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    Temple Summer in London

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Temple Summer in London

Children's Literature: Fantasy and Detective Fiction for Young People from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland to The Apothecary

Explore the rich literary history of England through the study of classic and contemporary children's literature, using London and surrounding areas as an immersive classroom. Over four weeks, you will examine works including Alice's Adventures in Wonderland; Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens; Peter and Wendy; The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; The Ruby in the Smoke; and The Apothecary while exploring themes of fantasy, detective fiction, childhood, and imagination. Through analysis, creative projects, archival research, and field-based learning -- with visits to literary landmarks including the UK's largest children's literature festival, Kensington Gardens, Platform 9¾, the British Library, and Oxford -- you will develop critical and creative skills while experiencing the places that inspired some of the world's most beloved stories.

Program Overview

Expand upon each of the links below to view more details about this program.

Academic Program

Language of Instruction

English

Course load

1 course, 3 credits

Course Offerings

You will select one of the following:

  • ENG 2112 Children's Literature (3 credits)
  • ENG 3020 Special Topics: Children's Literature (3 credits)
  • ENG 3900 Honors Special Topics I: Children's Literature (3 credits)

View all courses. 

Academic Program

In this program, you will read, discuss, and write about children’s literature in England from Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland (1865) to Maile Meloy, The Apothecary (2011), with a focus on fantasy and detective fiction in prose fiction. In addition, you will also explore J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens and Peter and Wendy; C. S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; and Philip Pullman’s The Ruby in the Smoke.

Along the way, you will discuss how these texts construct childhood and adulthood; imagine their readers’ literacies; and intervene in debates over gender, nation, race, empire, and theology. You will also consider how they construct their plots and depict and blur the lines typically thought to separate reality and fantasy and how they adapt the conventions of detective fiction. 

Location

Located in the south of England, London is the capital and largest city in the United Kingdom, with a population of approximately 9 million people.

Explore London!

London is one of the world’s great cities, and the possibilities are endless for you to make the most of your experience. Whether you are interested in visiting one of the four UNESCO World Heritage sites, one of the over 200 art galleries or museums in the city, shopping districts, public gardens, or the theatre, London has it all. There are, of course, the well-known sights, some of which you will be seeing on class excursions, but others left to you to explore. Beyond these famous places are some of the best contemporary arts and the most vibrant theater scene in the world. Though other destinations in Europe are easily accessible from the UK, be sure to explore to experience all that London has to offer! For all its history, London is a living, pulsing, diverse city, each of its neighborhoods with its own flavor, and thriving immigrant communities from all over the globe.

 View the map of London.

Program Dates

Four weeks: late June through late July

Tentative Program Dates

 Summer 2027

Departure from U.S.

June 24

Arrival in EnglandJune 25
Orientation June 26
Classes BeginJune 28
Last day of classesJuly 20
Last night in housingJuly 21
Program endsJuly 22

Do not use the above dates to book your flight, as they are tentative and subject to change. Accepted students will receive confirmed program dates and flight booking guidelines from Education Abroad before making travel plans.  

Program participants are required to be present for the entire length of the program, from the official arrival date through the program end date.

Housing

Housing type: Residence halls

Our on-site partner, FIE, provides residence-style housing for our program. FIE residence halls are located in South Kensington, the historical and royal neighborhood in London. Several fantastic museums are right at your doorstep. The residence halls provide dormitory-style bedrooms and several suites, with shared kitchens, private bathrooms in most cases, and a common area for hanging out. There are kitchens on each floor equipped with all the basic cooking utensils. Students will generally be placed two, three, or four to a room. All residence halls have WiFi and 24/7 access to the computer lab. 

Visit FIE's website for more information on housing, including photos and virtual tours of the different residence halls!

Activities & Excursions

The Foundation for International Education (FIE) provides a comprehensive orientation upon arrival, in collaboration with the Temple Program Director

Throughout the program, you will participate in numerous required cultural activities and excursions designed to bring England’s rich storytelling history to life. By stepping outside the classroom, you will engage directly with the authors, performers, literary scholars, and community curators who shape the past, present, and future of British children’s literature.

Details are subject to change, but activities and  excursions are likely to include:

  • London Children's Literature Festival: Inclusive of admission and transport to the UK’s largest dedicated children's book festival.
  • Big Bus Tour: An orientation of London's historic landmarks.
  • Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre: A traditional groundling performance experience.
  • Contemporary Theatre Performance: A modern production on the London stage.
  • Archival research at the British Library
  • Kensington Gardens and the Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, two important sites in Peter Pan
  • Day Trip to Oxford: Round-trip train travel to explore the city's deep academic roots.
  • Oxford Walking Tour: A guided exploration focusing on the locations that inspired Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, including Christ Church, which is also pictured in the Harry Potter films, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and Philip Pullman’s home college, Exeter.
  • Two group meals are planned.

Activities and excursions are subject to change.

Faculty & On-site Support

Temple Faculty

A Temple faculty member serves as the program director overseeing the academic program and will serve as your point of contact for academic matters.

View program faculty.

On-site Support Staff

In addition to your program director, you will have support from our on-site partner, the Foundation for International Education (FIE).

Program Costs

PROGRAM DEPOSIT

Students will pay a non-refundable program deposit of $400 within 2 weeks of acceptance to the program, or 2 weeks after the application deadline, whichever is earlier. This non-refundable deposit is credited to your program fees as a prepayment. 

TUITION AND FEES (3 CREDITS)

Tuition:

All students pay:

  • University Services Fee
  • London Program Fee

For complete details about billable costs and estimate for non-billable expenses, such as airfare, meals, and personal expenses, view the program cost sheet.

View detailed program costs.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID

Education Abroad offers competitive, need-based scholarships for this program. Learn more about scholarships and financial aid.

Health & Safety

Staying healthy and safe abroad requires good planning and strong support. Review our health and safety page for important steps to preparing for study abroad, and details about international travel medical insurance and assistance provided by Temple.  

Contact

Eligibility Requirements

Temple Rome, Temple Japan, Temple in Spain, and Temple Faculty-led programs are open to qualified students matriculated at any U.S. or Canadian college or university.

Temple Exchange programs, Temple Global Seminars, and External programs are open only to matriculated Temple University students. 

You are eligible to apply if you meet the following requirements.

Are enrolled fulltime and will have completed 2 semesters before studying abroad
  • You are enrolled as a full-time matriculated student at the time of application as well as during the semester prior to studying abroad.
  • You will have completed at least two (2) semesters of college-level study by the program start.
Are in good academic standing and meet minimum GPA requirement for the program

You meet minimum cumulative GPA requirement from all colleges/universities attended. As of May 2025, the GPA requirement for most programs is 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Exceptions include:

  • Rome Internships: 3.0
  • Exchange Programs: 2.75
  • External Programs: various, provider requirements may differ from Temple's

You remain in good academic standing from the time of application until the start of your term abroad; students on academic warning are not eligible to participate.

Have a valid passport

You will need a passport, valid well beyond the length of your program, by the application deadline.

View deadlines and validity requirements for your host country.

Are in good disciplinary standing

You must be in good disciplinary standing at the time of application and remain so through the start of your term abroad. Students who have been found responsible for a code of conduct violation and will not be in good disciplinary standing (including disciplinary probation) may submit a petition for review.

Meet the minimum age requirement

You are at least 18 years old at the time of application.

For Temple Summer in London, there are no additional eligibility requirements.

Application Requirements

The standard application requirements pertain to all students applying to Temple programs.

    For Temple Summer in London, there are no additional application requirements.

    Admissions Timeline

    • Admissions is rolling (early applications encouraged).
    • Once you submit your application, you should expect a decision within two (2) weeks.

    Apply

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