About Monarchs: Icons of History, Summer School topic, Summer School - at University of Southampton Summer School

These buildings played an important role in Britain's political, military, social and cultural history.

In the Middle Ages castles were the residencies of an aristocratic elite and focal points of military, social and economic contact. Cathedrals were centres of power that towered above the surrounding towns. Country houses are associated with grand architecture, fine gardens and conspicuous consumption.

Each of these magnificant building projects was the vision of a strong religious, local or national leader - and so these beautiful structures tell us much about our ancestors, their ways of life and what mattered to them. None more so than those built for the Kings and Queens of England.

You will examine the role that these buildings played in Britain's' history. You will visit the magnificent Winchester Cathedral, Portchester Castle; and beautiful Hampton Court Palace.

Join us for a summer of British culture and explore our world-leading research.

When you join the International Summer School 2018, you will study up to six exciting topics across the four weeks you are with us. Each topic is delivered by an internationally-recognised member of academic staff at the University of Southampton working in partnership with one of our many enthusiastic postgraduate research students. Across three engaging and interactive classroom sessions, they will introduce you to their topic of choice, explaining why it is important to them and offering you an insight into the world-class research environment they work in.

You will find each topic is a friendly and engaging experience: you will normally study in groups with around 15 – 20 fellow students, allowing you to form good working relationships and have the opportunity to contribute and discuss in class.

Each topic includes a guided trip or excursion to an important cultural site which is relevant to the studies you are undertaking, helping you to put the knowledge you have gained into a real-world context.

You will receive supporting materials in advance of the topic so you can feel well-prepared and you will be provided with a pack of information so you can continue to explore the topic and develop your interest afterwards.

Recognition

At the end of the course, all students will receive a certificate of attendance.  You can choose to complete the assessed exercises for the International Summer School.  If you complete the assessments, you will receive a transcript from the University of Southampton worth 5 ECTS credits.  The assessments will test your engagement and understanding of each topic you choose to study, and confirm that you have engaged with the cultural experience of joining us at Southampton.  Though subject to confirmation, it is likely this include a multiple choice test, completing a reflective log, and taking part in a group presentation. You should speak with your university to confirm that the ECTS credits can count towards your studies at your home university.

Availability and Choice

The topics available on the summer school are indicative of rich and varied curriculum you will engage with at Southampton. Due to timetabling constraints, some topics will not be available in combination with each other. To ensure a positive experience, spaces on each topic will be limited and places allocated on a first-come-first-served basis after receipt of deposit and response to request for information. No commitment can be made that a particular topic will be available; if you have particular concerns about this, please get in touch using the contact information provided.

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Entry requirements for this course

Contact University of Southampton Summer School to find course entry requirements.

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Related information

Studying in United Kingdom