New Undergraduate For-Credit Initiative Goes Global: Trinity College Dublin and the University of Melbourne, Australia Join Semester Online™ to Offer Online Courses to Students Worldwide
-- Trinity and University of Melbourne are the first international schools to join new online education initiative
LANDOVER, Maryland, Nov. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Semester Online, the first-of-its-kind program offering rigorous for-credit undergraduate courses through a consortium of prestigious colleges and universities, announced today that Trinity College Dublin, Ireland and the University of Melbourne, Australia are joining Semester Online. In a partnership with 2U, Inc., together they are the first international education institutions to join Semester Online and its growing roster of renowned institutions including Boston College, Brandeis University, Emory University, Northwestern University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Notre Dame, Wake Forest University and Washington University in St. Louis.
With a strong tradition of excellence in teaching for more than 150 years, the University of Melbourne is Australia's number one university and the number 34 ranked university in the world by Times Higher Education (2013-2014).
Trinity College Dublin is Ireland's leading university and is recognized internationally for the excellence of its education and research. Founded in 1592, it is a community of staff and students which shares its knowledge for the public good, and which helps individuals reach their full potential in an environment which encourages innovation, as well as independent and critical thinking.
In Spring 2014, the University of Melbourne will offer its first Semester Online course, Classical Mythology. Taught by professor Parshia Lee-Stecum, the course will focus on mythical narratives from the ancient Greek and Roman traditions, and explore some of the central patterns and themes in classical mythology, including narratives of birth and creation, war and the warrior, fire and flood, animals, gods and humans. Students will explore how these symbolic themes are incorporated into a diverse range of myths, including stories of the birth of the cosmos, Zeus' rule over the world, the foundation of cities and peoples, and hero myths in which men confront monsters.
Trinity College Dublin will offer its first Semester Online course in Spring 2014, Ireland in Rebellion, 1798-1916, led by Dr. Patrick Geoghegan, associate professor in History. This course explores the foundation of the Irish Republic as framed by the 1798 Rebellion and the 1916 Rising. Students will investigate how Ireland was transformed from being a part of the British Empire to a country on the brink of independence.
"Semester Online is a truly unique online platform that provides a level of engagement for our students and faculty unprecedented in online learning," said Professor Pip Pattison, deputy vice-chancellor (academic) at the University of Melbourne. "Participating in this innovative initiative will expand the influence of our institution beyond its physical borders while providing our students with a unique learning experience through our Semester Online partner schools."
"The growth of online learning has the capacity to revolutionize how students learn, and to increase access to high-quality higher education. Trinity is at the forefront of innovation in Ireland and we welcome the disruptive potential of online learning. Trinity is anxious to explore the potential of online education, in partnership with Semester Online, delivering high-quality outcomes through an innovative learning model," said Dr. Patrick Prendergast, provost of Trinity College Dublin.
"Trinity College Dublin and the University of Melbourne are world-renowned education institutions with a legacy of innovation in teaching. Semester Online students will benefit from the talents and global perspective of their respective faculty," said Andrew Hermalyn, executive vice president and general manager of Semester Online at 2U, Inc. "Their participation in Semester Online demonstrates our commitment to making this initiative international in scope, thereby enriching the development of all the students in this new for-credit program."
Through a live state-of-the-art virtual classroom, students will participate in discussions and exercises, attend lectures and collaborate with peers while guided by renowned professors, engaging in as close to the on-campus class experience as is currently possible online. Courses will be of the same quality as on-campus counterparts, and students will receive an official transcript from the institution offering the class.
Information about Semester Online courses and the application process is now available at www.semesteronline.org. You can follow Semester Online at twitter.com/SemesterOnline and facebook.com/SemesterOnline.
About Trinity College Dublin
Trinity College Dublin is recognized internationally as Ireland's leading university. It is ranked 1st in Ireland and 61st in the world by the 2013 QS World University rankings. Founded in 1592, the university has a vibrant cosmopolitan community of 17,000 students, 87,000 alumni and 3,000 members of staff. For more information, please visit www.tcd.ie.
About University of Melbourne
Established in 1853, the University of Melbourne enjoys an outstanding reputation, with independent world rankings consistently placing it as the No 1 university in Australia and as a leader in higher education the Asia-Pacific and around the globe. World-class strengths across a broad range of disciplines confirm its place as Australia's leading comprehensive research-intensive university, uniquely placed to respond to major social, economic and environmental challenges. For more information, please visit http://www.unimelb.edu.au.
About Semester Online
Semester Online is the first-of-its-kind program offering rigorous for-credit undergraduate courses through a consortium of prestigious colleges and universities that includes Boston College, Brandeis University, Emory University, Northwestern University, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Melbourne, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Notre Dame, Wake Forest University and Washington University in St. Louis. In partnership with 2U, Semester Online offers rigorous, online, for-credit courses to college students from anywhere in the world. For more information, please visit semesteronline.org.
About 2U, Inc.
2U is revolutionizing higher education by developing the world's best online educational experiences in partnership with leading universities. Founded in 2008 by a team of education veterans, 2U provides universities with the technology, infrastructural support and capital they need to transform on-campus programs into state-of-the-art web-based programs. 2U's partner programs deliver unparalleled student retention, satisfaction and outcomes. For more information, please visit 2U.com.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Shirley Chow, 2U, Inc.
+1-858-336-0358 / schow@2U.com
Caoimhe Ní Lochlainn, Trinity College Dublin
(O) +353-1-8962310 (M) +353-87-9958-14
communications@tcd.ie
Rebecca Scott, University of Melbourne
(O) 61 3 8344 0181 (M) 0417 164 791
rebeccas@unimelb.edu.au
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