Dark Empire: Race, Health & Society in Britain
2008 Exploration Seminar in London, England

Program Director: Clarence Spigner
Dates of Instruction: August 4 - 29, 2008

This four-week seminar is based at the University of Greenwich, Avery Hill campus, City of Etham in Southeast London. We explore historical and contemporary factors responsible for the presence and well-being of Black people of African and Indian descent now residing in Britain as a result of European Imperialism.

England played a major role in the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and the British Raj. Health is defined as a sense of personal and social well-being. Guided by an African American professor with expertise in health, race and sociology, we explore the social, political, and cultural dynamics which continue to shape aspects of race, ethnicity, and social class within British culture. Interactive class room discussions, field trips, guest-speakers, interviews and the application of direct observation methods of data collection will produce a graded field report from each student as a result of their first-person study of British life.

The seminar ends with the taste, sights and sounds of the Notting Hill Festival, the second largest out-door three-day ethnic street fair in the world.

Participants may earn 5 credits of CHID 471-Europe Study Abroad (I&S). Also, academic credit is possible for SISAF African Studies 490; Independent Study SISAF 499; AES American Ethnic Studies 498; AES 499; HSERV 490; HSERV 499. Participants should check with their academic advisors to determine how these credits may ammpy to major requirements.

Students will live at the Avery Hill campus where the classes will also be taught. The cost of dorm accommodations, including changes in towels and bedding, is included in the student fee. The Avery Hill campus offers cafeteria, library, bookstore, general shopping, launderette, and parking. Students are urged to access www.gre.ac.uk/averyhill for more information.

Student costs:  
$2,225 Program Fee
$200 IPE Fee
Additional costs include: return airfare to London, some meals, local transportation, insurance and personal spending money.

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