Durham University Summer Institute

Overview

The Fulbright Commission Durham University Summer Institute is a four-week cultural and academic programme for US students held at Durham University in the UK.

The theme of the institute is The Northern Borders of Empire to the Making of the Middle Ages.

Participants in this summer school will get the opportunity to:

• participate in a major archaeological project focused on the northern edges of the Roman Empire in Britain playing a full part in the excavations and gaining first-hand knowledge and experience of UK archaeological professional practice.  

• receive on-site seminars and workshops with expert visitors exploring matters of cutting edge concern in archaeology and cultural history.  

• have a full understanding of the archaeology of the military frontier of Roman Britain including Hadrian’s Wall and a wider appreciation of the archaeology and history of Northern England.  

• be led by Durham’s Institute of Medieval Studies in classes to investigate medieval theory complimented by afternoon trips to examine practical examples of Medieval and early modern thought, design, architecture, and culture. 

• explore the culture, heritage and history of the UK on a variety of cultural and social outings 

• make friends and experience life as a real student in the UK

• become an ambassador for studying in the United Kingdom, and for the prestigious internationally renowned Durham University

• develop their academic knowledge, be taught by world leaders in their field and receive credit they can transfer to their US University.

The Institute will run from 30 June-27 July 2013.

Since 2009, an international team drawn principally from Durham University (UK) and Stanford University (US) has been excavating the Roman fort and town at Binchester and surveying its place in one of the richest archaeological landscapes in the world. The Summer Institute students will join this team.

Previous excavation of Binchester has so far uncovered the best-preserved Roman bathhouse in the UK and some of the most impressive mausolea seen on a Roman site for 150 years. Geophysical survey has revealed a large town that continued to thrive long after the empire fell. Across the river at Escomb is one of the oldest churches in Britain, built from the stones of Binchester in the 7th century, is still standing as a reminder of the kingdom of Anglo-Saxon Northumbria, the heartland of Celtic Christianity and land of Arthurian romance.

Through the excavation of both fort and town, joined with a broader site and regional survey, the project aims to investigate the character and diversity of the local population, to explore connections between fort and town, and to pursue questions concerning the way the border was conceived and worked from Roman to medieval times. The project also looks at the way in which archaeology may contribute to senses of identity and belonging in a region such as the English/Scottish borders.

For more information on the progress of the Binchester excavation take a look at the team’s blog.

Durham's Institute of Medieval and Renaissance Studies (IMRS) will guide students from the Roman Empire through Saxons, Vikings, and the supreme Kingdom of Northumbria and onto the Medieval Northeast.  The IMRS provides a forum and network for the exchange of information with a full schedule of lectures and events in place throughout the year.  It is expected that Fulbrighters will engage with the planned lecture programmes during their time with the Institute contributing toward the development of public debate in this field.  

For more information on the Institute see the Programme Outline under the Additional Information tab.

Benefits

The majority of the participant costs will be covered. This includes:

•    round-trip airfare from the US to the UK;
•    tuition and fees at Durham University;
•    accommodation and social programme;
•    subsistence e.g. food and drink

Participants are expected to pay for their own travel, health and accident insurance.

Summer School students will stay in one of the University’s sixteen colleges, St John’s, situated in the heart of the medieval city of Durham.  More information on St John’s College can be found here.

Selection Criteria

To meet the minimum eligibility for this Institute you need to:

•    be a US citizen (resident anywhere except the UK) and possess a US passport;
•    be at least 18 years old by the start of the programme;
•    be able to participate in the programme in its entirety;
•    have a high level of academic achievement with a minimum GPA of 3.5 (confirmed by academic marks, awards and references);
•    have at least two years of undergraduate study left to complete, i.e. applicants should currently be a Freshman or Sophomore in college/university;
•    be mature, responsible, independent, and open-minded;
•    be willing and able to fully participate in an academically intensive programme that includes attending all sessions, completing all assignments, contributing to classroom discussions and supporting student ambassador style work as required;
•    have had little or no study or travel experience in the UK or elsewhere outside of the US and;
•    expect to return to the US and continue your education.

Note: The programme is open to students in all courses of study
 
Those holding permanent residency ‘green cards’ may not apply.

Please read the Terms and Conditions for this award before making an application.
In making these awards the Commission is looking not only for academic excellence but a focused application, a range of extracurricular and community activities, an indication of ambassadorial skills, a desire to further the Fulbright Programme and a plan to give back to your home country upon returning.

Candidates will be considered without respect to race, colour, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sexual preference or gender (including gender reassignment). Individuals from a broad range of ethnic, religious, geographic, and socio-economic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Applying

All applications are due March 11, 2013 by 5pm (UK Time)

To apply please download an application form

If you have a query about applying please read the FAQs document before contacting the Commission.

Please note: Applications must arrive at the Commission by email to
UKSummerInstitutes@fulbright.org.uk by 5pm (UK time) on the day of the deadline. 

References should be sent to the Commission by email  to
UKSummerInstitutes@fulbright.org.uk and should come directly from the referee. Students should not submit references on their referees' behalf. References must be received at the Commission by 5pm (UK time) on the day of the deadline or the application will not be considered even if the application itself has been received on time.

Please note that this email address is for applications and references only. Any general enquiries about the programme should be sent to programmes@fulbright.org.uk

Applications and references sent in by post, fax or to any email address other than UKSummerInstitutes@fulbright.org.uk will not be accepted. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Commission staff will not confirm receipt of individual applications or references by email or phone.

Interviews

Applications will be short-listed and successful applicants will be invited to telephone interview sometime between the dates of 15 April – 26 April 2013. Interviews will only be held these days and may not be rescheduled.If you are making an application, please save these dates as an invitation to interview may come within a few days of the interview date.The selection committee will be comprised of Fulbright Commission staff and on occasion representatives from a relevant field, academics, US Embassy and/or Consulate representatives.

Important note: The US-UK Fulbright Commission is unable to give feedback on individual applications or to provide reasons for their refusal.

Candidates will be considered without respect to race, colour, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sexual preference or gender (including gender reassignment). Individuals from a broad range of ethnic, religious, geographic, and socio-economic backgrounds are encouraged to apply

Timeline

December     Competition opens
11 March       Application deadline
Early April     Short-listed candidates invited to Interview
15-26 April    Telephone Interviews
Early May      Notification for successful applicants
May/June       Preparation and Pre-Departure Information
29 June         Departure for UK
30 June         Arrival in the UK
27 July          Return to USA

Additional Information

Programme Outline

Sunday 30 June: Arrive in Durham. City orientation and Welcome dinner

Monday, 1-Friday, 5 July: Introduction to the Roman fort at Binchester: excavation and finds processing on site. Evening talks and social events (these include lectures from key staff in the Department of Archaeology, the Centre for Roman Cultural Studies and the Institute for Medieval and Renaissance Studies)

Saturday 6 July: Visit to Lindisfarne, Alnwick, and Bamburgh Castle

Monday 8 - Friday 12 July: Excavating and processing artefacts on site at Binchester. Evening talks and social events.

Saturday 13 July: Visit to Housteads Roman Fort and Vindolanda.

Monday 15 – Friday 19 July AM: Students can choose from a selection of course modules from nine different topics including: Land of Prince Bishops from the Norman Conquestto the Reformation; Saints, Scholars, and Vikings: the Northern World in the Middle Ages; Holy War: Crusades and Crusading; The Age of Chivalry; Castle: from Hill-Forts to Gunpowder; Angels on the Head of Pins: Inside the Medieval Mind; Epic to Romance: Literary Transformation in the Middle Ages and Renaissance; The Civilisation of Europe in the Renaissance; Medieval Food: A Practical Exploration.

Saturday 20 July: Visit to Rievalux and Byland Abbeys, Helmsley Castle, Fountains Abbey, and Middleham Castle. 

Monday 22 – Friday 26 July AM: Students can choose from a selection of Medieval and Early Modern modules as outlined above.

PM: Visits to Barnard Castle and Bowes Museum, Escomb church and Piercebridge Roman fort.

Friday 26 July: Farewell Dinner

Saturday 27 July: Depart Durham

All course content and weekend site vists are subject to change. The information is intended to provide an initial scope of the programme and should not be considered final.

Student support:

Student will be supported by academics, International Office and St John’s College staff throughout the duration of the Institute.