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reading week
DCHP-2 (Jul 2016)
n. — Education
A week-long break halfway through the semester at post-secondary institutions, usually the fall semester.
Type: 2. Preservation — In Canada, reading week is generally in February or March. In the US, this period is often called spring break. As the second 2015 quotation shows, some universities in Canada are moving to hold a reading week in the fall term in addition to the traditional spring-semester week with no scheduled classes.
The term is also used in the UK (see Chart 1) but rather than reading week applying to the whole institution, it generally applies only to certain courses or departments. As the name indicates, the break was intended to allow students to focus on reading, research and study, although students now often use the break for recreation rather than reading. The original 19th-century (UK) idea was, and is, to offer time to explore texts individually. For that purpose, historically, small groups of students and teachers went on retreat to study a given text in-depth. This is still the case in a (very) few UK institutions (see the Times Higher Education reference. Such travel and retreat is generally not meant by reading week at Canadian institutions, where it has come to refer to a week of vacation, almost void of its original scholarly intention and legacy.
See also ITP Nelson, s.v. "reading week", and OED-3, s.v. "reading week" (n).
The term is also used in the UK (see Chart 1) but rather than reading week applying to the whole institution, it generally applies only to certain courses or departments. As the name indicates, the break was intended to allow students to focus on reading, research and study, although students now often use the break for recreation rather than reading. The original 19th-century (UK) idea was, and is, to offer time to explore texts individually. For that purpose, historically, small groups of students and teachers went on retreat to study a given text in-depth. This is still the case in a (very) few UK institutions (see the Times Higher Education reference. Such travel and retreat is generally not meant by reading week at Canadian institutions, where it has come to refer to a week of vacation, almost void of its original scholarly intention and legacy.
See also ITP Nelson, s.v. "reading week", and OED-3, s.v. "reading week" (n).
See: March break
Quotations
1969
The senate vetoed student requests for a two-week trial period at the beginning of each year which would allow students to try different courses and professors and choose those that suit them. It also vetoed requests for a "reading week" each spring which would be devoted to individual study.
1971
For many University students [sic] reading week or study week - unofficially called ski week - provides the opportunity to catch up on some skiing. Most Ontario universities had their ski week within the past two weeks.
1980
Students also said the university administration developed its fee policy secretly and made it public during reading week when students were not in classes. Mr. Eastman said the university followed normal procedures.
1990
No wonder so many students plan a getaway for their supposed "Reading Week." Because upon their return, they realize that the academic year is nearly over. That is probably why we college students are given a break every year; to allow us a chance to rest up for the test to come afterwards. You see, if spring break's end signals anything, it is the homestretch of the academic year's Kentucky Derby.
2003
Would not this large amount of money help ease their financial pressures? Would not the Reading Week be better used to seek out extra help for their studies? This group of students is now going to be worse off when they get back because they have now lost these avenues of help.
2011
A number of Canadian universities in Eastern Canada are now toying with the idea of instituting a reading week during the fall semester to improve the student experience.
Although the change has not been without some resistance at some institutions, the overwhelming majority of feedback regarding the implementation of the week-long break has been positive.
2015
Dalhousie University adopts a second reading week
School year to begin earlier to make room for fall reading week in 2016. Dalhousie students will get another chance to catch up on their studies, or a little more time to relax, next year now that the university has added a reading week to the fall academic schedule.
Reading week is a five-day period when there are no scheduled university classes. The new break will run from Nov. 7-11, 2016, and was officially approved by the university's senate Monday night. There's already a reading week in the winter semester.
2015
We are back with new songs and louder than ever!!!!! Last chance to catch Nine Mile River in antigonish till after reading week!!!
Nine Mile River is a Halifax based cover band band that plays all your favourites from the 60's to now. With high energy levels, Sweet lights and amazing tracks there is no better way to spend your FRIDAY
FRIDAY 10PM
5$
Join the event and keep track for some sweet promotions and prizes to be won. Hope to see you all out and about,
your 9MR Boys!
Nine Mile River is a Halifax based cover band band that plays all your favourites from the 60's to now. With high energy levels, Sweet lights and amazing tracks there is no better way to spend your FRIDAY
FRIDAY 10PM
5$
Join the event and keep track for some sweet promotions and prizes to be won. Hope to see you all out and about,
your 9MR Boys!
References
- OED-3
- ITP Nelson
- Times Higher Education (2000) • Article
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