DC231 International Relations

CraicAddict

I would greatly appreciate any information on this course.
I already have information from the college but i would like some feedback from students in any year of the course.

Thanking you,

C.A

A. Carruthers

One lecturer comes to mind as a fox.
The classes seem to flow on an energy wherby the loudest, brashest voice is usually the most righteous. Dont fall into this trap. DCU classes are full of these twats.
Female opinions are particularly agressive yet simplistic and emotional.
Male students appear to be one of either two irksome species on the spectrum. There is the stereotypical lefty hippies who regularly disrupt the classes with patronising 'insights' garnered from their gap year travels to Latin America. Then there is the slick, ultra confident conservative types ready at any stage to counter the lefties argument with a well-prepared response. Their arrogance can hide any number of discrepancies, usually lost on the lecturers.
Also beware the country bumpkin with the farm tongue. This crowd believes that reading a newspaper gives him/her the unfettered right to comment on all matter of things. They usually sit in ones or twos during lectures and have been known to ally themselves alongside their conservative counterparts from the suburbs. Surprisingly they make up the most annoying strata.
There isnt so much as a whiff of sexual tension in the air throughout the two hour classes which can make them appear rather turgid and dull. (Foxy lecturer classes excluded). You will have to navigate through an ocean of bull**** on this course, most of it pumped out by your fellow student.
Dont be put off though, if you keep strum and observe all around you then you can learn quite a bit, some of it concerning International Relations, some of it not. Good luck comrade.

p1akuw47h5r3it

A. Carruthers wrote: »

One lecturer comes to mind as a fox.
The classes seem to flow on an energy wherby the loudest, brashest voice is usually the most righteous. Dont fall into this trap. DCU classes are full of these twats.
Female opinions are particularly agressive yet simplistic and emotional.
Male students appear to be one of either two irksome species on the spectrum. There is the stereotypical lefty hippies who regularly disrupt the classes with patronising 'insights' garnered from their gap year travels to Latin America. Then there is the slick, ultra confident conservative types ready at any stage to counter the lefties argument with a well-prepared response. Their arrogance can hide any number of discrepancies, usually lost on the lecturers.
Also beware the country bumpkin with the farm tongue. This crowd believes that reading a newspaper gives him/her the unfettered right to comment on all matter of things. They usually sit in ones or twos during lectures and have been known to ally themselves alongside their conservative counterparts from the suburbs. Surprisingly they make up the most annoying strata.
There isnt so much as a whiff of sexual tension in the air throughout the two hour classes which can make them appear rather turgid and dull. (Foxy lecturer classes excluded). You will have to navigate through an ocean of bull**** on this course, most of it pumped out by your fellow student.
Dont be put off though, if you keep strum and observe all around you then you can learn quite a bit, some of it concerning International Relations, some of it not. Good luck comrade.

Which group are you in? Funny post btw. Thinking of sticking this on the CAO... Do you learn about the middle east at all? Like Israel and that kind of thing... I'm interested in that.

To Craicaddict: The info u got of the colledge, is that jus from the website or did u e-mail them or something?

A. Carruthers

Estella Scarce Pension wrote: »

Which group are you in? Funny post btw. Thinking of sticking this on the CAO... Do you learn about the middle east at all? Like Israel and that kind of thing... I'm interested in that.

To Craicaddict: The info u got of the colledge, is that jus from the website or did u e-mail them or something?

Sorry chief my days in DCU are now numbered, don't really know much about groups anymore. There is shedloads on the Middle East and political terrorism involved with this course though. All fairly balanced stuff too. If your that way inclined take a look at the Philosophy, political science, economics and sociology course on offer at Trinity aswell. Just as food for thought. The Conflict and Dispute Resolution Studies course at Trinners is also highly rated. It is important to further take note that the quality of poon on offer also increases dramatically in proportion to the further south you travel from the northside, which can break up the day significantly for any bored politics student.

Do you aspire to a career in espionage?

p1akuw47h5r3it

A. Carruthers wrote: »

Sorry chief my days in DCU are now numbered, don't really know much about groups anymore. There is shedloads on the Middle East and political terrorism involved with this course though. All fairly balanced stuff too. If your that way inclined take a look at the Philosophy, political science, economics and sociology course on offer at Trinity aswell. Just as food for thought. The Conflict and Dispute Resolution Studies course at Trinners is also highly rated. It is important to further take note that the quality of poon on offer also increases dramatically in proportion to the further south you travel from the northside, which can break up the day significantly for any bored politics student.

Do you aspire to a career in espionage?

Ehhhhhh... Ye sure, why not.

I couldn't find the conflict and dispute resolutions course in trinity tho??Are the points high? And thanks for all the info by the way.

ANd what you think of DCU?? You like it?

irlande

Wow, as a student of IR I'm torn between being offended by the rant above or offering a round of applause.

On a serious note though, if you have any questions about IR feel free to IM me, or even just ask them here.

I haven't done Middle Eastern studies yet (as far as I know it'll be next year for us, the middle east expert had a year out this year) and there's talk of introducing new modules for first years anyway.

hco

I'm really interested in doing this course....I think!

Basically I'm wondering what you think of the course? Do you enjoy it? Is it generally interesting?
I know they are such broad questions but I would love to get some opinions from the people studying it!

I'm coming from an International Aid and development background so I'm wondering if I will be completely out of my depth! Is it very much political orientated?

Also, last question I promise, from what I can gather, there are very few hours in first year and nothing on the Friday. Am I right or getting the wrong end of the stick completely?!

Cheers in advance

irlande

You're right about that, physical class hours are very short. I think in first year I had around 10 hours average between Semester 1 and 2 and at the moment I have roughly 7. The Friday thing depends, its rare to be in on a Friday but my class is in for one lecture friday morning.

Personally, I love it. I'm a nerd for politics and international law so it's exactly what I was looking for. Throughout first year we did IR theory, Global System, International Law, Political Theory, Development, Security and a few others across a range of political science topics. It's varied a little (before throwing your elective on top, of course.) so if you're interested in Politics or development it is your thing.

The significant majority of staff within the School of Law and Government are extremely helpful and friendly too. Generally, your lecturers in the school are fairly decent at giving feedback or input should you ask for it. A lot of them are lax about meeting times too so you can often knock into their offices if you need help. Personally Ive found any lecturer I've had to deal with to be of great help, which is always a plus in any course.

I wouldn't really say its very politically orientated to be honest, a lot more theory based than what you may consider the traditional 'political' sense. If development and aid is your cup of tea you sure won't be out of place in that sense. There are, naturally, political discussions and varying political opinions which bring about some interesting classes, but I wouldn't consider them to shadow the development, legal or theoretical aspects of the course.

Like I said, personally I love it! If you haven't had a snoop around the Law and Government website yet I'd suggest it: http://www.dcu.ie/law_and_government/

p1akuw47h5r3it

Just wondering can you do a language with this course?

And if so do you know what they are?

irlande

Indeed you can do languages.

You have an option of one of these electives alongside your core modules:

German
French
Spanish
American Studies
Intercultural Studies.