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the General Course newsletter 2014 offer holders’ edition
WELCOME TO Congratulations on being offered a place on the General Course at the London School of Economics and Political Science; the world’s leading dedicated social science institution. Your time with us at LSE should be fun and rewarding, both academically and socially. It will also add a valuable international dimension to your education, providing you with skills and knowledge respected by graduate schools and employers around the world. Produced throughout the academic year, this newsletter – – is solely for you, our General Course students. For those of you wondering where the title comes from, it is the name of the (bronze) baby elephant that can be found on the steps opposite the Waterstone’s bookshop on the LSE campus. “Baby Tembo” was donated to LSE by a former General Course student, Louis Odette, and consequently makes a fitting mascot for this publication.
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It was October of 1980 when I first arrived at LSE. The plan was to do a nine month MSc in International Relations and then head back to the States to work in some kind of policy research capacity on Capital Hill. Over 30 years later, I’m still here. So what was, and is, the big attraction? Why do almost 10,000 bright, intelligent, academically talented, socially aware students from over 150 countries choose to study at LSE? What is so special about the School that people develop a life long intellectual and emotional attachment to it? For me it is the ineffable buzz that you get as soon as you walk on to its compact innercity campus. This buzz comes from the here and now, the dayto-day activities and events on the campus, but
also from the sense of an institution steeped in intellectual, social, political and economic history. The two are interconnected. LSE has been at the heart of contemporary debates on important social, political and economic issues – from the debates in the mid-20th century on the nature, purpose and desirability of the welfare state to the more recent debates on global climate change. It is hardly surprising, then, that in the course of each academic year a wide-range of influential individuals choose LSE as a platform for contributing their views on important issues of the day. It is a buzz that comes from the engaged, broadly progressivist, intellectual outlook of the School. Dedicated solely to social science, LSE is like no other university in the world. It is a place where students are encouraged to ask and think through difficult questions about contemporary global issues – whether it be the financial crisis, poverty, climate change, or international responses to violent conflicts. It is an outlook that is not just informed by the School’s motto, “to understand the causes of things”, but the desire to use this knowledge to change things. Most importantly, it is the buzz that comes from the sheer diversity of the students and staff at LSE. It is a tremendous place to study, of course,
with many academic staff at the cutting edge of research in their areas of expertise. But it is also a place in which you will spend long hours in conversation, dialogue and debate about important contemporary issues with fellow students who embrace views and perspectives from across the political spectrum and come from a diverse range of social, economic, and cultural backgrounds. This cosmopolitanism is, for me, LSE’s most important asset and its greatest attraction. Indeed, over the course of your year at LSE you will probably learn as much if not more from these conversations with your fellow students as you will from the formal teaching. In short, it is one of the most exciting places in the world to study. I hope that in the coming year you will join us and make your own contribution to the buzz that characterises the School. n
Mark Hoffman Dean for the General Course Mark is responsible for the pastoral care of General Course students and, once a student is at the School, provides advice on all aspects of their studies.
Who’s Who Yohei Guy produces the General Course newsletter and coordinates the extensive social calendar.
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Dan Newby administers the General Course application cycle, ensuring that decisions and information are issued in a timely manner.
“BABY TEMBO” Where are they now? General Course alumni
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Where the world comes to debate Public Lectures and Events
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Statue donated by former General Course student, Louis Odette
The View from
The student view
HOUGHTON STREET Firstly, allow me to add my congratulations to those of my colleagues; I am delighted you have been made an offer to join the General Course next year. My name is Will Breare-Hall and I am LSE’s Study Abroad Manager, responsible for the administration of the programme. Should you have any questions, queries or doubts between now and when you join us in September, my team and myself are here to help answer and clarify them. LSE has been running the General Course study abroad programme since 1909, making you a member of our 104th class. It is called the General Course because you can take four subjects from any of our academic disciplines. Degree seeking students at LSE don’t have this flexibility, so you have a unique opportunity to experience the variety and quality of the School’s teaching in a year of fully-integrated study. That integration into LSE life is fundamental to both the Course’s success and your enjoyment of your time with us; we aim to make you feel at home at LSE and will not segregate you or treat you differently. Everything a regular LSE student has access to is also available to you, plus more besides (for instance, the subsidised General Course Social Calendar). Indeed, upon completion of your year at LSE you will become an alumnus of the School, joining a world-wide network of over 100,000 people and enjoying continued access
to a number of our facilities. So whilst your year in London will pass by all too quickly, you are establishing a life-long connection with LSE, and will accrue a life-time of benefit from it. I look forward to welcoming you to Houghton Street later this year. n
Yvon Brousseau General Course President 2013/14
Congratulations everyone!
Will Breare-Hall Study Abroad Manager Will manages the General Course and is responsible for marketing and recruitment, liaising with applicants and institutions, and the admissions process.
You’ve been accepted to LSE, one of the world’s most renowned universities, and located in one of the greatest cities in the world. You are now just a few months shy of beginning an incredible journey. My name is Yvon Brousseau, and I’m the outgoing Students’ Union General Course President. A few weeks into term, once you’ve settled in, you’ll have a chance to elect my replacement from among yourselves, but for now I’m writing to wish you well and offer a few tips for the transition to LSE. At first, do not be intimidated by the immense size of London, it is completely manageable and you will learn how to master it. The university takes time to adjust to, just remember to enjoy yourself and not spend all your time studying and writing essays, you have time until exams. You will quickly learn your way around and how best to work efficiently so you can accomplish all the traveling, sight seeing, and eating every cuisine known to man. When it comes to social life you will quickly be able to expand your social group both with full time LSE students and the more than 300+ other General Course students coming from around the globe. While abroad at LSE, balancing work and play is critical in order to make the most of your experience and still do well in your studies. One regret I hear a lot is students not experiencing London. Remember, it will all be at your beck and call. That being said I have more suggestions than I could ever be given the column space to write. Just dive in, you really can’t go too wrong. Once again, congratulations on your offer. Enjoy London next year! I hope you will enjoy it just as much as I have. Best, Yvon Brousseau GC President 2013/14
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FRESHERS’ FESTIVITIES General Course students are encouraged to get involved with student life and are introduced to this during the “Orientation Festival” held at the start of each academic year. The Orientation Festival is organised by the LSE Students’ Union (LSESU) and takes place over a two week period. The Festival is specifically designed for new students and is full of activities, parties and events that are sure to cater for all tastes. Highlights from last year include a tea party; a treasure hunt; London sightseeing and club and music events.
However, perhaps the most important event of the Festival is the “Freshers’ Fair”. This two day event gives you the chance to join any number of LSE clubs and societies and make new friends with similar interests in the process. You can meet current club and society members on the various stands at the Fair and find out which ones are most suitable for you. There are a plethora of clubs and societies including the Economics Society, the Athletics Union, the Swing Dance Society, the Hellenic Society, the Drama Society and the Law Society. LSE has over 200 different societies and clubs but if nothing takes your fancy then you and your new friends can start your own. n
Cumberland Lodge Visit The Dean, together with the Student Recruitment Office, organises an annual visit to Cumberland Lodge specifically for General Course students. The 2014-15 visit will take place over the weekend 3-5 October 2014 and will include a variety of interesting talks. The General Course visit is optional and open to around 50 students each year, with the cost subsidised by the School. Combining a mixture of academic and social activities, it’s a great introduction to your fellow students and a piece of old England!
Pre-Departure Events Every summer, LSE alumni groups arrange pre-departure events in cities across the globe. At these social gatherings, students joining LSE in October meet with alumni, who will share their experiences of study at the School, and network with others who are about to embark on the same adventure. You will receive further information about events in your area later in the year but details will also be posted at lse.ac.uk/preDepartureEvents At lse.ac.uk/alumni you can learn more about what the School’s alumni do in your country. The Alumni and Friends of the London School of Economics USA, for example, publish newsletters with benefits they have arranged for US students moving to London. To receive these newsletters, you will need to register at the AFLSE website (www.aflse.org) and join the group “LSE Students: Admitted and Current” under “Chapters and Groups”. n
Where are they now? LSE boasts an impressive global network of 122,000 alumni covering 190 countries, and many General Course alumni have gone on to make history. Did you know that American statistician Nathaniel Silver (pictured right) attended LSE as a General Course student in 1998? Some other notable General Course alumni are: David Rockefeller Business Tycoon 1938 Anthony Kennedy US Supreme Court associate justice, 1958
Richard N Perle US political adviser, 1963
Jeffrey Goldstein Managing Director of Hellman and Friedman, 1976
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In future editions of , we will look in more detail at what these and other prominent alumni have accomplished after studying at LSE.
Mike Jeffries Chairman and CEO of Abercrombie and Fitch, 1965
DID YOU KNOW... A total of 16 Nobel Prize winners in economics, peace and literature have been either LSE staff or alumni. 3
General Course Social Calendar Throughout your year at the School, you will be able to explore London, the UK and Europe on a range of evening events, day trips and short breaks. Past excursions have covered the delights of cities such as Amsterdam, Paris and Bruges; the ruggedness of the Scottish Highlands; theatre evenings in London; Britain’s
most impressive medieval castles; and even the joys of an English brewery! Each trip or event is subsidised by LSE and offered to our General Course students at a significant discount, helping you get the most out of your time with us. Look out for more details in future editions of
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LONDON LIFE “ When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.”
Where the world comes to debate Everyone is welcome to attend LSE’s free public events, where some of the most influential figures in the social sciences can be heard. Thanks to LSE’s location in the heart of London, many eminent speakers from all over the world have visited the School including in recent times Fatima Bhutto, Eric Schmidt, Boris Johnson, Helen Clarke, Nancy Pelosi and Zhu Min. LSE’s culture of open debate and reputation for high-quality academic research helps to attract those who make or influence policy elsewhere. The Events programme includes more than 200 listings each academic year, attracting over 50,000 attendees. For the latest information, including videos and podcasts of previous events, visit lse.ac.uk/events.
These immortal words were uttered by Samuel Johnson as early as 1777, and if they were true in the 18th century, they are even more accurate today. London is a cosmopolitan city, with inhabitants from all over the world speaking more than 300 languages. Indeed, in excess of 400,000 students from 200 countries study at more than 40 universities in the city, so you will be in good company during your time here. Many of London’s world class museums, such as the British Museum and the National Gallery, are free of charge and in total the city boasts over 250 art galleries, over 200 theatres, over 600 cinema screens and six full-time symphony orchestras.
In addition to lectures and debates, LSE’s lunchtime and evening concerts are a wonderful opportunity to hear world class musicians from all over the world. LSE also boasts its own orchestra and choir and an arts programme that is expanding with exhibitions across campus, More information can be found at lse.ac.uk/arts
The City of London, London’s financial district, was established by the Romans in AD 43 under the name Londinium. It has been trading ever since and the numerous services it offers make it Europe’s financial heart. It is also home to the Bank of England, the London Stock Exchange, and a branch of every major bank. Those of you more interested in legal matters can visit the public galleries of the Old Bailey, one of the most famous criminal courts in the world, which has seen such miscreants as the Kray Twins and the Yorkshire Ripper tried and convicted in its precincts. There are 150 courts in London, including the Supreme Court, the UK’s highest judicial authority, and 60 per cent of the UK’s large solicitors’ firms and barristers work in London. And of course, London is also home to the UK’s parliament in the Palace of Westminster, with its famous clock tower housing Big Ben. Notwithstanding busy city life, London is actually one of the greenest capital cities on earth, and you will never be far away from a park, garden, heath, common or green. Open space accounts for 30 per cent of the city area. But should you require even more space, as the best connected international city in the world, London is the perfect base for exploring the rest of Britain and Europe.
lse.ac.uk/generalCourse LSE General Course 4
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