The program offers multiple course options, each course is five quarter credits. Certain courses may satisfy SOJC major or minor requirements by petition, please review the SOJC Student page on study abroad for more details on the process.All students will enroll in the following three courses:
Britain Today: Issues and Perspectives
JMS majors can use it towards a Media Studies track. MEST minors can use it for their minor elective. J/JAD/JPR majors would receive JCOM Elective credit.
The course aims to analyze key cultural, social, economic and political developments and provide students with a context for their time in London. It will provide students with the grounding and analytical tools to compare and contrast contemporary Britain with the United States. It will also look at the increasing polarisation in Britain’s news media: the decline of print and broadcast; the rise of new platforms sympathetic to populist movements; and the sharp increase in the reach of social media influencers at the expense of the ‘legacy’ media.
Media in the United Kingdom
J/JAD/JMS/JPR majors can substitute this course for the “JCOM 305 Media History or JCOM 306 Global Communication requirement." MEST minors may use it as minor elective course. If students have already completed the JCOM 305/JCOM 306 requirement, then the course would be JCOM Elective credits.
This course equips students with an overview of the British media evolution and its relationship with society in the UK. Within this framework, the course explores how political, cultural, commercial, regulatory, and editorial issues shape the media we manufacture and consume Britain. This objective is achieved as students engage with industry professionals in class, make fieldstrips to operational media hubs in London, and audio-visual case studies of programme that will include news, current affairs, entertainment, education, advertising and creative digital innovation across all terrestrial media platforms.
Internship Seminar
This one credit seminar will be in addition to your internship and allow students the opportunity to learn and discuss differences in the UK work culture and reflect on their internship experiences and professional development. More details about the internship below!
Additional course options include:
Independent Study
All SOJC students would receive JCOM Elective credit for this course.
This is an optional course designed for students in journalism and related disciplines. It is a programme of independent study which enables students to understand the development and current practise of journalism in Britain, and more particularly which supports students in undertaking journalistic assignments intended for a range of platforms and audiences. Students will have one-to-one weekly conversations with the course instructor to review progress and develop ideas. From this students will compile a portfolio which will include journalistic assignments and reflections or casebook entries.
Creative Writing in London (CRWR 240 equivalent)
Modern and Contemporary Art in London (ARH upper division, AL satisfying)
The Play’s the Thing: GEO Theatre Course (TA upper division, AL satisfying)
London: Biography of a City (HIST upper division, SSC satisfying)
History of Women and Gender in England and Wales (WGS upper division)
Internship Details
London internships are available in many fields, such as the Arts, Business, Start-ups, Marketing/PR, Financial Services, Hospitality & Tourism, HR, Politics, NGOs, Education, Technology and more!
The internship placement requires additional application steps, please click here to learn more about the process(opens in new window). Students participating in an internship can expect the following support during their program:
- Individualized pre-departure consultation meeting
- Pre-Departure Webinar
- On-site Orientation
- Skills-based workshops and networking events
- Mid-term review (student and internship supervisor)
- Final Evaluation (student and internship supervisor)
Due to the competitive nature of internships, it is recommended to work with a study abroad and/or career center advisor to review your resume and prepare for an interview in advance. Some examples of past placements have included:
- Politics: Members of Parliament in Westminster, NGOs, campaigning, research, media
- NGOs and Charities: International and domestic focus, human rights, environmental, marginalised populations (homeless, refugee women, children/youth, former prisoners)
- Health Services: Policy, health clinics, children’s care, medical device sales
- Media: Film festival, production studios, international channel
- Public Relations: Fashion PR, media PR
- Publishing, Literature and Journalism: Publishers, magazines, webzines
- Museums and Galleries: History, art, music, archives
- Performing Arts: House management, stage management, arts management, costuming, lighting, children, orchestra management
- Entrepreneurial Business: Start-up companies in sport, hospitality, technology, graphic design, PR
- Fashion: Clothing designers, bridal, couture, millinery, fancy dress
