The School of Mass Communication & Journalism at the University of Southern Mississippi will offer an introductory course in British Journalism in Summer 2007 as part of the USM British Studies Program. Students will spend four weeks in London attending lectures and visiting media institutions. The course, which runs from approximately July 6 to August 5, 2007, offers six hours of credit in JOU 499 or JOU 599. The instructor for the course is David R. Davies [] of the USM School of Mass Communication & Journalism.

What you will learn

• Why do British tabloids put pictures of topless women on Page 3?
• Why do some journalists paint media mogul Rupert Murdoch as the great Satan, while others proclaim him the savior of British media?
• What are "red tops," and how are they leading British journalism into the sewer?
• Why is it that British politicians can regulate newspapers at the drop of a hat?
• Why is advertising in British media so darn racy, and how do regulators keep it from going too far?
• What is the fastest route into public relations in the U.K.?
• What is "Annabella Syndrome" and how is it undermining diversity in British media?
• How does the major bi-weekly in South London cope with covering politics in "Loony Lambeth"?

Course syllabus

      The course syllabus contains details of a recent course. This coming year's class will be very similar, though classwork and visits will vary slightly.

What else you should know about the program

• It is part of the University of Southern Mississippi British Studies Program, the largest summer-study program for Americans in London. (More than 200 students have attended the 15 or 16 classes in the program the last two summers.) The program was founded 25 years ago.
• You will attend class with students from all over the country. The journalism class typically has from ten to 22 students.
• The structure of the course allows ample time for travel around Europe and the U.K. Students typically visit two or three countries in the course of the month. Past journalism students have visited Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Greece, France, Belgium, Wales, Spain, and the Netherlands.
• The content of the course is of interest to all majors, but it is especially relevant for students majoring in any aspect of communications--journalism, public relations, advertising, mass media, or speech communications.
• Students who have taken the course have rated it very highly. See the comments page.
• During the course students interact one on one with journalists and public relations professionals from the most important media outlets in London. In recent years students visited the London Sun, TalkSport Radio, the BBC, the South London Press, the Press Complaints Commission, the Advertising Standards Authority, the Freedom Forum European Center, the Institute for Public Relations, and other outlets.

Frequently asked questions

• How do I apply? Contact the British Studies Program either by accessing the web page or by calling at 601-266-4344. You can speed up the process by requesting an application and brochure via email. Send your name and snailmail address to Frances.Sudduth@usm.edu.
• If you're going to be my prof for four weeks, shouldn't I know a little something about you? Of course you should. I've taught at the University of Southern Mississippi since 1991, teaching courses in reporting, editing, and media history. I entered academe after a 10-year journalism career in Arkansas, where I worked most recently for the Arkansas Gazette. I hold degrees from Arkansas, Ohio State, and Alabama. I went to London in 1999 to set up the British Studies course, and the course has met every summer since. As instructor, I design the course. In class I provide context and background as needed, but lecturers always come from the ranks of British journalism experts. I try to make the class both enlightening and fun, and I'm always available to accompany students on informal field trips in and around London. (Chinatown, anyone?)
• Who takes the course? I've had from 10 to 22 students in the course. Usually half or so come from the University of Southern Mississippi, and the remainder come from other schools across the country. So far I've had students from these universities: Arizona State, Arkansas, Arkansas State, Auburn, Cameron, Florida, Henderson State, Houston, Louisiana State, Louisville, Lyndon State, Memphis, Miami of Ohio, Michigan State, Midwestern State, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Northeastern Louisiana, Southeastern Louisiana, Southern Indiana, Tennessee, and Virginia Tech.
• When is the deadline to apply? The deadline is usually in late April, but the earlier you apply, the better. Students who plan to seek financial aid should apply as soon as practically possible.
• How much will the program cost? Tuition, fees, flight, and housing will cost $4,999 (undergraduate) or $5,299 (graduate) in 2007. This does not include spending money and meals. Financial aid is available to eligible students, and loan money is also available.
• What are the exact dates of the 2007 program? The class will run from approximately July 6, 2007, to August 5, 2007. This schedule allows students who wish to attend the first session of summer school to do so.
• Will I have opportunities for travel? Yes. In addition to taking tours and traveling in and around London with the class, students have ample opportunities to take side trips on the weekends. Class will not meet on Fridays to allow students greater flexibility.
• Must I be a journalism student to participate? No. All majors are welcome, as the course has no prerequisites. The course is open not only to USM students but to any interested college student.
• How much college credit does the course carry? How many courses should I take? Students in the program take just one course, and they earn six semester hours of credit. This course is among 14 or 15 courses offered in the program.
• What requirements must I meet in order to be admitted to the program? Undergraduates seeking admission must have completed 28 hours with a minimum GPA of 2.00. Graduate students must have graduate standing.
• Where will I live while in London? The Program is housed in a residence hall in King's College, part of the University of London, in central London just off Waterloo Station. Each student has a private room with private bathroom and personal refrigerator. Each suite of five flats shares a kitchen.
• Is financial aid available? USM students may apply for student loans to offset the cost of the program. Students from other universities may apply for financial aid through the financial aid office of their home universities. Students interested in receiving financial aid should apply as soon as possible.
• How will this course benefit my degree plan? Journalism majors can count this course as a required elective, i.e., an elective course that helps you meet your 31 hours of journalism coursework. All journalism majors have from one to three electives that they must complete to meet the 31-hour threshold. Students who are minoring in journalism can count this toward their minor. All students get to count this course toward their 45 hours of 300- or 400-level coursework.

Useful websites to learn more about London:

• Museum of London
• London Pubs
• Westminster Abbey
• British Rail

• Eurostar--The "chunnel" train under the English Channel.
• BBC WebGuide--The best U.K. search engine. Find info here on tourism sites, travel, etc.
• Imperial War Museum--A short walk from your room.
• Beatles Tours
• Wagamama, London's best noodle bar
• Celsius to Fahrenheit conversion chart
• Time Out, London's premier entertainment guide
• Guide to London restaurants and bars--I, of course, am willing to offer my considerable expertise about London's Chinese restaurants to anyone who's interested.
• BBC
• British newspapers
• London Theatre Guide
• London Net
• London Event Guide
• Public Internet access in London
• London Ghost Walk
• London climate statistics--Bring a sweater.
• London sunrise/sunset times in July--Lots of daylight for touring!