You’ve gone back in time and learnt about the ancient texts, the historical facts, the breakthroughs in mathematical theorems but what is going on in your subject right now?
Whilst Oxford is historic, it remains progressive and new developments are one of the central reasons for it being ranked the top university in the world.
So, now it’s time to see where your subject fits in the 21st century.
How?
Politics – research the current political situation, Brexit, conflicts abroad, the US election.
English – Did you see that the singer/songwriter Bob Dylan won the Nobel Prize in literature?
Economics – Are you clued up on the most recent recession? How has Brexit impacted the pound?
Medicine – Are you aware of new ground-breaking treatments and research labs?
Theology – What role does religion have in 21st century? How does this differ from the past?
Science – What are the most recent breakthroughs? http://www.livescience.com/news
History – How have historical records been impacted by the internet?
Art – Who won this year’s Turner Prize?
Engineering – What is the most recent breakthrough for the Oxford Robotics Institute?
Classics – Why should people study Classics in 21st century? Is it still relevant?
Psychology – Are you aware that it was World Mental Health day on 10th October this year?
Law –Who is Gina Miller?
Languages – Why study Latin? Is there any point in learning a language of the past?
Geography – What are the wider implications of fair trade?
Philosophy and Ethics – What ethical problems could technology pose in the modern world?
Music – have you seen Tim Wakefield’s pieces of art created from soundwaves? Does music just have to be listened to in the 21st century?
Top Tips
Don't just rely on the school curriculum.
Research your subject on the internet, read current articles on recent developments.
Read the newspaper.
Listen to the radio.
Watch the news.
THINK about how your subject is perceived now compared to in the past.