St Pats Drumcondra

Long Term Louth

Starting in Septemeber as a mature student on the BA in Humanities, I was wondering if anyone can provide any information relative to the course, I will be studying History, English and Human Development, Any input would be greatly appreciated.

pathway33

http://services.spd.dcu.ie/testlib/Newlib/EnglishSite/scripts/ExamPapers.asp

Long Term Louth

Thank you for the tip.

chordtype

I'm going into my third year now and I'm studying English and History. In terms of workload both courses are fine as long as you attend most of the lectures and the seminars.

I'm not a mature student but there is quite a sizable amount of matures every year and a lot of them study the courses that you are doing and last year a mature society was set up which meets for drinks etc. regularly.

For English you only have 3 essays to do throughout the year and they are only 1000 words each. You'll also have to do a creative project (paint a picture, write a short story, some poetry etc.) for 3 weeks during which you'll have no lectures or seminars. The actual texts are not the most exciting in the world (http://www.spd.dcu.ie/main/academic/english/documents/ReadingListFirstYear2009-2010.pdf) but none of them are that long if you're not a fan of reading. The lecturers are all pretty decent at hinting at what will come up in the exams so if you for some reason decide to only attend a few lectures a year make them in the weeks before the exams.

In terms of workload History is a bit more intensive. You'll have to write 5 2500 word essays throughout the year but you are given a decent amount of time to do both. The library (although small compared to other colleges) is pretty decent for history books relating to the course. Just make sure you're quick of the mark to get them because they can go pretty quick. The essays that you have to write on your exams are basically the same as those that you will do throughout the year with a slight variation in the wording of the questions. Make sure you get the course books second hand because there both around 25-30 euro and you'll only look at them once or twice. There are usually quite a few ads up around the place at the start of the year.

I didn't study Human Development myself but some friends did and the general feedback was that some classes are a lot more interesting than others. There is a lot more emphasis on group discussions and presentations than there is in English and History.

If you have any other questions throw them here and I'll see if I can answer them for you.

Long Term Louth

chordtype wrote: »

I'm going into my third year now and I'm studying English and History. In terms of workload both courses are fine as long as you attend most of the lectures and the seminars.

I'm not a mature student but there is quite a sizable amount of matures every year and a lot of them study the courses that you are doing and last year a mature society was set up which meets for drinks etc. regularly.

For English you only have 3 essays to do throughout the year and they are only 1000 words each. You'll also have to do a creative project (paint a picture, write a short story, some poetry etc.) for 3 weeks during which you'll have no lectures or seminars. The actual texts are not the most exciting in the world (http://www.spd.dcu.ie/main/academic/english/documents/ReadingListFirstYear2009-2010.pdf) but none of them are that long if you're not a fan of reading. The lecturers are all pretty decent at hinting at what will come up in the exams so if you for some reason decide to only attend a few lectures a year make them in the weeks before the exams.

In terms of workload History is a bit more intensive. You'll have to write 5 2500 word essays throughout the year but you are given a decent amount of time to do both. The library (although small compared to other colleges) is pretty decent for history books relating to the course. Just make sure you're quick of the mark to get them because they can go pretty quick. The essays that you have to write on your exams are basically the same as those that you will do throughout the year with a slight variation in the wording of the questions. Make sure you get the course books second hand because there both around 25-30 euro and you'll only look at them once or twice. There are usually quite a few ads up around the place at the start of the year.

I didn't study Human Development myself but some friends did and the general feedback was that some classes are a lot more interesting than others. There is a lot more emphasis on group discussions and presentations than there is in English and History.

If you have any other questions throw them here and I'll see if I can answer them for you.

Thank you very much for all the information, just one question if you can assist, any ideas on which books I may attain now in relation to history, or is this decided at the begining of the academic year?

Thanks again

chordtype

Long Term Louth wrote: »

Thank you very much for all the information, just one question if you can assist, any ideas on which books I may attain now in relation to history, or is this decided at the begining of the academic year?

http://www.spd.dcu.ie/main/academic/history/documents/CourseBookFirstYear200910.pdf

This should give you an idea if some of the core texts. However, it is for last year and they do tend to change around courses sometimes so I wouldn't take it as gospel.

They'll tell you in the first lecture what the core texts that they want you to buy are and there are usually loads going second hand or the book shop will have them.

Long Term Louth

chordtype wrote: »

http://www.spd.dcu.ie/main/academic/history/documents/CourseBookFirstYear200910.pdf

This should give you an idea if some of the core texts. However, it is for last year and they do tend to change around courses sometimes so I wouldn't take it as gospel.

They'll tell you in the first lecture what the core texts that they want you to buy are and there are usually loads going second hand or the book shop will have them.

My name is Anthony Matthews, look me up next Sept and ill gladly get you a coffee for your assistance.

Thanks Again

chordtype

Not a problem. Happy to help.

fearbainne

One quick point to mention, with Breena Clarke or whatever her name (Head of English Dept) retiring this year the English course is subject to being changed totally...

<mod edit>

CreamCrackers

looking to share with 3 or 4 other 1st year students of pats and dcu. if anyones is looking for a team up let me know!

dazey

I went to pats! Arts degrees involve student directed learning with very little by way of lectures i.e. the outline of topics and themes are briefly explored in lectures and then the student must explore these in his or her own time.

Due to the small of classes timetabled for Arts degree students it can be percieved as inferior to other undergraduate degrees. Yes it is a stepping stone but a valuable one.

About the mature thingy, Pats has the largesst amount of mature students in Ireland at around 25% ...that is 1 in 4. A lot!

Speaking to lecturers and examining my friend's history workload, two of the subjects are the most writing intensive. History and human development require six essays a year as opposed to english at 3. It sounds like a lot of work to present but once you are in the mix it will become apparent that six essays are 'doable'.

One final piece of advice. DO NOT be intimidated by all the young people, basically still teenagers, that you will meet in Pat's. Yes they have just come out of an academic environment that groomed them to get good marks but really, you have so much more life experience and are not under so much pressure to make friends and party every other night. Good Luck!!!:)