University System

The universities educate students in the "university" disciplines. Among the sciences there me Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, and among the Arts History, Philosophy, Economics, Law and Philology. University graduates work as teachers in universities, colleges and secondary schools, in cultural institutions, research institutes, research institutes of the Academy of Sciences and other establishments.

While learning at a University or college, students have time to study not only such fundamental theoretical subjects as Mathematics, Chemistry, History and concrete disciplines pertaining to their speciality, but also such general-education subjects in the social and economic group of sciences. Great importance is also attached to educating students in the spirit of civic responsibility, to their acquiring organizational skills and the ability to perform social duties, as well as cultivating an interest in teamwork when dealing with co-workers.

In the first years of learning, there are set subjects for one's speciality; in the latter years a certain amount of freedom in the choice of subjects is allowed, some of which are optional (факультативные).

The work-load of a student, including his individual out-of-class work, is planned to take up approximately 50-55 hours a week. During the period of learning, every student must pass 35-40 term examinations not counting the written and oral tests. In the last stages of learning, special significance is attached to the students developing their creative abilities and skills in their chosen speciality. This stage culminates in preparing and publicly presenting ("defending") a diploma paper (thesis, dissertation).

It is well-known that higher education must be closely connected with the development of science and advanced methods of production. This means that research and work in the actual production must be an integral, part of the process of instruction, especially for undergraduates, while for post-graduates it is the chief form of activity.

1. Find the English equivalents of the following Russian phrases. Study them.

естественнонаучные дисциплины; гуманитарные дисциплины; теоретические дисциплины; общеобразовательные дисциплины; обязательные курсы; факультативные курсы; студент; выпускник; аспирант; научно-исследовательский институт, научно-исследовательская работа; гражданская ответственность; навыки организаторской работы; развивать интерес к коллективному творчеству; внеаудиторная работа; семестровые экзамены, зачеты; творческие способности и навыки; избранная

специальность; писать и защищать диплом; развитие науки и передовых,

методов производства; составная часть процесса обучения

2. Ask questions about the italicised parts of the sentences.

1. Be ready to speak about the University system.

3. Translate the text in writing.

In the last analysis all education is self-education. With an interested response (реакция) by the learner to what is presented by teacher or book, with the will to learn and the curiosity to solve the problems that confront one who would become educated, one may find mastery of any subject an interesting adventure.

The average learner often foils to make the right start. Time was not so long ago, that education was assumed (предполагать) to consist of memorizing a textbook. If that were the whole story, all that would be required (требовать) would be to spread before the learner a series of facts, figures, rules, and formulas. Memorize this and one might be considered a learned person.

Such an education neglects to train the thinking faculties or to prepare the learner to utilize in any practical way what he has acquired. It would be well, then, before he enters upon the study of any one subject, for the learner to take a serious interest in how he should conduct this study. In other words, he should first learn the simple fundamentals of teaching. (Webster's New American Dictionary).

Text 2

Read and translate the text.