Communications???

superdoor

Hey i've got Communications down as my first choice on my CAO. I'm not really sure what i want to do "when i grow up" but i know i'd like something in media. The journalism course seems to much like that is your a journalist forever so i'm not sure? i was hoping communications could gimme a base to work from and time to figure out exactly what i wana do? am i being unrealistic?

And of course anyone doing the course what do you think of it?

Thanks

Defenestrate

I've had the pleasure of meeting a few communications graduates, and what I always say to them is 'Quarter Pounder Meal with Coke please'. :pac:

giveliberty

superdoor wrote: »

Hey i've got Communications down as my first choice on my CAO. I'm not really sure what i want to do "when i grow up" but i know i'd like something in media. The journalism course seems to much like that is your a journalist forever so i'm not sure? i was hoping communications could gimme a base to work from and time to figure out exactly what i wana do? am i being unrealistic?

And of course anyone doing the course what do you think of it?

Thanks

Hey there. First off don't heed that muppet - the jealousy of certain people for communication students knows no bounds in DCU. We tend to enjoy our course as well as learn a lot. Some people can't hack that.

I'm (if I pass everything) will be going into second year next year. Everyone I know who have done this course, throughout all the different years, have no regrets.

So, in terms of course content....it's a Arts Degree so the first year basically is full of arts subjects such as Psychology, Social studies, International Culture and Language etc. One of the unique aspects of this course is the serious lack of exams. Only one exam in first year, and maybe two pop quizzes in Team Dynamics. The rest is project based. You will also find that all the subjects are intertwined, and you will often find yourself lifting various pieces of theory from other subjects and using them across subjects. The course is well structured in this regard.

You will have one more exam in 2nd year, and depending on your choices for the rest of the degree you may not have any other exams.

By the end of March you should really start making up your mind as to what stream you want to take, ie do you want to do video, audio or photography. You should pay attention in Eoin Campbells classes throughout the year, he teaches Digital Media skills, and Introduction to Media Practice. These are both practical subjects on the use of the equipment and the software. Don't miss these classes - you may fall behind, and he doesn't repeat himself. But you will find that your classmates will help you out....and Eoin as much as he tries to play the dismissive, uncaring AV guy....he's not and will help you if you ask him, and he has time.

Just be weary of Social Studies. Des McGuinness is the lecturer - the soundest man to ever grace this earth. You will need to pay attention in this class, to keep up. But your essays will be rather confined so if there is a certain aspect of the subject you find really interesting you will probably be able to write about that. Saying all this, if you keep up, you will not have a problem.....there is nothing hard in it.

Jim Rogers teaches two subjects - Information and Study Skills and Analysing Media Content. Whilst you may find the first pointless, boring etc etc, you will find everything you learn in it very useful. You can tell by the quality of the work in the end of second semester in terms of essays etc who paid attention in this class. Analysing Media Content had everyone enthralled, (its an optional subject for JR students)...since taking this subject I haven't been able to sit and watch a ruddy film in the cinema without analysing them!

Personally I have loved this course. Very interesting and will allow you to spread your net far wider. Don't mistake doing a degree in journalism with a dreary life of journalism - most people in that course don't end of doing it anyway, but the degree has its merits. I have a few friends in JR, and some of them love it, and some of them hate it, but SFA of them think they will do print journalism, even though they for some unknown reason will not get involved in either the paper of the radio station. Oh and just to clarify, a life in journalism is not dreary lol....it is a lot of fun, but an incredible amount of hard work to get into. THen again so is every other job these days. Journalism should be treated as a vocation, but not many see it that way.

There is a thread on here about the degree in communications. You will have to find it, but its mostly just our entire class chatting about looking forward to meeting each other.

There is no subject choice in first year.....you have to do everything. And watch out for lecturers who decide to mark for attendance.

One important thing is to get involved in MPS and The College View, especially if you want to dabble in journalism. MPS run DCUfm - the campus radio station. You are basically expected to get involved in one of these societies in order to fine tune your newly learned skills. A few other important societies for Communication students are Art Soc, Drama Soc, Foto Soc. MPS also run DCUtv. DCUfm is finally off the ground after years of stagnation. 2008/2009 saw its relaunch with brand new software and equipment. It has yet to be awarded a frequency but all in good time. The management are very open to ideas for shows or once offs, so if you think of anything just approach them, but have a good idea of where you want to take the item so they can best advise you. DCUtv is a great way to sink your teeth into video production. It has a new impetus for next year.....so its looking promising. And they are always open to suggestions.

FotoSoc are lovely people especially the new sexy chairperson.....so if you have the photography bug, its a great place to develop (get it eh, eh!!!).

One thing about degrees these days, they are rather pointless unless you have great work experience or get a masters. In terms of work experience, Eoin Campbell and Dr. Debbie Ging (the head of the course) are fantastic. They will proactively send you info on various opportunities. But they will also tell you to get involved early in the societies I have outlined above.

Masters are almost a pre-requisite nowadays so you may want to give it some consideration by third year. Don't in anyway think that my doing communications you will limit your options for Masters - past CS students, have said it hasn't in any way limited their choices.

I hope the above is of some help, any more questions, or more specific ones, don't be afraid to ask!!!

superdoor

OK wow thanks for getting back so fast! And with some really good information! Im definatly leaning towards the Communications instead of JR....it does seem a fun course and interesting!

OK some questions then, ive never really done anything with photography and only used the home video camera a few times, that's ok right? And you say the course is project based, what would these projects involve?

Thanks!

giveliberty

You will have more or less the same experience as everyone else so. They teach you from scratch. But it would be a good idea for you to familarise yourself with Mac operations if you are a total PC head. In fact some lecturers recommend that you buy one.....but that is totally up to you.

In terms of the projects, almost all of them are essays or presentations. Just to give you an idea or the 2008/2009 breakdown on mark allocation

Semester 1
Introduction to Media Practice - 100% attendance
Media Technology - 50% online Moodle Quizes, 50% Final web project
Social Studies - 30% Presentation (and attendance) 70% Group Essay
Information & Study Skills - 20% Library Quiz, 30% Learning Diary, 50% Essay Plan
Introduction to Psychology - (i think) 40% Group Presentation 60% Essay
Language, Culture & International Communication - 30% Group Presentation, 70% Essay

Semester 2
Team Dynamics - (I think) 40% Pop Quizes, 60% Team group work (too strange to go into, but everything had merit)
Digital Media Skills - (i think) 20% attendance, 20% Handed up work 60% final video, photo and audio pjt
Analysing Media Content - 50% Group Essay, on Photo, 50% Final individual essay on short film scene
Communication Theory - 50% Article Journal, 50% Final essay
History & Structure of the Media - 20% essay, 80% final 'seen' exam
Perspectives on Culture - 100% essay

These are all from the top of my head. In relation to the final projects in Digital Media Skills, you are given the relevant content. Its not your own material, but you do get to make some of your own material in Semester 1, which was lots of fun. First year is just to familiarise you with the equipment.

When you get into second year if you pick video almost all your project work pertaining to Video Production will be team based and you could be given all sorts of different directions, like to make a short 3 min piece about the emotion sadness. Audio is all individual projects, it could be interviewing a relative or whatever - the head of Audio Production is apparently a legend, and you will learn a lot from her. Photography, not a clue to be honest

Daysha

Here's last year's thread (if you don't mind scrolling through 500+ posts!)

Daysha

But yeah, I'd back up everything giveliberty said. I've just finished 1st year too and I absolutely love it. Should be even better next year when it'll be more focused on your specific areas of interest. Don't get me wrong, I loved trying all 3 different production modules, but there are just one or two lectures I didn't find particularly interesting (Language and Culture course you do in S1 for a start). I know others that really enjoyed it though, so it all depends on yourself.

Actually, one of the best things about the course is seeing the look on other peoples faces when you describe what the course actually entails. Most of them still think I've been making the whole thing up.

giveliberty

Daysha wrote: »

But yeah, I'd back up everything giveliberty said. I've just finished 1st year too and I absolutely love it. Should be even better next year when it'll be more focused on your specific areas of interest. Don't get me wrong, I loved trying all 3 different production modules, but there are just one or two lectures I didn't find particularly interesting (Language and Culture course you do in S1 for a start). I know others that really enjoyed it though, so it all depends on yourself.

Actually, one of the best things about the course is seeing the look on other peoples faces when you describe what the course actually entails. Most of them still think I've been making the whole thing up.

My mother asked me if it was a FAS course :)

She honestly didn't think people did these things in university

Diarmsquid

Another CS thread? Class

OP, I'm also heading into my second year of Communications Studies and I'd agree with the two lads. Go for it!

So class, how's the summer going? And is anyone gonna do French next year? I'm very much considering it.

giveliberty

Diarmsquid wrote: »

Another CS thread? Class

OP, I'm also heading into my second year of Communications Studies and I'd agree with the two lads. Go for it!

So class, how's the summer going? And is anyone gonna do French next year? I'm very much considering it.

Hey! God no. Did it for the Leaving Cert - will not be going near that again.I think I will do Crime and the Media for Semester 1 and Comparitive European Politics for Semester 2.

I am so bored since the elections are over. Nothing to do!!!! And silly season will be coming soon so it will be a summer of bordem. Might try and get a job to keep me busy lol.

Diarmsquid

Yeah I did it for the Leaving Cert as well. I really liked it though.

The only thing I'm worried about is that it seems only Intermediate French is available here. Drink has gradually made me forget most of my French since LC.

And yeah, Crime in the Media. Sounds class. I can't wait to walk into a lecture and imagine I'm in an episode of Criminal Minds.

Daysha

I'm confused. How many modules are we choosing for next year? I presume it's 30 credits per semester again, and it says whichever production one we choose is worth 10 of those. There's 10 credits for the 2 compulsory modules too, so that leaves only 2 more modules to fill up the 10 remaining credits. But that means only 5 modules per semester

Whichever it is, I'm not going near any languages.

Diarmsquid

Yeah 30 credits per semester.
5 credits per module (expect the production modules, which are like double modules).

So 5 modules:
2 Compulsory Modules
1 Production Module
2 Others

I'm thinking for Semester 1:
Crime and the Media
French 1

Semester 2:
Public Design (There's no details on the website, but in my mind it's amazing)
French 2

giveliberty

Hmm.....good point well will have to review so

Salbags

Awesomes, jus like Diarmuid said, another CS thread!

I'm still iffy about taking up a language tho... o_O

myk

I know a lot of CS graduates. They are in a whole variety of careers. None of them regret their course choice. Given how you've described your situation, I'd say go for it.

I spent 4 years in DCU and CS seems to be a great course!

superdoor

Hey wow thanks guys, you guys really know how to communicate on these threads(geddit? oi...).

But ya that was my next question what are you CS students looking to do after college? Like what kinda careers would it lead on to?

giveliberty

Well I think I want to do radio, but film has been a growing interest of mine also, but I will want to do a masters as soon as I am finished the BA - most likely the MA in International Relations in DCU.

I'm a mature student, with a background in political communication, so that may well be the area I would would like to end up in.....but you just don't know how things can change and how diversified your interests become in college.

From speaking to others some want to be photo journalists, others want to be documentary makers, some want to host radio shows, or get into TV hosting, some just love the production side of things, and others simply have no clue.....mind you I am sure there are others who have definitive career paths in mind already too.

Diarmsquid

OP, I was kinda like yourself. I knew I wanted to do something in media, but i didn't really know what I wanted to do.

Going into 2nd year, I have a slightly clearer idea. Hopefully something in video production.

superdoor

So no one else know what kinda jobs you can get out of this Communications course?

giveliberty

superdoor wrote: »

So no one else know what kinda jobs you can get out of this Communications course?

DCU did a survey of their previous graduates from communications.

Click on the various links to get the info you want:

http://www.dcu.ie/students/careers/fdr/fdr.php3?fdr_year=2007&programme=CS

Shea O'Meara

giveliberty wrote: »

Hey there. First off don't heed that muppet - the jealousy of certain people for communication students knows no bounds in DCU. We tend to enjoy our course as well as learn a lot. Some people can't hack that.

I'm (if I pass everything) will be going

'I'm will be going' - Communications 101

superdoor

Oh cool i hadnt seen this before! this is perfect! Wow people really do go into lotsa careers from this....even if one or two are working in tesco :P

But ya thanks guys i think I'll do Communications if i get the points!

giveliberty

Shea O'Meara wrote: »

'I'm will be going' - Communications 101

Ooops. :rolleyes:

That's what happens when you are playing Warhammer on one machine and writing a post on another lol
:):)

-ilikeshorts

Well I'd say people get jobs out of it because I only heard about the degree of an assistant producer on a film set who was on her first year out of college. But I'm still stuck between it and media arts DIT

9wetfckx43j5rg

I'm similar, Got media arts in dit down but cs is my first choice.

Does anyone know what the hours are like a week?

giveliberty

Ezra Few Wage wrote: »

I'm similar, Got media arts in dit down but cs is my first choice.

Does anyone know what the hours are like a week?

Click here for our timetable in first year. Obviously some of the seminars and practicals are split into groups so just select a group and just count that number.

Do not be misled by the low hours. You will be expected to do project work and you will be expected to be practicing on equipment and software, if you don't you may fall behind.

You are also expected to get involved some society work thats media orientated.

stressedcao

do you need to have an outgoing personality to do this course? communications sounds so interesting but im afraid i wont have as much knowledge of the subjectsstudiesas other students

Salbags

stressedcao wrote: »

do you need to have an outgoing personality to do this course? communications sounds so interesting but im afraid i wont have as much knowledge of the subjectsstudiesas other students

Well no, I don't think you need to have an outgoing personality to do this course, but you'll find that most people that pick this course are outgoing, yet then again there are some quiet ones. I'm just finished first year and I found that people in my course were extremely friendly and sociable, so even if you don't feel comfortable approaching other students in the class, chances are they'll come to you and introduce themselves.

And about not having as much knowledge of the subject studies as other students, trust me that's fine. I had no clue about certain subjects nor did several people in my class, but it was grand because they start you off with the basics and then it's further study yourself if needs be. :cool:

stressedcao

thanks for replying so fast.....cao closing date is tues and im in such a pickle..........i always wanted to do teaching but the old lc didnt go too well......i only discovered dis course last week........its sound so good. do u think itsworth the trek from rathfarnham every morning haha! i would be outgoing its just reading about that radio station that broadcast out to 9000 students sounds so scary!!!!!!

giveliberty

stressedcao wrote: »

thanks for replying so fast.....cao closing date is tues and im in such a pickle..........i always wanted to do teaching but the old lc didnt go too well......i only discovered dis course last week........its sound so good. do u think itsworth the trek from rathfarnham every morning haha! i would be outgoing its just reading about that radio station that broadcast out to 9000 students sounds so scary!!!!!!

One of the girls in our class commutes from Dundalk every day! And she loves the course....I am sure you will think its worth it.

You don't have to get involved directly with actual broadcasting. You can get involved in the production and research aspects until you build up confidence!

I'm telling you it will be so worth the commute.

I would also agree with salbags. You do not need any knowledge of the subjects. Everything is thought from scratch. You shouldn't worry. This course attracts outgoing friendly people who will be more than willing to help and drag you to clubs and societies, and let's not forget the reputation CS has for the Class Parties. :cool: