THE SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE USA

There is no national system of higher education in the United States. American higher education developed its own pattern by the adaptation of two traditions: the collegiate tradition of England and the university tradition of the Continent.

Higher education is given in colleges and universities. There are over 2100 various higher educational institutions including colleges, and universities. There are about 3,000 colleges and universities, both private and public, in the United States. Students have to pay both in private and state universities. Private universities are generally smaller but very expensive, which means that the tuition fees are extremely high. State colleges and universities are not that expensive, the tuition fees are usually lower and if the students are State residents, they pay much less.

Every young person who enters a higher educational institution can get financial assistance. If a student is offered a loan, he should repay it (with interest) after he has left the college. Needy students are awarded grants which they do not have to repay. Scholarships are given when a student is doing exceptionally well at school.

American universities and colleges are usually built as a separate complex, called “campus”, with teaching blocks, libraries, dormitories, and many other facilities grouped together on one site, often on the outskirts of the city. Some universities are comprised of many campuses.

All the universities are independent, offering their own choice of studies, setting their own admission standards and deciding which students meet their standards. The greater the prestige of the university, the higher the credits and grades required.

There are no final examinations at colleges and universities, and students receive a degree if they have collected enough credits in a particular subject. The traditional degree which crowns the undergraduate course is that of a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.C.) The lower level of graduate school is for obtaining the Master’s Degree (M.A. or M.C.), and the upper level is for the degree of a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

The baccalaureate degree includes:

· the baccalaureate core

· an in-depth study in at least one major; and

· individual elective courses

The baccalaureate core emphasizes critical thinking, writing, world cultures, appreciation of differences, the arts, sciences, literature, lifelong fitness, and global awareness in 15 course categories. Over 250 courses are available to meet core requirements. Students must complete a total of 51 credits. Totally, a minimum of 180 credits are required to get a Bachelor degree, 45 credits beyond the baccalaureate degree to get a Master degree, 108 credits to get a Doctoral degree.

During each semester, you will take a variety of courses, each of which is awarded a number of 'credits.' A credit is a unit of study. Most courses carry 3 credits, although varying amount of credit can be awarded for lectures, independent project work, laboratory time and internships

The student’s progress is evaluated by means of tests, term works and examinations. The student’s work is given a credit, usually on a five (0-4) point scale:

· 4 points for each credit of A grade

· 3.7 for each credit of A- grade

· 3.3 for each credit of B+ grade

· 3.0 for each credit of B grade

· 2.7 for each credit of B- grade

· 2.3 for each credit of C+ grade

· 2.0 for each credit of C grade

· 1.7 for each credit of C- grade

· 1.3 for each credit of D+ grade

· 1.0 for each credit of D grades

· 0.7 for each credit of D- grade

· 0 for each credit of F

Christopher Wren

1. Do you know the facts concerning Wren’s genius and talent (in science, in architecture); what else can you say about him?

2. Read the text and check your answers.

Christopher Wren

It was in 1666 that Christopher Wren (1632 – 1723) was appointed Surveyor- General, and principal architect for rebuilding the City of London after the Great Fire, and in 1667 he became Surveyor – General of the Royal Works at the age of thirty-five. Mr. Wren had already achieved European fame as an astronomer and mathematician. For some years he had dabbed in architecture, and in 1662 had designed the Sheldonian Theatre, a building more remarkable for its constructional and acoustical properties than for its architectural attraction.

Wren had produced plans for the rebuilding of the City after the Fire , and had presented them to the King. Unfortunately this plan wasn’t implemented and a great opportunity was lost.

For the next 38 years Wren was kept busy rebuilding the city churches, of which 35 are attributed to him, and with St.Paul’s Cathedrale.

Even before the Fire he had prepared designs for remodeling the cathedral, largely on the lines of the existing building. This design received the royal warrant in 1675, and the last stone is believed to have been laid in 1710. Wren got over the difficulty of satisfying both interior and exterior appearances by using a double dome separated by a structural brick cone which carried the lantern. The exterior wall is thus high enough to dominate the building without giving too well – like an effect inside.

St.Paul exhibits a handling of mass and detail, light and shade, which puts it in the front rank of English building. It is in the Grand manner, sometimes called Baroque, largely conceived yet neither overpowering in scale nor ostentatious in details.

Of other buildings designed by Wren the best known are Hampton Court Palace, Chelsea and Greenwich Hospitals, and some ranges in the Temple.

During Wren’s lifetime classical design became firmly established, and was adopted almost everywhere, not only by architects but also by working masons and carpenters, whose skill became known even on the continent.

Henry Ford

Henry Ford (1863 – 1947) was the American founder of the Ford Motor Company and father of modern assembly lines used in mass production. His introduction of the Model T automobile revolutionized transportation and American industry. The Model T was introduced on October 1, 1908. It had the steering wheel on the left, which every other company soon copied. The entire engine and transmission were enclosed, the four cylinders were cast in a solid block, the suspension used two semi-elliptic springs.

By 1918, half of all cars in America were Model T's. However, it was a monolithic block. As Ford wrote in his autobiography, "Any customer can have a car painted any colour that he wants so long as it is black". Model T's were available in other colors including red. The design was fervently promoted and defended by Ford, and production continued as late as 1927. The final total production was 15,007,034. This record stood for the next 45 years.

As owner of the Ford Company he became one of the richest and best-known people in the world. He is credited with “Fordism”, that is, the mass production of large numbers of inexpensive automobiles using the assembly line, coupled with high wages for his workers.

Ford had a global vision, with consumerism as the key to peace. Ford didn’t believe in accountants. He amassed one of the world’s largest fortunes without ever having his company audited under his administration.

Henry Ford’s intense commitment to lowering costs resulted in many technical and business innovations, including a franchise system that put a dealership in every city in North America, and in major cities on six continents.

Ford left most of his vast wealth to the Ford Foundation but arranged for his family to control the company permanently.