Bulletin Special Supplement Jun 1965

may have to offer a wider range of choice of question than is usual in other Universities, at any rate at first, in order to meet the present diversity of approach in the Colleges. But we are clear that t o continue w i th any arrangement that is in effect three examinations assessed b y three sets of internal examiners and one external examiner w i l l b r i ng increasing potentialities for complaints of inequity and w i ll not lead to the sense of being w i t h in the University (both to students and to teachers) that is, we believe, essential to it s coherent development. T he Senate w i ll no doubt consider this problem and will, we expect, decide on a basic scheme to guide Boards of Studies in dealing w i t h these matters. A simple university syllabus, which is made k n own to the student so that he knows what the m i n i m um breadth and range of his reading and study m u s t be, need not inhibit th e individual approach that may characterise — and may b r i ng great inspirational value to — a college teacher's plans for his students' work. Diversity between the Colleges can b r i ng strength to the University and, especially through inter-collegiate teaching , enrichment to its educational work. L8.10 T he Fulto n Commission did not recommend the formation of university departments , since it preferred to avoid the possibility o f i n h i b i t i ng the development of new areas of study that might be neglected because they fell outside departmental boundaries or impinged upo n two-or-more-departments. T h e University was therefore envisaged as being dependent upon Board s of Studies to bring the teachers together and to give them a sense of j o i nt responsibility. L8.11 We assume that each Board w i ll include the teachers in the subject or subjects or area of studies, together w i t h some others f r om related subjects or areas, e.g . the Board for Physics would include one — or perhaps two — who were interested in the provision of the teaching in mathematics that is essential for physicists; the Board for Biology would include not only botanists and zoologists but also a biological chemist, a physiologist etc. T he present Statutes might exclude some o f the teachers of relevant ancillary subjects who are Assistan t Lecturers and it may be advisable to consider whether they should be invited to atten d meetings of the relevant Boards. L8.12 T h e Board of Studies in English should, we think, set up a Committee of those specially concerned w i th and experienced in English Language Teaching Methods. T he three Colleges have a common but not the less daunting tas k of bringing all their entrants, mostly f r om the Chinese M i d d le Schools w i t h a limited knowledge and understanding of English, to a stage where the y have a facility in the language that enables t h em to use text-books, to follow lectures and to take part in discussions in English. T h is i s a separate problem f r om the teaching of English Literature and involves radically different methods. Each College has and is now using its Language Laboratory and those taking part in this work should come together to compare their methods and share their experience. February, 1965. 43