The year-long Scholar's Semester in Oxford (SSO) is designed for students who want to study intensively and to a high standard. Students develop their academic writing and research skills and explore the disciplines and interests of their choice. As Visiting Students of the University of Oxford and members of Wycliffe Hall, students study in the oldest university in the English-speaking world.
Concentrations for study are available in:
VISION
Through work with academic tutors, students at SSO hone their skills and delve into their individual areas of scholarly interest. Keat's "city of dreaming spires" provides the arena for a rare opportunity to engage in scholarly fellowship and development.
QUALIFICATIONS
Eligibility requires:
CREDITS
A total of 17 credits are possible each term.
Fall or Michaelmas term is divided into 3 required components:
Spring or Hillary term is divided into 3 required components:
For the British Landscapes Course students may elect to take credit in one of six ways:
| English Literature and the British Landscape | Theology and the British Landscape |
| History and the British Landscape | Art History and and the British Landscape |
| Philosophy and the British Landscape | Musicology and and the British Landscape |
For the tutorials the SSO has 18 interdisciplinary thematic concentrations:
| The Ancient World | Gender Studies |
| Late Antiquity | Colonialism and Postcolonialism |
| Medieval Studies | Philosophy of the Human Mind |
| Renaissance Studies | Philosophy of Human Morality |
| Enlightenment Studies (in English Literature) | Philosophy of Language |
| Victorian Studies | Philosophy and the Ancient Greek World |
| Modern Studies | Religion and literature |
| History and Philosophy of Science | Religion and science |
| History of Art | Religion and society |
Any student wishing to fulfill a thematic core requirementsuch as Aesthetics Sensibilities and Practices, Civic Responsibility, or Human Person with their fall semester session of British landscapes must talk with the Core division representative before hand. Please see the Global Education Office for assistance.
While Oxford is a full-year program, with the recommendation of their advisor students may petition to participate for one semester only.
Global Understanding core credit can be fulfilled by this semester program when students participate in the pre- and post-departure New Perspectives course. Lab fees apply as of Fall 2013. Visit the GEO for details or go to the GEO Global Understanding webpage.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE & DEADLINES
Gordon students wishing to apply for SSO must submit an academic paper and have a formal interview with the GEO staff as well as complete the online seat application (link available to Gordon students only) to participate in this Best Semester Program. Only after you've been approved by the Global Education Office, may you proceed with the BEST SEMESTER's online application for SSO.
Guidelines for the paper to be submitted to the GEO in support of the seat application:
Students should submit a paper in the discipline they want to study in Oxford (a history major should submit a history paper, and so on). The paper should provide a strong example of the student's analytic and writing skills and be written for a 200-level class or above (not TGC, please). Clean, hardcopy (no professor comments, no email attachments). Minimum 6 pages, maximum 25.
COSTS
The cost is generally equal to a 16-credit semester at Gordon and includes:
Please note that board is not included in the Best Semester costs. Accordingly, Gordon College will not bill students for board.
Should the costs of the Best Semester Oxford Program exceed the cost of Gordon's tuition, room, and comprehensive fees, students are responsible for the difference.
Not included in regular tuition costs are such items as:
Note: The exchange rate currently favors the British. Plan your budget accordingly when thinking about personal expenses.
Apply to participate in Global Education Programs with the Online Seat Application. After being approved for participation you may apply to the SSO.
CONTACT
For further information please contact:
Dr. Liesl Smith
Assistant Director, Global Education Office
p: 978.867.4113
Click here to email