Literary London
London, England
Why you should go
The city of London has captivated the literary imagination for centuries. These courses will explore that literature and related cultural production, considering how the city has served as a setting for a diverse array of stories, with a particular focus on the 19th and 20th centuries. Through reading fiction and watching films, we will explore how London became the dynamic and vibrant “world city” that it is today. Along the way, we will consider how the experience of living in a metropolis has been recorded and represented from different points of view. These discussions will be enriched by many excursions into the spaces of the city, including walking tours, museum visits, and even chances to engage directly with the city’s contemporary filmmakers and artists.
Courses
- LTEN 144GS: Literary London (PDF)
- LTCS 189GS: How to Live in a World City: Housing, Precarity, and Migration in Contemporary
Film (PDF)
Faculty Leader
Ameeth Vijay has taught in the Literature department since 2016. His research and teaching specialities include global anglophone literature, modern and contemporary British literature, postcolonial studies and urban studies. He has offered courses in the works of Virginia Woolf, the literary legacies of British imperialism, experimentalism in twentieth century British poetics, diasporic South Asian literature, and other topics. He is also the author of Topothesia: Planning, Colonialism, and Places in Excess (Fordham University Press, 2023) which examines the intersections between literature, urban planning and architecture and tracks the persistence of British colonial relationships in the development of contemporary spaces. He has also published extensively on the urban spaces of Britain, particularly London, including articles on the London 2011 Olympics and other large scale development projects in the city. He has a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the University of California, Irvine.
Who should go
Anyone interested in studying and experiencing the vibrant culture of London, a world city that has inspired countless writers and artists over the centuries. You’ll be able to see and experience the spaces that you read about in famous novels and see in contemporary films, while also understanding how the geographies and spaces of the city have changed over time. This global seminar will be of interest not only to students of literature, but indeed anyone interested in the politics of British society, including its urban spaces, history of empire, and contemporary diversity. Through visits to museums and cultural sites, you’ll see visual art, sculpture, and cultural artifacts that influenced London’s artists while also speaking to Great Britain’s political impact on the world. Finally, you’ll be able to partake in the city’s thriving contemporary arts scene.
Information Sessions
- General (choose one):
- Tuesday, Sept. 30th, 3:00-4:00pm PST (zoom)
- Tuesday, Oct. 28th, 3:30-4:30pm PST (in-person)
- Program: Tuesday, October 28, 12:30-1:30 pm PST (zoom)
- Register here for the live Zoom link, and/or to get the post-session recording.
Dates
| Departure from U.S.: | Sat., June 27, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Arrival: | Sun., June 28, 2026 |
| Mandatory Orientation: | Mon., June 29, 2026 |
| First Day of Class: | Tues., June 30, 2026 |
| Last Day of Class: | Fri., July 31, 2026 |
| Departure for the U.S. (or personal travel): |
Sat., August 1, 2026 |
Flight Information
- You will be responsible for purchasing your own airplane tickets, and your program coordinator will provide guidelines and resources during the pre-departure process to help you find an appropriate flight.
- Do not purchase plane tickets until the program is confirmed. All approved applicants will be notified by e-mail when the program has reached minimum enrollment.
Global Seminar Fees
All fees subject to change. See https://summersession.ucsd.edu/tuition/tuition.html for current tuition and campus-based fees.
| UCSD | Other UC | Non-UC | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Program Cost: (includes $500 administrative fee) |
TBD | ||
| Estimated Tuition and Campus-Based Fees: |
|||
| Total: (not including airfare or personal expenses) |
Budget Sheet
- TBD
Funding Options
See the funding options page to learn how financial aid and scholarships can help you pay for this program.
Site Visits in London
- Literary walking tour of central London
- Thamesmead Estate Walking Tour
- Tate Modern Museum
- London Museum Docklands
- British Museum
- Barbican Estate tour
- Victoria and Albert Museum
- Walking tour of East London
- Local exhibit (TBD)
- Whitechapel Art Gallery
Excursions are subject to change without prior notice. No refunds are possible.
Housing
- Students will be housed in a furnished student apartment in central London. Apartments will have double rooms with an ensuite bathroom and access to a shared kitchen and communal areas.
- Internet access is included in the accommodation.
- Housing arrangements are subject to change based on local circumstances without prior notice. No price adjustments are possible.
Included Meals
- Welcome and Farewell dinner
Classroom and Computer Access
- Classroom in our on-site partner's London study center near Oxford Circus.
- All classrooms are equipped with projector, white board, computer, and internet access.
- No computer lab access - students must bring a laptop.
- Wireless access may be intermittent due to local conditions. No refunds or price adjustments are possible.
Transportation
- Airport pickup at the beginning of the program will be provided for students who arrive during designated pick up window at London Heathrow Airport. Required arrival time will be posted after March 1.
- Upon completion of the program students will receive a cash stipend to cover their transportation from central London back to London Heathrow by means of the Heathrow Express.
- Students will receive an Oyster Card for Zones 1 and 2 valid on the London Underground for the duration of the program.
- When necessary, local transportation to/from program sponsored activities will be included. All transportation for sponsored out-of-town excursions will be arranged via private coach or train.
Phones
- More information about how to obtain a local SIM card will be provided at the pre-departure orientation.
- Students will be responsible for purchasing their own calling time/minutes.
Insurance, Health, and Safety
- Comprehensive on-site orientation including health and safety, important logistics, tips on living in London, and tips on being academically successful
- 24/7 emergency support provided by IFSA-Butler staff
- International health insurance provided by Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI)
- All students must register for UC travel insurance. This is free coverage, but registration is required prior to departure.
