England : Emily Swanson (Learning on Excursions)

Learning on Excursions 

My favorite course I am taking here in London is called London After Empire. It focuses on literature from the 1950s onward that delves into the London experience, particularly the experiences of those within historically underrepresented groups. In this course we are challenged to look at these texts through a lens of historical context and compare these experiences to what is happening in London today. One topic I have found particularly interesting pertains to looking at the overall picture of society and specifically about whose voices we tend to hear most prominently. These privileged, more acknowledged views of the world can distort our perception of past events leading to a biased understanding of history.

On a field trip to Oxford, I felt this lesson come into fruition. I learned about the history of Oxford University – a place known widely for its esteemed academics. One could look into the past and see 700 years of excellence or, with its centuries of exclusion, 700 years of prejudice. However, one thing I found powerful was the push for the University to be a part of important change. While you could still argue that the institution falls short of inclusivity, I admire the emphasis the University puts on contemporary individuals’ voices who have aided in the push for equity in academia. It can be hard to hear, for example, that women have only been allowed to attend the institution for about 150 years, but the people a part of the community today speak loudly. They advocate for those who have been long ignored, and it excites me to see how these conversations will spark change.

 

 

 

 

Emily Swanson

Major: Business – Marketing; Certificate in Graphic Design

Hometown: Kiel, Wisconsin

Program: IES Direct Enrollment – City St George’s, University of London