Pre-university Course: Humanities
The University of Edinburgh Summer School
Key Information
Campus location
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
2 weeks
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
GBP 3,995
Application deadline
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Earliest start date
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Scholarships
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Introduction
Are you thinking of studying Humanities at university?
Located in the historic city of Edinburgh, students will embark on a scholarly adventure through a range of disciplines including literature, philosophy, history and art history. Students on this course will develop their academic skills and gain a fascinating insight into studying Humanities at the university level. Using a range of modern and contemporary texts and artworks from Scotland, students will be introduced to relevant concepts and perspectives used in the study of the Humanities.
Key information
- Subject: Humanities
- Teaching fellow: Dr John Gordon
- Credit bearing: No
- Credits: 20 SCQF/10 ECTS/4 US
- Eligibility: Students must be in the penultimate year of high school and aged 16-18. Students must submit a signed Parental Consent Form.
- Language requirements: Evidence of English language ability equivalent of IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component
- Dates: 11 July-22 July 2022
- Length: 2 weeks
- Contact hours: 36
- Course fee: £3,995
- Application deadline: 30 May 2022 (17:00 - BST)
Looking after you during your stay
We want all Pre-University students to have a safe and enjoyable experience in Edinburgh. As such, we will arrange airport transfers for any Pre-University student who is travelling solo and not being accompanied by a parent or guardian. Airport transfers will only be available on Saturday 9th July (arrival) and Saturday 23rd July (departure).
Catered accommodation at Grant House, Pollock Halls of Residence, is provided as standard for all Pre-University students. This is included in the course fee. Offering easy access to the city it is overlooked by Arthur's Seat, one of Edinburgh's most famous landmarks! Check-in date is Saturday 9th July and check-out date is Saturday 23rd July.
In addition, two Resident Assistants will be staying at Grant House for the entirety of the course. They will make sure students arrive and depart safely, help them settle in, check on everyone's well-being, and act as a first point of contact for any queries or concerns. They may also accompany students on some planned social activities.
Intended to supplement the academic content of the course, social activities and educational visits will be offered as part of the course fee. This may include:
- Edinburgh city tour
- Traditional Scottish celilidh
- Fudge making class
- Edinburgh ghost tour
- Afternoon tea
- Trip out of Edinburgh
Please note that social activities and educational visits are subject to change and their occurrence will depend on availability and Government guidance at the time. A schedule of activities will be confirmed nearer the time.
Curriculum
Course description
This interdisciplinary course will introduce Humanities subjects such as literature, philosophy, history and art history. Students will learn to analyse and interpret a range of texts and artworks, drawing on a range of concepts and theoretical perspectives from across the Humanities. Interdisciplinarity will be fostered by intertextual reading (exploring the relationship between texts) of the works studied. The course will develop students’ academic skills related to the Humanities. In addition, there will be guided visits to some of Scotland’s national galleries and museums, and walking tours of historical Edinburgh.
The Pre-University Humanities course is for students who are interested in the interpretation and understanding of philosophical texts, historical events, literary and artworks. Examples from Scottish philosophy, literature, history and art history will be used to examine concepts and perspectives that are used in the study of these disciplines. Through lectures and tutorials, students will develop their skills in comprehension and analysis within a Humanities context. Lectures will frame texts and artworks within the cultural and historical context of the West, and through class discussion and group work, students will learn to compare these works from a multidisciplinary perspective. Students will also reflect on the role of the Arts and Humanities in contemporary society.
This course is designed to provide students with a study experience similar to what they will encounter in undergraduate study. Using a blend of text, audio and video, the course is intended to equip students with a range of skills to enhance independent learning in the Humanities. Classes will combine seminars, group work and academic skills sessions. Reading will be set in advance of each class, and students will be encouraged to discuss their understanding of these readings with the class.
This course will include walking tours of central Edinburgh. These may involve walking along crowded cobbled surfaces with steep inclines. Every effort will be made to make alternatives available for students with restricted mobility. Students with additional support needs can contact us to agree suitable adjustments.
Timetable
- Week 1: Monday-Friday AM Lectures, tutorials and visits.
- Week 2: Monday-Friday AM Lectures, tutorials and visits.
Teaching method
All classes will be delivered in person at the University of Edinburgh’s Holyrood Campus.
Program Outcome
On successful completion of the course students will be able to:
- Demonstrate an appreciation of the Humanities and an ability to think intertextually.
- Identify research and critical thinking skills which are integral to studying the Humanities.
- Appraise the role and importance of the Humanities in Western culture.
- Examine some key concepts and perspectives employed in the Humanities.
- Demonstrate development of key academic skills required for the study of the Humanities at the undergraduate level.