The British Studies Program at The University of Southern Mississippi is one of the oldest and largest study-abroad programs in the country and celebrated its 40th year in 2015. The University is an accredited, Carnegie RU/H (Research Universities/higher research activity) university and our program is accredited by the American Library Association.
Since 2007, 165 students from 38 universities in the U.S. and 2 in Canada have participated in the BSP. There are no out-of-state or out-of-country fees.
The goals of the program are
1) To learn about historic and modern British libraries, archives, and special collections on-site from distinguished British librarians, archivists, and information specialists.
2) To conduct research on an approved topic using primary sources and other resources available in the U.K. These two goals allow students to gain a general knowledge about the collections and operations of a variety of different libraries, archives, and collections and also become a subject specialist on a specific topic related to British libraries, archives, or collections.
British Studies LIS class consists of 6 credit hours:
- LIS 580. British Studies in Librarianship. 3 hrs.
- Comparative or historical studies of library and information institutions, collections, models of service, or professional practice in the United Kingdom. Assignments include two scholarly book reviews from a list of recommended books and a journal (blog) of students’ experiences related to class on-site lectures/guided tours and selected visits on their own to sites of interest or sites related to their research.
- LIS 587. British Studies Research. 3 hrs.
- Provides the opportunity for an in-depth research paper using the resources of metropolitan London and/or the United Kingdom. Assignments consist of approved problem statement and research questions while in London to guide research and data collection, then submission of the completed research paper after returning to the U.S.
Students and faculty are headquartered at university dorms in London and Edinburgh. Class visits include day trips to Oxford and Stratford-upon-Avon, required class visits, and some optional visits to specialized sites of interest. Students have time on their own, including some three-day weekends and a mini-break of four days, to spend on research and to explore London, Edinburgh, and other sites of interest.