University of Wollongong markets Ramsay Centre-sponsored degree

The University of Wollongong has posted details of its new Ramsay Centre-sponsored degree in Western civilisation.

University of Wollongong vice-chancellor Paul Wellings.

The University of Wollongong yesterday became the first in Australia to begin marketing a Ramsay Centre-sponsored degree in Western civilisation, posting ­details of the new course, which is scheduled to begin next year, on its website.

Vice-chancellor Paul Wellings said the degree would give a “deeper foundation” and add to the existing strength of Wollongong, which is one of 11 Australian universities ranked among the top 200 in the world for arts and ­humanities.

He said the new degree would be a “really interesting experiment for Australian undergraduates who want to be challenged”.

Students will be taught in small classes by the Socratic method, which means they will need to be on top of their material, and be willing to express and defend their views.

“In reality, in classes of six to eight there are no hiding places. You are on show to each other and to the academic staff continually,” Professor Wellings said.

“That’s both invigorating but also a challenge to students who will need to keep up with the pace. It’s a very fast-moving course.”

The 16 core units of the University of Wollongong’s BA in Western Civilisation, beginning in 2020

The Western civilisation ­degree has 16 compulsory core units covering topics in Western civilisation from ancient Greece to the modern era.

“Students will be challenged to critically examine exemplary masterpieces of Western art and thought, enter into respectful dialogue with non-Western perspectives, and address abiding questions of contemporary concern,” the university said.

“They will learn to engage in civil, rational and informed debate in small groups and develop in-depth knowledge and advanced research skills, equipping them to undertake independent humanities research.”

Students will be required to choose a major from a range of topics at the start of their studies. They also have the option of pairing the Western civilisation ­degree with a course in another discipline to do a double degree.

Daniel Hutto, the academic in charge of the new degree, consulted colleagues at other universities around the world in developing the course. He said it drew on features of five great-books liberal arts programs at Columbia College, St John’s College, St Olaf College, Zaytuna College and Yale-NUS College.

The university also said that 16 experienced academics around the world had agreed to join an ­advisory board for the newly created School of Liberal Arts, which will deliver the degree.

The university also released its signed memorandum of understanding with the Ramsay Centre for Western Civilisation, which is funding the course. The MOU does not address the contentious issue of guarantees of academic freedom for the university, however Professor Wellings said the MOU was consistent with other similar agreements he had signed as vice-chancellor.

“I don’t recall any other MOU which I have signed which has ever mentioned academic freedom,” he said.

The university says its accountability to the Ramsay Centre will be transparent, with an annual written report that will include evaluations by students. Professor Wellings said that, having announced the details of the degree, the university would now engage with parents and prospective students, and continue work on the detailed prospectus for the course.