCharleston, you'll live in fully-furnished FIE Housing near the Foundation House study center.

  • Location
    • Near the heart of historic and charming Kensington.
    • All student housing is within a 10-minute walk to the Foundation House study center.
    • World-renowned museums and shopping, as well as easy access to the rest of the city via the Gloucester Road tube station. (iCharleston participants receive an Oyster Card travelcard for unlimited Tube rides in Zones One and Two and bus rides all over the city.)

  • Amenities:
    • Large rooms with en-suite bathrooms.
    • Shared, dormitory-style rooms with single beds, bunk beds and wardrobes.
    • Common kitchens equipped with cookware, silverware and dishes. 
    • Linens, blankets and pillow provided with weekly cleaning service providing fresh linens.
    • Laundry facilities in all residence halls for student use. Approximately £3.00 per wash/£1.50 per dry.
    • Superfast WiFi (1024Mbps)
    • Access to 24/7 computer labs and study lounges.
    • Secured 24/7 with front desk staff.
    • Two live-in residence hall supervisors.
• Academics
  Your iCharleston academic experience in London includes 15 hours of transferable academic credits upon completion of the iCharleston program.
  

  • You'll need to earn a "C" or better to transfer your courses to the College of Charleston.
     
  • Time in class: Each of your London classes meets for three hours sessions once a week.
    
    
  • Your classmates: London is a closed program where iCharleston students take classes together.
    
    
  • Academic accommodations: Accomodations are available for those requesting support.
    
    
  • Passport to College of Charleston: You will also participate in a non-credit seminar each week - Passport to CofC - to bond, develop skills and ultimately support your transition to the College of Charleston in the spring.
    
    
  • Go to Class! FIE and iCharleston policy do not tolerate absences from class. Participants can lose their study visa if they are not present for class. 

   

  COURSE SCHEDULE

  Your 15 hours will include two courses required for all iCharleston London participants:

  • British Life and Cultures
    FIE Course Number:  CSBR 121L
    This multidisciplinary course serves as the anchor of the study programme in London, offering students an opportunity to place what they are learning in their other courses into a larger, contemporary context. It also enables students to appreciate more of what they observe during their stay in Britain in regard to the underlying history, themes, and institutions of the UK. The course provides a comprehensive examination of British life and multiculturalism past, present, and future. Students learn what makes Britain a nation via a range of topics on politics and monarchy, media and arts, and society.
    
    College of Charleston Transfer Equivalency: ANTH 109
    College of Charleston Course Title: Special Topics in Anthropology

  • College Writing: Britain as a Text
    FIE Course Number: ENG 120L
    This course engages students in the writing process by building on and expanding existing curiosity, knowledge, ideas, and skills. Students work on a diverse range of styles and forms to expand their choices as writes, ranging from informal in-class exercises to serious critical analysis; from on-the-spot notebook jottings to the final essay. Student writing is informed by reading, research, analysis, and discussion, along with the things that fascinate and trouble students. During the course, students look at ‘reading’ in its broadest form, exploring ways of reading landscapes, images, sounds, and people, as well as texts. 
    
    College of Charleston Transfer Equivalency: ENGL 110
    College of Charleston Course Title: Introduction to Academic Writing

  
  Select Three Courses from Elective List:

  • Sustainable Cities: London in the Era of Climate Change
    FIE Course Number: IENS202L
    The consequences of man-made changes to the climate that are beginning to be experienced now are going to continue having a significant impact on urban areas and populations therein. Understanding, predicting, and mitigating the social effects of climate change is a growing concern for policy-makers, practitioners, and scholars worldwide, engulfing and remaking societal conceptions of sustainability. Who is in charge of envisioning a sustainable future, and what information are they using to make their decisions? Sustainable for who? And who is being excluded from this vision? This course investigates the global and local changes associated with climate change from the perspective of urban sociology. It examines the ways we can make sense of climate change’s impact on human societies. This course will consider the history and future of urban settlement, with a particular focus on how cities are being remade in the era of climate change. 
    
    College of Charleston Transfer Equivalency: URST 313
    College of Charleston Course Title: Sustainable Urbanism
    
    
  • Understanding Civilizations: Islam and the West
    FIE Course Number: REST 394L
    This course focuses on the historical, political, and religious relationships between ‘Islam’ and the ‘West’. Islam has for centuries been Europe’s neighbour and cultural contestant with a history of conflict and co-existence. Since September 11, 2001 there has been increasing talk of a ‘clash of civilisations’, but globalisation has also created an interdependency of faiths that requires greater co-operation, understanding, and dialogue. A recurrent theme of this course is whether it is possible to separate the world into monolithic entities called ‘Islam’ and the ‘West’. Why is one defined in terms of religion and the other a geopolitical designation? Further, we are increasingly witnessing ‘Islam in the West’. Muslims are not confined to the Middle East but have spread in large numbers to Europe and the United States and there have been Islamic communities living in the Balkans and in parts of southern Europe for centuries. This course is not designed to find out who is right or who is wrong between Islam and the West. Rather, the task is to deconstruct commonly assumed ideas about the other and to look at the historical development within the specific context of abstract ideas like secularity, religiosity, gender, human rights, freedom, and many more.
    
    College of Charleston Transfer Equivalency: HIST 250
    College of Charleston Course Title: Special Topics in Comparative/Transnational History
    
    
  • Music in 20th Century Britain
    FIE Course Number: IMUS 105L
    This course examines a wide range of important musical styles in twentieth century Britain in
    diverse settings: the national institutions of British classical music; the subcultures that
    emerged after the Second World War, such as Teddy Boys, Rockers and Mods, and the “Do It
    Yourself” culture of all-night dance music parties. The stylistic traits of different artists and
    genres (the forms, lyrics, instrumentation etc.) are examined as well as the cultural, political,
    and economic context in which each was created. This course develops student knowledge of a range of musical styles and periods within 20th century Britain and an analytical understanding of music in its social context. It also looks at the function of scholarship on music. 
    
    College of Charleston Transfer Equivalency: MUSC 222
    College of Charleston Course Title: Special Topics for Non-majors
    
    
  • Modern and Contemporary Fine Art in London
    FIE Course Number: ART 180L
    This course traces the development of Modern (1800-1970) and Contemporary Art (1970 to today). Through a series of in class sessions and visit to Museums and Galleries in London, students are introduced to a variety of art forms and media as they consider the socio-historical events that brought art to implement new media such as photography, film and installation, to the more traditional painting and sculpture. Following a loose chronological order, the course traces the development of the main artistic movements and styles from the revolutionary paintings by Turner through to rise of Realism, Impressionism, and the radical approaches to reality provided by Cubism, Surrealism and Abstract Art. The latter part of the course looks more in depth look at the fragmentation of styles and emergence of new media that have thus far characterised the international, contemporary art scene. 
    
    College of Charleston Transfer Equivalency: ARTH 285
    College of Charleston Course Title: Modern Art
    
    
  • Photojournalism: London Through the Lens
    FIE Course Number: ICOM 345L
    The course is designed to familiarize students with skills combining photographic composition and camera operation with conceptual ideas, especially those of narrative photography. Students learn to blend elements of photojournalism and aesthetic photography to challenge their creative abilities whilst creating a unique portfolio exhibiting their new-found knowledge and understanding of London as a global city. How can your experience of a culture be reflected in the way you capture it in a photograph?  How might you utilise images to narrate your experience during your stay in London?  How can developing an appreciation of photography parallel a greater understanding of London as a global city? This course is intended for students with an interest in the history, theory, and practice of photography (as well as basic camera skills). Central to the course is the exhibition of student work at the end of the term to showcase their journey from new arrivals to Londoners. 
    
    College of Charleston Transfer Equivalency: COMM 1EE
    College of Charleston Course Title: Communication Elective 100 Level

  • Modern British History
    FIE Course Number: IHIST 105L
    During the nineteenth century, Britain emerged as the world's premier imperial, commercial, and maritime superpower. In the twentieth century, Britain transformed into an important – but secondary – nation state in a post-industrial, post-Cold War world. It experienced the transformative upheavals of post-industrial revolution, two devastating world wars, and the loss of empire, yet it re-emerged as an important part of the European Union and with a multi-ethnic and multi-faith society that is a nodal point in the global economic order. This course introduces students to the main events, trends, themes, and debates in British history during these years. This course provides an overview of the development of British society since the nationalisation of the East India Company, concentrating on a series of key themes including the consequences of industrialisation, New Imperialism, and social and political reform. Particular focus includes the impact of Total War on modern society and the development of the post-WWII Welfare State. During the course, students become aware of the multi-sided and contested nature of Britain’s past and how debates about British history relate to contemporary cultural and political discourse. 
    
    College of Charleston Transfer Equivalency: HIST 241
    College of Charleston Course Title: Special Topics in Modern European History
    
    
  • Environmental Science: Our Role in Today’s World
    FIE Course Number: ENSC 101L
    Sustainability is the integrating theme of this current and thought-provoking course that provides the basic scientific tools for understanding and thinking critically about the environment, inspiring students to take positive approaches toward finding and implementing useful environmental solutions in their own lives and careers. This course offers a broad overview of physical, chemical, biological, and geological aspects associated with environmental science. Students are introduced to natural processes and interactions in the atmosphere, ocean, and on land. There is a focus on biogeochemical cycling of elements as well as changes of these natural cycles with time and recent anthropogenic effects. Topics include population dynamics, climate change topics (ozone depletion, greenhouse effect), ecosystem interactions, etc. 
    
    College of Charleston Transfer Equivalency: ENVT 2MM
    College of Charleston Course Title: Environmental Studies Elective 200 Level
    
    
  • Media in Britain
    FIE Course Number: IMDA 110L
    This course offers a broad-based introduction to mass media as they have developed in Britain during the past 75 years. Students study the development and the content of British mass media and how they have impacted the interconnected world wide web of cinema, print, broadcasting, and social media that is now a part of our daily lives. The course surveys particular British traditions and practices that have determined broadcasting (television and radio), the press (national newspapers and magazines), advertising, cinema, and convergent digital media via the Internet. This course also explores the varied relationships between theory and practice in the mass media in Britain. 
    
    College of Charleston Transfer Equivalency: COMM 2EE
    College of Charleston Course Title: COMM Elective 200 Level
    
    
  • The Political Economy of the EU: Brexit and Beyond
    FIE Course Number: IPOS 205L
    This course provides a comprehensive examination of the European economy and the processes of European economic integration as well as a critical analysis of EU policies in their broader political and economic context. The course develops student understanding of EU developments such as the Single Market and Economic and Monetary Union (including the Euro). Furthermore, the course covers unifying EU policies such as the Common Agricultural Policy, industrial and competition policies, and regional and social policies and their impacts on global economic development as well as an examination of the EU’s social market economy. 
    
    College of Charleston Transfer Equivalency: POLI 102
    College of Charleston Course Title: Contemporary Political Issues
    
    
  • Principles of Management
    FIE Course Number: IMGT 195N
    How do you successfully manage organizations and people? What's the difference between managing and leading? Are there special skills needed to manage across borders and in different cultures? This course gives a broad overview of management and provides students with information that will help them not only become better managers, but also better team members. Students are introduced to a variety of concepts, assessments, tools, and techniques that are important for understanding the changing business environment; elements of strategic planning; methods of organizing including recruiting, selecting, training, and developing; techniques for leading individuals and teams; and procedures for controlling resources to improve productivity and results. 
    
    College of Charleston Transfer Equivalency: MGMT 2MM
    College of Charleston Course Title: Business Major 200 Level
    
    
  • Principles of Marketing
    FIE Course Number: IMGT 210
    Through a European lens, this introductory course prepares students to think strategically about marketing in today’s global environment. After successful completion of this course, students have a basic understanding of the marketing concept, the marketing mix (product, place, promotion, and price), segmentation, targeting, positioning, customer value, branding, services marketing, global marketing, marketing metrics, consumer and business behavior, ethics and social responsibility in marketing, market planning, market research, and competitive analysis. In addition, students have the opportunity to evaluate and formulate marketing strategies taking into account the influence of international issues and technology.
    
    College of Charleston Transfer Equivalency: MKTG 302
    College of Charleston Course Title: Marketing Concepts
    
    
  • Cash, Money, Records Forever
    FIE Course Number: MUS 247L
    The course examines the structure and methodologies of the music industry and business in diverse settings: the origins of the music industry; different areas of the industry including record labels and its associates; artistry and agency; music consumption, distribution and promotion/marketing; and, creativity and legal issues in music. The course will also discuss on how the evolving music industry has had an impact on business and society in Britain (and Europe). 
    
    College of Charleston Transfer Equivalency: ARTM 210
    College of Charleston Course Title: Introduction to the Music Industry

  • Sport in British Society
    FIE Course Number: ICOM 160L
    This course provides an opportunity to understand sports in a British context. The module is presented from a historical and contemporary perspective and examines a series of themes and issues, primarily through sports and the sociology of sport, with supplementary references to economics, politics, and the media. 
    
    College of Charleston Transfer Equivalency: SOCY 109
    College of Charleston Course Title: Special Topics in Sociology
    
    
  • Harry Potter: Magic, Myth & Meaning
    FIE Course Number: IENG 202L
    ‘Words are our most inexhaustible source of magic’ Dumbledore Magic, like literature, is a way of finding meaning in the mayhem and maelstrom of life, a way of imposing order on, or even creating the world around us. Using other texts (Shakespeare, C.S. Lewis, Tolkien, Greek myth and Arthurian legend) this course will analyse how J.K. Rowling, by using an alchemy of intertextuality, conjured a world that explores our interconnected myths, magical rituals, archetypes and shared histories to make meaning of our selves. 
    
    College of Charleston Transfer Equivalency: ENG 190
    College of Charleston Course Title: Introductory Special Topics
• Sample Class Schedule

  Monday
  Understanding Civilizations, Islam and the West: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

  Tuesday
  Modern and Contemporary Fine Art in London: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
  College Writing - Britain as a Text: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

  Wednesday
  Passport to CofC: 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
  Photojournalism: 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

  Thursday
  British Life and Cultures: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
  Contemporary British Theatre: 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

  Friday
  Music in 20th-Century Britain: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
  British History: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

  Note: FIE and iCharleston policy do not tolerate absences from class and participants can lose their study visa if they are not present for class.

• Expenses

  $20,500* includes:
  
        • 15 transferable academic credits upon successful completion of the iCharleston program.
        • Residential dorm-style housing with en suite bathrooms and shared kitchens.
        • Orientation program.
        • iCharleston site director supporting academic and social transition to London.
        • iCharleston-specific programming.
      

  Flight costs are not included in program fees. A group flight will be arranged and instructions for securing your reservation will be provided. It is required to fly on the iCharleston group flight.
  * NOTE: All costs are subject to change. No financial aid is available for this location.