耶魯大學本周三宣布，為了讓更多人享受這座精英大學所提供的服務，耶魯將在互聯網上免費提供一些課程的數字視頻，以及幾種語言的字幕。這是美國第一家提供免費視頻課程的私立大學。從2007學年開始，為期18個月的先期項目將提供7種課程的視頻、教學大綱以及字幕。其中包括“舊約導論”、“基本物理學”以及“政治哲學導論”等等。參加網上學習的人不能取得耶魯頒發的學位。耶魯大學的負責人表示：“這一計劃將給那些無法親臨耶魯的人們提供一個很好的學習機會。”

Yale University said on Wednesday it will offer digital videos of some courses on the Internet for free, along with transcripts in several languages, in an effort to make the elite private school more accessible.  While Princeton University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and others already offer course material online without charge, Yale is the first to focus on free video lectures, the New Haven, Connecticut-based school said. The 18-month pilot project will provide videos, syllabi and transcripts for seven courses beginning in the 2007 academic year. They include "Introduction to the Old Testament," "Fundamentals of Physics" and "Introduction to Political Philosophy." The courses cannot be counted toward a Yale degree, and educators say they are no substitute for actual teaching. Students at Yale -- one of the nation's most exclusive schools and the alma mater of U.S. President George W. Bush -- can be expected to spend nearly $46,000 for this year's tuition, room and board. "This is a wonderful opportunity for us to share a vital and central part of the Yale experience with those who, for whatever reason, are not in a position to pursue a Yale education at first hand," Yale President Richard Levin said in a written statement. The project is funded by a $755,000 grant from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. (Agencies)

Vocabulary:

transcript: 錄音帶的文字本，報道中指“字幕” pilot project: 先期項目 syllabi: 教學大綱 alma mater: 母校 （英語點津陳蓓編輯）