Universities with No Majors

沒有主修科系的大學
語音播放：

Imagine going to a university that didn’t offer any majors. Talk about a crazy idea! Many Taiwanese students apply to certain departments in their universities, and some students choose their majors. In most American universities students select their majors, but a few schools are now offering students the chance to create their majors.
想像你去一間大學但卻沒有任何主修科系。來談談一個瘋狂的想法！許多台灣學生去申請特定的大學系所，有些學生選擇主修。大部分的美國大學生也要選擇主修科系，但現在有些學校提供學生們機會來自訂自己的主修。

語音播放：

Instead of focusing on a specific area of study like law or mathematics, students can create a major that is connected with their own interests. James Madison University is one school that allows students to make their own majors. Sarah Lawrence College, which is located near New York City, doesn’t have any traditional majors at all. Students just talk about their study plans with advisers who help them choose courses.
學生們不用像法律或數學一樣專攻某一門特定研究領域，他們可以自訂一個與自身興趣相關的主修科系。James Madison大學是一間允許學生自己排訂主修課程的大學。紐約市附近的Sarah Lawrence 大學也完全沒有傳統的主修科系。學生們只需和協助選課的指導教授討論課表就好。

語音播放：

One advantage of this method of study is that students often become more excited about learning. They can focus more on their work if they are more interested. Another advantage is that students may become more independent. Their paths aren’t chosen for them; they must figure out what they want to do.
這種方法的好處是學生通常會對學習更有衝勁。假如是他們有興趣的課業，學生就會更專注 。另一個好處是學生可能會變得更獨立。他們不用按照被安排好的人生道路；他們只要理清自己想做的是什麼就好。

Vocabulary 好字精選

1. major (n) a field of study chosen by a university student [美]（大學中的） 主修科目
Her major was English.  
她的主修科系是英文。

2. department (n) one of the sections of a school or college dealing with a certain field of knowledge （大學的）系
Mike took some of the classes offered by the department of computer science. 
Mike選修了一些電腦科學系的課。

3. specific (adj.) particular 特殊的，特定的
Each country’s flag has its own specific colors. 
每個國家的國旗都有著它們自己獨特的顏色。

4. adviser (n) a teacher responsible for advising students on academic matters [美] （指導大學新生學科問題等的）指導教授
University students are each assigned an academic adviser.   
每一個大學生都被分配到一位大學指導教授。

5. course (n) a series of lessons that make up a unit in an educational curriculum 課程，科目
Starting on Monday, students can sign up for the courses they want to take this semester.  
從星期一開始，學生們可以報名他們這學期想要選修的課程。

6. independent (adj.) not depending on others 獨立的
You can’t rely on your parents all the time. You need to be more independent!
你不可以總是依賴你的父母親。你需要更加獨立！

Phrases and Sentence Patterns 句型解析

1. talk about (phrase) used informally to add emphasis to a statement （非正式）加強語氣用
I randomly met my college friend while I was on vacation in Africa. Talk about a small world!  
我在非洲度假時碰巧遇到了我的大學朋友。世界真小阿！

2. Many + clause, + and some + clause. (sentence pattern) 許多…，還有些…
Many international students at this university choose to study business, and some choose to study medicine. 
這間大學許多國際學生都選修商業學，也有一些人選讀醫學。

3. figure out (phrasal verb) to determine[美][口] 想出，理解，明白
Dr. Smith couldn’t figure out what the patient was talking about.
Smith醫生無法理解這些病患所在說什麼。

Exercise 課後練習題

1. George chose French as his ________________ because he wants to live and work in France in the future.
George選法文作為他的主修，因為他未來想要去法國定居及工作。

2. The teachers in the ________________ of English at this school are some of the best in the country.
這間學校英文系的老師們是國內最好的師資群之一。

3. Do you want to meet at a ________________ time tomorrow?
你想要明天什麼時候碰面呢？

4. Rose asked her ________________ for help with selecting courses.
詢求她的指導教授協助選課相關問題。

5. What ________________ does she need to take in order to graduate?
她需要選修什麼課程才能畢業呢？

6. Some people say that Western teens are more ________________ than Asian children.
有些人說西方青少年比亞洲小孩更獨立。

7. The temperature is 40 °C today. ________________ a hot day!
今天的溫度是攝氏40度。今天真是熱啊！

8. ________________ Americans are fat, ________________ are very, very fat.
有些美國人很胖，許多人／有些人則是非常非常胖。

9. Can you ________________ the answer to the math problem?
你可以解開這條數學問題的答案嗎？

解答:
1. major
2. Department
3. specific
4. adviser
5. courses
6. independent
7. Talk about
8. Many / and some
9. figure out

Comprehension Questions 閱讀理解

1. What’s an advantage of students creating their own majors?
a. Advisers create the study plans for the students. 
b. Students are more likely to be excited about their studies.
c. Both advisers and students don’t have to try as hard.
d. Students will become more interested in other majors.

2. Who would most likely be interested in this article?
a. A student who has many different interests.
b. A student who wants to focus on mathematics.
c. A student who often depends on others for help.
d. A student who wants to focus on law.

解答:

讓學生們自訂他們的主修科系的益處為何？
a. 指導教授會為學生們制定讀書計劃。  
b. 學生比較會對他們的課業有幹勁。
c. 指導教授和學生都不需要這麼辛苦。
d. 學生們會對其他主修科目更有興趣。

2. 何人最可能對這篇文章有興趣呢？
a. 一位有興趣廣泛的學生。
b. 一位想要專攻數學的學生。
c. 一位經常依賴他人幫忙的學生。
d. 一位想要專攻法律的學生。

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