Contemporary World History in London
London, England
Faculty Leader
Patrick H. Patterson
patrickpatterson@ucsd.edu
Patrick Patterson has been teaching at UC San Diego since 2001, first for the Making of the Modern World program at Eleanor Roosevelt College, and more recently as a member of the History Department. His research focuses on the history of 20th-century Eastern Europe and the Balkans, with major emphases on everyday life and consumer culture and on the interplay of Islam, Christianity, and secular society. He teaches courses on everyday life under authoritarian rule, Islam and immigration in contemporary Europe, Americanization and anti-Americanism, law and religion, and the international law of war crimes and genocide. He received his Ph.D. in History from the University of Michigan, a J.D. from the University of Virginia, and an A.B. in Religion from Princeton University.
Courses
- MMW 15GS: The Contemporary Era: Conflict and Aspirations in a Globalized World, 20th-21st Century (draft syllabus coming soon!)
- HIEU 135GS: Sun, Sea, Sand, and Sex: Tourism and Tourists in the Contemporary World (draft syllabus coming soon!)
Why you should go
London is a site of extraordinary cultural and historical importance for these two courses. Through MMW 15, students will learn about the UK's great significance in world history covering roughly 1900 to the present. HIEU 135GS draws continually on the city's contemporary experience as a place where historical legacies and local culture are preserved for—and marketed very, very successfully to—vast numbers of foreign and domestic visitors. Students will experience some of the most important touristic sites for domestic and international travelers to understand the vitality of history and culture in modern Britain and in the modern world.
Who should go
Anyone interested in London and Great Britain, their critical importance in the making of modern society in an age of war and peacemaking, democracy and dictatorship, economic decline and expansion, and globalization, and anyone looking to learn more about the worldwide importance of contemporary tourism and London's role as a unique magnet for tourists from all over the planet!
Regarding course equivalency, MMW 15GS can fulfill the Making of the Modern World requirement for Eleanor Roosevelt College students, and HIEU 135GS may fulfill major/minor requirements for History and the ERC Regional Specialization requirement for Europe. All students should consult with their academic advisor(s) to determine officially how the courses will apply to graduation requirements.
Information Sessions
- Tuesday, Oct. 15, 3:00 - 4:30 pm
- Thursday, Jan. 23, 5:00 - 6:30 pm
- Register here for the upcoming session's Zoom link, and/or to get the prior session's recording.
Dates
| Departure from U.S.: | Sat., August 2, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Arrival: | Sun., August 3, 2025 |
| Mandatory Orientation: | Mon., August 4, 2025 |
| Last Day of Class: | Fri., September 5, 2025 |
| Departure for the U.S. (or personal travel): |
Sat., September 6, 2025 |
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) |
$6,943.83 | $6,943.83 | $6,943.83 |
| Estimated Tuition and Campus-Based Fees: | $2,514.43 | $2,564.43 | $3,574.43 |
| Total: (not including airfare or personal expenses) |
$9,458.26 | $9,508.26 | $10,518.26 |
Budget Sheet
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
- London city tour
- Guided tour, educational workshop and tickets to a play at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre (subject to availability)
- Hampton Court Palace
- Churchill War Rooms
- Imperial War Museum
- Museum of Brands
- Fashion and Textile Museum
- West End London Theater
- British Museum
- Migration Museum
Day Trips
- Oxford
- Cambridge
- Round trip boat trip to Greenwich with a tour of the Royal Observatory and free time to explore the Cutty Sark and National Maritime Museum
Overnight Excursion to Salisbury, Stonehenge and Bath
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 single 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.
