International Summer Programs
The University of Southern California is again offering several programs abroad during Summer Session 2015. The purpose is to create opportunities for USC students to learn in an international environment. Each program features intensive courses from two to 10 weeks in duration, and many programs visit more than one country.
Experienced USC faculty serve as instructors, tour guides and coordinators, sharing with students the unique excitement of learning at an overseas location. Excursions to important cultural and historical sites supplement classroom lectures. Housing is prearranged for students in university dorms, hostels, inexpensive hotels or with local families.
These special programs offer travel and study opportunities at reasonable cost; programs planned for International Summer Session 2015 are listed below. Interested students should call the contact person indicated for further information about a specific program.
Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism
Journalism – Graduate Internship in the United Kingdom, China or South Africa
Journalism master’s degree students may spend eight weeks at internships in London, Hong Kong, Shanghai or Cape Town during the summer following their year of graduate study at USC. Students apply to Annenberg International Programs in the fall semester of their degree program. From mid-May to late July, they enroll in JOUR 540 International Journalism Seminar I and JOUR 545 International Internships in the Media while working full-time at internships with prominent media organizations. For more information, contact Annenberg International Programs at (213) 821-1276, email ascintl@usc.edu and refer to annenberg.usc.edu/international.
Program dates: May 18 – July 26 (for all locations)
Total number of units: 4
Enroll in one section in each of the following courses:
| JOUR 540 | International Journalism Seminar I | 3 |
| London | 226-21105D | |
| Cape Town | 138-21106D | |
| Hong Kong | 166-21108D | |
| Shanghai | 420-21107D | |
| JOUR 545 | International Internships in the Media | 1 |
| London | 226-21101D | |
| Cape Town | 138-21102D | |
| Hong Kong | 166-21104D | |
| Shanghai | 420-21103D |
Strategic Public Relations – Graduate Internship in the United Kingdom, China or South Africa
Strategic Public Relations master’s degree students may spend eight weeks at internships in London, Hong Kong, Shanghai or Cape Town during the summer following their first year of graduate study at USC. Students apply in the fall semester of their first year. From mid-May to late July, they enroll in JOUR 540 International Journalism Seminar I and JOUR 545 International Internships in the Media while working full-time at internships with prominent public relations organizations. For more information, contact Annenberg International Programs at (213) 821-1276, email ascintl@usc.edu and refer to annenberg.usc.edu/international.
Program dates: May 18 – July 26 (for all locations)
Total number of units: 4
Enroll in one section in each of the following courses:
| JOUR 540 | International Journalism Seminar I | 3 |
| London | 226-21105D | |
| Cape Town | 138-21106D | |
| Hong Kong | 166-21108D | |
| Shanghai | 420-21107D | |
| JOUR 545 | International Internships in the Media | 1 |
| London | 226-21101D | |
| Cape Town | 138-21102D | |
| Hong Kong | 166-21104D | |
| Shanghai | 420-21103D |
Communication, Public Relations and Journalism – Undergraduate Summer Study in London, Paris, Istanbul, Rome and Prague
The International Communication Studies (ICS) program provides undergraduate students an opportunity to study a range of approaches to public communication and media across Europe.
Students divide the five-week course into stays in Los Angeles, London, Paris, Istanbul, Rome and Prague. In addition to regular class meetings, students discuss the interplay of current world issues and international media practices with communication practitioners from international news and public relations media, government institutions, private industry and global organizations.
Students enroll in JOUR 482 Comparative Media in Europe. For further information, contact Annenberg International Programs at (213) 821-1276, email ascintl@usc.edu and refer to annenberg.usc.edu/international.
Program dates: June 8 – July 11
Total number of units: 4
All students enroll in:
| JOUR 482 | Comparative Media in Europe | 4 | 099-21041D |
Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
International Summer School in Cambridge, England
The USC-Cambridge Pembroke King’s Programme (PKP) in Cambridge, England offers students an exceptional opportunity to experience life as an undergraduate in one of the oldest and most distinguished university cities in the world. Offered summer 2015, the USC PKP is geared toward students who have demonstrated academic excellence and a continuous love of learning.
The PKP provides students an excellent opportunity to study British literature, art, history, economics, creative writing, political science and international relations, and to examine the background of modern Britain and its rich and diverse cultural heritage.
Interested students may apply for this annual summer program by submitting an official transcript or STARS report, two written essays, one letter of recommendation and a completed application to Korijna Valenti, College Academic Services 200. Students admitted to the program must attend orientation meetings during the spring semester at USC in preparation for the intellectual and cultural environment they will experience in the lectures and specialized seminar courses at the International Summer School.
Students participating in this program may earn 4 undergraduate elective credits by taking three courses over eight weeks and completing both a final exam and a comprehensive essay in each course. The program is open to qualified undergraduate and graduate students with a GPA of 3.7 or higher. For further information, contact Korijna Valenti, academic programs coordinator, Dornsife College Dean’s Office, Undergraduate Academic Programs, (213) 740-8555.
Program dates: June 28 – August 22 (eight-week program)
Total number of units: 4 units of elective credit
Chinese — Beijing, China
The East Asian Languages and Culture Department operates the USC Chinese Summer Program in Beijing. This program gives students the opportunity to improve their language skills, learn about China’s culture and history, and gain valuable international experience by living in one of the world’s most rapidly progressing cities. Students complete one level of Mandarin during the four-week program or two levels of Mandarin during the eight-week program. All students receive USC course credit and can seamlessly transition to the next level of Chinese upon their return to USC. Smaller class sizes provide greater personal attention and enable students to improve their Mandarin ability even more quickly. In addition to daily classes, the curriculum includes one-on-one speaking sessions with trained local teaching assistants. Homework consists of useful assignments like interviews with locals to improve speaking skills.
Each week students will go on one or two excursions to see China’s most famous attractions, including the Great Wall, Peking Opera and Olympic sites. Excursion fees are included in the program tuition. The co-curricular activities also include language exchange, Tai-Chi class, singing at a karaoke club and more.
The USC Chinese Summer Program in Beijing immerses students in the Chinese language and culture, allowing them to experience a new lifestyle in a completely different part of the world and significantly improve their Mandarin ability.
For further information, contact Dr. Nansong Huang, Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures, Taper Hall 356, at nansongh@usc.edu or visit dornsife.usc.edu/beijingsummer.
Program dates: June 1-26 (four-week program)
Total number of units: 4
Enroll in one of the following courses:
| EALC 204 | Chinese III | 4 | 764-25350D |
| EALC 304 | Advanced Modern Chinese I | 4 | 764-25354D |
Program dates: July 1–28 (four-week program)
Total number of units: 4
Enroll in one of the following courses:
| EALC 206 | Chinese IV | 4 | 765-25369D |
| EALC 306 | Advanced Modern Chinese II | 4 | 765-25370D |
Program dates: June 1 – July 28 (eight-week program)
Total number of units: 8
Enroll in two of the following courses:
| EALC 106 | Chinese II | 4 | 764-25372D |
| EALC 204 | Chinese III | 4 | 764-25350D |
| EALC 304 | Advanced Modern Chinese I | 4 | 764-25354D |
| EALC 204 | Chinese III | 4 | 765-25374D |
| EALC 206 | Chinese IV | 4 | 765-25369D |
| EALC 306 | Advanced Modern Chinese II | 4 | 765-25370D |
Chinese — Taipei, Taiwan
The Taiwan summer study aboard program provides students with the unique opportunity to experience the vibrant city of Taipei while joining a four-week Chinese language program at the top-ranked academic institution, National Taiwan University (NTU), in Taiwan.
The course curriculum includes an array of courses for students with various levels of Chinese. The program offers intermediate courses for students to enhance communicative skills. For advanced students, the film class is a great way to learn idiomatic expressions and deepen the understand of the culture. The program also offers business-oriented advanced courses that focus on experiential learning and co-curriculum activities, through which they can acquire practical skills as well as various professional opportunities. Students who are business majors and minors are particularly encouraged to apply, since meeting with Chinese businesses is a key element of the business Chinese summer courses. The program will offer unique courses for students who have family ties and interest in furthering their understanding of the cultural heritage of Taiwan. The smaller class sizes in this immersion program provide greater personal attention and enable students to improve their Mandarin ability. In addition, there are special scholarship opportunities available for students who want to pursue their overseas study in Taipei.
In addition to regular classroom activities, each week the program will have one or two excursions that allow students to experience the exciting city of Taipei, including visits to the National Palace Museum, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Taipei 101 and Shilin Night Market. There will also be longer field trips to other parts of the island.
For more information, contact John Chang, the program director, at johnwcha@usc.edu.
East Asian Studies Center – Global East Asia Problems without Passports Program (PwP) in China, Japan and Korea
The East Asian Studies Center’s “Global East Asia as PwP” summer international program offers USC undergraduate students a unique opportunity to study abroad in China, Japan or Korea in a research-oriented, 4-week summer course. Students will engage in USC faculty-guided, on-site research through multiple exciting excursions to noteworthy locations in the destination country. Research topics will vary depending on the course: China will focus on global consumerism, Korea on influence of Korean pop culture and Japan on international understanding of identity. This 4-week program is divided into two weeks on campus and two weeks abroad.
Application to the program is required. This summer study abroad course offers students 4 units of upper-division USC credit, an opportunity to study and conduct research with USC faculty members in an East Asian country and a platform to share their experiences through an outreach activity.
This program is designed to expand undergraduate interest in East Asian studies. Most of the major expenses associated with the travel abroad portion of the course will be covered: basic lodging and some meals as well as local transportation and entrance fees related to the course. Students are responsible for the tuition, course materials, international airfare and expenses during the first two weeks of the program at USC. Dornsife College and departmental financial support is available.
Program dates: China May 18 – June 13 (four-week program); Japan May 18 – June 13 (four-week program); Korea May 18 – June 13 (four-week program)
Total number of units: 4
| EASC 360 | Global East Asia | 4 |
| China | 552-25801 | |
| Japan | 552-25803 | |
| Korea | 552-25805 |
For more information, please contact the East Asian Studies Center at (213) 740-2991 or easc@usc.edu, or visit usc.edu/easc/gea.
French — Dijon, France
The Department of French and Italian offers a summer program in the city of Dijon, France, where students have the opportunity to study the French language and culture in a beautiful, culturally rich setting. Dijon is the ancient capital of the former Duchy of Burgundy and is renowned for its lovely old streets, monuments, churches and fine cuisine. The program will begin on Sunday, May 31, will conclude on Friday, June 26 and will be centered at the Université de Bourgogne campus in Dijon.
During the program, students live with families near the city center, which effectively immerses them in the French culture and language. Classes are taught both by French instructors from Dijon and USC faculty. The latter will lead small-group sessions designed to help students achieve even greater fluency in French.
Cultural visits and excursions are arranged to further enhance awareness and understanding of French history and culture. Opportunities for daily interaction with townspeople and students from other countries will be plentiful. The 4-unit program is offered at the undergraduate level. The cost of field trips is included in tuition fees.
Program dates: May 31 to June 26 (four-week program)
Total number of units: 4
Application deadline: Rolling applications; first come, first served. Applications and other materials may be picked up in the Department of French and Italian, Taper Hall 155. For further information, contact Dr. Colin Keaveney, Department of French and Italian, Taper Hall 155-G, keaveney@usc.edu.
All of the following courses are offered in Dijon:
| FREN 150 | French II | 4 | 099-34350D |
| FREN 220 | French III | 4 | 099-34352D |
| FREN 250 | French IV | 4 | 099-34354D |
| FREN 300 | French Grammar and Composition | 4 | 099-34355D |
| FREN 310 | French Pronunciation and Conversation | 4 | 099-34356D |
| FREN 330 | Writing about Literature | 4 | 099-34357D |
| FREN 490x | Directed Research | 4 | 099-34359D |
International Relations — Brussels, Belgium
The School of International Relations offers students the opportunity to study and intern for five weeks in Brussels, Belgium. Students take a course on the contemporary issues in European foreign and security policy while interning at an international organization. Students enroll in IR 491x Field Study (4 units), which can be used to fulfill an IR major or IR minor requirement. Students intern full-time for the first week, after which their schedule will consist of class in the morning and internship in the afternoon.
This program is open to IR and IR-related majors with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Applications for this program are available in VKC 301 and the School of International Relations Website.
Program dates: June 1 – July 3
International Relations — Paris, France
The School of International Relations offers students the opportunity to study and conduct research for six weeks in Paris, France. Students take a course on European policy modeling and contemporary challenges to the European Union focusing on the particular case of France. The course will focus on weekly topics such as: the confederalization of Europe, the EU and France, citizenship and immigration, “going green” European style, doing business in Europe, and “green” as business in Europe.
In addition to completing course requirements, students will have a choice of participating in three policy task forces focusing on real world problems in business, the environment and immigration.
Students enroll in IR 490x: Directed Research (4 units), which can be used to fulfill an IR major or IR minor requirement.
This program is open to IR and IR-related majors with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Applications for this program are available in VKC 301 and the School of International Relations Website.
Program dates: June 5 – July 22
Italian — Rome, Italy
The Department of French and Italian offers students the opportunity to study Italian while living in one of the most exciting cities in the world, Rome. No previous knowledge of Italian is required. Excursions to nearby cities, visits to local museums and sites, and many cultural and social events are planned and included in the cost of tuition.
Students live with an Italian family. The seven-week program is offered at the undergraduate level. For additional information, contact Dr. James M. Fortney, Department of French and Italian, Taper Hall 155H, fortney@usc.edu.
Program dates: May 21 – July 10, 2015
Total number of units: 8
Students enroll in one of the following language courses:
| ITAL 120 | Italian I | 4 | 099-34450D |
| ITAL 150 | Italian II | 4 | 099-34452D |
| ITAL 220 | Italian III | 4 | 099-34453D |
| ITAL 224 | Italian Composition and Conversation | 4 | 099-34455D |
| ITAL 320 | Writing about Italian Literature | 4 | 099-34457D |
Spanish — Valencia, Spain
The Department of Spanish and Portuguese offers SPAN 220 in the city of Valencia, Spain, where students will be able to improve their Spanish and participate in cultural events in Valencia. Valencia is the third largest city in Spain and renowned for its medieval streets, Moorish monuments, numerous churches, and Santiago Calatrava’s City of Arts and Sciences. The program will be held at the University of Valencia and will also include either one or two trips to other parts of Spain.
Students will live in a student residence (the Colegio Mayor) within walking distance of the university. Classes will be taught by a USC instructor with the help of a Spanish instructor from the University of Valencia. In addition, a USC in-residence director will help monitor the course and assist the students.
The program is open to qualified undergraduate students who have taken SPAN 150 or were placed into SPAN 220.
Program dates: June 13 – July 11 (four-week program)
Total number of units: 4
Review of applications started on January 16. Applications and other materials may be picked up in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese, Taper Hall 156. For additional information, contact the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at (213) 740-1258 or Dr. Marianna Chodorowska-Pilch by email at chodorow@usc.edu.
Spanish — Madrid, Spain
The Department of Spanish and Portuguese hosts a seven-week program in Madrid. Students improve their knowledge of Spanish language and culture and earn 8 units of credit while living in one of Europe’s most exciting cities. They take two courses, live with a Spanish family, attend lectures in Madrid’s museums, visit the Basque Country and take day trips to the monastery of El Escorial and the historical cities of Córdoba, Segovia and Toledo.
Courses are held Monday through Thursday.
The program is open to qualified undergraduate students who meet the prerequisites. Major and minor credit is available. For additional information, contact the Department of Spanish and Portuguese, (213) 740-1258.
Program dates: May 25 – July 10
Total number of units: 8
Enroll in two of the following courses:
| SPAN 260 | Advanced Spanish: Arts and Sciences | 4 | 099-62208D |
| SPAN 261 | Advanced Spanish: Society and the Media | 4 | 099-62204D |
| SPAN 311 | Advanced Spanish Through Contemporary Issues: Oral Emphasis | 4 | 099-62218D |
| SPAN 341 | Advanced Conversation and Culture | 4 | 099-62232D |
| SPAN 465 | Cultural Perspectives of the Iberian Peninsula | 4 | 099-62360D |
| SPAN 490x | Directed Research | 4 | 099-62368R |