RUM

What is RUM?

This is the Royal University of Meridies.

Here is the official RUM website: http://www.royalu.meridies.org/

Some information from RUM can be found on Facebook, as well: http://www.facebook.com/groups/379204522117001/

Note: until the official website updates are complete, the most up to date files can be found on the Facebook group, in the meantime.

Here are some updated official files from the group. https://docs.google.com/folder/d/0B17putOjOnrqWFJQb1JwZDlnalk/edit

Why would I want to participate?

If you find that you enjoy taking classes, it's just a way to collect the classes you've taken and count them towards a "degree" of study. Of course this is nothing at all like universities outside of the SCA: these fields of study are strictly within the SCA, much like how those who wear crowns within the SCA certainly don't have any royal entitlement as a result of it in the mundane world. But, that said, it can definitely show that you have been focused and well versed in your studies if you achieve degrees.

How do I participate?

All you have to do is take classes which interest you, and let someone know at some point afterwards that you took it. It's really that easy! Give your list to your group's Provost and this can be turned in for RUM tracking into the database. Once you have met the requirements, you can graduate. https://www.facebook.com/download/362583300465744/Graduation.docx

Graduation request form. https://www.facebook.com/download/221958127921106/Graduation%20Request%20Form.pdf

If you'd like, you can check out the Colleges to see what classes will earn you which degrees.

  • Scholar Degree https://www.facebook.com/download/304835169600961/scholar%20degree%20fb.docx

  • The Scholar’s Degree is the first of the four levels of degrees in the RUM system. As it is the base of the degree system, it must be achieved before any other degrees. It is a general degree with a collection of basic classes covering all the areas taught in RUM. It is designed to give the student a general knowledge of the SCA and Middle Ages.

As with a bachelor’s degree in a mundane university, there are required classes and electives. Unlike a mundane university, electives are not centered around your “major.” The electives are classes that relate to the area in which they are required.

The areas of study are not to be confused with the colleges. The areas of study are Current Middle Ages, History, Martial Arts, Performing Arts, Sciences, and Static Arts. Each class is cataloged by area and has a unique class number. A total of 24 classes must be taken.

Scholar degree transcript checklist: https://www.facebook.com/download/231011883680455/Scholar%20Degree%20Transcript%20Checklist.docx

  • Lector Degree https://www.facebook.com/groups/379204522117001/doc/379219215448865/

  • To get a lector’s degree, take 10 different classes in the same area. Teaching counts, but you might want to save them for later for the next degree. You can receive many lector degrees – one for each area of specialization. The degrees are awarded through the colleges of RUM, whichever college the area falls under. Many graduates receive a scholar’s degree and multiple lector degrees at the same time.

For example: Susie Homemakersdottir takes 10 different embroidery classes. She graduates with a lector’s degree in Practical Arts for embroidery.

(Different classes in the same area, meaning basic embroidery cannot be counted twice, nor can basic embroidery and beginning embroidery both be counted.)

Common areas of study and where they fall -

- Costuming/ weaving/ embroidery – College of Practical Arts

- Scribal arts – College of Heraldic Studies

- Herbal – College of Culinary Sciences or College of Practical Arts

- Hounds/ coursing – Equestrian College

- European dance – College of Bardic Arts

- Middle Eastern Dance – College of Middle Eastern Studies

  • Magister Degree https://www.facebook.com/groups/379204522117001/doc/379234948780625/

  • The magister degree builds on the lector degree. Lectors and magisters must concentrate in the same area.

  • To get a magister degree, teach 5 different classes in the same area and write a paper focusing on the same subject OR complete a master project that focuses on the same subject.

  • As with the lector degree, different classes means no two classes of the same subject. All five classes can be about brewing beer, just as long as they are different. For example, basic brewing, growing hops, tool sanitization, recipes, and entering your beer in a competition.

    • The paper – In the handbook it was originally worded as “a paper that could be published in Seasons.” Unless specifically instructed by the Dean of your selected college, the paper should be no more than 2 to 3 pages long, plus a bibliography. Pictures can be added, if needed. Five copies must be brought to the RUM event for review by the graduation board.

      • The project – It may be based on an existing work, however, it must represent original work and ideas and be totally executed by the student. The project may take any form. For example, a student mastering in scribal arts may submit a complex, completed scroll as their master project. Projects must be cleared with the Chancellor or the Dean of the college before initiation to ensure their feasibility.

    • Students can have many magister degrees.

    • Classes and paper must be approved by the dean of thecollege the area of study falls under. Some deans require specific classes.

    • Example: A lector degree in practical arts for embroidery leads to amagister degree in embroidery. Teach 5different embroidery classes and write a paper on an embroidery technique.

  • Philosopher's Degree https://www.facebook.com/groups/379204522117001/doc/379243922113061/

  • The last possible degree of RUM. It builds off of multiple magisters degrees.

  • To receive a philosopher degree, have 5 different magister degrees and produce a masters project.

  • Some of the deans have suggested projects.

  • The mater project must build off of one of the magister degrees. Projects may take anyf orm. They must be approved by the chancellor. The project must be completed before the RUM event.

  • Projects will be evaluated by the graduate review board consisting of the chancellor, regent, dean of the college the degree goes through, and three others that have good knowledge of the subject

  • For example:

  • You have five magister degrees: embroidery, spinning, calligraphy,woodworking, and Italian dance. A project could be a replica of a bit of the Bayeux Tapestry, spinning a skein of wool, putting calligraphy on a scroll, making a Mary Rose box, or performing a nItalian dance. Just one project; not all five.

  • Suggestions for projects:

  • It should be something new, not something you have that fitsthe requirements.

  • It should take a while to do, including learning andresearch; not be completed in a couple of hours.

  • Try for something that hasn’t been done.

  • When in doubt, think A&S project.

For those who are more advanced, you can actually take Clep tests for RUM. https://www.facebook.com/groups/379204522117001/doc/379218465448940/

A master list of all the classes in RUM is here https://www.facebook.com/download/252843244820537/Course%20Master%20June%2016%202012.pdf

It is worthy to note that any class you teach/take counts for RUM credit. Not all classes may be on the transcript for a particular college of study, but they will certainly still count as electives. Anyone can teach that has knowledge of their subject. All classes are eligible for credit, be it lecture, hands-on, or a workshop. Classes can be taught anywhere, not just at the annual RUM event.

If you teach any classes, have your students sign a Class Attendance sheet which you can turn in to the Provost so students get their credit more easily.

https://www.facebook.com/download/269420376493346/RUMClassSheetBlank.pdf

There are also guidelines on teaching so students can receive credit. https://www.facebook.com/download/218287621622747/Teaching%20so%20students%20can%20receive%20credit.docx

What classes are eligible for RUM credit?

ALL classes are eligible for credit. Classes taken at gulf wars and pennsic count. Any other out of kingdom classes count. Classes taught at local events count. Classes taught at meetings and fighter practice count. If Sir Muckety Muck invites everyone over for dinner and then starts showing Squires Three and Four how to do chain maille, it's a class and it counts. If somebody taught you and you learned it, you can submit it.

Classes for RUM credits do not have to be "certified" or "verified." There is only one rule regarding classes: if you want to teach one of the 22 required classes for the scholars degree, you, the teacher, need to be approved to teach. The reason for this is to make sure that you are passing on correct information. So, if you want to teach basic heraldry or beginning calligraphy or any of those required classes, send a copy of your handout to the regent to be approved.

For all other classes, simply teach, have everyone sign the class sheet, and send it in.

How do you send it in? There are options here. If your group has a Provost, start there. If not, you can even give your list to the RUM Registrar, directly! You can see who that currently is, right here: http://www.royalu.meridies.org/