CS2 Modules... Help :)

InkNut

Hey Commheads... Firstly, if you dont do communications and you're gonna have a go at us then politely post in an well-mannered fashion <mod note :P>

Now back to business, I was just hoping to get a bit of feedback on some of the CS2 modules as I'm unsure what to pick...

Can any of you guys maybe give a description of some of the modules(except the production modules) and possibly let us know if the classes are good/bad or have interesting/boring lecturers and what the assignments involve???

Basically just a 'what to go for' and 'what to avoid' thread...

I realise people have different interests with regards to modules but just a quick general summary would be great. Thanks in advance:)

Bluetonic

InkNut wrote: »

<snip>

Communication at its finest.

phasers

Are we allowed choose already?

Also, as a CS student I do not endorse the first line of your post.

Benny Lava

InkNut wrote: »

Hey Commheads... Firstly, if you dont do communications

Doesn't apply to me.

InkNut wrote: »

<snip>

Oh, I should probably leave this thread then.

InkNut

Apologies for the first line then, I simply meant if certain people are gonna reply in the thread slagging off the course and the usual antics then I just dont wanna hear it.....

Sooo, any info on the modules would be just swell:)

Daysha

Right. I did....

Social History & TV Drama - I really liked this one. For a 3 hour lecture it's quite interactive and especially since it's in a smaller classroom you'll get plenty of opportunities to express yourself if you wish. Our lecturer was always well prepared and you could tell he had a real interest in what he was teaching which always helps. Usually the first hour and a bit is discussing that weeks topic, which could be anything from US crime dramas to sci-fi & fantasy. You'll then get a bit of a break and return by watching an hour long episode of a programme in that genre. You'll then spend the last 20 minutes or so talking about it.
Assignment-wise you'll get a 3,000 word essay on a programme of your choice due in reading week (I did The West Wing) and you also have to hand up a course journal in January, which is basically 200-300 words a week saying what you thought about what was discussed in the lecture. But if you're like most people you'll just cram that all in at the very end anyway.

Current Affairs - I wouldn't be one to recommend choosing a module based solely on your lecturer, but I'll make an exception for this one. I'm sure most people here know who I'm on about but I'm not naming names here. If someone else comes in then go for it because it has the potential to be really good, but I'll assume you don't want to work with a lecturer that gives you somebody elses mark (twice), loses half the assignments, and thinks reading wikipedia pages out word-for-word is lecturing.

Publication Design - This is an odd one. The lectures themselves probably didn't reach the expecations I had for them but I'm still glad I chose it gives you a new skill to learn and be able to apply in the future. The theory is interesting enough to follow but it is mostly a practical based module and that's where the problems arise. If you think 1st year was bad for teaching you basics and letting you do the rest, this is worse. We were basically told to spend €25 on a book and teach InDesign to ourselves. Our lecturer might do one or two things with us but whenever we asked him a question that wasn't in any way beginner-ish he just said use your book to find out.
It's also a module that requires a lot of effort. We got assignments every week and the final project (a 15+ magazine designed entirely by you) takes a serious amount of work. But despite all that I'm still glad I chose it, knowing InDesign and basic publication layout guidelines is a nice skill to have.

Comparative European Politics - Again I was hoping this to be a lot better than it turned out to be. Since it's the only real politically-orientated module in CS obviously you shouldn't do it if you don't have any interest in different electoral systems or the different parliamentary systems of government in eastern Europe for example. The course is outlined fairly well but the way it wass taught was just alright.
You'll get a 2,500 words essays for reading week and the same again at the end of the semester, but be prepared, the lecturer is an extremely hard marker. But then again ye might have a change in personnel so you never know.

From what I heard Crime & the Media is a popular module. Had I known what I know now I definitely would've chosen that over CA. Maybe someone else could fill you in more on that one, but that's what I did.

InkNut

Thanks Daysha, lots of helpful info there:)

Unfortunately I was told by the lecturer who teaches social history and TV drama, that it's been taken off the course due to cuts or whatever. Would have loved to do it.

I've done a module in layout and design before but we used Quark Express, probably nowhere near as advanced as In Design. Might take it up though.

Also, I had actually been told that the reason to DO current affairs was because of the lecturer. Must have been mistaken. From the DCU communications page it says the lecturers name for the module who we had in 1st year who was actually a very good lecturer, despite the fact he gave us alot of work for just one module.

I'm leaning towards Crime and the media, current affairs, Art, architecture and Modernism, and Film History and Theory. Although it only has 4 options for semester 1... How many can you actually pick?

Thanks again Daysha.

phasers

InkNut wrote: »

Also, I had actually been told that the reason to DO current affairs was because of the lecturer. Must have been mistaken. From the DCU communications page it says the lecturers name for the module who we had in 1st year who was actually a very good lecturer, despite the fact he gave us alot of work for just one module.

Ah, just realised who it is. :P

InkNut

phasers wrote: »

Ah, just realised who it is. :P

Was it that obvious ha???

XPS

Don't mind if I do Daysha..... :D:D

Current Affairs
This was just awesome. Awesome in a way I cannot put into words. If you like listening to the rantings of a lecturer who has the most biased viewpoint of the world, is actually quite a sound guy and loves a fight (and curses a lot) then this is the one for you - in terms of work load this is light - in fact most of what you will do in it will only be slightly based on actual current affairs - but who cares - pick a fight with the lecturer, drag in the americans in the room, and feck it a few other minorities into the mix and you will have a ball!!! For me this was so worth the 9am start!!!

Comparative European Politics
I went to one of these classes all semester - only to laugh at the lecturers pronunciation of the word 'focus' - look out for it - it's a cracker. On a more serious note the lecturer is dedicated and highly knowledgeable but in order to do decent in this subject (and decent being 70+) you seriously need to do your reading - not just the recommended texts either - I was lucky as I studied this for two years before and had some serious back catalogue of material but otherwise join your poor classmates F and Blind on Facebook at about 5am when you all finally finish their introduction of the essay and make lots of derogatory comments about the lecturers ethnic origins.

Crime & the Media
Mark O'Brien is the lecturer and the man is sound - this was a great class - the debates in the seminars were great - when the work was put into him, and Mark had some sort of personality upgrade from first to second year. This is one of the few subjects you will do that does exactly what it says on the tin. Final essay is handy enough.

Publication Design
Was more than a tad annoyed over this subject - but it is something that will be of use if you want to diversify your skills - Daysha is right buy the book and read it, he gives you SFA technical support as the class is more about the theory than the actual 'how to'. In saying that after an initial tête-à-tête with the lecturer, I actually found him really helpful.

Benny Lava

Actually now that I think of it I do have a question.

Has anyone done the optional language modules and if so, what are they like?

Daysha

I laughed a lot in Current Affairs for the reasons given above as well, the lectures really need to be seen to be believed. But in the end of the day if there's one thing you don't want a lecturer messing up, it's your assignments. And his handling of mine was just a mess from start to finish.

Has anyone done the optional language modules and if so, what are they like?

Didn't do one myself but most people generally had good things to say about it. Can't understand the lack of Irish as an option though.

Benny Lava

I had a look at the CS2 timetable there and one of the modules (which of course I won't name) isn't at all appealing because of the lecturer. We had him last year and he's like Fr. Stone from Father Ted. Can't imagine getting out of a comfortable bed to go to that lecture.

InkNut

Benny Lava wrote: »

I had a look at the CS2 timetable there

Where can I find that Benny???

phasers

This year's one isn't out yet is it?

here's last year's one I think:
http://www.dcu.ie/timetables/feed.php3?prog=CS&per=2&week1=1&week2=31&hour=1-20&template=student

And all the modules are here:
http://www.dcu.ie/registry/module_contents.php?function=4&programme=CS

Benny Lava

Yeah I was looking at last year's one.

It might be subject to change but it gives you a good idea of the hours involved and the different lecturers nonetheless.

mehfesto

I really enjoyed publication design. The lectures aren't overly technical, but he does explain concepts very well. That said you have to apply for that one really early. Filled up last year before anything else.

It is good fun, though. If you don't mind his anti-Mac rants.

Daysha

mehfesto wrote: »

It is good fun, though. If you don't mind his anti-Mac rants.

After that first day I doubt a certain other poster in our class feels the same though

Benny Lava

Is there any combination of modules that isn't permitted?

Like, can you do ab initio Spanish and intermediate French or are you limited to just one language?