Summer Programs: Oxford University with ASA Summerfuel

Marketing and advertising can make or break the success of any product. Learn how the right packaging, pricing and advertising can set an idea apart from the rest. Dive into the complexities of consumer behavior to develop a winning marketing strategy to promote and sell a new product of your choosing. From advertising on the internet, to magazines, the radio and TV, there's no limit to where your creativity can take you!

What is global capitalism and how does it work? Examine the dynamic world of international business - supply and demand, market structure, trading, and investment - and some of the institutions that keep it in check, such as national governments, the WTO, and the IMF. With your classmates, you'll solve interesting business problems and form your own strategies for some of the world's top organizations.

How does the law function as an instrument of social change and control? Compare and contrast the history, structure, and professional traits of the English and American legal systems and learn how Federalism and Constitutionality distinguishes American legal culture from that of Britain. This is the perfect class for anyone considering a career in law.

Examine international relations not as abstract theory, but as events that affect the lives of ordinary people. You will study current events relating to war and terrorism, diplomacy, refugee status, human rights, and aid for the developing world in order to think critically about the arguments made in international politics. Formulate your own position on the issues, balancing moral concerns with national interests. Readings and class discussions will be augmented by guest speakers who can share their personal perspectives on events studied in the course. In past summers, speakers have include a former prisoner of war, an evacuee from the London Blitz of 1940, a Darfur activist, and the Head of the Oxford Islam and Muslim Awareness Project.

This course is the most thorough SAT preparation course offered by The Princeton Review. With 30 hours of small-group instruction and individual consultation plus 4 full-length SAT tests, your Princeton Review program will provide you with instruction in the math, critical reading, and writing strategies that you will need to perform at your highest level. Students are grouped by shared strengths and weaknesses to provide targeted instruction. Watch your scores rise as you strengthen your skills with teachers from the nation's leading test prep company. The Princeton Review guarantees that if you complete your program (program completion requires attending all classes, taking all practice exams, completing all homework, participating in a wrap-up session when you return home and taking the October SAT) and you are not satisfied with your score on the October SAT, you may take an SAT Refresher Course or extend membership to the online student center free of charge. (Supplemental Fee: $895)

This exciting and challenging interdisciplinary course will introduce you to some of the fundamental concepts of medical science. Learn how the immune system functions, and sometimes malfunctions, with respect to disease and how health care professionals and organizations work to prevent, treat, and cure illness. Besides the scientific, you will also investigate the social, political and cultural dimensions of the experience of health and wellness. Prerequisite: Completion of a high school biology course.

Investigate the psychological concepts that have revolutionized our understanding of others and ourselves. Examine the roots of personality and behavior as seen through the theories of Freud, Maslow, Erikson, and Piaget and evaluate the validity of these theories in light of your own experiences. You will focus on the major areas of human experience: physical maturation, intellectual and moral development, sensuality and sexuality, family and peer relationships, and coping with stress and problems in everyday life.

What inspires so many Brits to dream of having tea with the queen? Why do the tabloids obsessively track Will and Kate? Examine the role of the Royal family in British history, culture and politics, from the Tudors to the Windsors, and everything in between. Study the often bloody details of how the various dynasties ascended to the throne, and consider the many marriages that established important alliances, and the sordid affairs that destroyed them.

How do philosophers, politicians and economists aim to create a just and fair society? Explore the connections between philosophy, politics and economics in America and Britain in this course based on the famous Oxford undergraduate major. Discover the real world consequences of financial policies that aim to improve our lives. Investigate controversial issues like the redistribution of wealth through taxation and economic incentives for individuals and companies to formulate your own opinion on how the government can best provide for its people.

Use Oxford as your classroom to discover its thousand years of architectural beauty and history. On daily trips to sites around the city, you will explore the civic, ecclesiastical, and collegiate architecture of Oxford and engage directly with some of the finest art collections in England. You'll fill a journal with sketches and photographs of all that you see to create a living memory of your summer experience.

From Monty Python and Fawlty Towers to The Office and Da Ali G Show, Britain is widely recognized as a hub of great comedy. This course will cover some of the most popular British comedy series to emerge in the past half century, with a particular emphasis on shows that have been exported, and even reinterpreted overseas. Students will consider common themes and motifs that define this genre, and will attempt to identify the qualities and quirks that make British humor so popular and unique.

Become a member of a working theatre company, led by a professional director. Stretch your imagination and develop the skills needed by all actors: movement, improvisation, characterization, voice and speech. Through games and exercises, you'll also learn about story telling, text interpretation and timing. At the conclusion of the course, perform for your friends and the entire ASA community.No previous experience required.

Pursue your passion for photography and apply your own artistic touch in the digital darkroom. Master the fundamentals of composition through discussion of the work of well-known photographers and explore your own style taking pictures around Oxford. Learn how to use the manual features of your digital camera and Adobe Photoshop to conceive and create images with beauty, purpose, intent and meaning. Perfect your best work for display in the final Summerfuel Art Show. You must supply your own SLR digital camera and laptop with Adobe Photoshop. (Supplemental Fee: $95)

Shakespeare can change your life. Find out how this summer by exploring The Complete Works with an expert guide. Whether you are new to the Bard or already an enthusiast this course will enliven your mind. We will read several plays, acting out scenes, and discovering Renaissance England along the way. Imagine attending performances at the Globe Theater and in the exquisite grounds of Oxford colleges. Rain or shine you will be mesmerized and finish the course a genuine Shakespearean.

Imagine. Compose. Inspire. Develop your unique voice as you focus on the main elements of writing short fiction. With works by well known writers as your model, learn to develop narrative point of view, effective description, characterization and dialogue. Make use of the rich resources of Oxford to turn your own experiences and impressions into finished works to share with others. Return home with a variety of revised pieces for a portfolio you can be proud of.

Master one of the most important skills for success in high school, college, and beyond. Reach higher levels of achievement by studying the elements common to all successful writing - defining an audience, developing a thesis statement, supporting your argument, and revising for grammar and style. By studying a variety of texts and critically evaluating your work, you will sharpen both your expository and persuasive writing abilities and come away with polished essays for your portfolio.

Are you a self-starter who is always looking for the next big idea? Do you want to develop your leadership skills and learn how to run your own company? This practically-based course will show you how to create your own business from start to finish. Learn how to identify a market, attract investors and manage growth and expansion. Study models of both successful and unsuccessful businesses and look at the developing impact of technology. Visit local businesses to gain a greater understanding of the complexities involved in running a successful entrepreneurial venture. Then, work with a team of your peers to develop your own original business plan to promote your innovative idea.

Get ready to buy, sell and trade your way through the basics of financial markets. Learn to navigate the stock exchange, to balance between risk and return and to create a diversified portfolio. Discover why corporations succeed or fail and use current financial news to gain an applied understanding of the global market. Particular focus will be spent on the similarities and differences between England as part of the European Union and the United States.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states "All human beings are equal in dignity and rights," yet inhumane practices such as ethnic cleansing, torture and religious persecution continue across the globe. In this course, you will examine humanitarian crises from Haiti to Afghanistan, and will consider the role of NGOs and aid workers in addressing the infringement of rights worldwide.

Are we truly responsible for our actions or are we merely the products of our environment? Are we the masters of our own destinies or simply creatures left in the hands of fate? Take an introductory look at ethical theory and practice through discussion and debate. Explore texts by Plato, Machiavelli, Kant and Nietzsche to determine your own views on morality, free will and the public good.

Welcome to your one-stop, all-inclusive SAT preparation course with The Princeton Review. Each class provides instruction in the math, critical reading, and writing strategies that you will need to perform at the highest level. In addition to 18 hours of small-group classroom lessons and individual consultation, you will take 3 full-length SAT tests and receive a personalized score report with your analyzed results and suggestions for further study. Students are grouped by shared strengths and weaknesses to provide targeted instruction. Watch your scores rise as you strengthen your skills with experienced teachers from the nation's leading test prep company. The Princeton Review guarantees that if you have attended all classes and practice tests, completed all homework assignments and view an online wrap-up session in the fall, and you are not satisfied with your score on the October SAT, you may take an SAT Refresher Course or extend membership to the online student center free of charge. (Supplemental Fee: $695)

Discover recent developments on the nature and role of DNA. Learn how genetic research and advances in molecular biology are re-shaping medicine and enabling new treatments for diseases such as cancer and AIDS. You will also discuss current ethical issues in medicine such as gene therapy, genetic engineering and cloning. Prerequisite: Completion of high school biology course.

What drives people to commit crimes? Do offenders have a failed sense of morality, or, is it a biologically hard wired, unstoppable urge? Investigate psychological phenomena such as "group think" and "de-individuation" as they relate to environmental factors like poverty, drug use and social upbringing. Explore how mental illnesses like psychopathy and antisocial personality disorder can be a source of criminal behavior and study fascinating examples of how seemingly normal individuals commit serious and violent felonies.

This August, the world will be watching as London hosts the 2012 Summer Olympics. Before the games begin, learn about the history of this revered athletic extravaganza, from ancient competitions between Greek city-states, to the establishment of the International Olympic Committee, and more recently the creation of the Youth Olympic Games. Explore the cultural significance of the Olympics in both established superpowers and developing nations, and consider controversies like gender discrimination and boycotts that have shaken the Olympic Games throughout its history.

How far can a journalist go to pursue an intriguing lead? Who is responsible when an inaccurate or incomplete story goes to press? Consider these questions, and many more that have emerged as we have entered the 24-hour news cycle and the digital age. Examine the ethical implications of the News Corps hacking scandal, The New York Times reporting on WMDs in the lead-up to the Iraq war, and other major events that have shaken the world of communications to understand the ethical responsibilities of journalists in the 21st century.

"Each cup of tea represents an imaginary voyage" - Catherine Douzel - Britain consumes around 165 million cups of tea each day. Afternoon tea is an English institution, accompanied by sandwiches, scones or cake. Explore the culture and history of this English activity through the tea rooms, collections, shops and houses in Oxford. This will be a voyage of discovery leading from a variety of taste sensations to an exploration of English customs, rituals, trade and wars.

Britain has been responsible for many of the greatest acts in rock & roll and continues to produce top artists in all genres of popular music. You will study the core groups from the British rock and popular music canon including The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Sex Pistols, the Smiths and Oxford's own Radiohead. Investigate the genres of rock, psychedelic rock, punk, ska, Britpop and Hip Hop.

Pursue your passion for photography and apply your own artistic touch in the digital darkroom. Master the fundamentals of composition through discussion of the work of well-known photographers and explore your own style taking pictures around Oxford. Learn how to use the manual features of your digital camera and Adobe Photoshop to conceive and create images with beauty, purpose, intent and meaning. Perfect your best work for display in the final ASA Art Show. You must supply your own SLR digital camera and laptop with Adobe Photoshop. (Supplemental Fee: $75)

Does your stomach sink when you hear the words "Oral Presentation"? Would you prefer to stay home sick rather than participate in a class debate? From speaking in front of a class to tackling a college interview, public speaking is a skill everyone should master. Develop your ability to express yourself confidently and clearly by practicing a wide range of presentation styles, including motivational, persuasive and entertainment. Sharpen your skills with the aid of videos and texts of famous orations to deliver a performance for any occasion.

Immerse yourself in the Elizabethan world of William Shakespeare, and approach 'The Complete Works' from unexpected angles. Explore the elements of life in 16th century England that contributed to the development of the world's greatest playwright and better understand Shakespeare's plays. Recreate the provincial life in Shakespeare's hometown of Stratford, focusing on religion, schooling, courtship, marriage, work and class. Opportunities to see plays at London's Globe Theatre and in Oxford give you first-hand experiences to compare and contrast with the performances and customs of Elizabethan times.

Experience Oxford through the writings of three famous Oxford scholars: Lewis Carroll, C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. By enjoying a variety of excursions, you will explore the physical and intellectual landscape of Oxford and the influence it has had on these author's imaginative works. Consider the function of myth, allegory, symbolism and other literary forms and compare your own experiences and adventures in Oxford to those that take place in Alice's Wonderland, Narnia and the magic of the Hobbit's Middle-earth.

Master one of the most important skills for success in high school, college, and beyond. Reach higher levels of achievement by studying the elements common to all successful writing - defining an audience, developing a thesis statement, supporting your argument, and revising for grammar and style. By studying a variety of texts and critically evaluating your work, you will sharpen both your expository and persuasive writing abilities and come away with polished essays for your portfolio.

Imagine. Compose. Inspire. Develop your unique voice as you focus on the main elements of writing short fiction. With works by well known writers as your model, learn to develop narrative point of view, effective description, characterization and dialogue. Make use of the rich resources of Oxford to turn your own experiences and impressions into finished works to share with others. Return home with a variety of revised pieces for a portfolio you can be proud of.