Philosophy, Politics, and Law in Britain, 2010

PPL in Britain continues its faculty-led study abroad program Fall, 2010. Director Steven Scalet will lead a group of PPL students to live and study at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England. If you are interested in learning more about joining this future trip and taking advantage of this remarkable opportunity, please contact Professor Scalet at sscalet@binghamton.edu, and he will be happy to answer your questions.

The Program

The PPL in Britain Program provides students with an opportunity to spend a semester studying at The University of East Anglia in Norwich, England. Founded in 1996, the PPL Program and the Office of International Programs have co-sponsored this unique faculty-led program. The last trip occurred in Fall, 2008, and Professor Steven Scalet will next lead a group of students during the Fall semester, 2010. This page contains information regarding student life at UEA, an overview of life in Norwich, a number of useful links with travel information and advice from past participants that students accepted to the program can consult prior to departure from the United States. In addition, basic information about UEA can be accessed from the UEA Home page.

Special Features of PPL in Britain

Norwich is a great town to live for a semester. You will travel with Professor Scalet and approximately twelve other students for the Fall semester, 2010. You will enroll in three classes, one taught by Professor Scalet and two other UEA classes by UEA faculty. These courses can transfer into Binghamton credit and can count toward your major, whether PPL or another major. The program is sponsored through the PPL program, but the program is open to any student and can accommodate the requirements of most majors on campus. You will live and eat on campus and have ready access to London and the many remarkable villages in England, including Norwich. By enrolling as a UEA student and living in the residence halls, you will have a total immersion experience, yet the common class with Professor Scalet allows for close ties with the Binghamton program participants. There will also be an organized weekend excursion to London early in the program. The institutional agreement with UEA also allows your costs to be much lower than typical study abroad programs, and financial aid is possible. You can experience this semester-long study abroad program for about $3000 - $4000 beyond what your costs would have been if you stayed at Binghamton, taking into account all living expenses, including lodging, eating, and program fees.

International travel is often a life-changing experience that creates friendships and contacts for a lifetime. International study abroad also provides a distinctive element to a resume and can set you apart for job opportunities. For those interested in legal careers, early international experience can offer tremendous benefits in your years ahead.

To offer just one testimonial from a graduate of this Program, Edo Banach, class of 1997: "I was a charter member of the PPL in Britain program and, as such, did not know what to expect. From an academic and personal perspective, the experience was life-altering.

"Norwich is a wonderful small city (not just a college town) with rich history, a top-notch "football" team, good food, and it is a short train ride from London-- a great launching point for travel throughout Great Britain and the rest of Europe.

"UEA is situated in a beautiful, modern campus. As a UEA visitor, you will have access to a wide array of interesting classes and activities, beyond the superb activities and classes arranged by PPL in Britain. UEA Professors are top-notch and fellow students are intelligent and supportive.

"Do not miss this opportunity to study and travel in one of the best
kept secrets in Europe. Best, Edo."

The University

The University of East Anglia is in Norwich, a mid-sized English city located in the countryside north and east of London. The University is relatively young (founded in 1963), and is one of the most successful and prestigious of the "new" British Universities. Norwich is a lovely, thoroughly English city. Excellent theatre, a substantial dedication to the arts, and stunning architecture explain much of Norwich's appeal. 

History

1996-97 was the inaugural year of the PPL in Britain program, and the program has run seven times since, based on the availability of faculty to lead the trip. Past trips have consisted of about 12 BU students, and future trips will be limited to a similar number. The small scale of the program benefits students by guaranteeing personal attention from the faculty advisor and a friendly and informal atmosphere within the group. The result has been a truly memorable and valuable experience for participants. In 2008, PPL Director and Professor Steven Scalet led the PPL in Britain with his wife Debby, who works in the Dean's office at Binghamton University, and their two year-old daughter Sophia, will relearn her British accent in 2010.

The City

Norwich is a bustling city of approximately 160,000 people, located less than two hours from London. Frequent, pleasant train service means students can take full advantage of London's cultural opportunities, while avoiding the exorbitant cost of living in one of the world's most expensive cities. Contemporary concerts are frequently held on the UEA campus and classical and choral performances often occur in the Norwich Cathedral. The UEA student body is friendly and open. Social interaction is brisk, easygoing, and the overall laid-back nature of the English pub scene, which is truly a joy unto itself. 

The academic and social opportunities available as a result of direct enrollment in a British University are significant. Binghamton students can pursue ideas and topics that are not offered at BU, or, for that matter, within any American Universities. The director's course is a small seminar, and, as such, encourages a large amount of discussion and debate, unlike many typically large lecture classes. Intellectual development is not limited to time spent in class; the UEA Philosophy department hosts a weekly lecture series that attracts many of the [cut “many of the”] leading figures in various areas of contemporary philosophy. And UEA’s School of Social, Political, and International Studies offers a dynamic atmosphere with many guest speakers of special interest to PPL students.

Norwich has a medieval city center with hundreds of small restaurants and stores. Fresh fruits and vegetables can be had for reasonable prices at the covered open-air market in the City Center (or, as the British say, Centre). This market, updated to the times, has been running continuously since 1100! It is one of the oldest in England and a true landmark. Nearby is the Castle, built in the 1100’s and one of the city’s history museums today. The side streets of Norwich are home to many used clothing stores where you can buy trendy retro clothes for a fraction of their original cost. It is on these side streets that you will get a sense of how Norwich was hundreds of years ago. Many of these small meandering steets are actual cobblestone with small shops, and cozy, obscure pubs.

The Classes

Students enroll in the "director's course," a class taught by the BU faculty member who leads the program and acts as Program Director. This class counts as a philosophy seminar for the PPL major. The Director's course, like other UEA classes, will translate as Binghamton credit, and all classes will be graded.

In addition to the "Director's Course," students will have an opportunity to take two additional classes taught by UEA faculty. This is a unique opportunity for BU students to experience a thoroughly different method of learning and interact with British students. Also, it enables students to take classes that are not offered at Binghamton. Past students have enjoyed, and heartily recommend, the following classes:

• Russian Politics
• Moral Philosophy
• Social and Political Philosophy
• Body and Society
• Descartes
• Western European Politics
• Reason and Enlightenment
• Medieval English History

Classes are typically smaller at UEA, approximately the size of discussion sections or upper-level seminars at BU. Some classes only have lecture meetings, while others have a lecture combined with a discussion section taught by the professor. Classes are, as one past student put it, "on average, far less structured than at Binghamton. They meet at sporadic times, and you will find that you spend significantly less time in class than at Binghamton. Much of the work is expected to be done outside of class." Another commented, "If a class interests you, take, it. Don't get too caught up in what you think that you need or are expected to take." Pre registration exists at UEA, and it's worthwhile as a way to get into popular classes. Besides the three regular classes, PPL in Britain students also attend a two-credit seminar led by the Director. Its purpose is integrative, giving students an opportunity to reflect on their experience living abroad. 

The Application

All majors are welcome to apply. Applications and additional information can be picked up from the Office of International Programs in Hinman Commons or the Philosophy Department Office in the Library Tower. Applications may also be downloaded here. All email inquiries regarding details of the program should be directed to Professor Scalet at sscalet@binghamton.edu.

The Cost

Study at UEA is inexpensive in comparison with other study abroad opportunities in the UK. Students pay SUNY tuition plus a differential, a program fee (which funds group activities in England), living, and travel costs. Living in Norwich does not carry the high cost that accompanies living in a larger city such as London, a considerable attraction for this program. From past experience, you could expect to spend only about $4000 more in total costs by going on PPL in Britain relative to your costs were you to stay in Binghamton that semester. For the experience, this is a remarkable deal. Cost sheets will be provided at informational meetings to be held during the Fall semester, 2009.