History of university and college
Universities originated in Europe during the eleventh century, but they were not the first in the world. Perhaps, the University of Al-Azhar founded in Cairo in 970 is one of the oldest still operating universities in the world.
European universities developed from monastery schools and their development took place so slowly that it is difficult to know the point at which they became universities. Many scholars believe that the oldest European university is the University of Bologna [ba'lounja], Italy. It was founded in the late tenth century, but it had existed as a law school since 890. The University of Paris developed during the eleventh century. Many other universities appeared in Europe during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries.
These first schools were founded largely to serve the professions. They provided the first unified teaching of law, medicine, and theology. The lessons were conducted in the Latin language, which the students were to speak even among themselves.
The oldest universities in Britain Oxford and Cambridge were founded in the Middle Ages. They have much in common and are, therefore, often spoken together, and are sometimes called collectively for convenience as Oxbridge. The word "college" originated later. There were no colleges in those early days and students' life was very different from what it is now. Students were of all ages and came from everywhere. When the students began to settle in Oxford in the 12th century they lived as they could, lodging in inns and with townsfolk, or grouping themselves together and renting a house for their use.
The first college (Merton College) was founded in 1249 and it was associated only with the residence for students to lodge. Life in college was strict. Students were not allowed to play games, to sing or dance, to hunt or even to fish. Later, however, colleges developed into complete educational institutions.
1. Words and Expressions
to originate возникать, брать начало
to develop развиваться
scholar ['skɔlə] = scientist
law [lɔ:] право, юриспруденция
to appear появляться
to conduct вести, руководить, направлять
to settle селиться, обосноваться
to lodge временно проживать, снимать комнату
inn гостиница, постоялый двор
townsfolk горожане
to rent брать в аренду, внаем
to hunt охотиться
2. Try to arrange the Universities in chronological order.
Oxford, the University of Paris, the University of Bologna (Italy), Cambridge, Al-Azhar (Cairo)
3. Read the text and test yourself, write out the dates of foundation.
4. Read the text and find English equivalents of the next Russian word-combinations:
все еще действующий, монастырские школы, юридическая школа, унифицированное обучение, для удобства, всех возрастов, проживая в гостиницах, арендуя жилье
5. Complete the following sentences:
1. University education originated in....
2. Lectures and lessons were conducted in....
3. The word "college" was at first associated with....
4. The first college originated in....
5. Oxford and Cambridge have much in ... and they are called collectively as...
Text 3
Oxford
Part I
Oxford was founded in the 12th century as an aristocratic University and retains its aristocratic character to the present day: the cost of studies is comparatively high. Students have to pay for using libraries and laboratories, as well as for taking examinations.
Oxford’s organization is very complicated. In fact, the University is a collection of 35 Colleges: two for women only, the rest taking both men and women. Each college is a world of its own which gives its students a specialized training in arts, law, medicine and science. The largest college has over 500 students; the smallest college has over 100 students.
The University is an administrative centre which arranges lectures for all students of the colleges, holds examinations and gives degrees.
The tutorial system of education used both in Oxford and Cambridge is one of the ways in which Oxbridge differs from other English Universities. Every student has a tutor in charge of planning his work and discussing its results with the student; the student’s duty is to regularly see his tutor and submit papers and essays. The tutorial system of education brings the student into personal contact with his tutor, the latter trying to influence the social and political life of the student.
The academic year in England has three terms; each term lasts from eight to ten weeks. Terminal examinations take place at the end of autumn, spring and summer terms. Final examinations take place at the end of the course of studies. If a student fails in an examination, he may be allowed to take the exam again, only two re-examinations being usually allowed.