Fall 2000 Program-Revolutionary Britain: Economic, Technological and Social Change from the Industrial through the Computer Revolutions.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Explore revolutions in British economics and finance in London-- Europe's most important financial center
  • Examine the colorful beginnings of computing in Britain, from super secret code breaking to tea cake delivery
  • Visit museums and historic sites as you develop a foundation of Britain's past
  • Experience British culture through the theatre, art, architecture, the BBC, the markets, the tube
    compare British, American and European environments as the EU strives to reduce borders
  • Determine how computers and the Net are changing British life
  • Earn Bucknell credit while studying abroad
  • Enjoy Bucknell in London at Bucknell tuition and dorm fee rates (financial aid applies)

This London Semester program is designed to utilize London and Britain as a laboratory in which to study the integration of political, social and economic thought as it has, and continues to influence and be influenced by science and technology. London is the European center of ongoing revolutions in economics and in information technology. These revolutions, driven by innovative technology, have sparked social, political and economic transformations which are in turn are reflected in the British arts and in its culture. British contributions to western technology, social, political and economic thought inspire and influence the modern world in many important ways. In the industrial age the representation of the "model of science," popularized by British intellectual thought, influenced both the social and hard sciences. While today's, globalization, spawned by the revolution in information technology, finds Britain at the heart of a new European economic and political order dominated by the European Union. We will explore many connections that join ideas from London's past to current practices and link international and global concerns in information and communications technology to political, social and economic theory, policy and popular culture.
Courses encourage Bucknellians to learn from the city and country as they read daily newspapers, watch the tellie, explore museums and galleries, attend theatre and music performances and link their observations to transformations in London's social, economic, and political fabric.

BUCKNELL FACULTY:

 

Dr. Jean Shackelford currently teaches courses in money, banking and financial markets, economic principles, history of economic thought and a foundation seminar on the economic, social, political and cultural effects of information and communications technology. As a student of economic history she understands the effects technology plays in industrial and post-industrial economies. She is particularly interested in questions examining the challenges information and communication technologies poses to global financial and economic structures and institutions. She is in the process of designing a course on the digital economy.

Dr. Patricia Wenner has taught computer science at Bucknell since 1985, after ten years in industry as a computer systems analyst. As her primary teaching areas are computer graphics and computer (processor) design, she has an in-depth understanding of digital technology. In addition she has a strong interest in the interactions of technology and society. She regularly teaches a course in computers and society and follows the literature in this area. Combining these two interests provides her with an excellent background to consider the process of digital convergence as computers and the Net effect so many areas of our lives. Computer graphics are an enabling technology for many of the digital developments affecting communications and the media; this provides a basis for analysis of the current and future interactions with society. She is a frequent visitor to London and England and can be found in one of the numerous museums or soaking up a British magazine or newspaper.


BRITISH FACULTY:


London 2000 faculty includes two British instructors who come highly recommended by past students of Bucknell in London Programs. Dr. Patrick Conner, author of 5 books, teaches the art and architecture of London built around visits to formal and informal museums in the city.

 

CORE COURSES:

Students in the London Semester take four courses.


Required Courses

Revolutionary Britain: Economic, Social and Cultural Impacts of the Industrial and Computer Revolution ­ (ECON 222 or UNIV 277) ­Wenner & Shackelford

Both the Industrial Revolution and the computer revolution triggered dramatic changes in the lives of workers, the underlying social fabric and the way the nation links to the rest of the world. While economic thought characterizes these revolutions as opportunities for national economic growth, many have been less than enamored of the changes to British society caused by industrialization and more recent changes information technology.
This course will focus on specific periods of technical change, examining the role and creation of economic theory, work and working conditions, labor movements and policy, relocation, the rise of the service economy, distribution issues and social movements. Discussions of computing will be based in the colorful history of computing in Britain, exploring the rise of British information technology and the effects of the World Wide Web. (This course will satisfy the CLA requirements for the Natural and Fabricated World and will fill the requirement for a SOC/HUM requirement for the College of Engineering.)

British Culture: Art, Architecture and Design .5 Credit (ENGL 217 or ART 215) - Conner

In addition to connecting and complements other course offerings this course provides a background and context through which to view changes in British art, architecture and design, as the economy moved from feudal/medieval, to mercantile to capitalists systems and how technology, social and political developments influenced the practice and content of the arts at various intersections in time.

The London Stage (.5 credit) (ENGL 393 or THEA 264) -

This course will introduce students to all aspects of the London theatres by examining the social role of the theatre and by learning to observe all aspects of theatre production. Students will gain some familiarity with the various aspects of production from staging, through designing sets, props, costumes, lighting and special effects, to the final production.
Elective Courses (choose two)

Economic Topics: The Idea of Capitalism in British Economic Thought (ECON 222 or CAPS 407) - (W2) - Shackelford

The rich intellectual traditions and contributions of British economic thought provide the foundation for this course. British economic theorists, including Mun, Smith, Malthus, Marx observed the emergence of capitalism and its possibilities for adaptation. Brief biographies, histories of London, novels, and poems will augment readings from the original sources. Class discussion of assigned readings and projects will be supplemented with lectures and walking tours. Related field trips (to Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool), and local excursions in London and field research are planned.

The British Economy: Structures and Policies - The UK and the EU, Perspectives in Economic Transition (ECON 271) - Shackelford

With the ratification of the Maastricht Treaty formalizing the European Union, the British economy, operates under and developing a new set of economic rules. How is Britain and the British economy is faring in this environment? How does its association with the EU influence trade, regional environmental issues finance and financial markets? Guest lecturers will supplement readings, lectures and class discussions, and provide a background on current domestic economic issues including taxation, welfare and the National Health System. Visits are planned to the US Embassy, the Bank of England, and the Houses of Parliament.

Computers and British Society (CSCI240) -Wenner

Computers and digital technology have had a profound influence on modern society. This course examines the effects of computers (or IT, information technology as it is generally referred to in Britain) in a series of readings and discussions on a broad range of topics. A basis for discussion is established for each topic and current developments are examined. Students will present informed observations from their experiences and research during the semester. All of these topics are considered in relation to British traditions, current British society and EU law. Topics considered include: a foundation in computer technology; computer crime and cracking; data and encryption; privacy in a digital world; intellectual property in a digital world; cyberculture and the WWW; commerce and education in a digital world in London 2000.

Media in a Global Environment: Britain as an "Island" (UNIV275) - Wenner

This course will build a media studies foundation by studying introductory essays on the power and meaning of the media, looking especially at Britain. The British press and dthe BBC will be examined as a cultural phenomenon, and in the opening rounds of a "struggle" between the "local" and the "global." The course then moves on to an examination of the effect of the telecommunications revolution on broadcast and print media. Instantaneous digital global communication changes the delivery of news and entertainment. Case studies of Britain as an "island" in a sea of digital bits will provide a laboratory for discussion and study of the media and computers as social and technological forces.

Student Internships or Independent Study (May be taken as ECON 333 or CSCI 278)

We are exploring the possibility of offering meaningful internships to students during their semester in London.