An Education: Oxford Style

As many of you know, the reason I applied to be a visiting student at Oxford University was the rigor of their academic programs and their unique style of study.  What I don't think many of you are aware of, however, is what makes Oxford-style education such a contrast to a college education in the U.S.  Consider this post a description of what I'll be going through for the next few months.  After reading, you decide whether I'm a glutton for punishment or not.

Here at Oxford, the centerpiece of the education is the tutorial, not the classroom period.  Courses are organized under broad themes (i.e. British History, 1500-1700) and within that field, students are free to study and explore whatever topics they choose under the guidance of their tutors.  Students meet with their tutors once a week for their primary tutorial and every other week for their secondary tutorial. Each session runs about an hour long and is typically one-on-one.  In that way, it's somewhat like an independent study at an American institution.

That's where the similarities end, however.  In that tutorial, the student reads aloud to the tutor an essay (approximately 2000-2500 words, or 6-8 pages, in length) that the student has written in advance.  The essay is argumentative, seeking to answer a specific question that the tutor poses and is based upon the assigned reading list for that week.  Reading lists for history students can be about 5-10 books per week and from what I can tell so far, seem to focus on the historiography of a field.  (For all those who aren't historians reading this, that refers to the range of historical interpretations of a particular event or time period.)  No one reads everything on the list, just what's relevant to answering the essay question.  That's still a lot of reading, but it's great prep for graduate school!

Since the tutorial is so important here, lectures are secondary.  They are entirely optional; no attendance is taken.  Tutors don't necessarily recommend students attend unless the topics pertain to the tutorial topic for the week, either.  Unless specifically stated, though, lectures are open to anyone in the Oxford University community.  So, even though students only take two courses per term, you could attend nearly any lecture in any discipline if the topic appeals to you.  They only last 50 minutes, though, so not too much information can be covered in them.

So, the structure of an Oxford education is quite different from college in the states.  It's too early to say which I prefer, but the change of style should be a good challenge!

Oxford Photos

My student ID - I'm a real Oxford student!

Where I live. It's called the Isis Guest House. During the academic year (October-June), it houses St Edmund Hall students and in the summer, serves as a hotel.

My room. It's a single room with its own bathroom. AU folks, think of a Centennial suite with no roommates.

A roundabout street in town, somewhat like traffic circles in DC.

High Street, one of the main streets in Oxford.

The main quad at St. Edmund Hall.

The Bodleian Library, one of the world's greatest libraries. By law, it is required to hold every book ever copyrighted in the UK. It also has a very large collection of US and European books as well. It's basically the UK's Library of Congress.

The Radcliffe Camera, Oxford's first library building, and a popular place among history students to study.

Me!

Some things never change.

I'm learning how to cross streets all over again

No, I'm serious. Since people drive on the left side of the street here, and it's more disorienting than you would think. In the US you might look right, left, right before crossing the street but in the UK you need to do it the other way around. It takes a lot of time breaking a habit that was instilled in you since you were two!

Anyway, yesterday I arrived in Oxford (pictures will follow soon!) after a three-hour delayed landing in Heathrow with a minor detour to Amsterdam airport due to weather. I met some other students on the flight who are also studying abroad in England, so having people to talk with made the extended flight a bit more enjoyable.

Since arriving in Oxford, I've been busy meeting other students and attending orientation sessions. All the students here seem very friendly and thoughtful. The biggest difference between Oxford and AU students is that Oxford students are always talking about politics. (A habit that I might recommend the AU students consider adopting more often!) Though the UK is not as drastic as a culture change from the US as other places, there is still a transition. I wouldn't label it culture shock, but getting adjusted is somewhat overwhelming.

Tomorrow I have an orientation with the History Faculty Library and the famous Bodleian Library! What could be better for a history major who loves libraries? I also have a meeting with my "Director of Studies," so I after that, I should have a better idea about my tutorials this term .

All my bags are packed and I'm ready to go...

I need to leave for the airport soon, but before I do I wanted to write an introductory blog. For the next five months I'll be studying abroad at Oxford University and will use this as a venue to update you on my studies and travels abroad.

Very briefly, I'll be at St. Edmund Hall for two terms (January-March, April-June) where I will be "reading history." I hope to be studying British and European history as well as studying U.S. history with a more transatlantic twist while at Oxford. You can see what St. Edmund Hall looks like from here for a virtual tour.

I'm running late, so until a later time, that will have to suffice for an introduction. Talk to you next time from "across the pond!"