Fans and Fandom: England

About this Travel Course

Course Description

England has played an important role in the global development of fandom, from 18th- and 19th-century literary and theater celebrity, collecting, and medievalism to modern trainspotting, Beatlemania, and football culture. The idea of fan pilgrimage continues to drive cultural heritage and tourism in many regions. Not surprisingly, England also produced some of the first studies of fandom, from Mass Observation in the 1930s to the research of the Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies at the University of Birmingham. In this immersive course, based in London, we will explore a series of key fannish behaviors, cultures, and histories in, or associated with, England. Seminar-like discussion, based on readings in fan studies, sociology, and psychology, will be augmented by regular field experiences at relevant sites, including stadiums, museums, theaters, streetscapes, and monuments. London offers a very unique laboratory in which to engage in participant-observation of contemporary fan cultures, to experientially assess fan-directed tourism and marketing, and to connect material traces of historical enthusiasm in the city over the past several hundred years.

The course will generally feature daily discussion of a topic, based on an assigned reading and/or lecture, accompanied by a related field experience that allows further exploration of the topic. We will be based in a college classroom, near our accommodations, where we will begin most days (except on those when we have a longer day-trip). Field experiences will include professional or informal walking tours; various site, house, or museum visits, and occasional trips outside of the city to significant landmarks.

Eligibility

RISD Students

If your current cumulative GPA is 2.5 or above, you are eligible for registration. If your current cumulative GPA is lower than 2.5, you must first contact the Registrar at registrar@risd.edu to seek exception to this academic policy.

Non-RISD Participants

If you are a college student currently enrolled in another art and design college or institution around the world you are eligible for registration. We will collect a recommendation and support form from your institution within the application.

In order to register for RISD Global Summer Studies, you are expected to have a high level of English (speech, writing, and comprehension) as all coursework and critique is delivered in English, and your current cumulative GPA must be 2.5 or above.

Attendance Policy

Global Summer Studies are three weeks long and take place in June and July. You are required to attend all program activities scheduled during the travel course. RISD Global Summer Studies comply with RISD class attendance policy. In case of unexcused or multiple absences, you may be removed from the course, given a grade of “W" (withdrawal) or a grade of “F” (fail).

Withdrawal Policy

Requesting to withdraw from a RISD off-campus global learning program, including RISD Global Summer Studies, prior to the start of the course is highly discouraged and requires a formal process outlined in the RISD course withdrawal policy. It is not possible for a student to drop a RISD Global Summer Studies travel course via the standard Add/Drop process after it has commenced. In the case of unforeseen and extenuating circumstances (and only after students have spoken with the faculty lead and RISD Global for approval to withdraw from the program), students should be aware that no refund will be issued.

More Info

In order to reserve a seat, a non-refundable deposit of $500 is required at the time of application submittal. Students will submit full payment for the course when all seats are occupied but no later than March 17, 2025. Students that fail to make full payment by their deadline will forfeit their $500 deposit and their seat in the course.

All RISD students and full degree seeking students enrolled at other schools or universities are required to remain in good academic standing in order to participate in Global Summer Studies. A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required for all participants. Failure to remain in good academic standing can lead to removal from the course, either before or during the course.

In cases where summer travel courses do not reach full capacity, the course may be canceled after the last day of registration. As such, all students are advised not to purchase flights for participation in Global Summer Studies courses until the course is confirmed by RISD Global.