JOUR 596 is a three-week Maymester course where students and faculty will explore the dynamic sports environment of the United Kingdom in the iconic cities of London and Edinburgh. The course is open to all majors, but it’s a particularly valuable opportunity for Sports Media majors to learn how international sports organizations create content, work with sponsors, and engage with fans.
In London, we’ll go on-site at Arsenal Football Club, Wimbledon’s All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, and Lord’s Cricket Ground. In Edinburgh, we’ll check out rugby at Murrayfield Stadium, examine the state of women’s sports, and take to the playing fields at the Gamecock Highland Games. Bonus: We’ll also follow the Harry Potter trail in both cities, visiting famous filming locations.
See it. Live it. Tell it.
The level of sophistication in communication is rising, requiring sports organizations, media companies, and sponsors to use multiple platforms to reach audiences.
No tour buses or traditional classrooms here! This class is taught in stadiums, studios, and historic streets, giving students a unique opportunity to experiment with multimedia storytelling in a global setting. Recent research shows that nearly half of U.S. employers want new hires with international exposure — this is your chance.
What’s the class?
The class is open to 20–25 students. Multimedia experience is not required.
- Counts as a CIC/SJMC elective (confirm with your advisor).
- Prerequisites: None
- Who can go? All USC undergraduates and graduate students are welcome, with priority to journalism, sports media, PR, visual communications, and Sport & Entertainment Management.
Are there language barriers?
No foreign language skills are required. While accents and slang vary in the UK, part of the learning experience is adapting to new communication styles.
During the trip, you’ll:
- Tour Wimbledon and discuss sponsorships with IBM, Rolex, and others.
- Visit Lord’s Cricket Ground, including the Media Centre and MCC Museum.
- Explore Emirates Stadium (Arsenal FC) and discuss global branding.
- Visit Richmond to tour “Ted Lasso” filming sites.
- Go behind the scenes with a London broadcast tour (BBC/Sky, TBA).
- Take “Secret London” walking tours (riverside pubs & Legal London with a barrister guest).
- Explore Harry Potter sites — Warner Bros. Studio Tour (London) and Diagon Alley & Tom Riddle’s Grave (Edinburgh).
- Report on women’s football with Hibernian LFC.
- Tour Murrayfield Stadium.
- Compete in the Gamecock Highland Games.
Trip program costs: $3,600 (estimated)
Includes:
- Hotel accommodations
- Daily breakfasts (London & Edinburgh)
- 7-day London public transport pass
- Select excursions and tours
- Welcome dinner
Your additional costs:
- USC tuition for a 3-credit CIC Maymester course: ~$1,550 (in-state rate for all study abroad participants)
- USC Study Abroad fee & required insurance: ~$180
- Local ground transport: ~$200 (airport to town, group travel)
- Airfare: $900–$1,200 (estimate, not included)
- Daily meals & extras: $25–30/day (lunch, snacks, a few dinners, souvenirs)
- Deposit: $500 to secure your spot (applied to tuition; refundable until Jan. 1, 2026)
Pre-departure
The London/Edinburgh trip requires three mandatory spring meetings for team-building, logistics, passports, applications, roommates and packing.
Trip leaders
- Clay Owen, Professor of Practice — ckowen@sc.edu
- Renée Ittner-McManus, Instructor — mcmanusi@mailbox.sc.edu
Application and Deposit
Spots are limited, and we expect the class to fill quickly after Thanksgiving. A $500 deposit secures your seat and is 100% refundable until Jan. 1, 2026.
Not ready to commit? Submit the application anyway and stay on the contact list (note: your spot isn’t guaranteed until your deposit is received).
Apply Now
Check your email after submitting the application for the deposit link.