Art history as a mature student

Ell69

hi, hope someone will be able to help with my query.
I have applied to study 'arts' as a mature student starting in Sept ,hopefully.
I need to take 3 other subjest along with Art history, which will be my major in the second year I hope. I'm trying to work out which subjects to choose. Does the timetable usually remain the same each year, for each programme, as subjects I'm interested in seem to have lectures scheduled at the same time, or say one starts at 2 and the other starts at 3.?
I'm a mum to four so trying to fit in subjects at times that suit. I want to pick, Art History, History, English and Celtic Civilisation.
Has anyone studied this subject and would love to hear pros and cons, thanks.

ReacherCreature

Ell69 wrote: »

hi, hope someone will be able to help with my query.
I have applied to study 'arts' as a mature student starting in Sept ,hopefully.
I need to take 3 other subjest along with Art history, which will be my major in the second year I hope. I'm trying to work out which subjects to choose. Does the timetable usually remain the same each year, for each programme, as subjects I'm interested in seem to have lectures scheduled at the same time, or say one starts at 2 and the other starts at 3.?
I'm a mum to four so trying to fit in subjects at times that suit. I want to pick, Art History, History, English and Celtic Civilisation.
Has anyone studied this subject and would love to hear pros and cons, thanks.

Hi.
In first year I done History, English, Greek & Roman Civilisation and French.

I'm not sure if you mean you want information on just Art History or the other subjects but I'll type a bit about them to give you a general idea.
History.
it's a great subject mostly because I love studying it. The course is broken up into three sections. In the first term you've got two medieval classes, two Irish History classes and your one hour of tutorials. Then in the second term you've to pick one option - They are European Extremes (History of Europe from 1914-1945), American Foreign Policy, Anti-Sematism and the Crusades. I done the European Extremes one and it was great. If you have any way of a liking for History then you'll enjoy it. There's several essays over the year and the end of term exams for each module - Med History, Irish History and your Option.

English.
I did like studying this, I was fresh out of Leaving Cert so I was able to apply my work to it. It's a good subject to study. I'm not too sure of the particular details cos it's been a year since I studied it. You study Drama, poetry, film studies, language (old english etc.) and so on. English has a few hours a week along with your one hour tutorial. English was good for me and I scored high enough in the essays (of which there are a few [around 7 or so])

I've no real information on Art History and Celtic Civilisation bar the odd person i know saying "Ah it's grand like" I recommend you don't go along with that! Maybe someone here can shed some light on those subjects?

If your subjects clash that's just the way it is. Sometimes you'll have two of the subjects on at the same time; in that case pick your favourite one. If you have a lecture at 2 then 3 well you're just gonna have to go from one place to another.

Ell69 wrote: »

I'm a mum to four so trying to fit in subjects at times that suit.

What times are you talking here? if you're really restricted I'd advise you not to pick History. It has three early morning starts at 9am. I've seen last years and this years timetable and it's been the same. I had to get up at 8am for the class. Depends on your timetable really.

Hope I've been a bit of a help!

Ell69

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply.
Just wondering were there many mature students in the art history class?
Do you go on many field trips etc?

Amtmann

Just RE English: be sure to put it down as choice 1 or 2, or you won't get it.

The Paws

Hello!,

Congrats and welcome to UCC ( i know it is early but why not!)

I am a mature student too but in Science area. So I wont be a great help to you but just to let you know that there are a lot of mature students taking BA in Arts so I say you will be fine. dont worry! If not, maybe 3 out of 4 of your choosen subjects - you will find mature students from all ages in the class.
I hear alot of people will choose English as it is a popular subject.
I also think you will be getting the first two of subjects of your choice and then the next two are the ones you might have to take eg timetable clashes, a subject eg English is full etc. **correct me if i am wrong here***

I did art history for my leaving Cert many moons ago. i really love it. if you enjoy art and history then art history and history is for you.

Geography is very intersting course (note:some of the arts students are with us - science group). alot of reading required ( ahem!)

I dont know what other subjects you can get in ARTS..tell us what you like or are thinking of taking on - maybe someone else out there might help you.

My best bet is to ask ARTS dept. you should be able to get more information from them.

I hope this is some of a help to you.

The Paws

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Hiya welcome to UCC! I did Art History last year and I'm doing it as a joint honours subject with English this year. I'd highly reccomend the subject, it's fairly well taught and the department is definitely my favourite of the ones I've had to deal with, very helpful and friendly, blackboard sites generally updated constantly etc. Unlike the English department, staff seem to find it part of their remit to assist students.
In first year, if memory serves, you have three lectures and a tutorial. The one thing I would say is that because it's a relatively small department you don't have any choice in your timetable in second year, apart from your tutorial, if you're studying it at Joint Honours or Major Subject level (you have to take all modules to make up the amount of credits you need). There's four or five mature students in my class this year, out of 60-70 students. Because of the small size of the class I'd imagine it'd be pretty easy to make friends with other mature students as well
I'm not sure if the timetable remains the same every year, but I've never had anything earlier than a ten am start for any of the classes. It's a great subject, seriously, though I think some people see it as a bit of a doss and are suprised to find out it isn't! I wish I'd done the major in it this year

Edit: the library is also suprisingly well stocked for the subject! Last year I had huge bother finding books for sociology essays, Art History texts practically threw themselves into my waiting arms as soon as I went near them

Ell69

Aah thanks so much to everyone, I'm sure ye'd all much rather be studying than taking timeout here answering queries,;)

I'm really hoping I get accepted, although I haven't done any previous courses in the subject as its not a subject thats available as an evening class or Fetac link etc. I'm hoping the college will understand this.

Is there any way to find out what books are needed for the courses in advance too?

Amtmann

Ell69 wrote: »

Aah thanks so much to everyone, I'm sure ye'd all much rather be studying than taking timeout here answering queries,;)

Is there any way to find out what books are needed for the courses in advance too?

There is. You could ring the department (site here: http://www.ucc.ie/en/DepartmentsCentresandUnits/HistoryofArt/ ) and request information.

But don't buy books willy nilly. Academic books are expensive, and many aren't exactly a pleasure to read. Far better to use the library. I only started buying books in my third year (I did history and geography as an Arts student), most especially for my dissertation.

ReacherCreature

Ell69 wrote: »

I'm really hoping I get accepted, although I haven't done any previous courses in the subject as its not a subject thats available as an evening class or Fetac link etc. I'm hoping the college will understand this.

I really doubt it matters if you haven't done it previously.
I had a friend who hadn't studied History in years but got right into it cos it was easily adaptable. Politics and Greek & Roman Civilisation are also introductable.
You won't have to have a degree to study something in college!
It won't be a bother.