Scotland
Edinburgh & Glasgow, Scotland
June 12 – July 3, 2010

Total Program Fee: $4,440

   Academics and Courses    Application    Cost of the Program    Important Details

Program Location:

Edinburgh, Scotland is located on the rugged east coast of Great Britain, and situated on the Firth of Forth, a gigantic bay opening to the North Sea. Edinburgh is a town rich in history and culture with the University of Edinburgh and Edinburgh Castle near the center on an ancient volcanic peak overlooking the city, the port and a 650 acre wilderness park stretching into the heart of the city. It has hosted the Edinburgh International Film Festival continuously since the end of World War II. Each summer since 1947 the city swells with people from all over the world to attend art events celebrating the flowering of the human spirit through a collection of festivals of film, classical music, opera, dance and the arts. Stately homes, dramatic castles and medieval chapels all provide a sense of Scotland’s impressive history. Less than an hour away, bustling Glasgow, astraddle the River Clyde on the western coastline, is the historic setting of the University of Glasgow, the world’s fourth oldest English speaking university, impressive museums, and the home of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and site of many of his designs.

Program Description:

This study abroad program will introduce students to Scottish history and culture as well as film media of the highest caliber from around the world at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. Directed on-site experiences, readings and films will be the focus for courses in culture, drama or film studies. All of the courses will be enhanced by the highly respected International Film Festival in Edinburgh.

Please note: Prospective students should be aware that study abroad programs require a great deal of walking. You should be prepared to walk at least a mile or two each day. You may also walk over uneven, possibly slippery or rocky terrain, even in cities.

Excursions: There will be multiple excursions in and around the city of Edinburgh. Excursions may also include visits to the highlands and islands, including Loch Ness, Stirling Castle, home of William Wallace, and Rosslyn Chapel, with its Da Vinci Code connection. Tours may include the famous whisky distilleries of Scotland.

Classes: Classes will be held for 3 – 4 hours daily.

Accommodations: Budget accommodations in group apartments at the University of Edinburgh near the city center.

Academics:

All TnCIS programs are academic in nature and course work that takes advantage of the program location will be the central focus. TnCIS program courses are for credit only. In Scotland, students will enroll in ONE of the following courses:

ENGLISH: BRITISH LITERATURE II (Prerequisite English 1020)
This course is a study of the development of British Literature from three periods: Romantic, Victorian, and the Twentieth Century. In Scotland, the course will focus on the literature of the Scottish Enlightenment which revived interest in the history, heroes and cultural heritage of the Scottish people. Academic content will be enhanced by walking tours of landmarks in the city of Edinburgh which has World Heritage Site status and hosts the Edinburgh International Film Festival. Field trips will include visits to Edinburgh Castle, St. Giles Cathedral, The Writers’ Museum, the Scott Monument, Lauriston Castle and grounds, the Royal Botanical Garden, Inverleith House, the University of Edinburgh, the Edinburgh Old Town Weaving Company, the Geoffry Tartan Weaving Mill, Kinloch Anderson Tailors, the Edinburgh Brass Rubbing Centre, Makar’s Court, three grand hotels, and the Edinburgh International Film Festival. See course syllabus

FILM STUDIES: Introduction to Film Studies (No prerequisites)
This course is an overview of film history using world cinema feature films and an introduction to basic elements of film expression for understanding and analyzing narrative cinema. Students will view world premieres of films that illustrate techniques developed by filmmakers to convey meaning, shape audience response, and influence viewers’ values. Students will view selected screenings at the Edinburgh International Film Festival and will submit response essays and film reviews. See course syllabus

WOMEN’S STUDIES: Women in Society (No prerequisites)
The Women’s Studies Program in Scotland offers the opportunity to study the lives of British women of diverse backgrounds. As a cosmopolitan and multi-cultural city, Edinburgh is a perfect setting for cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary investigation into women’s role in society and culture, feminist movements, and feminist theories and perspectives. British women and men have made vital contributions to women’s progress and have had intellectual, social, and political links to the United States since the 18th century. U.S. notions of gender will be compared with Britain’s and ways in which culture is influenced by legendary and ordinary women will be examined.

Students will attend films shown at the International Film Festival and learn how to read film, currently one of our most powerful cultural technologies. Discussions and readings will be enhanced by these films as well as contacts with women’s organizations, visits to museums and trips to the Glasgow Women’s Library and People’s Palace. See course syllabus
 

Application:

Applications will be available online beginning October 15, 2009 and are due on February 11, 2010. APPLY NOW. Late applications will be considered on a space available basis. All applicants must be at least 18 years of age and have completed a minimum of 12 college credit hours. Eligible students currently enrolled or accepted and in good standing (this includes academic and disciplinary matters) at a TnCIS Member Institution may apply to any TnCIS study abroad program. A complete application consists of:

     1. The completed online application
     2. The nonrefundable $100 application fee (paid at your home institution)
     3. An official transcript sent to TnCIS by the registrar at your institution
     4. A letter of recommendation

Please click here to download the letter of recommendation form. This letter should be filled out by a professor who can make a statement regarding your preparedness for the program and how you would benefit from the program.

Other important forms you need to review prior to submitting your application include the program contract, agreement, medical surrogacy and medical history forms. These forms will be filled out by the applicant after being accepted into the program and turned into the TnCIS office. Details will be sent out in the acceptance letter. These forms are updated every year as needed. DO NOT complete these forms before being accepted. Any updated forms will be sent to you via email. Click here to view the forms.

Students will be notified of acceptance by email and a letter. Once accepted, please consult the TnCIS website and the email address used on your application on a regular basis for deadlines and other important information. In international travel frequent changes are to be expected. Email is the primary channel of communication for the office and you will be responsible for information sent to you via email. This information is intended to keep you updated on all activities necessary in your preparation to participate in the program.

Cost of Program:

The total cost of the program is made up of the application fee, program fee**, tuition and airfare. All fees are paid at your home institution.

Application Fee: All students are required to pay a nonrefundable application fee of $100 by the February 11, 2010 application deadline.
 
Total Program Fee: The total program fee for Scotland is $4,440. It covers roundtrip international travel from Nashville, program lodging, group excursions, required ground transportation, two meals daily and limited health insurance. Expenses not covered in the total program fee are: passport, textbooks, one meal per day and personal spending money.

Tuition: All member institutions provide a tuition scholarship. Therefore, tuition is charged to the student account, but then covered by the institution.

Airfare: The group roundtrip international airfare from Nashville is included in the Total Program Fee.

**TnCIS estimates fees based on the current global financial environment and all attempts are made to keep costs down whenever possible. However, due to the constant fluctuation in the value of the American Dollar and currencies in program countries, it is possible that costs may increase. Therefore, TnCIS reserves the right to notify students regarding an increase in fees due to exchange rates by March 18, 2010.

Payment Deadlines: February 11th - $100 Nonrefundable Application Fee
                       March 18th - Full payment due (Program fee and airfare)

Cancellation Policy: Through March 18th – Full refund less $100 application fee
                       Between March 19th and April 15th - $1500 cancellation fee 
                       After April 15th – No Refund

Important Details:

Financial Aid: Applications for financial aid (scholarships, grants and student loans) must be made through your home institution. Please consult your TnCIS campus representative (see member list) for information and instructions. Scholarships are available at many member institutions. To see FAQ’s on study abroad financial aid click here.

Mandatory Orientation: A thorough pre-departure orientation is an essential part of your preparation to study abroad. The mandatory TnCIS orientation for all programs will be held Saturday, March 27, 2010, from 1:00 - 4:00 PM in Central Tennessee. According to Tennessee Board of Regents policy, all students must attend. Exact time and place will be announced at the beginning of March on the TnCIS website and in your acceptance notification. Please reserve the date.

Passports: It is critical that you obtain a passport if you do not already have one, or renew yours if it has expired. If you already have a passport, it must be valid for at least six months after your return date. For an application and details on obtaining a passport or renewing one, please refer to the US Department of State passport website at http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html.

Non-US Citizen Participants: If you are an international student or non-US citizen (i.e. do not hold or are unable to obtain a US passport), you must provide a copy of your current passport and a visa to enter the country of your study abroad program. If a visa is not required, a statement from the program country embassy which indicates that you have appropriate documentation for entry to that country is required. Necessary documentation is the responsibility of the participant. Please contact TnCIS for assistance.

TnCIS Contact Information:

TnCIS Office TnCIS
PO Box 22990
10915 Hardin Valley Road
Knoxville, TN 37933-0990

Theresa Castillo
Program Coordinator, TnCIS
tcastillo@pstcc.edu
865-539-7279