The Linguistic Culture-10 (Education and Science in the USA) (1157948), страница 2
Текст из файла (страница 2)
Junior Colleges (The world “college” refers either to an independent institution offering undergraduate education or to a part of a university). These institutions of higher education or so-called “cow” colleges offer only two-year programs. The first program of the “cow” colleges leads to a vocational, professional work (shop work, office work, nurses, mechanics, police, etc.), the other one gives a chance to transfer to a four-year college at the end of two years.
Colleges of Liberal Arts generally offer four year education beyond the secondary school level. Their programs are aimed at providing a broad educational base in history, science, philosophy, languages and culture. Students choose specialization or concentration in one particular field during the third and fourth years of the program.
Specialized Institutions are usually institutions of technology, teacher training colleges, art schools, and other specialized institutions. They emphasize intensive concentration in a specialty as contrasted with the board range of liberal arts colleges. The course of study typically emphasizes technical, scientific, or engineering aspects of knowledge in the field.
A University. An American university consists of a number of schools and colleges (such as College of Arts and Sciences or a College of Engineering, etc.). There are two levels: the undergraduate school and the graduate school grouped together in one educational system. Some of the universities are private; others are run by the state.
Despite the development of a network of state universities, private universities continue to play a very significant role in the formation of scientific and educational potential of the United States.
In the US there is a group of private leading universities dramatically different in its characteristics from all other universities of the country. They are: University of California-Berkeley, Mitt, Stanford, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Harvard, Cornell, Washington university. University of California - Los Angeles, Columbia, Yale, Chicago, Pennsylvania, Princeton University and California Institute of technology. These universities are the undisputed leaders in education and science of the USA and determine the qualitative contribution of higher education in the development of scientific-technical and economic potential of the country.
Acceptance into university
Acceptance into university is based on a written application, submission of a transcript showing all courses and results in previously-attended educational institutions, evidence that the student satisfactorily completed all requirements at the previously-attended institution, and sometimes an oral interview or written resume at the school which the student desires to attend. Different schools of higher learning may have different standards of acceptance: some may require excellent grades on the S.A.T., while others may have less strict requirements. In higher education and especially in very prestigious universities the U.S.A has a selective system of admission.
At the undergraduate level universities may have several divisions - colleges of liberal arts, a school of business or engineering or applied science, etc. A student usually enrolls in one undergraduate division, but he may take courses in more than one of these.
Students are classified as freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors. A freshmen is a first year student, a sophomore, a second year student, a junior, a third year student, and a senior, a fourth year student.
Most undergraduate students must take classes in English, Math, History, and science. They choose a major (specialize) in a subject such as business, education, or art in their third year of college or after they have completed half of their course work. In order to receive any degree from the University students must complete a survey course in American History or American Government.
To graduate from a university requires a student to complete requirements of the university, to achieve the minimum allowable grade in the required courses, and to collect the required number of so-called credits. There is wide variation in the requirements depending on the university. In general, universities and colleges require students to fulfill a set of general requirements applicable to all students at the school (specialization), as well as fulfilling the specific requirements for their major field of study. For example, at Haverford College they require 32 credits for graduation, 1 credit being awarded for each course taken and passed per semester. So, 4 credits per semester and 2 semesters per year equal 8 credits per year. Four years of college education multiplied by 8 credits per year equals 32 credits, or the amount needed to graduate. However, the Linguistics Department requires 10 credits of linguistics courses. As a result, it is necessary to fulfill both requirements before being allowed to graduate, i.e. pass 32 credits of courses.
In addition, most universities require a minimum grade-point average before a student is allowed to graduate.
There are four principal types of academic degrees, each representing a different level of academic achievement:
The bachelor’s (baccalaureate) degree is the oldest academic degree used in various forms by almost every institution. A full-time undergraduate degree in universities usually takes four years. Many students study part-time and work, so it may take them much longer time to finish. Some students first take an associate’s degree at “cow” or liberal colleges, where the tuition fees are lower and study two more years at university to complete their bachelor’s degree. Some graduate students receive grants, which cover the cost of their education; a person on such a fellowship is called a university fellow or a grantee.
All students who have graduated and received the bachelor’s degree are classified as graduate students. Their transcript of grades is submitted with all applications to graduate schools.
The most common master’s degree program represents a minimum of 1 year of work beyond the baccalaureate. In certain areas this has been extended to 2 years of required graduate study (e.g. in business administration) or even 3 years (e.g. in fine arts). It may also involve one or all of the following additional requirements: a thesis, a general examination, and mastery of a foreign language. The master’s degree candidate follows a rather specific course of study, usually in a single field and arranged in cooperation with his adviser.
Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) is one of the more rapidly growing; it is designed to prepare liberal arts graduate for secondary school teaching. Normally neither a language examination nor a thesis is required for MAT, but course in practical teaching is usually incorporated.
The master’s degree program is not, however, considered to be a research degree, but rather preparation for the PhD. Doctoral programs usually consist of at least 3 years of study beyond the baccalaureate.
There are 2 quite distinct types of doctoral programs: the professional degree and the research degree. The first type represents advanced training for the practice of a given profession, such as the Doctor of Medicine, the Doctor of Dental Science, and similar degrees. These degrees do not imply original research.
The research doctorate (PhD) is the highest earned degree in the American graduate school. Candidates usually follow a program of studies concentrated in one of the major fields of knowledge. They are normally required to demonstrate reading proficiency in at least two foreign languages. After a student has satisfactorily completed his course work and met his foreign language requirements, he must take a comprehensive examination to demonstrate a general knowledge of his field. It may be oral or written or both, and is evaluated by a special committee. The final period of predoctoral study is given to the preparation of the dissertation (this may require several years to finish). The prospective doctor of philosophy should defend the conclusions of his dissertation. Consequently, it is frequently the custom to make public announcements of the date and place of the final examination and to permit the attendance of any scholars who may wish to participate.
| 18 years old to 21 years to | 1Pst year-freshman 2Pnd year-sophomore 3d year-junior 4Pth year-senior | College or University Undergraduate Education (bachelor’s degree) | |
| 2 years | Master’s program | Graduate or Professional Education | |
| 3 to 6 years | Professional school (law, medicine) | ||
| 3 to 5 year | Doctoral program (after M.A. program) | ||
Some colleges and universities also award honorary degrees as a form of deserved recognition for distinguished public service or for outstanding creative work.
The concept of continuing (or lifelong) education is of great importance to Americans. Every year, over ten percent of all adult Americans further their education through participation in part-time instruction. Some estimate that as many as 45 million adult Americans are currently taking courses in universities, colleges, professional associations, government organizations or even churches and synagogues.
1. Answer the questions.
I. What were the aims of early institutions of higher learning?
2. Did American colleges duplicate their British counterparts in all respects?
3. List the changes that took place in the American system of higher education in the 19th century?
4. What does the word “school” mean as applied to an American university?
5. When were women first admitted to American universities?
6. Is public education in the USA centralized? Is there a unified system of education in the USA?
7. At what age do children begin to attend school in the USA? What is an elementary school in the USA?
8. What is a high school in the USA?
9. What is the theoretical basis of the great amount of time allotted to extra-curricular activities?
10. What kind of personality do they try to develop in American school-students?
11. Is there a national system of higher education?
12. How can an American school-leaver enter a higher educational institution?
13. What are the entrance standards and admission policies at American universities and Colleges?
14. What are the levels of the American higher learning?
15. What are “majoring” and “minoring” in American higher education?
16. What are the American degrees?
2. Translate the Russian words and phrases into English:
Основной принцип; образование; общее образование; децентрализация образования; детский сад; начальная школа; средняя школа; класс, оценка, система образования, программа обучения, учебный год, домашнее задание, каникулы, учащийся, основные предметы, бесплатное обучение, частная школа, плата за обучение, внеклассная деятельность, окончить школу, училище, требования при поступлении в университет, общественные науки, точные науки, предметы гуманитарного цикла, ректор университета, декан, заведующий кафедрой, отсев учащихся, разделение учащихся по способностям, студент первого года обучения, второго, третьего; студент-отличник, окончить университет, учиться в магистратуре, аспирантуре.
American Science
Read and translate the following key words and word combinations:
Scientific establishments , to lag behind , challenges of World War I , Scientific undertakings, to follow the suit, under the auspices [ ‘o:spisэs], to regain momentum , to pave the way ,to be second to none.
In the American colonies approach to science was practical. The trade was associated with sailing so scientific interest focused on astronomy, mathematics, topography, meteorology and stimulated usefulness for navigation and agriculture. Almost all scientific activities in New England were concentrated in Boston, which from the beginning became the intellectual capital of New England. Another cultural center was in Philadelphia, which had more political, cultural and intellectual ties with Europe.
After the revolution and independence new favorable conditions for organization science were gradually created. In the late 18th and the early 19th centuries new ideas and technology demanded new approaches and teamwork. In 1848 the American Association for the Advancement of Science was founded.
In 1863 the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) was organized. The creation of the Academy originated from the immediate practical problems of the time of the Civil War. It also reflected the fact that at that time the US was beginning to emerge as a technological country. The Academy created departments related to scientific and technological problems (the Geological Survey, the National Bureau of Standards, the US Weather Bureau, the Patent Office, etc.). The need for scientific instruction led to the organization of scientific schools and centers of learning and research (at Yale and Harvard Universities).In 1861 the Massachusetts Institute of Technology was founded.
The challenges of World War I had a far-reaching effect on the development of science in the USA. During the war and after it American universities produced the great number of well-trained scientists and engineers. With the introduction of graduate schools into American education scientific research began to play a major role in many universities. American industry began to have a scientific foundation; several of the larger industries established research laboratories of international level. The Federal Government also developed a number of scientific agencies.
Like education, the US scientific establishments have always been serious responses to society’s practical needs. Since America was rich in natural resources but relatively poor in personnel for education and research, the Federal Government did a lot to master resources for the guidance of the nation’s scientific community. A few scientists from other countries were invited. Among them the inventor of the telephone Alexander Graham Bell from Scotland, a developer of alternating-current electrical systems Charles Steinmetz from Germany, the creator of television camera Vladimir Zworykin,. the serb Nikola Tesla who invented brushless electrical motor based on rotating magnetic fields.
![](https://s.studizba.com/z.php?f=/templates/si/i/noavatar.png&w=100&h=100&t=1"){kind=avatar}
