The Problems of Course Selection

The Problems of

Course Selection

By Jill Tsai

     

   In the beginning of this semester, some senior students of English department might experience a huge problem. The problem was that all required courses are capped. And, even if you signed up for all, the computer system still kick you out of all waiting lists when all openings are taken. Unlike students of the first three years, seniors only need to choose one required course out of the following three: Consecutive Interpretation, English for MICE (Meeting, Incentive travel, Convention, and Exhibition), and Research Methodology: Linguistics and TESOL. Of course, all students should at least take eight credits each semester, including seniors. The thing is that, since the computer system for course registry runs a random-selection system, some seniors can have more than one and some end up having none.

        A new rule was set up for this semester: a senior student can only sign up for one required course. This, however, did not help, for this rule was set up without corresponding adjustment done to the computer system. You can still sign up for more and people did so. The old problem stay: some successfully signed up for more than needed and some got none. The class is capped when all its openings are taken, as always; the computer system runs its random-selection wheel of fortune likewise. In order to deal with this problem, the English Department Office noticed students who had successfully signed up for more than one required course to waive the extra.

        This is not only ineffective but also time-consuming. Furthermore, it might be hard for them to give up any courses they find interesting. To avoid the same problem in the ensuing semester, the Office asked every senior to submit a list of their preferred courses at the end of this semester. And then, by allotting the openings to secure one required course for every senior student, the Office managed to solve the problem. Yet, some senior students might have to take courses they do not favor. Perhaps the faculty should take the students’ feedbacks before it makes any decision that concerns the students so greatly; perhaps there should be a better computer system for course selection.