Our University
Universities have long been sources of scientific knowledge and culture. Our university is one of them. It was founded in 1974. Twelve faculties of our University train more than twenty thousand students of day and correspondence departments. It trains highly qualified specialists in physics, mathematics, history, the Russian language and literature, biology, chemistry, foreign languages, economics, law, sports, psychology and sociology both for research work and teaching.
The students are admitted to the University on the basis of their results in entrance examinations. Usually there are several applicants for every place at the University. The exams are often stiff and competitive.
The academic year is divided into 2 terms. The students have end-of-term tests and examinations. Marks are entered into students' record-books.
We have a lecture system at the University. The students take down the notes of lectures. The lectures are delivered by the highly qualified teachers. They usually combine teaching with research work. The students also have practical studies and seminars, carry out laboratory tests and experiments. On the ground floor of the main building there are several lecture rooms. We have a number of laboratories specially designed and equipped for practical work and conducting experiments. Students are also trained in handling computers. On the campus there are sports grounds and playing fields. The main building of the University contains a library with a large reading-room, a large hall for meetings, debates and concerts, a dining hall with a coffee bar and other rooms for recreational purposes.
Students on contract basis have to pay for their training 45. 000 roubles a year. But for the most of students tuition is free of charge. The students do not pay for using books, for laboratory work, teaching aid. The majority of students in day department receive stipends. There are special higher stipends for honour students. Non-resident students are usually given accommodation in halls of residence.
Studies are divided into years. Normally it takes 5 years to graduate from the University. When the course of studies is completed and final examinations are successfully passed the graduates are awarded a diploma. The best students who show great abilities for scientific work are left at the University after graduation to continue their studies as postgraduates.
Mass Media
Mass media play an important part in the modern society. We live in the era of information; nowadays information can be more valuable than money. We live in the era of information explosion. Every day we learn more facts than a man of the XIXth century learnt in a week or in a month. This information is necessary for our life, work and entertainment.
Mass media are considered to be the fourth branch of power because they influence the society and all the three branches of power. Mass media express people’s opinions and can show and describe the smallest and the least important details of any juridical case or event. Journalists take their own investigations and write about their discoveries. They bring forward different versions and search proofs for them. Mass media publish information about the plans of the government and the President. That sometimes makes G-men give up their plans.
Mass media give us all kinds of information. The most important mass media are newspapers, radio, television and the Internet.
Newspapers appeared the first of the listed. The first Russian newspaper was issued in 1702 on the initiative of Peter the Great. It was entitled “Gazette” (“Vedomosty”). Now we have all kinds of newspapers – tabloids, sports papers, business papers, kids’ papers and political papers. There are a lot of magazines to all tastes. Both newspapers and magazines are sold in the streets all round the city, but you can also subscribe to any papers and magazines you like at the post-office.
There are daily and weekly papers, weekly, monthly and quarterly magazines. Some of the Russian newspapers are issued in two formats: daily (from Monday to Friday) and weekly (Sunday issues).
Radio appeared much later than the first Russian newspaper. It was invented by A.S. Popov in 1895, but the term started being used in the first decade of the XXth century. In Russia regular radio broadcasting began in 1924. Now we can not imagine our life without radio. There are dozen of radio stations in Russia, everyone can choose a station to listen to. Most of them broadcast music, but of different styles. You can also listen to weather forecasts, sports news, radio theatre, agricultural, political, economical programmes, talk shows, advice of lawyers, news, daily horoscope, etc.
The principle of television is as old as that of broadcasting. It was offered at the end of the XIXth century by A. di Paiva and the Russian scientist P. I. Bakhmetyev independently. But only in the 30-ies of the XXth century regular TV broadcasting began in Moscow and St.-Petersburg and in the 50-ies all over the USSR. Television now gives people a great chance to learn about the world, it offers a wide range of programmes about wild life and other countries. There are also news programmes, talk shows, quizzes and other kinds of programmes.
The Internet is the newest kind of mass media. One can find any kind of information in it. It is a sort of combination of newspapers, radio, TV and computers. All main newspapers and broadcasting companies have their sites in the Internet. So, you can find there the latest news without buying a paper.
All the mass media have their advantages. They supply us with political and other important information, entertain and give food for thought. But they also have some disadvantages. And the worst thing about mass media is advertising. They all catch our attention just to get more money for the advertisements. Another disadvantage is that information is not always reliable, especially in the Internet.