2013 Summer School Plenary Lectures announced

Interdisciplinary Summer School Term I

8 July – 2 August 2013

The chosen theme for this year’s Interdisciplinary Term I lecture programme is Vision. This truly interdisciplinary lecture series, put together by International Programmes Director Sarah J Ormrod offers a wide range of topics for debate. Lectures and speakers will include: Sir Tony Brenton: Calpurnia’s vision: democracy in difficult places, Professor John Mollon: Perception of colour, Michael Ramage: Visionary architecture, Professor Nicola S Clayton: Imagination and the door to identity and Dr Gillian Sutherland: "A men’s University - though of a mixed type": Cambridge and the education of women?

Find out more about the Interdisciplinary Summer School Term I.

Interdisciplinary Summer School Term II

4 – 17 August 2013

An exciting range of evening lectures is currently being planned for the Interdisciplinary Summer School Term II.

Find out more about the Interdisciplinary Summer School Term II.

Ancient Empires Summer School

7 – 20 July 2013

ICE Academic Director Dr Justin Meggitt, University of Cambridge Senior Lecturer in the study of Religion and the Origins of Christianity and Programme Director of the Ancient Empires Summer School is currently putting together an excellent line up of speakers. This year lectures centre on the theme Culture and Conflict and will include: Professor John Ray: The romance of Alexander and the last Egyptian Pharaoh, Professor Roel Sterckx: Philosophies of war and peace in Ancient China, Professor Judy Lieu: Diversity, difference and distancing in early Christianity and Professor Paul Cartledge: Alexander the great (cultural) warrior.

Find out more about the Ancient Empires Summer School.

Dr Justin Meggitt will be giving a free taster session at our forthcoming Open Day on 2 April. Find out more.

Science Summer School

Term I: 7 – 20 July 2013
Term II: 21 July – 3 August 2013

This year’s lecture series, Creation and Discovery promises to be an exciting collection of very different approaches. Dr Rob Wallach, University of Cambridge Senior Lecturer in Materials Science and Metallurgy and Programme Director of the Science Summer School will chair a sequence of talks on areas including: light, particle physics, stem cell research, genome sequencing, evolution, CERN and ‘The creative navigator’s compass’.

Find out more about the Science Summer School.

Dr Rob Wallach will be giving a free taster session at our forthcoming Open Day on 2 April. Find out more.

Literature Summer School

Term I: 7 – 20 July 2013
Term II: 21 July – 3 August 2013

This year’s plenary lecture theme Crossing Frontiers offers the chance to look at a range of literary works in a new light. Dr Fred Parker, University of Cambridge Senior Lecturer in English and Programme Director of the Literature Summer School, is currently piecing together a series of talks. Lectures will include: Dr Joe Moshenska: True Romance: piracy and poetry in the 17th century Mediterranean, Dr Jenny Bavidge: ‘Queer dreams’: dreams and day-dreaming in the work of the Brontës, Hester Lees-Jeffries: Shakespeare’s souvenirs, Dr John Lennard: Writing the Raj from home and abroad: the contrasting cases of Forster and Scott, Dr Jacqueline Tasioulas: Boarders and frontiers in Chaucer's Knight's Tale and Miller's Tale and Dr Alexander Lindsay: Gulliver’s Travels.

Find out more about the Literature Summer School.

Dr Fred Parker will be giving a free taster session at our forthcoming Open Day on 2 April. Find out more.

History Summer School

21 July – 3 August 2013

Planned by Dr David Smith, Affiliated Lecturer, Faculty of History, University of Cambridge, Affiliated Lecturer, Institute of Continuing Education, University of Cambridge and Programme Director of the History Summer School, the central theme of this year’s History Summer School is Defining Moments. Speakers and lectures will include: Professor John Morrill: The night of 22/23 October: the Irish Rebellion of 1641, Dr Bill Foster: Decisive shock: Western Secret Intelligence and North Africa from Suez to Benghazi, Dr David Smith: John Milton and the English Revolution: a defining moment?, Dr Amy Blakeway: The deposition of Mary, Queen of Scots, 1567, John Jackson: Visions of the future: the Arab Spring and its unexpected consequences, Dr Tom Freeman: Re-defining defining moments in history: the challenges of counter factual history and Dr Isabel DiVanna: France, 1870: the birth of the Third Republic. 

Find out more about the History Summer School.

Dr David Smith will be giving a free taster session at our forthcoming Open Day on 2 April. Find out more.

Shakespeare Summer School

4 – 17 August 2013

The series of talks and performance-based sessions, put together by Dr Catherine Alexander, Programme Director of the Shakespeare Summer School and Honorary Research Fellow of the Shakespeare Institute, University of Birmingham, will follow the theme Time and Times. Speakers and lectures will include: Dr Catherine Alexander: Shakespeare in 1923, Professor Stuart Sillars: Dimensions of time in Victorian Shakespeare images, Dr Charles Moseley: Pleasing some and trying all, Professor Kate Belsey: Romeo and Juliet from time to time, Professor Kate McLuskie: ‘The future in the instant’: time and action in Macbeth, Dr Alexander Lindsay: Time in the Sonnets, Dr Paul Prescott: Troilus and Cressida: taste, trends and time's wallet, Dr Erin Sullivan: Shakespeare and the question of Human Nature and Dr Catherine Alexander: Hamlet and time.

Find out more about the Shakespeare Summer School.

Medieval Studies Summer School

4 – 17 August 2013

The theme for this year’s plenary series is Travel and Trade. Dr Rowena E Archer, Programme Director of the Medieval Studies Summer School and Fellow of Brasenose College, University of Oxford, is currently putting together a series of lectures to cover these areas. Speakers will include: Professor Michelle P Brown, Professor Wendy Childs, Margaret Condon, Dr Frances Wood, Nick Millea, Professor Peter Spufford, Dr John Maddicott, Dr Toby Jones, Professor Jonathan Riley-Smith and Dr Anne F Sutton.

Find out more about the Medieval Studies Summer School.

Apply online: 2013 International Summer Schools

The 90th Anniversary edition of the University of Cambridge International Summer Schools will run in Cambridge from 7 July to 17 August 2013, to sign up for a programme simply apply online, or download an application form from our website.

Places on courses and in College accommodation are limited,
so we encourage applicants to apply early to avoid disappointment.

In 2013 we will be offering programmes in: Ancient Empires, Science, Literature, History, Shakespeare and Medieval Studies, as well as two interdisciplinary programmes, Interdisciplinary Summer School Term I and Interdisciplinary Summer School Term II, covering a wide range of subjects including archaeology, politics, philosophy, economics, literature, history and international relations.

Two language-based programmes are also available for those looking to improve their English language skills: English for Academic Purposes and the IELTS Preparation Course.

Applicants will also have the opportunity to sign up for weekend excursions and take part in events to celebrate the International Summer Schools 90th Anniversary.

Join us in 2013 as we celebrate this exciting milestone in the history of the University of Cambridge International Summer Schools.

Download a copy of the brochure.

Find out more: www.ice.cam.ac.uk/intsummer

2013 International Summer Schools

Applications are now open for the 90th Anniversary edition of the University of Cambridge International Summer Schools which will run in Cambridge from 7 July to 17 August 2013.

To request a copy of the 2013 brochure simply fill in the brochure request form or call us on +44 (0) 1223 760850; alternatively you can download a copy.

In 2013 we will be offering specialist programmes in: Ancient Empires, Science, Literature, History, Shakespeare and Medieval Studies, as well as two interdisciplinary programmes, Interdisciplinary Summer School Term I and Interdisciplinary Summer School Term II, covering a wide variety of subjects including archaeology, politics, philosophy, economics, literature, history and international relations.

Courses are taught by a combination of leading Cambridge scholars and guest subject specialists from beyond the University. Programmes combine classroom sessions, subject-specific morning lectures and general-interest evening talks.

Two language-based programmes, run in conjunction with the University of Cambridge Language Centre, are also available for those looking to perfect their English language skills: English for Academic Purposes and the IELTS Preparation Course.

The Summer School programmes are complemented by a number of social and cultural activities including optional weekend excursions and events to celebrate the International Summer Schools 90th Anniversary (1923 – 2013).

We hope you can join us as we celebrate this milestone in the history of the University of Cambridge International Summer Schools.

Find out more: www.ice.cam.ac.uk/intsummer

Summer School Plenary Lecture Speakers announced

Shakespeare Summer School

5 – 18 August 2012

Actors Vivien Heilbron and David Rintoul are amongst the speakers who will contribute to this year’s plenary lecture programme. The series of talks and performance-based sessions, put together by Dr Catherine Alexander, Programme Director for the Shakespeare  Summer School and Honorary Research Fellow of the Shakespeare Institute, University of Birmingham will follow the theme Interrogating Shakespeare. Other speakers include Dr Alexander Lindsay, Dr Charles Moseley, Professor Russ McDonald, Dr Clive Wilmer, Dr John Lennard and Professor Lena Orlin.

Find out more about the Shakespeare Summer School.

Ancient Empires Summer School

8 – 21 July 2012

ICE Academic Director Dr Justin Meggitt, University of Cambridge Senior Lecturer in the study of Religion and the Origins of Christianity has put together a thrilling line-up for the inaugural year of this programme. Sessions centre on the theme Treasures of the East and will include: Professor Andrew Wallace-Hadrill: Roman luxury: the temptations of the East, Professor Roel Sterckx: The public and private lives of Chinese Emperors, Professor Nicholas Sims-Williams: Between Iran and China: documents from Ancient Afghanistan and Dr Tom Holland: Islam: the executioner or heir of antiquity?

Find out more about the Ancient Empires Summer School.

Medieval Studies Summer School

5 – 18 August 2012

The theme for this year’s plenary series is Technology and Skills. Dr Rowena E Archer, Programme Director for the Medieval Studies Summer School and Fellow of Brasenose College, University of Oxford, is keen to provide a series of talks and demonstrations which focus closely on the practical aspects of medieval technology and skills involved, for example, in tapestry, calligraphy, metal-forging, coin-minting and water supply. Amongst speakers invited to talk are: Professor Tony Spearing: Chaucer: technology and comedy, Professor Michelle Brown: The making and meaning of the Lindisfarne Gospels, Dr Julian Munby: The timber world: craft and technology in medieval Europe and Professor Carole Rawcliffe: Surgery and surgeons in the Later Middle Ages.

Find out more about the Medieval Studies Summer School.

Literature Summer School

Term I: 8 – 21 July 2012
Term II: 22 July – 4 August 2012

This year’s plenary lecture theme Triumphs and Disasters offers the chance to look at a range of literary works in a new light. Some were great successes right from the start; some considered triumphs in their time have fallen out of popularity now, whilst others overlooked at the time of publication are now considered hugely important. Dr Frederick Parker, University of Cambridge Senior Lecturer in English, has pieced together a series of talks ranging from ‘Bad poetry by great poets’ to ‘The triumph of dullness: Pope’s Dunciad’ and from ‘The world’s worst lecture: a reading of Kingsley Amis’ Lucky Jim’ to ‘Triumphs from disasters: the contemporary Caribbean verse novel’. Speakers include: Dr Charles Moseley, Dr Trudi Tate, Dr Joe Moshenska, Dr Leo Mellor and Dr Raphael Lyne.

Find out more about the Literature Summer School.

International Summer School Term I

ISS Term I: 9 July – 3 August 2012

Entitled Intelligence, this truly interdisciplinary lecture series put together by International Programmes Director Sarah J Ormrod offers a wide range of subject areas for debate. Lectures and speakers include: Professor Simon Conway-Morris: Why the evolution of intelligence is inevitable, Michael Ramage: Intelligent design, Professor Christopher Andrew: MI5 in peace and war: 1905-2012, Dr Ed Turner: Shared intelligence in super-organisms: how do ants know what they are doing? And to celebrate 2012: Professor John Barrow: A scientist looks at the Olympics.

Find out more about the International Summer School Term I.

International Summer School Term II

ISS Term II: 5 – 18 August 2012

International Summer School Term II does not have a plenary series as special subject courses are slightly longer, however an exciting range of evening lectures and events are currently being planned.

Find out more about the International Summer School Term II.

History Summer School

22 July – 4 August 2012

From Cromwell to Castro and from Nelson to Nyerere, this series of lectures planned by Dr David Smith, Affiliated Lecturer, Faculty of History, University of Cambridge, will discuss the role and importance of Leaders and Leadership exploring the theme in different historical periods and in different parts of the world. Speakers and lectures will include: Professor John Morrill: William Allen and the Jesuit War of Terror in Elizabethan England, Dr Mike Sewell: Presidential leadership in American wars, Dr David Smith: Oliver Cromwell and the dilemmas of leadership in the English Revolution, Dr Emma Hunter: Leading a new nation: Julius Nyerere and leadership in post-colonial Africa and Dr Andrew Lacey: Monarchy and martyrdom.

Find out more about the History Summer School.

Science Summer School

Term I: 8 – 21 July 2012
Term II: 22 July – 4 August 2012

The Survival lecture series promises to be an exciting collection of very different approaches to the subject. Dr Rob Wallach, University of Cambridge Senior Lecturer in Materials Science and Metallurgy has assembled a sequence of talks on areas including: ‘The origins of the brain and behaviour’, ‘Materials Science to save the world’, ‘Stem cell research’, ‘Mass extinctions and lucky survivors’ and ‘Controlling disease’. Speakers will include: Professor Sir John Gurdon, Professor Nicky Clayton, Professor Seth Grant, Professor Paul Brakefield and Professor Simon Conway-Morris.

Find out more about the Science Summer School.

Silk Route Summer School

26 August – 1 September 2012

ICE Academic Director Dr Frank Woodman, University of Cambridge Lecturer for Art History and Architecture has arranged a series of lectures that will set the Silk Route in its political context, outlining the trials and tribulations arising from Crusader, Mongol, and Timurid conquests and destructions. Lecture topics will include: ‘The architecture of the Timurid dynasty’, ‘Trade and tribute in early Chinese foreign relations’, ‘Merv and the Turks’, ‘Lapis Lazuli’ and ‘The spread of Christianity along the Silk Route, from Chang’an in the Tang Dynasty’.

Find out more about the Silk Route Summer School.

English Language Summer Schools

Our International Summer Schools offer two English language programmes delivered in partnership with the University of Cambridge Language Centre.

English for Academic Purposes (EAP)

22 July – 18 August 2012

The four-week English for Academic Purposes programme is aimed at second language students who are already proficient in English, looking to develop their language skills further.

The programme is split into two parts. The first two weeks are spent taking an intensive, personalised language programme which blends face-to-face learning with online modules.

In weeks three and four students enrol on one of the International Summer School academic programmes, choosing from Shakespeare, Medieval Studies or International Summer School Term II. These programmes allow participants to put into practice the skills learned in the previous two weeks, as well as the chance for rigorous academic study.

IELTS Preparation Course

8 – 29 July 2012

This intensive, three-week IELTS course is designed to prepare candidates for the Academic Training Module in the IELTS examination. The course draws upon many successful factors of the EAP programme, but is aimed towards those who have not yet achieved the 6.0 IELTS level required.

The secondary focus of the course is the strengthening and development of English for Academic Purposes (EAP) and the associated key transferable skills, such as academic authoring and presentation skills.

The course includes a mock examination taken at the end of the second week, as well as the IELTS examination taken at the end of week three.

Mock examination: Saturday 21 July

IELTS examination: Saturday 28 July

Find out more:

www.ice.cam.ac.uk/intsummer

Summer Schools photo competition winner announced

We are delighted to announce the results of the 2011 International Summer Schools photo competition.  A large number of students took part this year and the standard was very good.  A selection of the competition entries can be viewed in our gallery.

This year’s winner is Erin Halliwill. Erin's winning snapshot was taken during a Summer School weekend excursion to London.

The runner up is Martine Nederhand.

Congratulations to both Erin and Martine who will be receiving their prizes shortly.

We would like to thank all those who entered the photo competition; it was a pleasure to look through your souvenirs of the 2011 International Summer Schools.

Find out more

If you are interested in applying for the 2012 Summer Schools please visit the Summer School web pages.

International Summer Schools 2012 brochure now available

The 2012 International Summer Schools brochure is now available. To request a copy simply fill in the brochure request form or call us on +44 (0) 1223 760850; alternatively you can download a copy.

The 2012 Summer Schools run from 8 July to 1 September 2012, specialist summer school programmes include: Ancient Empires, Science, Literature, History, Shakespeare, Medieval Studies and the Silk Route. We also offer two interdisciplinary programmes with courses covering a wide variety of subjects including archaeology, politics, philosophy, economics, literature, history and international relations. These programmes combine classrooms sessions, subject-specific morning lectures and general-interest evening talks.

Two language-based programmes are also available for those looking to perfect their English language skills: English for Academic Purposes and the IELTS Preparation Course.

The academic programmes are complemented by a range of optional weekend excursions and evening events: full details of these will appear on our website in the lead up to the Summer Schools.

Last year we welcomed over 1,000 participants from nearly 60 different countries, creating a strong international community. So whether you are looking to learn a new subject, sample the historic colleges or meet new friends from all over the world, we hope you will join us in Cambridge this summer.

Find out more: www.ice.cam.ac.uk/intsummer

Plenary lecture speakers and titles announced

The plenary lecture series is an important component of the Summer School programmes. The lectures aim to enhance the understanding and enjoyment of each offering.

Expert speakers are invited to lecture on a range of subjects which complement the study areas of each Summer School.

A large number of lectures have already been confirmed, more speakers and titles will be added over the coming weeks.

To view the theme-related lectures click on the relevant Summer School links below:

Interdisciplinary

Art History

History

Literature

Medieval Studies

Science

Shakespeare

International Summer Schools Brochure

The 2011 International Summer Schools brochure is now available.  To request a copy simply fill in our brochure request form or call us on +44 (0) 1223 760850; alternatively you can download a copy.

The University of Cambridge International Summer Schools give you the opportunity to explore a range of topics and disciplines, our programmes run from 10 July to 20 August 2011.

If you have a particular interest you may want to choose one of our Specialist Summer Schools in Art History, Literature, Science, History, Shakespeare or Medieval Studies.  Or for a more varied approach you can select a number of different subject areas from our interdisciplinary offerings.  Programmes also include a series of morning and evening lectures.

We also offer an English for Academic Purposes programme for second-language students looking to perfect their English language skills; and have recently introduced an IELTS programme, a three-week intensive course designed to prepare students for the IELTS examination.

Our academic programmes are complemented by weekend excursions and evening events: full details of these will appear in the lead up to the Summer Schools.

So whether you are looking to learn a new subject, meet new friends or sample the splendid colleges, we hope you will join us in Cambridge this summer.

Summer Schools Photo Competition

We are delighted to announce the results of the 2010 International Summer Schools Photo Competition.  It was particularly hard to pick a winner this year and although we do have one image that we feel stands out from the rest, we would like to commend a number of students for their entries – all of which can be viewed at the Summer Schools gallery along with a selection of other images from the competition.

The categories – and commended entries - are as follows:

Artistic flair: Chiara Cappa, Colleen Dunn, Jason Keble, Siyuan Li, Alexander Fraser and Nina Rainer

Splendid shots of Cambridge: Domenico Ronconi and Marie Duecker

Summer School experiences: Abhayjeet Singh, Shawn Bourke, Marie Duecker, Theng Ying Lee and Sarah Osbourne.

The overall winner with entries in the Summer School experiences category is: Theng Ying Lee.

Congratulations to Theng Ying Lee.  You will shortly receive a prize.

A big thank you goes to all those who entered the competition, as always it was a pleasure to look through your souvenirs of the International Summer Schools.