England and France
MAY 11-24, 2005
We are pleased to announce a study abroad trip to England during the last two weeks of May 2005 (pending IPC approval). We will live in the great city of London and venture out to explore English history, culture, and politics, especially through sites associated with two of its greatest figures, William Shakespeare and Winston Churchill. The trip will also include several days in Normandy and Paris, France.
Shakespeare is known as the finest playwright of the Elizabethan Age and without doubt one of the greatest poets who has ever lived, unrivaled in his ability to bring to light the full drama of the human condition. To visit the historic sites attached to Shakespeare and to see his plays where they were first performed gives fresh insight and vigor to our understanding of this towering genius. Some of the highlights will include:
- Two Shakespeare performances, one in his hometown of Stratford-on-Avon and one in the restored Globe Theatre in London, where many of his works were originally staged
- Shakespeare’s birthplace and tomb in Stratford-on-Avon
- The Shakespeare historical display in London
Likewise, Churchill is an enormous figure on the world stage. He is most remembered for his stirring leadership of Britain in World War II, standing almost alone in defending civilization when it hung in the balance during the Nazi onslaught. We will visit a number of sites from Churchill’s actions in WWII as well as those from his time as a politician and writer before and after the war. Some of the Churchill highlights will include:
- Blenheim Palace and Chartwell, Churchill’s childhood and adult homes
- The British Parliament, including the House of Commons and House of Lords
- Normandy, France, including the invasion beaches and American cemetery
During our stay in London, we will see many of its great sites, including St. Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, and the British Museum. We will have many opportunities for shopping, book hunting, other theater productions, and taking in the flavor of this wonderful city. We will also visit Stonehenge as well as Cambridge and Oxford Universities, where C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien taught and wrote. Finally, in Paris we will spend several days visiting such famous sites as the Louvre, Versailles, and the Eiffel Tower.
The trip is open to any interested student and can be taken for academic credit in conjunction with a special Ashland University course to be offered in the spring semester of 2005. If you are interested but cannot attend the meeting, please contact Professor Justin Lyons (289-5709; jlyons1@ashland.edu) or Professor Jeff Sikkenga (289-5625; jsikkeng@ashland.edu).
