Communications???

stressedcao

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:[/quote]


ha ha I was on youtube der looking at the clubs and socs it looks savage! the more and more I read about the course the more I want it! plz god the points dont go up!!!

stressedcao

Do you think its important to have some experience in media or filming before doing this course? im not the best with technology

giveliberty

Nope. As said previously everything is thought from scratch. Of course it would be a distinct advantage, but not in first year as the assessments are rather confined to simple equipment operations.

In first year you will use the following software:

• Garageband
• Adobe Photoshop
• Final Cut Express
• MS FrontPage

Every tutorial teaches a new aspect of each piece of software. They teach FrontPage just to give you a grounding in basic website design principles which are basically universal.

If you go on to YouTube and watch some basic tutorial videos you will learn as much in first year. The technical elements start in second year.

In terms of equipment you will be thought only basic use in first year. You will be able to explore more technical aspects through your membership of MPS or FotoSoc.

fairylove

Hey, I've Communications in DCU down as my number one choice too, can't wait to start! No other course in Ireland really appeals to me as much as this one, it's got a great mix of subjects. I was wondering if it's hard to make friends on the course? I'll be 22 starting it, so won't have any school friends or anything like that there. I'll join clubs and societies and judging by this thread, everyone seems quite friendly so it won't be a problem. Is 80 places the capacity for this course? Is there many presentations as part of it? I dread them but I'll have to bite that bullet quickly! It's off-topic but does anyone know if Howth/Malahide is a popular place for DCU students to live? I'd quite like to live near a beach I think! Is there a regular bus service or do ye think it's be a bit of a trek to college in the morning?

Thanks!

OneArt

I actually hate the whole area of media and journalism (My English teachers told I'm good at it, I just hate it with a passion) but I was vaguely considering this course because of the language option. I'm just curious about whether the language option involves doing an Erasmus year?

giveliberty

fairylove wrote: »

Hey, I've Communications in DCU down as my number one choice too, can't wait to start! No other course in Ireland really appeals to me as much as this one, it's got a great mix of subjects. I was wondering if it's hard to make friends on the course? I'll be 22 starting it, so won't have any school friends or anything like that there. I'll join clubs and societies and judging by this thread, everyone seems quite friendly so it won't be a problem. Is 80 places the capacity for this course? Is there many presentations as part of it? I dread them but I'll have to bite that bullet quickly! It's off-topic but does anyone know if Howth/Malahide is a popular place for DCU students to live? I'd quite like to live near a beach I think! Is there a regular bus service or do ye think it's be a bit of a trek to college in the morning?

Thanks!

80 places, yup. They may allow one or two extra through Access mode, but not through CAO.

Howth/Malahide, just because you want to live beside a beach? Well you could get the dart, and then bus.....It wouldn't be me, doing all that commuting and changing buses.

When it comes to friends unless you are an axe murderer I'm sure you won't have a problem....and age will have nothing to do with it! I'm 27 and I have lots of friends in the class, and some of which I would consider close friends. And there are older in the class, and they are considered some of the coolest people in the class.

You should do what our class did....set up a Communications 1st Yr 2009 thread, and just watch your 'classmates to be' flood to it. Many of us got to know each other through boards.ie before the first day of college, and we had our first class party before our first lecture!

Set up the thread, and you will get to know your class mates, and then you will have no worries!

To OneArt:

If you don't like a certain area do you really think it's wise to go into it? Just because you grade well in something doesn't actually mean you will be good at it practically....and this is a very practical degree.....there is quite a lot of theory in first year, but thereafter it is predominately practical work.

I would worry that the resentful attitude could poison your enjoyment of the course....maybe think about what YOU want to do and select courses that interest YOU first. That is the way you should pick your CAO courses, not what you think you will grade well in, but what you think you will enjoy, have a positive aptitude for and could see you doing in years to come.

The last thing your classmates need, and you, is to have you being resentful and bitter about a course choice you didn't want. There are limited places in the course....don't disappoint someone else if you are selecting this just because a teacher thinks you should. Anyway, a command of the english language will only get you so far in this course. It is important that you have a positive attitude, be willing to try new things, be open to technology, be a critical thinker, have some sort of understanding of popular culture, cultural diversity and how the media operates. Creativity is very important also! Hope I wasn't too harsh

In terms of language, don't know much about it as I personally detest languages diarmsquid might though, he's thinking of doing one. I have a feeling that there is no Erasmus option in this degree but I could be totally wrong.

DCU student

fairylove wrote: »

does anyone know if Howth/Malahide is a popular place for DCU students to live? I'd quite like to live near a beach I think! Is there a regular bus service or do ye think it's be a bit of a trek to college in the morning?

Thanks!

You could try living in Clontarf, right on the coast, also near town and about a 20-minute cycle to DCU

k*

hi i have seven hours to fill out my cao :eek: and dont know if i should do communications or multimedia! can anyone help?:D i have spent a long time thinking about it but i think im more confused now!

giveliberty

I know a few multimedia students, and they seem to enjoy the course, but they do get rather stressful around exam time with projects.

Can't really speak for the course......but communications is great

What are you looking for in a degree?

k*

thanks for getting back to me:). in communications if you take the photography option is that all it is? i really wated to do visual design and communications but didnt have a portfolio on time so im really looking for the closest thing to it

giveliberty

k* wrote: »

thanks for getting back to me:). in communications if you take the photography option is that all it is? i really wated to do visual design and communications but didnt have a portfolio on time so im really looking for the closest thing to it

I know there is a public design subject in second year but truth is I don't know much about even that. I can't really comment tbh as I have no interest in photography so maybe others could comment.

originalname5

Ah here, this is all getting a little too communication propagandy for my liking. Right here's the negative view of communications from the view of somebody who's just finished the course. It's not all it's being cracked up to be from the practical(video radio photography) point of view, as many of the other posters have claimed. Its only one module a semester and there is a lot other boring subjects which the majority of people hate.
I'd put it like this, if you think your the type who is able to go out and teach yourself how to make a radio or tv programme or a kickass photo then by all means go for it, because you won't find another course with so much free time on your hands. If you find it hard to motivate yourself id stay away, because the basic things that they teach you in classes isnt even close to professional standard. What i'm trying to say is that the course itself woefully under prepares you for a life in media, it's up to yourself to teach yourself that!

Shaneod21

Communications is a good course, know a good few doing it!

stainluss

I wouldl ike to go into advertising as a career. Is there much of an advertising element to it? (would there be any better course to prepare you for a career in advertising? I havent found one yet anyway) Also, (sorry if i sound totaly thick) but what the crack with these class parties? Are they house parties with the whole class or something?From the sound of things theres plenty of time for a social life in this course:) Many of my friends are going to colleges closer to home Galway/Limerick.. Would ya have much trouble making friends pretty much from scratch up in DCU?Im a guy but i heard the majority doing this course on avg. are girls? (not complaining:P) Cheers:D

Salbags

stainluss wrote: »

I wouldl ike to go into advertising as a career. Is there much of an advertising element to it? (would there be any better course to prepare you for a career in advertising? I havent found one yet anyway) Also, (sorry if i sound totaly thick) but what the crack with these class parties? Are they house parties with the whole class or something?From the sound of things theres plenty of time for a social life in this course:) Many of my friends are going to colleges closer to home Galway/Limerick.. Would ya have much trouble making friends pretty much from scratch up in DCU?Im a guy but i heard the majority doing this course on avg. are girls? (not complaining:P) Cheers:D

Urm, well i've just finished 1st year communications and tbh, i personally don't think there's much of an advertising element to it. I heard multimedia has more of an advertising element? I could be wrong though, i'll let other people comment on that point.

Ah class parties...... what can i say, they're friggin brilliant! Class reps are usually the ones that organise it, i was a class rep last year with 2 others, we usually based it more on pubs / captain A's first, and then a club. Or some people preferred to predrink with friends who live on campus and then just meet up with the others in the club. House parties do happen too, depending on who has a free gaf and whether they want to be hosting one or not. Usually a class email will be sent and people will be notified prob a week before (sometimes it's rushed and you get less notice but people are still willing to come out).

And as for making friends from scratch, i didn't know anyone from my course apart from one person who i vaguely knew OF through a friend. It not that hard making friends, just get talking to as much people as possible and it'll be fine! And if you're the shy type, other people from your course will most probably approach you first. People in CS are usually extremely friendly and you prob get a few mad ones so it's all good in the hood.

There's also another thread posted that are for Communications 2009 if you want to check there you could meet up with some future CSers

And yes, the majority are girls, but so far there's no lads that i know of that complain about that! The girls on the other hand..... lol only jokin, it's all good craic anyways!

Daysha

Sals right, there's not a very big emphasis on advertising in 1st year. There is an Analysing Advertising module in 2nd year though, so you'll just have to be patient. Actually, one piece of advice I'll give you is don't automatically shut out the modules you don't find particularly interesting. The course is extremely broad (in 1st year particularly), so it's inevitable that you'll find some modules more interesting than others. But they're still worth a shot.

I know myself I didn't care for anything to do with international cultures, but you'll have 2 modules to study in that area. Even though it's still not my favourite subject in the world, I'm still glad I was able to check it out and give it a go.

You really won't have a problem fitting in and making friends though. I was practically starting from scratch too and now it's just like I'm back in secondary school with the lads again. Plus they'll be tons of opportunities turning the year to get on with your new class peeps, whether it be nights out or any of the group assignments that crop up.

giveliberty

originalname5 wrote: »

Ah here, this is all getting a little too communication propagandy for my liking. Right here's the negative view of communications from the view of somebody who's just finished the course. It's not all it's being cracked up to be from the practical(video radio photography) point of view, as many of the other posters have claimed. Its only one module a semester and there is a lot other boring subjects which the majority of people hate.
I'd put it like this, if you think your the type who is able to go out and teach yourself how to make a radio or tv programme or a kickass photo then by all means go for it, because you won't find another course with so much free time on your hands. If you find it hard to motivate yourself id stay away, because the basic things that they teach you in classes isnt even close to professional standard. What i'm trying to say is that the course itself woefully under prepares you for a life in media, it's up to yourself to teach yourself that!

I would actually agree with the above, but then again I didn't enter this course with any delusion as to what I was getting myself into. The BA in Communication Studies is NOT a course that teaches you all you need to know about the three production streams. Nor does it claim too.....you only need to read the subject description to figure this out. It is after all a ARTS Degree. The Arts subjects that are thought are very important in terms of becoming a Researcher on Radio or Television, which is important as often you will start of in this level in the media. More importantly the Arts subjects equip you to apply for Masters programmes. This degree does not confine you like others may, and you may find that you will want to broaden your horizons beyond your production element making you far more desirable to potential employers. How could that be a bad thing?

Seriously DCU should be paying me for this!!!!!!!

Our Lecturers always warned us this year that they were equiping us with BASIC skills, and we were to take our own initiative to further develop them and post-grad opportunities would arm you better still.

Anyone who does their research into this course should know that the BA in Communication Studies does not puport to be a fountain of all knowledge pertaining to a particular stream.

If you are looking to get spoon fed this is not the course for you, you will only end up bitter and resentful about it. If you are hardworking and able to use your own initiative then go for it!

Salbags

giveliberty wrote: »

I would actually agree with the above, but then again I didn't enter this course with any delusion as to what I was getting myself into. The BA in Communication Studies is NOT a course that teaches you all you need to know about the three production streams. Nor does it claim too.....you only need to read the subject description to figure this out. It is after all a ARTS Degree. The Arts subjects that are thought are very important in terms of becoming a Researcher on Radio or Television, which is important as often you will start of in this level in the media. More importantly the Arts subjects equip you to apply for Masters programmes. This degree does not confine you like others may, and you may find that you will want to broaden your horizons beyond your production element making you far more desirable to potential employers. How could that be a bad thing?

Seriously DCU should be paying me for this!!!!!!!

Our Lecturers always warned us this year that they were equiping us with BASIC skills, and we were to take our own initiative to further develop them and post-grad opportunities would arm you better still.

Anyone who does their research into this course should know that the BA in Communication Studies does not puport to be a fountain of all knowledge pertaining to a particular stream.

If you are looking to get spoon fed this is not the course for you, you will only end up bitter and resentful about it. If you are hardworking and able to use your own initiative then go for it!

lol yeah, i think we should pass on the message to Ferdi :pac:

But giveliberty's right, we were told that we're being taught BASIC skills, you gotta develop these skills yourself afterwards.

stainluss

Salbags wrote: »

you gotta develop these skills yourself afterwards.

like making video/radio shows from your own ideas and that sort of craic?

Salbags

stainluss wrote: »

like making video/radio shows from your own ideas and that sort of craic?

Well usually video and radio shows are your own ideas anyway, however some base it on ideas that other people came up with.

Also for example, whether it be garageband (the programme for audio), final cut express (the programme for video) or photoshop (the programme for photography) you have an interest in working with, you'll simply be taught the basics during the year. To improve on these basic skills and learn more about the programmes and other things you can do (which may not necessarily be taught by the lecturer), you must spend your own time working on it and discover and learn new things via practice. Hope that makes sense and hope it helps!

superdoor

So hey looking at laptops for next year. For communications what kinda PC should you be looking for? Or should i just splash out on a Mac? Despite my lack of any experience with them?

Daysha

superdoor wrote: »

So hey looking at laptops for next year. For communications what kinda PC should you be looking for? Or should i just splash out on a Mac? Despite my lack of any experience with them?

Definitely go with the Mac if you can afford one. It can take a lot of time getting used to them (I know a few in my class that are still struggling with them) but it will make it so much easier for yourself over the next few years if you have a Macbook of your own. I never even touched a Mac before last September, but after a bit of adjusting it became second nature, so I got myself a Macbook at Christmas, along with a ton of others from my class too.

That said though, you won't be in any particular disadvantage if you stick to a PC. Having a Mac just gives you a lot more flexibility.

Salbags

I second what Daysha says. A mac takes a lot of getting used to at the start though if you've always used a PC. But defo worth the buy! And people always use Christmas to get it as a prezzie from 'Santa' because it's pretty expensive lol. Perhaps you should take advantage of that! You'll notice that when people are back from Christmas break they tend to have a shiny new laptop!

YourName

Got accepted today, see yous in September ! ! ! !

sarah+1

This probably seems like s stupid question, but when do freshers start? Like I want to go away at the start of sept. for 2 weeks. What date do courses usually start? Are they all the same?

giveliberty

Hi sarah.....not a stupid question

You should be fine. class start the 28th. But you will need to register online and it is a good idea to attend first year orientation.

You will get a letter telling you all you need to know, but if you are planning xmas hols etc look here - that's your academic calendar for the year!

Jammy

I hope I get into this course! Results next week ooooo yesh.

I've been waiting over 2 years to start it :P

So when is it freshers week does anybody know?

Daysha

Freshers week is the first week of classes, starting September 28th. Orientation week is the week prior to that, where it's basically a week of talks, tours etc.

Speaking of that, me and a few other commies that post here will be helping out in orientation week, probably stuff like giving tours of the campus and a few other things, so we'll more than likely be seeing all you new CS1ers at some stage that week. So if you've any questions about CS or DCU in general don't be afraid to pop over to us and ask

Jammy

Ah cool very nice :cool:

Do you have to go in everyday of orientation week? Or is everyday something new?

I going to Dylan Moran the night before I think, eeeps!

Daysha

Jammy wrote: »

Ah cool very nice :cool:

Do you have to go in everyday of orientation week? Or is everyday something new?

I going to Dylan Moran the night before I think, eeeps!

Nah, you don't have to go if you don't want to. I think we were only scheduled to be in for 3 days of the week last year, and even then it was only for 2-3 hours. If you're moving to Dublin for a different county I'd definitely recommend going and getting a feel for the campus and accomodation, but it's not a huge biggie if you miss it. You will meet your class this week though, so its a handy few days just to meet all the new people and start getting involved.