Cambridge Seminar on the Good Society

Program Location

Cambridge, London, United Kingdom

Program Highlights

• Comparative Government at the Source — Examine British and American political and social institutions through full immersion in the UK.
• Study in Historic Cambridge — Experience the “life of the mind” in one of the world’s most influential academic communities.
• Research at Christ's College, Cambridge — Gain access to college libraries and archival resources for guided, faculty-mentored research.
• Political & Legal Institutions in Context — Analyze the historical roots of American governance within its British origins.
• Site-Based Learning Experiences
  
  • Wimpole Estate — Socioeconomic structures in historical perspective
  • London — Civic institutions and national government
  • The Orchard Tea Garden — Cultural and intellectual life
• Integrated Seminars & Tutorials — Small-group discussions, writing workshops, and lectures on political, economic, legal, educational, and religious institutions.
• Cultural Immersion — Attend a live performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and participate in a formal college dinner.
• Rigorous Academic Preparation — Pre-departure workshops, readings, and essays ensure meaningful engagement abroad.
• Capstone Research Project — Produce formal essays, an annotated bibliography, and a final integrative project while in residence.
• High-Impact Academic Experience — Extensive contact and lab minutes combining lectures, archival research, field study, and independent scholarship in Cambridge.

Course Description

This course is designed to engage students in an intensive interdisciplinary exploration of some of the fundamental ideas that shape our lives and societies, and by extension, encourage them to contemplate their future in a similar context. By the end of the course, students should be able to 1) discuss and explain the fundamental concepts addressed in the course; 2) conduct quality independent research; 3) write an advanced thesis defense paper. The course will be conducted as a set of workshops, lectures, tutorials, discussion forums, individual and group mentoring sessions, and self-guided research. Outside activities are required for the course. These activities will include attendance at a minimum of two workshops in the fall and spring semesters preceding the course. Students enrolled in this course will also participate in the Prestigious Scholarships Program, which is designed to help them form individual action plans guided toward their roles in the good society.