A choice of 35 accredited one-week courses
from 7 July to 4 August 2012

The Oxford University Summer School for Adults brings together people from the UK, Europe and further afield. They come to Oxford for relaxed, enjoyable, but serious study with some of the finest tutors in the country. For over 100 years the summer school has been making it possible for everyone to take advantage of the Oxford system of expert tuition in small groups. In 2012 we are offering 35 courses, each lasting one-week. Examples include:

Week 1, 7 – 14 July
• Britain - a Walk Through Time. This Geology based course will be taken by Dr Jill Eyers. Dr Eyers was recently interviewed on BBC Radio Oxford and has appeared on the BBC’s television programme, A Walk Through Time.

Week 2, 14 – 21 July
• Personal Diaries in the Study of Local History, 1620-1900. Tutor Shaun Morley will lead a group back into the past through the wonderful medium of the personal diary. This course includes a research trip to Deddington, the home of William Cotton Risley, one-time Vicar of Deddington.
• Divine Right To Diggers: Political Ideas and the British Civil War. During this course the fascinating ideas that led to civil war in the 1640s will be expertly unpacked by Dr Andrew Lacey.

Week 3, 21 - 28 July
• Environmental Ethics. How does a changing environment impact on our values? Join Dr Giovanni De Grandis for a week exploring one of the most important topics of our time.
• London’s Architecture – On Display in the Olympic Year. This course celebrates both London and the Olympics through the contemporary built environment. Join tutor Keith Hasted to contemplate the marvellous designs of Zaha Hadid, Michael Hopkins and Renzo Piano. Tip: whilst in Oxford take the opportunity to see the Sir Norman Foster designed Social Sciences Building.

Week 4, 28 July – 4 August
• From Plantagenets to Lancastrians, 1327-1422. In many ways Oxford is the ideal location to explore monarchy and its splendour. This course will focus on rulers such as Edward III, Richard II and Henry V, to reveal a rather fascinating history.
• An Introduction to Sanskrit Language and Literature. Matthew Kimberley, Project Officer at the Bodleian’s Clay Sanskrit Library, will lead a class into the colourful complexities of Sanskrit, India’s ancient language. Students will also learn of the fascinating epics, the Mahabharata and Ramayana.
• Exploring David Hume’s Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding. The Enquiry is the highly successful and definitive statement of Hume’s views and Dr Peter Wyss will tell you why during a philosophically rewarding week.

As well as time spent studying, there will be opportunities to visit Oxford's amazing colleges, museums and art galleries. Read more about these on our visitors' pages. In the evening students may choose to go on theatre trips, concert outings and walks to historic pubs. Film showings are also arranged in our comfortable lecture theatre.

Above all, at the summer school you will meet interesting people, develop new ideas, and immerse yourself in learning.

Download the 2012 Course List (revised 27.01.12)