This is Fat Tuesday, which means semla buns!
These sweet bread rolls filled with sweet almond paste and sweet whipped cream and dusted with powdered sugar used to only be eaten on Fat Tuesday before the “fasting” of Lent started. Now, they are served for months prior to Ash Wednesday. I have to see if they disappear during Lent, though I can’t imagine all of the decadent fika pastries disappearing until after Easter. I’ll keep you posted.
The rest of the day was spent with trying to figure out what exegetical theology (for some reason biblical studies is not vogue here) courses are offered in which formats. There are regular courses, but they are offered in both campus and distance forms (yes, the same course) and the distance forms can have lower requirements for the same credits. Then, there are reading courses, that have only readings, papers, and exams. This is a low form of learning in my book, as there is no Socratic dialogue or others to graciously challenge you to think differently. So, I’m trying to reduce these and increase campus courses with student interaction. Currently, Johannelund is paid a set amount based on the number of students in 2013. Now, there are double the students, but the same amout of pay. So, I figure that it doesn’t make sense to do courses for students who we never see and statistically have a significantly lower rate of completion. Let’s prioritize selection for campus students, blah, blah, blah. (Yes, life would be much easier if I didn’t have half an administrator’s brain. I would just teach the courses I was told to teach.)
With regard to a comment about the UK application being a model for Tanzania’s socialist placement by the computer into 1 slot–take it or leave it–based on national exam scores, there is a huge difference. While there is still one common application and a limit of places to apply, the big difference is that the institutions make their own choices, and it is very possible to get multiple offers to choose from, as well as some sort of waiting list placement.
I also helped a friend revise a draft abstract in English for her master’s thesis. Anya helped a classmate yesterday to revise some English as well. It is a gift being a native English speaker in today’s world where English is so prevalent in education and business. I know that my Swedish–spoken or written–will ever become as good as I would like it, so I have a lot of sympathy for those working in English.
Off to taxes and Swedish,
With blessings,
Beth
Oh Beth, I do miss you! When will we be able to get together? I wonder if we could hit Sweden on our way back to China this summer? I’m not sure how that would work but it may be better than trying to connect on the front end.
OK, semla is on our list to try, or are they only before Lent? You think we could order on Amazon?
Thanks for the clarification on university placements, a very important difference.