Baffled by Danish-language curriculum

After nearly two months of classes, the large group of international students on the English-language Film and Media course remain puzzled about what their module requirements are. It is usually a student’s responsibility to keep up to date with these requirements. But how can they do so without an English curriculum?

As of the autumn semester of 2013, a new curriculum for the Master’s in Film and Media has been established due to the administration’s idea of combining both subjects into one. Prior to this, students could either study Film or Media separately. However, the English version has yet to be published.

“I think it’s way past the time that it should have been translated. I don’t know how big it is, but I am sure there is enough people to translate it in less time than it has been taking. Being my first year here, I don’t know how the system works in detail. It would have been very helpful to have that and to look at it (…) especially in how to structure my studies,” says film and media student Mihaela Yordanova.

Enough stress already

New Danish students do not have this issue, since their curriculum has been online from day one. The internationals, however, do not have the privilege of for example checking how much literature is required for their assignments, which modules would benefit the English courses, and what to plan for the long term. Inga Kerrin Joost is particularly annoyed by the situation.

“Google Translate just sucks, and looking every word up in the dictionary is impossible. If you offer courses for international students in English, you should be aware that those people cannot speak Danish. Even if I have a Danish learning course going on, it will take me at least a year (to understand),” says Inga.

“We had the intro days and they explained it all, but by now, everyone has forgotten it. It would be nice to have it on paper. Especially when you move to another country and there are so many things that you have to worry about. You just have to go to the reception during their opening hours to really talk to someone who might know how to solve your problem,” she says.

After four months… nothing

The administration has so far not been able to give an answer to the University Post about when the translated version will be released. Lisa Storm Villadsen, a head of studies at the Department of Media, Cognition and Communication, is unsure when the curriculum will be ready.

“I’m completely aware of that issue. And the last time I enquired about it, I was told that it was still at the interpreter’s office. I know that it is taken care of by the faculty, and that’s the last I’ve heard of it. So, I can’t give you a more precise indication than that,” she says to the University Post.

Arild Fetveit, a professor of film and media has been forced to have students in his class without a curriculum. Prompted by the University Post he did some research on his own. Apparently the new curriculum has been translated since June. But for one reason or another it is still not available.

Have to settle for Google Translate

The University Post has not been able to get any more information about where the translation is.

For now, students will unfortunately have to settle with Google Translate, Danish friends, and professors with a broad knowledge of the curriculum.

Do you know anything about where the translation is? Right in the comment field below or contact:

universitypost@adm.ku.dk

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