Cross and Crown in London, England

Students will fly as a group to London, the capital of England and the United Kingdom, and transfer by bus to Kensington, a bustling area and one of London’s most exclusive neighborhoods. The travel experience will immerse students in English culture and encourage analysis of England’s ecclesiastical development after completion of the classroom experience on OU’s campus. 

Students spend ten days based near the Imperial College, a public research university in London. Its history began with Prince Albert, consort of Queen Victoria, who developed his vision for a cultural area that included the Royal Albert Hall, Victoria & Albert Museum, Natural History Museum, and several royal colleges. The Imperial College is within walking distance from tube stations and in close proximity to all things Tudor: St. James Palace, Lambeth Palace, Westminster and Whitehall. Hampton Court Palace and Windsor Castle are a short train ride away.

Travel begins with a day trip to Leicester and a visit to Bosworth Field and Museum, site of Henry VII and Richard III’s battle. Journey to Hampton Court, inspiration for Meadowbrook Hall, southwest of London. Return to London and visit Lambeth Palace, the private chapel of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

A guided tour takes students behind the scenes of Parliament. Attend a Choral Eucharist at St. Paul’s Cathedral and enjoy High tea at the Georgian. By train to Cambridge and a walking guided tour of city sights influenced by the Tudors and the Church of England topped off with the Choral evensong in King’s College. 

Highlights include a Tower of London tour with treasure hunt on Tower Hill followed by an evening lecture and performance at the Globe Theatre. Watch the changing of the guards at Windsor Castle, and a military concert at St. George’s Chapel. Visit the grave of Henry VIII and Queen Jane Seymour, and tour of Westminster Abbey.

Following the program, students return to Michigan from London. Some students choose to stay on in Europe to travel on their own.

Requirements: A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required. Students who don’t meet the GPA requirement may still be eligible and should speak with OU’s International Education Office prior to applying.

Course: REL 3735: Cross and Crown (4 credits). This course fulfills OU’s General Education Requirement in Global Perspective or Western Civilization, but not both.

The course is taught by OU faculty and consists of lectures with course-related excursions.

Cross and Crown course is offered Summer II, as a special offering of Religious Studies. The first half of the course, on campus lectures and readings, provide historical background of the Tudor monarchy that enables the students to understand and analyze the religious and cultural development of England.  The second portion of this course provides a vivid travel experience in English culture and analysis of England’s and ecclesiastical development.  

Journaling and daily meetings will guide this understanding and analysis.

The course may benefit History, English, Political Science, Music and Religion majors.

This course will survey the events that brought the Tudors to the throne, and England out of the medieval period and into the early modern world. Particular focus will be given to the Tudor establishment of the Church of England, along with the English Reformation, the development of the nation state, the monarchy, and the blossoming of English literature and music.

In London, the students will be housed double occupancy in a hotel near Imperial College in Kensington. 

Full English breakfasts daily are included. Students will be responsible for other meals and can purchase lunches and dinners independently at any of the many restaurants, eateries, cafes and pubs in the area. Some of the most famous local dishes include Yorkshire pudding, fish and chips, bangers and mash, beef wellington and sticky toffee pudding.

Tuition: 4 Credits

You will be charged for these credits on your eBill at your normal rate of tuition.

Program Fee: $2,400

To be paid to OU on our MarketPlace payment system and includes: housing and most meals, ground transportation and all excursions while in England, and health insurance.

Additional Costs: $1,675

You will need additional funds for these expenses not covered by program fee. Amounts are estimated.

Airfare: $1,200
Meals: $100
Incidental personal expenses: $200
Passport (if you don't have one): $175

Scholarships and Financial Aid: You are able to use financial aid to cover your full cost of attendance to this program (tuition, program fee and additional costs). Scholarships are also available through your study abroad application.