Faculty-led programs
Glasgow artists and writers workshop
Scotland
6 to 9 undergraduate or 6 graduate credits
June 23-July 24, 2010
Richard Fine, Ph.D.
$2,275 plus airfare and applicable VCU tuition
Registration deadline: March 26, 2010
Status: Program open
The Office of International Education, Department of English and School of the Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University proudly sponsor the tenth bi-annual summer study abroad opportunity for students in the literary, visual and performing arts. This month-long program takes place at the historic Glasgow School of Art in Scotland, designed by the renowned Scottish artist Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Participants will be exposed to authors, music, historical environments and workshops in one of the most creatively active areas in the United Kingdom.
Course and credit options
6 to 9 undergraduate or 6 graduate VCU credits
Participants will have the option of choosing two or three of the following courses (all register for either HUMS 391, HONR 399, or for graduate students HUMS 591):
HUMS 391 Arts in Contemporary Britain; HONR 399 Arts in Contemporary Britain; ENGL 305 Creative Writing; PAPR 324 Drawing; SCPT 491 Topics in Sculpture; ENGL 391 Contemporary Scottish Literature; ENGL 435 Advanced Poetry Writing; ENGL 437 Advanced Fiction Writing; ENGL 439 Literary Nonfiction Writing; ARTH 489 C. R. Mackintosh and His Circle; HUMS 591 Arts in Contemporary Britain; ENGL 667 Graduate Poetry Workshop; ENGL 666 Graduate Fiction Workshop; PAPR 621 Graduate Drawing; SCPT 591 Graduate Sculpture; ENGL 620 Contemporary Scottish Literature.
Course description
The Glasgow workshop aims to help students refine their abilities as writers and artists as they work on projects stimulated by their experience in Scotland. Participants also may choose to take associated courses in contemporary Scottish literature and/or art history. There is an honors component, and a special option for students interested in the British arts who do not want to enroll in a studio class. The program includes special tours of several major museums and galleries, film screenings, special readings by well-known British writers, walking tours of Glasgow’s extraordinary architecture, excursions to several notable sites out of town, and a three-day retreat to historic Hospitalfield House, a magnificent estate on the east coast of Scotland.
Richard Fine, Ph.D., is professor of English and former chair of the VCU English Department. He has directed the Glasgow Artists and Writers Workshop since its inception in 1994 and teaches the program’s capstone course, The Arts in Contemporary Britain.
Registration deadline: March 26, 2010
Applications will be accepted after that date on a space available basis. Applications must be submitted online.
Program cost
$2,275 plus airfare and applicable VCU tuition
The program fee is $2,275 and includes the following:
- Accommodations
- Study visits and tours
- Ground transportation
- Books and some art materials
- Use of the Glasgow School of Art studios and facilities
- Hospitalfield House visit, including meals
- On-site program director support
- Application fee and deposit
- Pre-departure orientation
- VCU administrative fees
- International Student Identification Card
The following are not included in the program fee. Students are responsible for:
- Airfare
- VCU tuition and fees
- Meals
- Passport application fee
- Personal expenses during the program (estimated at $1,000)
- Anything not specifically mentioned above
Please budget for these additional expenses.
Airfare
Airfare is not included. Participants are responsible for their own round-trip travel arrangements from the U.S. to Scotland. Fine will assist participants in identifying a low-cost option for the group. For best fares you should purchase your ticket prior to April 15.
Eligibility
Students must have at least a 2.0 GPA to apply. Admission of applicants is based on academic record, candidate’s statement, and the need to balance art and writing students. A waiting list will be maintained.
While in Scotland
For maximum flexibility, participants make their own travel arrangements. The program begins in Glasgow on June 23, 2010. Classes are held Monday through Friday, leaving weekends free for further exploration of Scotland or other travel. Classes will end on July 23. Accommodation ends on July 24. In addition to the three nights at Hospitalfield House, there will be several day trips to sites in the Scottish countryside.
Participants will be housed in self-catering flats (student apartments) in the Margaret MacDonald House at the Glasgow School of Art. Each participant will have a private bedroom and share a kitchen and common room with several others. Bedding is provided and the kitchens are well-equipped. There is a pay telephone in each flat. Rooms may be booked (at a modest additional charge) for the few nights before the workshop begins and after it ends.
Important facts
- Tuition
- Financial aid
- Passports
- Payment of fees
- Refund policy
Tuition and fees is charged separately and additionally at standard VCU rates for in-state students and at a 40 percent discount for out-of-state students. Estimated costs, based on current tuition per credit and fees, are as follows: undergraduate in-state, $221 (per 3 credit class: $655); undergraduate out-of-state, $439 (per 3 credit class: $1,309); graduate in-state, $455 (per 3 credit class: $1,357); graduate out-of-state, $567 ($1,693 per 3 credit class).
Eligible VCU students may apply for need-based financial aid to participate in this program. Contact VCU Financial Aid, Ginter House, Room 110B at (804) 828-6669 or e-mail faidmail@vcu.edu. VCU offers its students a limited number of scholarships for study abroad participation. Contact VCU Education Abroad or see our Web site for further details.
If you have a passport, make sure it is valid for at least six months after your return date. If you do not have a passport, apply early because the processing time can take up to eight weeks. For more information on how to apply for a passport, visit http://travel.state.gov.
The non-refundable registration fee of $250 is due upon registration. The balance of the program fee and the tuition costs (based on the number of credits taken) will be billed separately through VCU Student Accounting after May 2010 (both amounts may be billed at the same time).
All withdrawals must be made in writing and submitted to the Director of Education Abroad.
The refund schedule is as follows:
- Prior to April 15: I am eligible for a refund of the portionof the program fee that has not already been expended in payment of costs outlined on the individual program sheet in support of my participation. I understand that, as the spring progresses, the charges may reflect an increasing amount, depending on what payments have been made on my behalf. After April 15, I understand that the entire program fee may be due. I understand that the refund amount cannot be determined until I formally submit written withdrawal from the program.
- After April 15: I will be responsible to pay the entire program fee. In the event of an unexpected emergency that occurs after April 15, I understand that I must provide a physician’s certification that my condition prohibits participation. In this case, refunds will be limited to recoverable expenses.
Every effort is made to provide updated and accurate information at the time of publication. The sponsors reserve the right to make necessary changes to the programs and costs. The university reserves the right to revise or alter all fees, regulations pertaining to student fees, and fee collection procedures at any time.
