What is a Tutorial?
The Honors Tutorial College patterns its fundamental teaching approach after the tutorial system existing for centuries at Oxford and Cambridge Universities in England. The decision to use the most prominent feature of the British system of higher education in forming a unique type of college is not an instance of anglophilia run amok, but a borrowing that translates into an exceptional undergraduate experience.
A tutorial consists either of a one-on-one course or a small seminar. Such a setting provides the type of individualized attention and academic challenge capable of stimulating the intellectual growth of talented and creative students. A tutorial is meant to be an ongoing conversation in which the tutor and tutee(s) move through the academic la
ndscape of a particular discipline.
Tutees gain important fundamental knowledge, hone essential skills, and begin to develop an understanding of what inspires them.
Tutors often have their own intellectual horizons expanded by the observations and questions of students who bring fresh perspectives to familiar subjects.
One of the most important features of the tutorial is its inherent elasticity. Tutors in each of the 25 programs of study offered in College approach their tutorial teaching in different ways. Therefore it is difficult to come up with a one-size-fits-all description of the tutorial experience. There are, however, some rudimentary expectations that are shared across the College:
- Tutorials meet at least once a week for a minimum of 50 minutes.
- Tutorials meet at a fixed time in a location that is free of interruptions and conducive to the creation of a serious environment for learning.
- Tutors must provide students with a written statement detailing the expectations for the work to be accomplished in the tutorial and a description of how the student will be evaluated.
- Tutors must submit a tutorial description and evaluation form at the end of the academic quarter. These documents track tutorial content and academic development. Copies of these documents are shared with students.
- Tutees must exhibit a high degree of preparation. Tutorial assignments are substantial requiring a considerable amount of time spent in reading, writing, researching, solving problems, or developing experimental techniques.
- Tutees must exhibit a high degree of preparation. Tutorial assignments are substantial requiring a considerable amount of time spent in reading, writing, researching, solving problems, or developing experimental techniques.