IFSA Summer in Edinburgh

This program offers two six-week sessions. Students take one or two classes per session. Enroll in Session 1 or Session 2 or enroll in both sessions for a complete 12-week experience.  

Choose unique classes that highlight Scottish history and culture, not typically available at Edinburgh universities.  

Tentative classes: 

Psychology of Evil  
Students examine how psychological, biological, and environmental factors shape harmful human behavior, exploring a range of topics including moral reasoning, obedience to authority, group dynamics, neurological and hormonal influences, and the role of social context in moral disengagement. Drawing from research in social psychology, neuroscience, and ethical theory, we’ll emphasize understanding behavior within complex systems rather than labeling individuals as inherently evil. Through case studies, media analysis, and cross-cultural perspectives, students apply psychological concepts to historical and contemporary events, with a goal of critically evaluating the interplay of individual agency and situational influence, and articulating evidenc-based interpretations of how and why people may come to cause harm. (3 U.S. semester credit hours) 

Psychology of Weather 
How do weather and climate influence human thoughts, emotions, and behavior? Students examine the psychological effects of seasonal change, extreme weather events, and long-term climate patterns through the lenses of environmental, cognitive, and health psychology. Topics include seasonal affective disorder, risk perception, mood variability, and behavioral responses to weather-related stressors. Emphasis is placed on applying psychological theories to contemporary challenges such as climate anxiety and environmental decision-making. Students engage in observational research, case analysis, and cross-cultural reflection to assess how weather shapes lived experience in diverse environments, including the Scottish context. (3 U.S. semester credit hours) 

Scottish Politics and the Independence Movement  
Dive into a comprehensive study of Scottish political institutions, party dynamics, and the historical evolution of the independence movement. Students trace the development of devolved governance, the role of the Scottish Parliament, and the political significance of national identity within the UK framework. Emphasis is placed on understanding constitutional change, public opinion, and the social and economic factors that drive debates around independence. Through policy analysis, media review, and guest perspectives, students evaluate competing visions for Scotland’s future and wider implications of separatist movements in democratic societies. Coursework encourages critical engagement with evolving political narratives through the lens of comparative politics and political communication. (3 U.S. semester credit hours) 

Scottish Literature and Festivals
Examine Scottish literary traditions alongside the cultural practices of performance, storytelling, and celebration. Students study major authors, movements, and themes in Scottish literature, from folklore and nationalism to modern identity and diaspora, while also analyzing how literature is brought to life through festivals such as Edinburgh’s International Book Festival, Burns Night, and Hogmanay. Emphasis is placed on the interplay between text, performance, and place. By engaging with literature both in and outside the classroom, students gain a deeper understanding of how storytelling sustains cultural memory and shapes national identity. The course integrates literary analysis with cultural observation and reflection. (3 U.S. semester credit hours) 

Scottish History, Culture, and Identity
Explore the history and culture of Scotland from 1707 to the present day. Gain knowledge of major historical events in Scotland, and understanding of Scotland’s role in British, Commonwealth and the global world. Includes an overview of forces that have shaped modern Scotland. The course takes a broad and varied historical perspective, using visual sources, audio narratives and music, contemporary documents, surviving artifacts, and personal testimony, and introduces students to various sources and historical methodologies, considered in relation to key scholarly debates on modern Scottish history. (3 U.S. semester credit hours) 

Economics of Cultural Tourism in the UK
This course analyzes the economic dimensions of cultural tourism in the UK, with a particular focus on Scotland’s heritage industries, festival economies, and creative sectors. Students examine demand patterns, tourism policy, cultural branding, and the socio-economic impacts of destination development. Topics include sustainable tourism, public-private partnerships, and valuation of intangible cultural assets. Drawing on case studies from museums, music festivals, and historic sites, students evaluate tensions between cultural preservation and commercial viability, learn to interpret economic data, assess tourism strategies, and propose evidence-based approaches for managing cultural tourism in complex and evolving contexts. (3 U.S. semester credit hours) 

Highland Ecosystems in Scotland
This course explores the structure, function, and conservation of ecosystems in the Scottish Highlands. Students examine key ecological processes, species interactions, and habitat diversity across upland moors, peatlands, freshwater systems, and ancient woodlands. Emphasis is placed on understanding the historical and human dimensions of land use, rewilding, and biodiversity management. Field-based learning and data collection provide students with hands-on experience in ecosystem assessment and conservation analysis. By integrating ecological theory with practical case studies, students develop the skills to critically assess environmental challenges and contribute to sustainable land stewardship in Scotland and beyond. (3 U.S. semester credit hours) 

Marine Planning in Scotland 
From sea lochs, machair systems, and sea caves to kelp forests and coral gardens, Scotland’s mosaic of diverse marine habitats have immense value, culturally, environmentally and economically. Anthropogenic-driven climate change coupled with increasing demands on the ocean from the global expansion require coastal management and development proposals to undergo rigorous informed policy and decision-making processes. The Marine Scotland Act (2010) established a new legislative and management framework to balance competing demands on Scotland’s seas in a sustainable way. This course examines how legislation has been used to protect the marine environment, and the strategies, tools, and support that can protect important habitats and promote ocean conservation while considering the requirements of co-users during the marine planning process. (3 U.S. semester credit hours) 

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS 

Eligibility 

• You must be at least 18 years of age. Students under 18 may be accepted on a case-by-case basis. 
• You must be currently attending or recently graduated from a U.S. or Canadian community college, technical college, two-year college, four-year college, or four-year university. 
• You must have completed at least one (1) full-time semester of study at your home institution before the beginning of the term. 

Recommendation Letter 

Not required. 

TRANSCRIPT 

Upon completion of your program, IFSA will send an official Butler University transcript to your home university with your coursework converted to the U.S. semester credit hour system. You will also have access to an unofficial transcript in your IFSA Student Portal. The transcript reflects classes taken, credits attempted, and grades earned during your term abroad. This service is included in your study abroad program at no additional cost. See our Transcripts page for more information.