Eligibility
You must be of sophomore status and have 2.5 GPA or higher to study in York.
Cost
The final program cost is based on many factors and is not known exactly until the number of students in the group has been identified. The financial information page covers the details that go into the cost of the program and rough estimates for each. The price for the Britain semester will include:
- Tuition (four courses)
- Round-trip airfare from Grand Rapids to the program site
- Room and partial board (10 meals/week)
- Meal subsidy for weekend meals
- Administrative fee
- Program excursions
Additional expenses not included in the program fee: books, insurance (required), passport, personal spending money and personal travel.
This price may change due to fluctuations in the rate of the dollar against the British pound.
Accommodations
You will stay in your own dorm room on the campus of York St. John University for the semester.
Courses
Each student will take four courses while in York. All students take two courses taught by the Calvin program director(s):
| STBR 241 The British Economy: Foundations, Health Care Delivery and the Dilemmas of the European Union (This can count as a Societal Structures in North America core course.) | |
| This course will introduce students to basic principles of economics, and how modern economic thinking and ideology is rooted in scholarly writings from England and Scotland. This foundational understanding of economic principles will be extended and applied to two major economics areasthe issues of organizing and operating a health care system, and the coordination and stability of Euro-zone macroeconomic policy. |
3 semester hours, Societal Structures in North America core |
| STBR 312 Life and Culture in Britain: Economic, Social, and Political Life through the Ages. | |
| This course will use the city of York and ventures outside of it to explore the history of Britain, dating back to the Roman period. Using visits to historical sites, churches, museums, plays, businesses, public facilities, films, athletic events, and speakers, we will explore various facets of life in Britain throughout its history (religious, economic, social, health system, education system, architectural, etc.) Field trips will include historical sites in York and beyond. A common thread for reflection during the course will be on the importance of place to economic, social, political and religious perspectives. Integral to this will be discussion of what lessons we can learn from British history and culture, and what lessons we should leave with our host culture. | 4 semester hours, Global and Historical Studies core course and CCE credit |
Two more courses may be chosen from York St. John University's course (or "module") list. Choose modules available during "SEM2". One credit will be awarded for every five credits earned in a York St. John module (e.g. a 20 credit course will earn you 4 Calvin credits).
Please note: The grades from the two courses taught by the Calvin instructor will factor into your GPA. The grades for the two courses taken at YSJ will be listed on your transcript, but will not be calculated into your GPA. Grades below "C" will not be accepted for credit for the YSJ courses.
You may also want to consider taking HIST 225: The History of England, which is offered every fall semester, in order to prepare for the semester.
Apply
Submit a preliminary application to the the Off-Campus Programs office. Once your eligibility for the program is determined (within 1–2 weeks), you will be sent an application. The final application deadline for the Spring 2013 semester is the beginning of October 2012.
Guest students may apply for this program.
Contact
Program Director, Spring 2013
2013 - Scott VanderLinde, Economics
(616) 526-6477
Past and Future Program Directors
2010 - Dean Ward, English
2011 - Ken Bratt, Classics
2012 - Brian Bolt, HPERDS
2013 - Scott VanderLinde, Economics
2014 - Susan Felch, English
