Arts and Politics in Britain: Cambridge, Oxford, and London
Travel with ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï Alumni, Family, and Friends
July 20-29, 2025 (10 days | 16 guests) with Professor Douglas Edlin
Dear ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï alumni and friends,
I invite you to join Dr. Douglas Edlin, McHugh Professor of American Institutions and Leadership, on this special trip through Cambridge, Oxford, and London, England. Professor Edlin received his PhD from Oxford University and has led numerous student groups to the region. He will introduce you to the political dimension of the arts in Britain, focusing on the performative and dramatic arts, as well as the artistic dimension of politics in Britain—especially rhetoric, ritual, and ceremony. This trip will help you see Britain through a different lens than you may have experienced before.
You will begin your trip by visiting two of the most well-known educational institutions in the world, Cambridge and Oxford Universities. Each counts many prominent political and artistic figures among its alumni. Along the way, you will take a walking tour of the historic university city of Cambridge, and enjoy an afternoon punting on the River Cam. Visit Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill; and Oxford University’s largest College, Christ Church College.
Spend four nights at a well-located hotel in central London, where we will explore a variety of sites together and you may also easily explore your own interests independently during our afternoons and evenings at leisure. Together we will take a cruise on the River Thames; visit (subject to availability) The Palace of Westminster and The British Library’s Treasures Gallery; and tour Shakespeare’s Globe (Theater) and the Supreme Court, where we may be able to attend a court session. While in London, you will have several opportunities to take in theater performances in the West End and at Shakespeare’s Globe.
Professor Edlin will be joined by an expert tour manager/guide throughout the program, plus local guides and occasional guest speakers. What you see and learn with Professor Edlin will make this an unforgettable immersion into the arts and politics of Britain. This program is limited to 16 guests so, if you are enticed, please reserve your spot immediately by contacting Eos Study Tours, the specialty tour operator who has worked so closely with Professor Edlin in designing this program. Email tigertravel@studytours.org or call toll-free (800) 856-8951.
Sincerely,
Cindy Hyman ’82
Associate Vice President for Engagement
ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï Faculty Leader
Douglas Edlin is the McHugh Professor of American Institutions and Leadership at ºÚÁϳԹÏ. He holds a PhD from Oxford University and a JD from Cornell Law School. Professor Edlin is the author of Common Law Judging (University of Michigan Press) and Judges and Unjust Laws (University of Michigan Press), and the editor of Common Law Theory (Cambridge University Press). His articles have appeared in Jurisprudence, the American Journal of Comparative Law, the Canadian Journal of Law and Jurisprudence, Polity, and other journals. Professor Edlin was a Fulbright Scholar at Queen Mary University of London, a MacCormick Fellow at the University of Edinburgh School of Law, and a Research Scholar at the University of Melbourne Law School Center for Comparative Constitutional Studies. Prior to returning to graduate school, he worked as a litigator and appeared before federal and state trial and appellate courts in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Professor Edlin teaches courses on the courts, constitutional and comparative law, legal theory, and the history and politics of race in the US judicial system.
About this tour he says, “The program will examine the political dimension of the arts in Britain, with a focus on the performative and dramatic arts, as well as the artistic dimension of politics in Britain, with a focus on political/legal rhetoric, ritual, and ceremony. We will examine the degree to which politics in Britain pervades corresponding cultural institutions and practices, and the degree to which artistic modes of expression pervade British politics and law.”
Tour Prices
Tour Prices Per Person (8 nights)
Double Occupancy (15-16 participants) $6,295
Double Occupancy (12-14 participants) $6,995
Single Supplement $1,690
Single room supplement will be charged when requested or required (limited availability).With fewer than 12 participants, a small group surcharge may be added.
Itinerary
Sunday, July 20, 2025: Depart home
Monday, July 21: Arrive London, England | Transfer to central London | Welcome dinner
Tuesday, July 22: Cambridge: Walking tour, King’s College Chapel
Wednesday, July 23: Ely: Ely Cathedral, Stained Glass Museum | Cambridge: Punting on the River Cam
Thursday, July 24: Woodstock: Blenheim Palace | Oxford: Christ Church College
Friday, July 25: Surrey: Hampton Court Palace | London: PM at leisure, Optional theater performance
Saturday, July 26: London: The Palace of Westminster, Cruise on the River Thames, Shakespeare’s Globe, PM at leisure, Optional theater performance
Sunday, July 27: London: Panoramic tour of London, The British Library, PM at leisure
Monday, July 28: London: National Portrait Gallery, The Supreme Court, Farewell dinner, Optional theater performance
Tuesday, July 29: Fly home
Optional Theater Nights
During our four-night stay in London (Friday, July 25–Monday, July 28, 2025), you will have three opportunities to attend evening theater performances in the company of Professor Edlin. These performances will help fuel discussions introduced by Professor Edlin as part of our tour’s underlying theme of examining how the political dimension of the arts in Britain play out onstage. Further, they are sure to be unforgettable evenings of camaraderie, entertainment, and fun!
Once the performance schedules are released, we will notify you which theaters and shows are options for Friday, Saturday, and Monday evenings. Our hope is that we will be able to sample several plays in several different locations. One of the plays will be at Shakespeare’s Globe, which we visit on Saturday, July 26th, but the others could be in the West End or at the National Theater, the Theatre Royal Stratford East, or smaller venues. Stay tuned for more information on cost, which theaters have been chosen, and which productions will be available.
As for Sunday, July 27th, Sunday evening is when the theater in London is traditionally dark, but you may find some matinee and early evening performances available. We have left that Sunday afternoon free for you to pursue individual interests, which may include an additional theater performance.
Details, pricing, and options will be sent to confirmed participants when available.