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International Seminars

The School of Communication offers a range of global seminar programs that provide students with immersive experiences in media, communications, and theatre industries. These programs combine classroom learning with international travel, allowing students to engage with professionals, explore different cultures, and gain practical insights into their fields of study. While the current offerings focus on media and theatre, additional seminars may be introduced in the future, expanding opportunities for students in various communication-related fields. Each seminar consists of two connected components: an academic course held on Northwestern’s Evanston campus, followed by a trip abroad. The classroom portion introduces students to key concepts and industry dynamics, preparing them for the hands-on experiences they will encounter during their travels. While abroad, students visit key sites, meet with industry experts, and participate in activities that enhance their understanding of global media or theatre.

Global Media & Communications Seminar (GMCS)

The Global Media & Communications Seminar (GMCS), offered in cooperation with the London School of Economics (LSE) Department of Media & Communications, will take place in 2025. This program combines lectures in Evanston and London with site visits to expose students to the global media and communications industries. Open to School of Communication undergraduate majors, the GMCS Seminar is led by Dean Lori Barcliff Baptista and consists of a winter quarter course (CMN 350-0) followed by a trip to London from March 21–28, 2025. In the classroom, students will explore the structure and dynamics of global media. Over Spring Break, participants will visit London, where they’ll engage with prominent industry professionals, tour media organizations, and immerse themselves in the city’s cultural landscape. Learn more about the application process for GMCS 2025 

Prague Quadrennial (PQ) Seminar

The Prague Quadrennial (PQ) Seminar is led by Professors Mary Zimmerman (performance studies) and Ana Kuzmanic (theatre) and takes place every four years. This seminar focuses on theatrical design and history, culminating in a trip to the Prague Quadrennial, one of the world’s most renowned theatre design festivals. Students first take a spring quarter course where they explore the intersection of theatre and design. Then, they travel to the Czech Republic to attend the festival, while also engaging with Prague’s rich theatrical history and culture. The next PQ Seminar is scheduled for 2027. Additional seminars in related fields may be scheduled in future years, offering even more opportunities for students to engage with global industries and gain cross-cultural insights.

Applications Open for Global Media & Communications Seminar

How to Apply:

This program is open to School of Communication undergraduate majors only. Students must be sophomores, juniors or seniors and be in good academic standing. Students accepted into this program will be enrolled in and must complete the one credit Global Media & Communications Seminar course CMN 350-0 during the winter 2025 quarter. The trip portion of the seminar is scheduled to take place in London over NU’s spring break. All participants must be available to travel from March 21 – 28, 2025 

Before applying, schedule a meeting with your academic advisor to ensure that the Global Media & Communications Seminar aligns with your academic plan and that you meet the eligibility requirements. Your advisor can also help you understand how the course fits into your broader academic and career goals. 

The GMCS application includes 5 questions regarding your interest in participating in the course. Each answer should be a few short sentences (around 150 – 300 words). Students should write responses in a word processing program and then copy them into the text box in the application portal. 

  1. Why do you want to participate in the Global Media & Communications Seminar?  
  2. How will participating in this class and trip relate to your academic, creative, and/or career goals?  
  3. What is your interest in global media? Why do you think it’s important? 
  4. Describe a piece of media, performance, or creative work that impacted you and others globally. Why was it important to you? What was the global impact?  
  5. Describe a particular course or co-curricular experience (internship, conference attendee, employee, student group member, etc.) that you participated in that supports your interest in this program.  

Accepted students will be asked to provide proof of travel eligibility by early January. It is advised that if you do not have a current passport, you begin this process immediately. Passports are required to have an expiration date of September 2025 or later. 

International students should research specific travel and visa considerations and be able to provide proof of travel eligibility by early January. If a student is unable to provide proof of travel eligibility, they will be required to withdraw from the course.   

Fill out an application.

The deadline for submission is Friday, October 25 at 11:59pm.

If you would like to request financial assistance, you must complete the steps below:

Log into One Form (with Northwestern NetID and Password): https://northwestern.academicworks.com/  

Copy this link, https://northwestern.academicworks.com/opportunities/2401, and paste it into your browser after logging into One Form.

Learn more about the application process for GMCS 2025