Our 2008 study tour to the heart of southern England will be based mainly in the quintessentially historical English city of Salisbury which enjoys rich cultural, religious, and political legacies.  The study tour party will start out in London and then be staying at Sarum College in Salisbury.  In Salisbury, the study tour will be joined by local experts and internationally known academics as part of our learning-in community experience.  A day tour of Oxford is also included in the study tour program.
The study tour will begin with a brief stay in London where students will recover from jet-lag.  Informal tours conducted at a leisurely pace will be a part of the program in London.  Possible sites include visiting the areas which contain Westminster Abbey, Parliament, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London, and the British Museum.

Sarum College is an international renowned ecumenical organization located in the magnificent Close of Salisbury Cathedral.  The Cathedral, widely regarded as the finest in Europe, with its musical traditions, liturgy, and awe-inspiring architecture, is home to some of the four remaining original copies of the Magna Carta the historical founding document of our constitutional democracy.  The Cathedral spire is the highest in England and the Cathedral clock is the oldest working model in existence.  On the outskirts of Salisbury is the ancient but still spiritually significant Stonehenge monument.

The visit to Oxford will focus on the three “M’s” for which Oxford is famous.  The first “M” is for “martyrs”, referring to those who died during the unrest of the Reformation period in England.  The second “M” refers to “Methodism” which was an important historical event which led to further Church reformation and was a part of the history of the United Church of Canada.  The third and final “M” refers to the “Oxford Movement”, which combined the Catholic heritage of the Anglican Communion with action for social justice.

Participants will examine historical and contemporary developments with emphasis on cultural, religious, and political factors that have helped to shape the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth in general, and England in particular.  With this in mind, organized visits to significant historical sites will be combined with lectures, study circles, and informal sessions.

It is anticipated that some participants will want to remain for further travel in Europe rather than return with the tour on May 26.  This will be one of the items for consideration at the two orientation classes that all participants are required to attend prior to the departure date.  A de-briefing, “reflections on the tour” session will be held on return to Canada.

Participants are required to register in either EFDT 854.3 or EFDT 454.3 for credit or audit.  A course program fee will be assessed to include program costs, air fare, accommodation, and some meals.  Financial assistance will be available to students of the University of Saskatchewan.  Faculty and staff should consult their respective collective agreements regarding possible financial assistance.

Students who wish to extend their visit to Europe may negotiate special arrangements with the travel agent for the tour.

For further details contact : R.E.Y. Wickett Room 3092, Education Telephone: 966-7642 email: reg.wickett@usask.ca