The fact that more than half of the Rhodes Scholars now in residence, after having taken their B.A.’s in American or Colonial Universities, are reading in the Honour Schools, is evidence sufficient to show that they are able to find courses leading to the B.A. in Oxford which are considerably more than mere repetitions or reviews of their former courses. The Classical, the History, and the Law courses have proved especially available.
Most Rhodes Scholars, in case they do not receive Senior standing (which permits them to read directly for their Final Schools), find it advisable to take Pass Moderations or the Preliminary Examination in Jurisprudence (‘Law Prelim.,’ see [p. 79]) rather than Honour Moderations, so as to begin reading for Final Schools as soon as possible.
Most Rhodes Scholars will require their full three years for doing an Honour School, unless beginning with Senior standing or giving up several Vacations to hard study. Students with Senior standing, or, in some cases, with Junior standing, will be able to finish their work for the B.A. at the end of the second year, leaving the third free for special study (e. g. for a Diploma, or for a B.Sc. or B.Litt. or B.C.L.). However, where a man wishes to take his Honour examinations at the end of his second year, he must, unless he be already well up in his subject, be ready at once for hard and consistent work.
It may be found very practicable and profitable to combine studies leading to a Diploma with a course of reading for the B.A.
For the advantageous pursuit of research work for the degrees B.Sc. or B.Litt., it is necessary that the student fix upon some clearly defined and limited subject for original work, and it will be a great advantage for him to have already become acquainted with research methods in his home University. The research student at Oxford is thrown largely upon his own resources as to method. The guidance and advice of Professors and Tutors who are specialists will be of great value; but this is in most cases limited to a few hours per Term of private audience. If the student is well up in his subject he may generally complete the work for a B.Litt. or a B.Sc. degree in two years. Or, if he has done special work in preparing for an Honour School during his first two years, he may be able to obtain a B.Litt. or B.Sc. at the end of his third year.
B.C.L.
The work for the advanced degree of Bachelor of Civil Law covers a much wider range of studies than is required at most American Law Schools; but it is not so practical. Special attention is paid to the study of Roman Law, a fair knowledge of Latin being required. The course of study includes the general field of English Law, Jurisprudence, and International Law. The work in English Law will prove a valuable foundation for those intending to practise in American Courts. Most of the work for the degree must, however, be done in private. There are lectures, to be sure, and there is the weekly conference for an hour or two with the Tutor, during the eight weeks of Term. It is very advisable, therefore, that Rhodes Scholars who have had only a general course in Law or who have had no legal training whatever before coming to Oxford, should read for the Bachelor’s degree in the Honour School of Jurisprudence, and not to attempt to enter upon the more advanced work for the B.C.L. immediately. Practically all the work done for the B.A. degree in Jurisprudence will be of value in reading for the B.C.L. degree, which may possibly be taken during the third year by the more ambitious students. Such a course of study, however, will leave the Rhodes Scholar with little or no time for travel during his Vacations. It will mean close, persistent, hard work throughout the entire three years, during Term-time and during most of the Vacations.
Attention ought to be called to the opportunities offered in Science and Medicine at Oxford, which seem to be generally underrated. The laboratory facilities are in most cases adequate and the staff of instruction very large and efficient.[83] The long residence requirement for the degree in Medicine makes it impossible for the Rhodes Scholar who intends to stay at Oxford for three years only to take this degree.
It is not necessary to repeat here what has been said about the value of an Oxford education from the broader point of view of the Oxford life sketched in a previous chapter. Add to the many opportunities for broad culture and social training the opportunity of meeting Rhodes Scholars from all parts of the British Empire, the United States, and Germany. The friendships formed will prove not the least of the many opportunities and the pleasant experiences of the three years at Oxford. The student, in whatever sphere his interests lie, will find golden opportunities, not so much for getting the most out of life, but for putting the most into it, and enriching it, with wise experience, pleasant memories, and high ideals. ‘The embryo doctor, lawyer, journalist, clergyman, politician, who aims at the highest can by the help of this bequest spend three additional years, unoppressed by anxious care, in laying broadly and firmly the intellectual basis on which his professional work is to be done.’ For the benefit of those who are thinking of entering the public service of their country, the words of Mr. Harris, United States Commissioner of Education, may be quoted here:—‘We must educate hundreds of our scholars and politicians in studies of Jurisprudence and International Law; we must have a corps of trained specialists who know the minute details of each great nation’s past history and present achievements—Great Britain, Germany, France, Russia, Austria, Italy, Spain, Holland, Belgium, and the Scandinavian countries. The Rhodes bequest is the most timely of gifts for higher education, because it gives opportunity to begin this education of that class of our population which will furnish our consulates, our home offices, and our embassies with attachés. Out of the most successful of these will come by and by our foreign ministers and our home experts in diplomacy.