Old Universities

Oxford

Oxford was an important town even before the University came into existence; it is mentioned in the "Anglo-Saxon Chronicle" of 912 as "Oxforde", the ford where oxen, and so presumably men, can cross the river.

The University of Oxford may be said to date from 1214, when the first charter was granted by the Pope, but long before this date there had existed in the town a number of religious communities and these were the real beginning of the University.

The college corporate institutions with special rules and privileges came into being during the Middle Ages, but at first only graduates were full members of them and it was not until the 16^th century that all undergraduates were admitted to them.

The 13^th and 14^th centuries saw many quarrels between the students and the townsfolk culminating in the riots on St. Scholastic's Day. Subsequently the King gave his support to the University, which gained considerable influence over the town and its trade. In 1672 the Test Act required all students to subscribe to the Thirty-nine Articles of the Church of England, a requirement which was not abolished for another two hundred years.

The ground on which Oxford is built is actually a peninsula, bounded on the west and south by the Thames – or Isis, as it is called here – and on the east by the tributary, the Cherwell. Punting on the Cherwell is favoured by those whose tastes in boating are for relaxation rather than for strenuous exercise, but on the Isis it is rowing which holds pride of place. This sport is taken very seriously by many undergraduates and there is great rivalry between colleges crews. The height of a rowing man's ambition is to gain his "blue", that is to row against Cambridge in the annual contest on the Thames from Putney to Mortlake.

Academic life in Oxford is full and varied. Some of the occasions are solemn, some exciting, and a few unashamedly frivolous. The three principal annual events are Commemoration, Congregation and Convocation. The first is mainly concerned with the conferring of Honorary Degrees, the ceremony commemorating the opening of the Sheldonian Theatre in 1669. Associated with it are the celebrations of the Encaenia. Meetings of Congregation and Convocation are conducted with all the splendour and ceremony which tradition demands.

Every college of the University has its own library, and many of them are very large and comprehensive. The principal museums of Oxford are the Ashmolean and the University Museum.

Oxford is not only one of the two oldest universities of Great Britain, but a thriving industrial town as well. Its history can be traced as far back as the eighth century, when the earliest monastic foundation was already in existence. Oxford is also famous for its architecture.

ford – брод, поток, река oxen – скот presumably – предположительно riot – разгул, нарушение общественной тишины и порядка peninsula – полуостров tributary – приток

punt – плыть на плоскодонке (отталкиваясь шестом) strenuous – сильный, энергичный, напряженный Encaenia [ın'sı:njə] – Commemoration (Day) – поминовение thrive – процветать, преуспевать

Cambridge – a University Town

Unlike Oxford, which is both a university town and an industrial city, Cambridge, as the saying goes, "is" the University. Cambridge without the University is like Hamlet without the hero, or bacon without eggs! Although sometimes Town and Gown have their quarrels, the two are for the most part inseparable. In spite of this, we shall in fact now separate them for a moment, just to see how each of them has grown up.

All right then, first let's look at the town. Cambridge is so called because most of the town is built on the east side of the River Cam, a tributary of the Ouse. Slight hills rise gently on the south and west. Roman remains suggest the existence of a small town first situated around two hills, Castle Hill and Market Hill. Even today these two hills may be said to dominate the town. This is certainly true for those poor students who have to cycle up the steep slope of Castle Hill on the way to lectures. Or even more true for those who risk cycling down it at top speed when their brakes are not working well. Many shoes are worn out in this way. Market Hill still retains its importance too. Every day, and especially on Saturdays, its cobbled square is the scene of a busy market, selling all kinds of fruit, vegetables, groceries, trinkets, antiques, etc. Housewives come here to haggle (bargain) for their food, and students come here in search of cheap books, which you can still buy for 6 d. or a shilling.

The beauty of the city is enhanced by a large number of commons and other open spaces, including Jesus Green and Midsummer Common, Parker's Piece and the Backs. The Backs are landscaped lawns and flower-beds, very beautiful, especially in spring, through which the Cam winds behind the main line of University colleges, including Queen's, St. Catharine's, King's, Trinity and St. John's. The river also passes under a series of magnificent bridges, of which the Bridge of Sighs (in St. John's College), the old stone bridge of Clare College with thick stone balls on the parapets, and the Mathematical Bridge of Queen's are among the best known.

So you see, the River Cam has led us already from Cambridge to the University, from Town to Gown. For modern Cambridge has been described as "perhaps the only true University Town in England", and, indeed, the colleges provide the main architectural interest. The best known building in Cambridge is King's College Chapel (designed by Henry VI). Yet lofty spires and turrets and fine stained-glass windows are notable features of the Chapel, which is one of the major monuments of English mediaeval architecture. Apart from this, there are now 22 colleges. The first one, Peterhouse, was founded in 1284, and in 1963 Churchill College (named after Sir Winston Churchill).

Until 1964, undergraduates (students studying for a first degree) had to wear black cloaks, called gowns, after dark, but now they are obliged to wear them for dinners and some lectures. This tradition is fast disappearing, but one, which is still upheld, is that of punting on the Cam. It is a favourite summer pastime for students to take food, drink, guitars (or, alas, transistor radios) and girl-friends on to a punt (a long slim boat, rather like a gondola) and sail down the river, trying very hard to forget about exams! Many students feel that they have not been christened into the University until they have fallen from the punt into the River Cam. This has almost become a tourist attraction.

Students also have an official excuse to "let themselves loose" once a year (usually in November) on Rag Day. On this day, hundreds of different schemes are thought up to collect money for charity, and it is not unusual to see students in the streets playing guitars, pianos, violins, singing, dancing, fishing in drains for money, or even just lying in beds suspended over the street swinging a bucket for money to be thrown into.

Such tradition, in such beautiful surroundings, often helps to make Cambridge almost as idyllic today as it was in the 13^th century. The parking meters in the main street of King's Parade assert the presence of modern life, in contrast to the ancient chimes of the church in the evening.

(By Terry Doyle)

steep slope – крутой склон brake – тормоз trinket – безделушка, пустяк haggle / bargain – торговать(ся) d. from Lat. denarius – пенни, один пенс enhance – увеличивать common – общинная земля, пустырь Jesus Green – зеленые насаждения, луг колледжа, ктр. называется Джизус (Иисус)

Parker's Piece – участок земли, принадлежащий компании "Паркер" Bridge of Sighs – мост Вздохов turret – башенка stained-glass – сделанный из цветного, витражного стекла chimes – перезвон (колоколов)

Oxbridge

Oxford and Cambridge are the oldest and the most prestigious universities in Great Britain. They are often called collectively Oxbridge. Both universities are independent. Only the education elite go to Oxford or Cambridge. Most of their students are former public schools leavers.

The normal length of the degree course is three years, after which the students take the Degree of Bachelor of Arts (B. A.). Some courses such as languages or medicine may take one or two years longer. The students may work for other degrees as well. The degrees are awarded at public degree ceremonies. Oxford and Cambridge cling to their traditions, such as the use of Latin at degree ceremonies. Full academic dress is worn at examinations. Oxford and Cambridge universities consist of a number of colleges. Each college is different, but in many ways they are alike. Each college has its name, its coat of arms. Each college is governed by a Master. The larger colleges have more than 400 students, the smallest ones less than 30. Each college offers teaching in a wide range of subjects. Within the college one will normally find a chapel, a dining hall, a library, rooms for undergraduates, fellows and the Master, and also rooms for teaching purposes.

Oxford is one of the oldest universities in Europe. It is the second largest in Britain, after London. The town of Oxford is first mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle in 911 AD and it was popular with the early English kings (Richard Cœur de Lion was probably here). The university's earliest charter is dated to 1213.

There are now twenty-four colleges for men, five for women and another five which have both men and women members, many from overseas studying for higher degrees. Among the oldest colleges are University College, All Souls and Christ Church. Cambridge University started during the 13^th century and has grown until today. Now there are more than thirty colleges.

On the banks of the River Cam willow trees drown their branches into the water. The colleges line the right bank. There are beautiful college gardens with green lawns and lines of tall trees. The oldest college is Peterhouse, which was founded in 1284, and the most recent is Robinson College opened in 1977. The most famous is probably King's College because of its magnificent chapel, the largest and the most beautiful building in Cambridge and the most perfect example of English fifteenth-century architecture. Its choir of boys and undergraduates is also very well-known.

The University was only for men until 1871, when the first women's college was opened. In the 1970s most colleges opened their doors both for men and women. Almost all colleges now are mixed.

Many great men studied at Cambridge, among them Desiderius Erasmus, the great Dutch scholar; Roger Bacon, the philosopher; Milton, the poet; Oliver Cromwell, the soldier; Newton, the scientist, and Pyetr Kapitza, the famous Russian physicist.

The universities have over a hundred societies and clubs, enough for every interest one could imagine. Sport is part of students' life at Oxbridge. The most popular sports are rowing and punting.

degree ceremony – церемония вручений ученых степеней, званий full academic dress – парадная форма одежды coat of arms – герб fellow – младший научный работник колледжа или университета (занимается исследованиями в к-л. области) Master – мастер (титул главы некоторых колледжей в Оксфорде и Кембридже) Anglo-Saxon Chronicle – Англо-Саксонские хроники (вестник) Richard Cœur de Lion – Richard, the Lionheart – Ричард Львиное Сердце (1157 – 1199) (англ. король с 1189 г.; последний из династии Плантагенетов) charter – хартия, грамота, устав University College – Юниверсити – Колледж (основан в 1249 г.)

All Souls – Колледж Всех Душ (основан в 1438 г.) Christ Church ['kraıst 'tʃə:tʃ] – Крайст-Черч (один из самых крупных аристократических колледжей Оксфордского университета основан в 1525 г.) King's College – Кинг-Колледж, королевский колледж (один из крупных колледжей Кембриджского университета; основан в 1441 г.) Desiderius Erasmus [ı'ræzməs] – Дезидерий Эразм Роттердамский (1469 – 1536), гуманист эпохи Возрождения Roger Bacon – Роджер Бэкон (ок. 1214 – 1292), английский философ; профессор в Оксфорде Oliver Cromwell – Оливер Кромвель (1599 – 1658), деятель английской буржуазной революции XVII века.

The advantages of Distance Learning

The advantages are obvious, students may maintain their live style, their normal daily pace and fulfill their family, social and work obligations as they continue their education. Studies of distance learners show that this student is more self disciplined, independent, motivated and investigative than the one who simply sits in the classroom and listens. On the other hand, the tuition is usually less.

Distance learning goes beyond the traditional: it is not limited just to the simple comprehension of a textbook or listening to a teacher, the background of a student is recognized by awarding credits for experience and previous studies, and in many cases the programs are tailor-made for students. With Traditional education all the students are, in effect, the same. Quite the opposite, distance education realizes that no two people are equal in knowledge, experience, and of course their goals and objectives are different.

We have often heard it said: “I’m sorry, we wanted to promote you on the job, but you don’t have a degree.” How many times have we read in the want ads: “University graduate wanted, preferably with post-graduate studies.” That “piece of paper”, the Diploma, becomes a necessity. The increased competition raises the demands at the time of job searching. The last two decades of the 20th Century changed the rules of the game under the influence of the globalization process. Today, the only one responsible for a professional career, training development and systematic education is you. This is the key for personal success. With the growing global trend, companies have entered a new level of competence, which has impacted in greater demands of organizations at the moment of choosing personnel because the only way to maintain the competitive edge is to have well-educated people. The weakness in the person-company link that has produced in recent years basically affects people with lesser capabilities. The scene is a cruel one, and it becomes worse when you don’t have that “piece of paper”.

Those who are economically active have changed their “attitudes” about work – taking more initiative with entrepreneur criteria and a global vision, more involved in trouble-shooting company problems and demonstrating a “can-do” attitude – and its necessity of “degrees”. Today it is not enough to be a professional, languages and postgraduate diplomas are sought (the need to know computer tools goes without saying).

To be at the front of this change distance learning minimizes the usual difficulties of traditional education, making it possible to obtain the formation, training and diplomas that will improve your personal possibilities for success.