Academics Abroad

Faculty are trained to integrate high-impact practices into study abroad as a holistic part of the student educational experience. Courses incorporate collaborative assignments and projects, global diversity, common intellectual experiences, and community-based learning, seamlessly blending in-class experiences, site visits, and co-curricular activities. Our commitment to academic excellence and student-centered instruction is demonstrated in our thoughtful and deliberate approach.

The program provides students with a wide range of course options that align with Oxford College's foundational and interdisciplinary goals. Students will register for 5 courses, totaling 15-16 credits for the term. Two of their courses are taught by Oxford faculty, including the Discovery Seminar Course and one course also taught by Oxford College faculty on-site which fulfills the General Education Curriculum requirement.

Oxford College Faculty and Courses

Drs. Sarah Higinbotham and Pablo Palomino will be the Oxford College faculty in London with you for the fall semester.  They will each teach their Discovery Seminar Course and an additional course which is part of the General Education curriculum at Oxford College.  Please see below for the faculty bios as well as a brief description of the courses they will be teaching.  Students will select their preference for their Discovery Seminar and additional Oxford faculty taught course by July 1.  Please refer to the Emory Canvas site for additional information.

Discovery Seminars:

Taught by Dr. Higinbotham, "The Metaphor of London" expands on her Discovery Seminar on metaphors. The course explores how London serves as a metaphor in the works of William Blake, Charles Dickens, George Eliot, and in popular culture, art, and music. Adapting the course to London allows students to reflect on the city's enduring influence.

Taught by Dr. Palomino, "Food and the History of Globalization" explores globalization through economic, environmental, social, and cultural dimensions since the 19th century, with food at the center. Students engage with diverse materials and write research papers on related topics. London, with its markets, restaurants, and archives, provides an ideal setting for this course.

General Education courses

"London's Shakespeare"
Teaching Shakespeare in London, where he lived, wrote, and built theaters, offers a unique experience. Students can explore his legacy and see his works performed in iconic venues like the West End, Stratford-Upon-Avon, the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Globe, and London's parks.

 "Latin American Music and Globalization"
This course explores the globalization of Latin American music and its connection to the Caribbean migration in London. Students will benefit from London's rich Latin American and Caribbean music scene, particularly in Brixton, and engage in "walking ethnographies" to understand the urban soundscape and its cultural significance.

 IES Courses

In addition to the two course students will take from Oxford Faculty in London, students select three of the following courses taught by IES credentialed faculty. The selection of these courses is:

  • Introduction to Psychology (PSYCH 111)
  • Principles of Microeconomics (ECON 101)
  • The Architecture of London 1600-Present
  • British Youth and Culture from 1950-Present
  • Visiting Europe in Cinema
  • International and European Health and Human Rights

 Descriptions of these courses will be available in the IES Abroad Portal during the summer.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Oxford Launch: London extends beyond the classroom, including cultural events and excursions. Examples of typical excursions:   

Edinburgh, Scotland: Discover the city's history on a guided walking tour, visit Edinburgh Castle, and take a day trip to a wildlife reserve in the Highlands.

Brighton: Wander through historic alleyways and visit the Royal Pavilion, one of Europe’s most exotic palaces.

Cambridge: Tour this historic university town, its picturesque colleges, and enjoy a gondola punt on the river.

Canterbury & Dover: Visit Canterbury Cathedral and Dover Castle, then hike along the White Cliffs of Dover.

More information and a schedule of excursions will be available during the summer.

Academic Support

Advising Support Center (ASC)

In addition to your assigned Discovery Seminar faculty advisor, all students participating in our London Launch experience will be assigned to a professional academic advisor with Oxford’s Advising Support Center. The Advising Support Center (ASC) supports Oxford students throughout their two-year experience. This includes course planning and registration, degree progress, major pathway exploration, understanding academic policies, and preparation for approaching Atlanta (also known as ATL Bound). You will learn more about scheduling appointments with your assigned ASC advisor in the summer.

Library Support

While in London you will have robust support and access to resources from both the Oxford College Library and resources in London.

The Oxford College Library is excited to support our London Launch students with various virtual research services. Our dedicated library staff are available to help refine research topics, craft search strategies, find scholarly articles, evaluate sources, and offer citation guidance. Please book a virtual appointment with a librarian anytime between 2pm-10pm London time (9am-5pm US Eastern).

For quick questions, our live chat service is available during library hours via their website. For after-hours assistance, submit a question, and we'll respond the next day. For more information, visit https://oxford.library.emory.edu

Additionally, the IES Abroad London Center has a small reference library with required books for IES Abroad courses, accessible on request. Resources cannot be removed from the library.

You also have borrowing privileges at Senate House, the University of London Library. IES covers membership costs, but students will be charged for unreturned books. Library cards must be renewed monthly.