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flyswatter · 05-03-2009 10:07pm #1

I believe there is a music technology course in Maynooth. I would be interested in doing it. What's it like from the perspective of those who have done it or who have it completed?

Aridstarling · 06-03-2009 1:10am

"Doing" it. Bored out of my mind. Slowest course in the history of the world. Get yourself a few magazines and read the Sound On Sound forums, same result after first year anyway.

redenemyjoe · 06-03-2009 6:45pm

Yeah, all my mates do it and are baffled by its sluggishness.

You have to do unnecessary modules like comp. sci and discreet structures (perhaps necessary but at a totally different level)

There is very little practical work involved because studio time is so limited. Also, I believe a lot of the gear is obsolete or broken. The new American guy seems to know his stuff.

I would recommend going to Kairos if you want the hands on thing. Radio & Television is a main part of the Communications course you can do. It's normally a post grad course but you can get in if you apply.

P.S. My friend that did it last year is now a team leader in Australia setting up rigs and events for the likes of Groove Armada.

funky penguin · 07-03-2009 1:37pm

Is it true you can't touch protools till second year?

I'm in 2nd year BMus and we had a module on "Computer Music" last semester.

First lecture: "right, here's protools.."

Aridstarling · 07-03-2009 2:14pm

Yes that is unfortunately true. I haven't been inside the studio since open day!:mad:

flyswatter · 07-03-2009 4:03pm

The third poster mentioned doing computer science as part of the course. I wouldn't mind doing this as it is an interest of mine. As for not touching pro tools till second year, that doesn't bother me. All in good time as far as I'm concerned.

ScissorPaperRock · 07-03-2009 8:06pm

I'm doing it at the moment. If you're looking for pure studio hands-on work only then this might not be the course you want. But I personally think it's good in that it covers all bases. If too much time was spent in the studio your skill base would be pretty narrow for a degree course, but this opens up more windows such as software development, signal processing, acoustics, composition and even some image and video processing. It's a technology-based degree, and therefore requires that one does more than learn to use a mixing desk and record some songs.

So it really depends on whether that's all your after. If all you want is to learn to use a studio you probably will find it a little slow.

flyswatter · 07-03-2009 9:05pm

ScissorPaperRoc wrote: »

I'm doing it at the moment. If you're looking for pure studio hands-on work only then this might not be the course you want. But I personally think it's good in that it covers all bases. If too much time was spent in the studio your skill base would be pretty narrow for a degree course, but this opens up more windows such as software development, signal processing, acoustics, composition and even some image and video processing. It's a technology-based degree, and therefore requires that one does more than learn to use a mixing desk and record some songs.

So it really depends on whether that's all your after. If all you want is to learn to use a studio you probably will find it a little slow.

Sounds good to me. As you said yourself, I would like it to cover all bases.

Aridstarling · 08-03-2009 12:45am

ScissorPaperRoc wrote: »

So it really depends on whether that's all your after. If all you want is to learn to use a studio you probably will find it a little slow.

I disagree but I'm not going to get into an argument with you!;)

winnie the poo · 08-03-2009 5:30pm

Dropped out of this course there last year. Rubbish if you ask me, was bored out of my trolley..

flyswatter · 09-03-2009 9:05pm

Any more feedback would be great thanks.

mp3guy · 09-03-2009 9:29pm

From what I hear is that most people go into this course expecting the wrong thing. I know 3 years of people who're in this course.

It's music technology, not studio time. That means a lot of computer related stuff (Since analogue methods for modern music are dying off). I think a lot of people going in expecting to be producing albums for 3 years, but that's not what the course is about.

On a side note, first year multimedia students get to use protools :P

Aridstarling · 09-03-2009 11:09pm

Thats not the problem though. I'd have no problem with the course if I was learning something, but I'm not. I mean nothing at all. Anyone with basic knowledge (basic MIDI sequencing, the odd bit of synthesis, foundation theory) of the subjects at hand would be bored after these last 6 months. You literally could pick up the same info in a few magazines and online forums.

ScissorPaperRock · 10-03-2009 12:22am

Aridstarling wrote: »

Anyone with basic knowledge (basic MIDI sequencing, the odd bit of synthesis, foundation theory) of the subjects at hand would be bored after these last 6 months. You literally could pick up the same info in a few magazines and online forums.

What would you have them teach?

Aridstarling · 10-03-2009 1:16pm

Well I'd start with what they've done so far, an introductory course in the basics for anyone who isn't familiar. That might last 6 weeks (not 6 months). I would increasde the hours per week to maybe 12-16 at least (25 if that was possible), up from 4. Then I'd move into actual practical work. A couple of classes of synth programming (as opposed to a one hour lab), a course acoustics (which we are doing and I have no problems with this part of the course), a few hours of basic studio work (mic placement, signal chains, some Cubase and ProTools work) and some live-style work (theres a venue in the university that would be perfect). We could also do some foundation in programming, allowing people to choose to continue in that field in second year. That would be first year to me.

flyswatter · 10-03-2009 2:32pm

Should I be looking at another college to study music technology in then? Apart from Maynooth, what colleges offer it?

ScissorPaperRock · 10-03-2009 4:19pm

Aridstarling wrote: »

Well I'd start with what they've done so far, an introductory course in the basics for anyone who isn't familiar. That might last 6 weeks (not 6 months). I would increasde the hours per week to maybe 12-16 at least (25 if that was possible), up from 4. Then I'd move into actual practical work. A couple of classes of synth programming (as opposed to a one hour lab), a course acoustics (which we are doing and I have no problems with this part of the course), a few hours of basic studio work (mic placement, signal chains, some Cubase and ProTools work) and some live-style work (theres a venue in the university that would be perfect). We could also do some foundation in programming, allowing people to choose to continue in that field in second year. That would be first year to me.

Thing is you can't really increase the hours when students are st udying two other subjects as well. If you were starting from scratch I think you would find that's a lot of work to cover in four modules over the year. The Acoustics and Computer Music modules are necessary to ensure everyone has an understanding in these areas - you'd get nowhere without at least basic knowledge in these areas. The Theory module I personally found very useful, as I had very little prior knowledge in that area. The only module I might agree with changing a little would be the Synthesis one. But in saying that, the lecturer for that module is one of the most helpful I've had, and if you showed any interest in delving deeper into the subject than he has time for in class he would do his best to assist you.

But I guess that's just my opinion.

Aridstarling · 10-03-2009 5:20pm

Yes it would be too much if we were all doing three subjects but I don't see the need for that. The BMus system would be way better, just one other subject.

Well if we had 2 hours of theory (I agree, very useful), 2 hours of acoustics, 4 hours of computer music introduction (MIDI, Cubase, Protools) and 2 hours of synthesis a week in the first semester that would hardly be too much to ask would it? Its only 10 hours. Add another arts subject onto that and you get 14/15 hours a week. Then in second semester you could move onto 2 hours of more advanced synthesis, 2 hours of computer music, 2 hours studio time, 2 hours live work. Add in a couple of labs or tutorials to make it ten hours and you're sorted. We'd be a million miles ahead of where we stand now.

My problem is I think we fall behind the likes of the graduates from the STC. I saw them at work at the Button Factory the other night and I thought to myself, I wonder what would happen if my class was to attempt this. Disaster I'd say.

Anima · 10-03-2009 6:01pm

Isn't the MA in Computer Music more what you're looking for then?

Aridstarling · 10-03-2009 6:55pm

flyswatter wrote: »

Should I be looking at another college to study music technology in then? Apart from Maynooth, what colleges offer it?

I'm really sorry, I'm totally hijacking your thread!

Theres the course in the University of Limerick which I know next to nothing about. The one in Tralee IT is supposed to be a few steps below Maynooth according to my uncle who worked there for a few years.

After that you're looking at private courses (i.e. paying courses) like Pulse and the Sound Training Centre in Temple Bar in Dublin. These are one year courses, full-time or part-time. You can check out the relevant websites and stuff, all the info should be there. If you can, have a meeting with some members of staff at the different places, most should have no problem having a chat with you if you display some interest.

Anima wrote: »

Isn't the MA in Computer Music more what you're looking for then?

Can't do an MA without a BA first.

flyswatter · 18-03-2009 9:53pm

Bump.

cocotantrabuzz · 24-03-2009 3:58pm

i have to say as someone who just left second year in this course that i agree with every argument AridStarling has made. i found this course to be awful. incredibly slow paced. also i agree with the point that the course should be more dedicated. currently music technology is taken with two arts subjects in first year and then in second year one subject must be dropped. as said above perhaps the BA Mus system would work better.
if music production or recording or anything like it is what you are interested in i would recommened you look elsewhere. pulse and STC have very good reputations but are expensive. unfortunately i cant give you any information on the courses in limerick or tralee, other than that they exist.
i must say though as a college maynooth is fantastic. there is a great friendly, social atmosphere.

sorry i know that was a very long post. hope it helps anyway

phatkev · 31-03-2009 8:57pm

there is a music tech course in lit a mate of mine is doing. he said there is alot more practical based stuff than theory. and he also does stuff like networks and other computer based stuff so i guess ur goin to get that where ever you go.

disssco · 01-04-2009 6:00pm

I was thinking about changing to this from Media Arts in DIT but after reading some of the reports on here about the course being slow I am having second thoughts.

I love electronic (dance) music and listen to it at every given moment. I enjoy artists like Future Sound of London and Sasha and Digweed. I have tried my hand at producing songs via reason and fruity loops.

Has anyone got any more discussion on the topic? Do you really have to have your application in before march 15th like it says on the website?

What kind of jobs can I expect with a degree like this?

Thanks.
Daniel.

ScissorPaperRock · 09-04-2009 3:17pm

disssco wrote: »

I was thinking about changing to this from Media Arts in DIT but after reading some of the reports on here about the course being slow I am having second thoughts.

I love electronic (dance) music and listen to it at every given moment. I enjoy artists like Future Sound of London and Sasha and Digweed. I have tried my hand at producing songs via reason and fruity loops.

Has anyone got any more discussion on the topic? Do you really have to have your application in before march 15th like it says on the website?

What kind of jobs can I expect with a degree like this?

Thanks.
Daniel.

The thing about the course is that it is a broad music technology degree. It is not centered on composing music, nor is it centered on recording, nor on technology. Rather it incorporates elements of each of these, computer science, composition and production/recording, even a little bit of biology and physics.

If someone goes in and they've got a narrow range of interest in what they want to do, they may not enjoy the course. Also, if you already have a grasp on some of the stuff you may find it a little slow at times, as the course has to start from scratch on everything.

But if you start this course open to taking your musical interests in other directions, and open to working other foundations on which to build, for instance, computer programming, then you might just enjoy it.

Don't forget it's a joint honours degree so you take two other subjects in 1st year and drop one in second year.

allandanyways · 12-07-2009 7:53pm

To prevent a series of threads asking about what various subjects are like, here's a thread with all the opinions you're gonna need. (Or at least there will be opinions as time goes on)

Granted, it will never be as epic as Roz's discussion thread, but it's easier than posting the same info over and over again.

allandanyways · 12-07-2009 8:13pm

I'm going into Third Year BA, studying Spanish and English.
The Spanish programme hasn't changed but the English one has, I did First Year of the old programme so perhaps someone who did First Year English 08-09 could offer experiences here, and if anyone has questions about Second Year, I'd be happy to help.

SPANISH

Probably one of the most relaxed departments in the college, the staff are great and comprise of the dept. head who lectures occasionally, the Dr's and Professors who give lectures in their area of expertise (moreso in Second and Third Year) and then a series of language tutors who tutor you in first and second year (not sure about third year, except for Dani still doing the labs).
N.B. Attendance is compulsory to all classes, and accounts towards your overall mark in each module. Also, the classes tend to move quite quickly, so if you miss something it really is essential to catch up because the Spanish dept. generally don't use moodle.

FIRST YEAR

Consists of 4 language classes with your tutor, and is divided into beginners and advanced, which will all be sorted out within the first month or so after an exam, but up until Xmas, you can still change levels if you feel that Beginners is too easy or that Advanced is too hard.
You get homework - tareas- each week or so, and these consist some percentage of your module (cant remember how much exactly). They can seem a little fecky but they are important and they count towards your mark. The tutors tend to be quite strict about deadlines for these and generally set dates and they won't accept them after that.
You also have an English Language class based on Spanish Literature during the Franco Era (Sem 1) and Latin American Literature and Society (Sem 2), and these are both examined by essay.
You have a 1 hour language lab every week and attendance is compulsory and the marks in this class contribute to your overall module mark. These labs usually focus intensly on your oral and aural skills, and they are hugely beneficial, so don't skip them.

Second Year
is much more varied, with the opportunity to pick 2 different options each semester according to your interests;

Options including Latin Am. poetry, Cinema and Literature, Phonetics, Portuguese, Modern Spanish Literature (which is really good), European Cinema... loads basically.
In addition to these, you have 4 hours classes, which is broken up into 2 hours of a grammar module and 2 hours of a Communications module, which focuses on your reading and writing skills.
There is a good bit of work. The tareas are more intense and can take a while to complete, some require research and some just require revision of basic grammar skills. Most of the options are assessed on essay, although I think Phonetics is assessed throughout a series of tasks set.
You still have your Lab every week and also a grammar clinic which helps focus on the weak points of the grammar that you may be having problems with.

I cannot stress enough that the Spanish dept. are extremley helpful, and most of the tutors bend over backwards to ensure that you understand everything and all the staff will help you with anything you need during their office hours.
You are encouraged to speak Spanish all the time, it's not considered showing off to speak out or ask a question, even if it may seem intimidating. The tutors will always say that sometimes the only thing holding someone back from excelling in a language is that they are afraid to speak the language...
The classes tend to be pretty small with a good bond formed at the end of the year, which is sad when you get to the end of Second Year and half the class feck off on Erasmus!
I'll keep ye updated on whether or not Third Year is such a joy :pac:

geurrp the yard · 21-07-2009 11:27pm

allandanyways wrote: »

I'm going into Third Year BA, studying Spanish and English.
The Spanish programme hasn't changed but the English one has, I did First Year of the old programme so perhaps someone who did First Year English 08-09 could offer experiences here, and if anyone has questions about Second Year, I'd be happy to help.
SPANISH

Probably one of the most relaxed departments in the college, the staff are great and comprise of the dept. head who lectures occasionally, the Dr's and Professors who give lectures in their area of expertise (moreso in Second and Third Year) and then a series of language tutors who tutor you in first and second year (not sure about third year, except for Dani still doing the labs).
N.B. Attendance is compulsory to all classes, and accounts towards your overall mark in each module. Also, the classes tend to move quite quickly, so if you miss something it really is essential to catch up because the Spanish dept. generally don't use moodle.

FIRST YEAR
Consists of 4 language classes with your tutor, and is divided into beginners and advanced, which will all be sorted out within the first month or so after an exam, but up until Xmas, you can still change levels if you feel that Beginners is too easy or that Advanced is too hard.

You get homework - tareas- each week or so, and these consist some percentage of your module (cant remember how much exactly). They can seem a little fecky but they are important and they count towards your mark. The tutors tend to be quite strict about deadlines for these and generally set dates and they won't accept them after that.

You also have an English Language class based on Spanish Literature during the Franco Era (Sem 1) and Latin American Literature and Society (Sem 2), and these are both examined by essay.

You have a 1 hour language lab every week and attendance is compulsory and the marks in this class contribute to your overall module mark. These labs usually focus intensly on your oral and aural skills, and they are hugely beneficial, so don't skip them.

Second Year
is much more varied, with the opportunity to pick 2 different options each semester according to your interests;
Options including Latin Am. poetry, Cinema and Literature, Phonetics, Portuguese, Modern Spanish Literature (which is really good), European Cinema... loads basically.

In addition to these, you have 4 hours classes, which is broken up into 2 hours of a grammar module and 2 hours of a Communications module, which focuses on your reading and writing skills.

There is a good bit of work. The tareas are more intense and can take a while to complete, some require research and some just require revision of basic grammar skills. Most of the options are assessed on essay, although I think Phonetics is assessed throughout a series of tasks set.

You still have your Lab every week and also a grammar clinic which helps focus on the weak points of the grammar that you may be having problems with.

I cannot stress enough that the Spanish dept. are extremley helpful, and most of the tutors bend over backwards to ensure that you understand everything and all the staff will help you with anything you need during their office hours.
You are encouraged to speak Spanish all the time, it's not considered showing off to speak out or ask a question, even if it may seem intimidating. The tutors will always say that sometimes the only thing holding someone back from excelling in a language is that they are afraid to speak the language...
The classes tend to be pretty small with a good bond formed at the end of the year, which is sad when you get to the end of Second Year and half the class feck off on Erasmus!
I'll keep ye updated on whether or not Third Year is such a joy :pac:

Hi, as I understand, the college offers a course called beginners spanish.What way does that work?

allandanyways · 22-07-2009 12:13am

geurrp the yard wrote: »

Hi, as I understand, the college offers a course called beginners spanish.What way does that work?

Yup, beginners Spanish is offered in first year if you have no experience speaking the language or struggled with it in school. The course is taught by some professors in the dept. who are native English speakers as opposed to the native Spanish tutors who tutor advanced spanish and 2nd year classes.

You elect yourself which level you would prefer to study when you register with the department, and as I said before, you can change if you want.

Beginners Spanish literally starts from "Hola" and works its way up, it moves at a relatively fast pace and covers alot of the basic grammar and expression work that has you on a more or less equal footing with the advanced class come 2nd Year. I did advanced Spanish in 1st year but in my Second year class, half the class had done beginners Spanish and caught up grand, you just have to be prepared to put alot of effort in.

K4t · 22-07-2009 12:13am

Economics? Any ordinary maths leaving cert students struggle with the maths side of it at third level???

Effluo · 22-07-2009 12:46am

K4t wrote: »

Economics? Any ordinary maths leaving cert students struggle with the maths side of it at third level???

I'd say if you struggled to pass ordinary maths then you'll struggle with economics.

It's a subject which is based quite a bit around numbers and graphs and if you don't like a bit of algebra, geometry or arithmetic then you prob won't like economics...

K4t · 22-07-2009 1:21am

Effluo wrote: »

I'd say if you struggled to pass ordinary maths then you'll struggle with economics.

It's a subject which is based quite a bit around numbers and graphs and if you don't like a bit of algebra, geometry or arithmetic then you prob won't like economics...

Yeah that's what I thought. I should be fine so. I'm going to pick economics. Fascinating subject.

xOxSinéadxOx · 22-07-2009 2:49am

anybody doing economics and finance?

LoLth · 22-07-2009 10:44am

a good idea. welcome to the land of stickiness...

token56 · 23-07-2009 8:59pm

I'll do an engineering one if anyone is interested.

ontour · 24-07-2009 12:33am

Has anyone done accounting and finance?

somethingwitty · 28-07-2009 7:54pm

I'd appreciate it if anyone could do English, Sociology or Anthropology;)

Rozabeez · 28-07-2009 9:40pm

Anthropology - The comparative study of human culture. Year one = a bit of a doss, but interesting. Easy to pass, so they chuck you in the deep end in 2nd year. Essays left, right and centre, twice the length of the essays from the previous year. Range of different modules to choose from, the fieldwork is a bit iffy, you NEED to put the work in and find time to go and meet people etc.

I can't say anything about the 3rd year yet.

Sociology - Heavy focus on the 'classics', Durkheim, Weber and Marx. Study of Society, can you apply old theories to modern society? Also a good range of topics, this year (2nd) I studied topics as far apart as farmers and popular music. I don't really know what to say unless you've got specific questions.

geurrp the yard · 04-08-2009 3:16am

Any info for the Mathematics course. The Double one.

rcaz · 05-08-2009 2:11pm

Some Music and Physics info would be savage - I know there are a few Music students who are on here!

blueblue · 06-08-2009 11:04pm

Sociology
Really enjoyed sociology (except the theory modules, they're rotten). It's not as easy as everyone says though. Hard to pick up marks as you really have to know what you're talking s**** about.:)
Tips on lecturers:
1. Be sure to pick any module given by Colin Coulter, he's really good!
2. Tony Cunningham is seriously boring zzzz and says "iiiiin terms of" before everything and "riiiiight" after everything. Would never sit in another lecture of his...ever!
3. Michel Peillon marks exams verrrrrry easy

English
LOVED English. Def recommend it! Very diverse modules and choices after first year, i.e film! All the lecturers are really nice and very fair.
Ide Corley is the nicest lecturer ever! It really helps when your lecturers are nice!

klasskrista · 09-08-2009 7:23pm

I just finished an english degree

:D and I have to say it was a really good course, caters for everyone and anyone!covers all aspects of literature and language in 1st year which is really good and gives you a good grasp of the subject, I especially loved the poetry covered in 1st year, Conrad Brunstrom is a hilarious lecturer!
2nd year gets a bit more in depth and gets a little bit harder, romanticism was one the hardest ,modules I had 2 take and anyone I spoke to found it hard.....dreaded the exam but surprisingly it was the best mark I got that year and everyone else was the same!
3rd year covers a bit more of the theory behind literature and language which at times can be a bit boring but there's also the interesting and funny times like where sinead kennedy basically told the class she was a marxist lol!word of advice do your research seminar with seamus mc ghabhann, he's so nice and gives you all the help you could ever need and is quite a generous marker!:cool:

its a really gud course and I would definitely recommend it, its a lot of work and involves a lot of reading but its worth it in the end!I loved it so much I'm going back to do a masters......very excited!!:D:D
there's a module descriptor tingy on the department page of the nuim site which will tell you al u need to know bout each individual module......and if your a really prepared person (unlike myself) the english department usually put up an advanced reading list near the middle of August!

allandanyways · 09-08-2009 8:50pm

klasskrista wrote: »

I just finished an english degree :D and I have to say it was a really good course, caters for everyone and anyone!covers all aspects of literature and language in 1st year which is really good and gives you a good grasp of the subject, I especially loved the poetry covered in 1st year, Conrad Brunstrom is a hilarious lecturer!
2nd year gets a bit more in depth and gets a little bit harder, romanticism was one the hardest ,modules I had 2 take and anyone I spoke to found it hard.....dreaded the exam but surprisingly it was the best mark I got that year and everyone else was the same!
3rd year covers a bit more of the theory behind literature and language which at times can be a bit boring but there's also the interesting and funny times like where sinead kennedy basically told the class she was a marxist lol!word of advice do your research seminar with seamus mc ghabhann, he's so nice and gives you all the help you could ever need and is quite a generous marker!:cool:

its a really gud course and I would definitely recommend it, its a lot of work and involves a lot of reading but its worth it in the end!I loved it so much I'm going back to do a masters......very excited!!:D:D
there's a module descriptor tingy on the department page of the nuim site which will tell you al u need to know bout each individual module......and if your a really prepared person (unlike myself) the english department usually put up an advanced reading list near the middle of August!

that's all the old course, I'm just finished second year and it was nothing like your description... oh and seamus mcgabhann is retiring, this was his last year lecturing unfortunatley... thanks anyway

yazzieok · 15-08-2009 12:44am

help!
i think i want to do psychology in arts but whats it like??

Aridstarling · 15-08-2009 1:38am

allandanyways wrote: »

that's all the old course, I'm just finished second year and it was nothing like your description... oh and seamus mcgabhann is retiring, this was his last year lecturing unfortunatley... thanks anyway

How was second year? I'm entering into it now and wondering how the workload compares to first year?

Seamus is finished?! Shame that, probably my favourite lecturer. The man knows stuff, hidden depths there, if you see what I'm saying? He was a legend. Was really hoping to have him again next year.

Aridstarling · 15-08-2009 1:46am

allandanyways wrote: »

that's all the old course, I'm just finished second year and it was nothing like your description... oh and seamus mcgabhann is retiring, this was his last year lecturing unfortunatley... thanks anyway

How was second year? I'm entering into it now and wondering how the workload compares to first year?

Seamus is finished?! Shame that, probably my favourite lecturer. The man knows stuff, hidden depths there, if you see what I'm saying? He was a legend. Was really hoping to have him again next year.

allandanyways · 15-08-2009 3:23pm

Nah he's definatley retiring, in EN255 in second semester, everyone's divided up into seminar groups and he told his seminar group that this was his last year, there was a notice on moodle about it aswell (dunno if first years got it) but he was a fantastic lecturer.

Anyway, second year is interesting, that's the easiest way to put it. There can be as much or as little work as you decide involved, a large majority of the modules in both semesters need a good bit of back up material read, and you have to go and do that yourself. You really need to read the back up material and do your own work to get a decent pass grade, and yeah, there's a good bit of work. 2 Essays per semester, and you need to keep on top of everything, it's hell trying to catch up before exams.

First Semester:
EN251: World Literature I: Was taught by Conrad and Íde, covers alot of the material relating to outsiders, colonialism, exploration and the discovery and acceptance of new cultures and new worlds, texts included The Tempest, Oroonoko, Rasselas, Jane Eyre... a few others that I can't think of either. I wasn't crazy about this course, it was a bit dull, kinda the same points being repeated over and over again, but I missed a few of the lectures and got completley lost and when I came back, I kinda lost interest.
***Lesson Learned: GO to the lectures. With all the work and reading you have to do, it's just easier to go to the lecture instead of trying to figure out what went on when you're trying to do your essay 4 months later.
EN252: Renaissance and Restoration: Was taught by Stephen O'Neill and Conrad. I loooved this course. Basically the Elizabethen period and what happened after. It's so interesting both from a literature and historical point of view, and the course is taught fantastically. READ THE SECONDARY MATERIAL, it's difficult to understand the history and the overall politics of the era without reading the secondary material.
EN253: Romanticism and Enlightenment: One of my favourite modules from first and second year, taught by Jim Kelly and Conrad (yeah you've Conrad basically all first semester), loved loved loved it. Alot of it based on poetry, and Conrad's half concentrated on texts of the Enlightenment period. Go to the lectures, the powerpoints are useless the night before the exam, the notes Jim and Conrad give are fantastic.

EN254: Irish Studies I: Brilliant module although the Joyce lecturers were torture, I don't like Joyce and there were very detailed lectures on A Portrait of The Artist... Colin Graham is a star and his lecturers are brilliant (def. go because he doesnt put notes on powerpoint), Oona Frawley is great with her section on Yeats aswell.
EN255: Critical Theory and Research I: This was the seminar module. It's based on feminist criticism, and you read texts like A Room Of One's Own and De Beauvoir's The Second Sex, then ye get put into groups after the midterm specialising in certain areas. I'll elaborate more on this if you want, but basically it's about doing your own work and research and being supervised/guided by your seminar leader.
EN256: Victorianism to Modernism: Brilliant course, loads of poetry, Emer Nolan's lectures on Dracula were great, do the secondary reading it's so so important for this module.

Phew. Any other question I'll be happy to answer.

Aridstarling · 15-08-2009 6:00pm

Brilliant, thanks a million!

Michellenman · 15-08-2009 6:59pm

Aridstarling wrote: »

How was second year? I'm entering into it now and wondering how the workload compares to first year?

Seamus is finished?! Shame that, probably my favourite lecturer. The man knows stuff, hidden depths there, if you see what I'm saying? He was a legend. Was really hoping to have him again next year.

Legend he was, giving us all those hints for semester one exams was savage. He spoke incredibly slow though. You could take his notes down word for word without a problem. Not taking English next year though, wasn't mad on it and there was too much work involved, bleugh.

Anyone got any info and second year French and Geography? C'mon, spill the beans!

NicoleD · 16-08-2009 2:38pm

Hey!

Whats History like in first year?

internetaddict · 16-08-2009 4:39pm

This may be a bit of a stupid question but I was on Nuim site and they have put up a guide to first-year English and it states that "Wuthering Heights", "Pride and Prejudice", "The Dubliners" and "Kim" are the texts that are going to be used in the Fiction module.. just wondering if usually you are required to study extra texts on top of the set ones?

Read this before asking "What to expect from [subject/course]?" ALL COURSE INFO HERE!

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