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An important part in the development of higher education in Russia was played by Moscow University which was founded in 1755. It was not by accident that Moscow was chosen as the place for the first Russian University. Moscow was situated in the centre of the country and it was easier for students to come there from all parts of the country, besides, life in the older capital was cheaper than in St Petersburg.
Moscow University was opened on April, 26 (May, 7) 1755 in the three-storied building where the State Historical Museum is situated. But it was too small for the University and several houses in Mokhovaya Street were bought the next year. In 1786 the sum of 125,000 roubles was allotted by the government to build a new University building. It was built by a famous Russian architect Kazakov in Mokhovaya Street.
The University had three faculties: philosophy, law and medicine. The philosophy faculty was considered to be preparatory and study there was obligatory for all students. Philosophical, natural and philological disciplines were studied for two or three years. Special attention was paid to “the history of the Russian Empire”. After finishing the courses at the philosophy faculty, students could choose to study either law or medicine. At the law faculty students were taught civil law, commercial law, military law and law of the sea. Each student could work independently according to an individual plan of studies which was based on the general university curriculum and he could study the disciplines which he had chosen in any order he wished. The University also contained a library, mineralogical museum, a “natural” museum, an anatomical theatre, a chemical laboratory, an astronomical observatory, etc. In accordance with the University Charter debates among students were organized. They were supervised by professors and “all lovers of the arts and sciences” were welcome to these debates. The best students were awarded gold and silver medals at the end of each year. After graduation they were sent abroad to perfect their knowledge.
All lectures were given in Latin. Professor Popovskiy who gave lectures on philosophy and literature was the first to propose giving lectures in Russian stating that “their exist no idea that can’t be properly explained in Russian”. But lectures in Russian were not allowed until 12 years later in 1767.
The number of students at the University was small. Thus in 1755 there were only 61 students. Later their number gradually began to grow. Now at the University there are 16 faculties where more than 30,000 students are given instructions by about 10,000 teachers. (After “The History of Moscow”)
OXBRIDGE
Oxford and Cambridge are the oldest and most prestigious universities in Great Britain. They are often called collectively Oxbridge to denote an elitеrian education. Both universities are independent. Only very rich and aristocratic families can afford to send their sons and daughters to these universities. Mostly they are former public school leavers.
The tutorial is the basic mode of instruction at Oxford and Cambridge, with lectures as optional extras.
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 be 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 ones have more than 400 members, the smallest colleges have 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 A.D. and it was popular with the early English kings (Richard Lion Hearted was probably here). The university’s earliest charter is dated back 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.
The Cambridge University started during the 13th century and grew until today. Now there are more than thirty colleges.
On the river bank of the Cam willow trees weep 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, which was 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 left of English fifteenth-century architecture. Its choir of boys and undеrgradates 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 to both men and women. Almost all colleges are now
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 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.
POPULATION OF GREAT BRTA1N.
The people who now inhabit the British Isles are descended mainly fromthe people who inhabited them nearly 9 centuries ago. The English nation was formed as a result of the native population of the British Isles- the pre-Celts and the Celts with the invaders: the Germanic tribes of the Angles, Saxons and Jutes, the Danes, the Normans.
Today in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland English is the language predominantly spoken.
In number of population Great Britain holds one the first places among European countries. The English make up over 4/5 of the total population of the country. They inhabit England proper and many of them live in industrial cities of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The proportion of the Scotsmen, Welshmen and Irishmen is about 15 per cent. This group includes foreigners too. The inhabitants of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have preserved their culture originality and to a certain degree their languages (in Wales and Scotland), but practically all speak English.
In general about half the population lives in a belt across England with south Lancashire and west Yorkshire at one end, and the London area at the other; having the industrialized Midlands at its center.
Other areas with large populations are:-the central lowlands of Scotland; north-east England from north of the river Tyne down to the river Tees; south-west Wales; the Bristol area; and the English Channel coast from Pool in Dorset east-wards. Less densely populated areas are the easten fringes of England between the Wash and the Thames estuary, and the far south-west.
There is no country in the world which has such a great percentage of workers and employees as it is in Britain. They comprise 92 per cent of the gainfully occupied population. According to the official report 1 per cent of the population of Great Britain owns 25 per cent of private property in the country an d 5 per cent of the population owns 50 per cent of the property. At the same time 80 per cent of the population owns less of the national wealth than 1 per cent of the population.
Today the total working population is over 26 mln of which workers and employees comprise about 22 mln, the self-employed (that is owners of big and small enterprises, farmers, etc.) exceed l.5mln.
The most notable trend in the employment pattern during the last years has been the growth of people employed in services. This is. a typical feature which is observed in all developed countries. Such developments reflect improved labor efficiency in industry, a change of employment patterns caused by growth of high technology industries and comparative decline of the old traditional industries. Hence surplus labor is released, much of it can be directed to services. Another important factor is the growth of the role of science and technology in the life of the economy. International tourism also boosted the development of the service sector. There is an industrial organization which deals with the problems of management, industry, labor relations, employment The organization is known as the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) with the central headquarters and local organizations all over the country.
TALKING POINTS
1.What are the main languages spoken in Great Britain today?
2. How large is the population of Great Britain?
3. How densely is the country populated?
4. Discuss the distribution of the population.
5. Give a detailed account of the class social structure of British society. 6.Speak about civil employment
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