Courses of Study

General Information


After dinner in Wadham's Old Library
Photograph courtesy of Gail Mcgragh

The 2010 program offers classes in four areas: Art History, English History, English Literature and Political Science and Law. Classes are small (never more than 12 students and usually fewer) and meet for two hours several days a week, providing ample opportunity for lively discussion and close analysis of a wide range of topics. Each student will enroll in one class.

Students taking one of the English Literature courses will also attend a series of lectures on literary history and criticism, organized by the Oxford University Department for Continuing Education, delivered by outstanding scholars from Oxford and other British universities. Lecturers in recent years have included John Carey, Valentine Cunningham, Terry Eagleton, Kate Flint, Germaine Greer, Christopher Ricks and Jon Stallworthy. These lectures will be held several mornings a week at Exeter College, a short walk from Wadham.

Shortly after acceptance into the program, all students will be sent a course reading list. Because of the intensive nature of the course work and the limited time available, it is imperative that students read this material before arriving in Oxford.

For their courses, students will be required to write one minor and one major paper on a subject related to their readings chosen in consultation with their tutor. In preparing the second of these papers, they will have access to the vast resources of the Bodleian Library. Grades will be based on these papers and on vigorous class participation.

Students are to enroll in one of the classes described on the following pages. Applicants are asked to list their choices in order of preference on the application form. While every effort will be made to assign students to their first choice, it may not be possible to do so in all instances.

 

Last Modified: February 5, 2010