Courses on line - FAQ (in English)
Here you find the answers, divided by topic, to the most common questions on Italian on-line course.
For general information on distance studies at DU please have a look at:
http://www.du.se/distans
Didactics
Are distance studies easier than traditional University courses?
No, distance studies are not easier.
Our on-line courses follow exactly the same curriculum and syllabi as Campus courses in Falun.
Some students think they can do their studies after a working day; this is possible but students need to be aware that distance courses require the same workload as traditional studies.
Is there any obligatory meeting at Campus?
No, there is not meeting to attend at Campus. All courses are completely held on-line: teaching, exams, students’ tutorials. On line classes however are obligatory according to each course’s timetable
I don’t have any Italian qualification/exam record from a Swedish high-school, but I know Italian because I am a native speaker or because I studied/lived in Italy for a long time, may I enroll to Italian courses as well?
Yes, you may. However, you need to pass a placement test, both oral and written, with one of our teachers.
To arrange these tests you need to contact the subject coordinator, Vera Nigrisoli Wärnhjelm, at vnw@du.se. Do to the high number of requests, please allow time for this and get in touch with us as soon as possible.
How many courses do I need to pass in order complete a 30 hp level?
In order to complete the first part of Undergraduate Level 1 (Grundnivå 1 - första delen), 30hp, you need to take and pass the following 4 courses:
Oral Italian I, 7,5 hp
Written Italian I, 7,5 hp
Culture and Society, 7,5 hp
Italian Nobel Price Winners in Literature, 7,5 hp
In order to complete the second part of Undergraduate Level 1 (former Level B) - Grundnivå 1 - andra delen, additional 30hp, you need to take and pass the following 4 courses:
Oral Italian II, 7,5 hp
Written Italian II, 7,5 hp
Italian Language Past and Present, 7,5 hp
Italian 18th, 19th and 20th Century Literature, 7,5 hp
In order to complete Undergraduate Level 2 (ex level C) - Grundnivå 2, further 30hp, you need to take and pass the following 3 courses:
Italian Linguistics, 7,5 hp
Italian Old Literature 7,5 hp
Essay in Italian, 15 hp
Do I need to take 4 courses per term (30 hp); may I choose how many courses I want to study each term?
In order to facilitate your studies, we have planned our curriculum in a flexible way. Therefore you can choose freely if you want to study full-time/100% (4 courses); 75% of full-time (3 courses); part-time 50% (2 courses) or 25% of full-time (1 course) according to the time you think you can realistically commit to your on-line studies.
Also from a psychological point of view, it is advisable not to enroll for more courses than those you can actually complete, otherwise you risk to lose confidence in yourself and not to terminate your studies.
Considering that courses can be chosen freely within each and every level of studies, which courses is it advisable to prioritize from a pedagogical point of view?
Having said that you are free to choose the sequence and the number of courses you like, for those interested we generally suggest this order:
Undergraduate Level 1, first part, Grundnivå 1:
Firstly:
Oral Italian I, 7,5 hp
Written Italian I, 7,5 hp
Then:
Culture and Society, 7,5 hp
Italian Nobel Price Winners in Literature, 7,5 hp
Undergraduate Level 1, second part, Grundnivå 1:
Firstly:
Oral Italian II, 7,5 hp
Written Italian II, 7,5 hp
Then:
Italian Language Past and Present, 7,5 hp
Italian 18th, 19th and 20th Century Literature, 7,5 hp
Undergraduate level 2 - Grundnivå 2
Firstly:
Italian Linguistics, 7,5 hp
Italian Old Literature 7,5 hp
Then:
Essay in Italian, 15 hp
Does a 7,5 credit course correspond to 5 weeks of scheduled classes?
No, our 7,5 and 5 credit courses last for an entire semester.
This is the method we consider most effective to learn a language, by that we mean to work continuously for a number of months instead of studying short, intensive courses.
Timetable, scheduling and attendance
At what time are the courses running?
All Italian classes are scheduled in the evening, after 17:00.
Sometimes, if there are many students in one course and it is necessary to break the number down and divide students in smaller groups, it is possible that we try to arrange morning sessions for one of these smaller groups.
Lessons are scheduled from Monday to Thursday evening, so that Friday evening and weekends are always free.
Also, when we arrange the timetable we make sure that classes belonging to the same group (for example, Foundation level 1, second part: 4 course as mentioned above) do not overlap.
Are classes obligatory?
Yes, they are.
When you study on-line class-participation is important. During class time it is possible to ask questions, receive instructions and helpful suggestions from the teacher, it is also possible to express your ideas and shareproblems, as well as socialize and give/get help from your fellow students. It is very easy to get discouraged and lose motivation when you study on your own, without any contact with teachers and other students.
For this reason our classes are obligatory and it is very important to take active part in them.
I couldn’t attend an obligatory class. What is it going to happen? Can I make up for it somehow?
You can up to 50% of the classes; if you miss more classes than that you need to re-take the course the following term.
Moreover, VG (the highest grade achievable) is given only to those students who have missed a maximum of 1/3 of the course. This happens regardless their performances and results in exams and assignments.
Missed classes (for any reason) can’t be made up for, exactly as in a traditional course at Campus. For this reason it is very important to try not to miss classes.
Classes cannot be recorded.
May I choose independently how to manage my study time?
Not completely. You have a set time given by the teacher to complete assignments and homework, generally this is one or two weeks. It is certainly up to you to decide in which part of the day you want to study. On-line classes, as mentioned before, take place only in the evening.
The teacher decides deadlines for assignments (essays, tests, homework, etc.) and also the dates of on-line classes.
Necessary technical equipment (hardware and software)
What technical equipment do I need in order to attend on-line courses?
What you only need is a computer, not older than 4 or 5 years, headset with a microphone and an internet connection. You also need a web-cam. This is an obligatory requirement.
I don’t have an ADSL connection, but only an analogical modem, can I take the on-line courses anyway?
Yes, you can. Our courses can be attended by everybody who has an internet connection; it doesn’t matter of what kind.
However, a good connection obviously facilitates class listening, participation and downloading necessary files.
Which software do I need on my computer in order to attend and complete Italian on-line courses without difficulties?
The software we use for our documents is Microsoft word, but any compatible software is (open Office) accepted.
Moreover, depending on courses, you also need:
- Acrobat Reader to read pdf files (you can download it free at http://www.adobe.com/se/products/acrobat/readstep2.html)
- Media player
- Windows Messenger for communication with teachers and fellow students
- Adobe Flash
- Power-point (or compatible software)
For any technical problem please contact our ICT technicians at support@du.se
Course literature: books and handouts
Do I have to buy all the books mentioned in the course outline document?
Yes, you need to. All the books included in the literature section are necessary and you need to get them before the course begins (you can buy them, new or second hand, or borrow them from a library).
However, remember that a number of works which do not have copyright (this generally expires 70 years after the death of the author), such as Divina Commedia, I Promessi sposi, ecc., can be downloaded from the internet at no cost from a number of websites, as for example www.liberliber.com.
The books that are under the Reference literature section are not obligatory, but they are suggested reading, so you can decide if you want to buy them or not.
Being a distance student, can I borrow my course books from the University library?
Falun University library has got one copy of every book included in the courses’ literature. Books can be sent to your home address (only if you live in Sweden) for a month, but the expenses for returning the books are on you.
Naturally there is a queue system depending on when you put through your book request. For further questions on the Library and the borrowing system, please have a look at:
http://www.du.se/sv/Bibliotek/Lana/laser-pa-distans/
I already have a book included in the literature, but I don’t have the most recent edition. May I use it anyway?
Naturally you can if the book is a dictionary or a grammar book.
Double check with your teacher in any other case, course books and exercise books can vary considerably depending on editions.
Is there any bookshop in Sweden where I can order the books?
You can buy course books wherever you prefer, also in Italy if possible; in any case every term the Italian Department send comprehensive book lists to the following bookshop:
Studium International Bookshop Sweden AB
Karlavägen 4
tel 08-660 03 86. Fax 08-440 20 23
e-post: info@studiumbookshop.com
Referee: Raimo
Teacher contacts
May I use my private email address to communicate with teachers?
No, you may not. Communication with teachers must run through the University email account that you receive when you enroll.
This is a requirement both for security and privacy reasons. However you can download your University post on your private email account. In order to do that go to Studentportalen > Mitt användarkonto (a sinistra) > Vidarebefordran av e-post.
If I write an email to a teacher, shall I expect an instant answer?
No, you shall not. Teachers have their working hours and they don’t sit constantly in front of the computer. Your teacher will reply as soon as possible but you need to let him/her the necessary time. Generally, our policy is to answer to all emails that require an answer within three working days (so not including weekends and public holidays)
I sent an assignment or a test to the teacher, how long shall I wait to be sure to have it back marked?
Generally, teachers have about 10 working days at their disposal (so not including weekends and public holidays) to mark your homework/assignments.
Shouldn’t this happen, try to contact your teacher first, he/she might be ill for example, and then, if you do not have a reply, the subject coordinator.
Temporarily or Permanently residents abroad
I am permanently resident abroad. Is there anything particular I should think about?
First of all, make sure you have your books on time; this might actually take longer if you are abroad. Do the same for any extra material you need.
If you reside in countries outside Europe which have a much different time (Asia, Australia, South America, etc.), obligatory classes might take place at awkward hours for you. Please contact us and we will try to look into possible solutions.
I will be away during term time and I will be able to connect only using shared computers in an internet café. Can I access Adobe Connect from an internet café?
Relying on a well-functioning internet connection is extremely important for an on-line course. Before you leave, please make sure you have all the necessary information to ensure that everything will be working. You can possibly access internet abroad with a portable broadband device you can buy in many countries, or you can maybe ask friends or relatives to access internet from their computers, if that is the case. This might be necessary because many shared computers in internet cafes do not allow software downloading for security reasons.
In any case, contact your teachers before you leave, so that they are informed and they can suggest what to do depending on circumstances
