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Capstone in London
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Capstone in London
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Capstone in London
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Capstone in London
Introduction
Daily, we are bombarded with interesting and novel breakthroughs involving claims that may or may not be true. In this age of "alternative facts" and evidence-free assertions, critical thinking is of paramount importance. From our home base in London, we will explore the history of science and pseudoscience through visits to research institutes, museums, and historic sites including Stonehenge, Bath, Cambridge University, Freud’s house in London, Darwin’s house in Downe, and the Anomalistic Psychology Research Unit at Goldsmiths College, London University.
Hildebrandt is so passionate about this class which made it really easy to learn from her. -Paitin, 2018
I greatly enjoyed the opportunity to study abroad in London and explore a new country. I saw and heard people of many different nationalities and experienced many things that one would not find in the US. I loved all of these differences and wish I could have stayed longer. -Amanda, 2018
To view another summer 2018 participant's program video, click here.
Location
Course Leaders
Carolyn Hildebrandt, Professor
Department: Psychology
Phone: 319-273-7179
Email: Carolyn.Hildebrandt@uni.edu
Campus Address: BAR 1077
Carolyn loves traveling and has visited England, Scotland, Russia, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Turkey, Canada, and Mexico. In May, 2018, she led 18 UNI students on a Capstone in London program. She looks forward to taking another group there again!
Academics
CAP 3130 Science and Pseudoscience: Critiquing the World around You (3 credit hours)
The purpose of the course is to explore the history of science and pseudoscience from an interdisciplinary, multicultural perspective. Cross-cultural goals include interacting with faculty and students at London University, comparing the study of science and pseudoscience in England and the U.S., and learning about current social and cultural issues in England.
Participation in this program requires six on-campus class meetings prior to the travel dates, as well as daily excursions and reflections during our time in England. Please contact the course leader for more information regarding these meetings.
At the end of the course, students should be able to:
- Distinguish science, pseudoscience, and religion
- Describe the scientific method and identify uses and abuses of it
- Define theory, fact, and hypothesis; describe the importance of theories for scientific research
- List common formal and informal fallacies in critical thinking and give examples of each
- Define anomalistic psychology; give examples of anomalistic ideas, how they are formed, and how they can be explained and/or refuted
- Discuss and critically evaluate current controversies (e.g., evolution, psychoanalysis, climate change, vaccinations, gun control) from multiple perspectives
To view the course syllabus, click HERE.
NOTES:
- In order to receive Capstone credit, program participants must have completed 60 credits hours prior to the program s course start date (i.e. be of Junior standing). Students who participate in capstone programs without meeting the credit hour prerequisite will receive elective credit. In this instance, students should consult with their academic advisor(s) regarding how the elective credit fits into their specific plans of study.
- Students planning to participate in the spring commencement ceremony in May can enroll in this summer term program, however, their degree will not be conferred until the end of the summer term and is contingent on the successful completion of the program and all required coursework.
- Students attending colleges and universities other than UNI are welcome to participate in this program. If you are not currently a UNI student, but would like to participate in this program, please contact the UNI Study Abroad Center prior to starting your program application.
- Capstone courses cannot be repeated. If you have previously taken this capstone course, please contact the UNI Study Abroad Center prior to starting your program application.
Itinerary
Tentative Program Dates: Tuesday, June 11, 2019 to Thursday, June 27, 2019
Sample itinerary is subject to change.
Class will meet for 60-90 minutes most mornings before group visits to the sites listed in the schedule below. There will be ample free time for students to explore other sites in London not listed on the schedule. Students will be given a transportation card for the subway and buses prior to departure. The card will be preloaded with enough credit to travel from Heathrow Airport to the Royal National Hotel and for travel during the first few days of the program. Students will need to add credit to the card as necessary throughout the program.
Day 1: “Welcome to London!”
Check into the Royal National Hotel
Welcome dinner at Bloom’s Pizza Café
Day 2: “Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Living and Dying”
The British Museum
Hop-on, Hop-off Bus Tour of London
Day 3: “Science, Medicine and Magic: Sacred and Profane”
The Grant Museum of Zoology
The Wellcome Collection
Hop-on, Hop-off Thames River Cruise
Day 4: “Theories of Evolution”
Excursion to Darwin's House in Downe
Lunch at the Queen’s Arms or the George & Dragon Pub
Day 5: "Religious Diversity in London: Part 1"
Visit a place of worship of your choice (e.g., Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Jewish Temple, Hindu Temple, Muslim Mosque, Buddhist Meditation Center)
Day 6: “Theories of the Unconscious Mind”
The Freud Museum
Day 7: “The Psychology of Superstition”
Sherlock Holmes Museum
Regents Park and Queen Mary’s Rose Garden
London Astrology Shop
Day 8: “Aliens, Ghosts, and Other Paranormal Experiences”
Lecture by Dr. Christopher French, Director of the Anomalistic Psychology Research Unit, Goldsmiths College, London University
Day 9: “History of Mental Healthcare and Treatment in the UK”
Bethlem Museum of the Mind
Day 10: “Healing Waters, Magic Stones”
Excursion to Stonehenge and Bath
Day 11: “Science, Pseudoscience, and Social Justice in Victorian Literature”
Charles Dickens Museum
London Bridge Area Walking Tour: London Unseen
Day 12: “British Contributions to Science and Technology”
Changing of the Guard
Natural History Museum and London Science Museum
Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park
Day 13: “Cultural and Religious Diversity in London: Part 2”
Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu Temple
Sampling of Indian sweets
Day 14: “Pioneers of Science and Medicine”
Excursion to Cambridge University
Punting on the River Cam
Day 15: “Medicine and Social Justice”
Florence Nightingale Museum
British Red Cross Museum
Day 16: Depart for U.S.A.
Housing & Meals
Students will stay in a hotel arranged by the Study Abroad Center and paid for before departure. Most meals will be paid for by students out-of-pocket while abroad. Only one dinner and all breakfasts are built into the cost of the program. Students are encouraged to try the local foods.
Program Costs
Capstone in London
Estimated Program Cost:
$6,347*
* estimated total cost of participation, actual amount depends on type of housing accommodation selected, actual airfare purchase price, personal spending habits, and other factors
Cost of studying on-campus*
*per semester, estimated, will vary per person
Tuition & Fees: |
$4,350 |
Room & Board: |
$4,390 |
Books: |
$450 |
Personal Expenses: |
$825 |
Transportation: |
$200 |
Total: |
$10,216 |
Dates & Deadlines
Term:
Summer
2019
App Deadline:
Friday, December 14, 2018
Program Dates:
Tuesday, June 11, 2019 to Thursday, June 27, 2019
The Study Abroad Center reserves the right to determine participants' eligibility to Study Abroad. Students must meet all of the following in order to be eligible to Study Abroad:
- Have a cumulative 2.5 GPA or higher at the time of application and maintain this GPA prior to departure and throughout the study abroad process
- If your cumulative GPA is between 2.40 to 2.49, submit the following to the Study Abroad Center (28 Gilchrist):
- A letter of reference from your academic advisor supporting your pursuit of study abroad
- An essay, which should explain why your cumulative GPA is below a 2.50, include how your cumulative GPA is stable or improving, a detailed plan for improving your academic performance a strong academic and/or personal interest in your study abroad location and/or course, and a compelling academic rationale for studying abroad.
- If your cumulative GPA is between 2.40 to 2.49, submit the following to the Study Abroad Center (28 Gilchrist):
- Must be over the age of 18 years old
- Must meet the course prerequisites (participation in the program is dependent upon meeting these)
- Must be in good standing with the University
- UNI's partner institutions may require additional eligibility requirements to be met, these vary from institution to institution. Please consult with the Study Abroad Center staff to discuss these additional requirements if applicable.
- Applicants traveling to a region of a country or a country with an overall Travel Advisory Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) or 4 (Do Not Travel) will not be eligible.
- All study abroad applicants must pass the Study Abroad Applicant Assessment with a score of 70% or greater.
- Applicants may be selected for an in-person interview before being accepted. Selection for an interview does not guarantee acceptance into the program. You will be contacted directly by the Study Abroad Center if selected for an interview.