ucd arts

jay dubya

hi guys, im looking at this course, and im looking at four specific subjects, english, history, geography, archaeology. Does anyone have any info they could share on any of these subjects or combinations. thanks:D

RosyLily

Hey OP!
I did my BA in English and Geography. Really enjoyed both subjects.

English
English is fairly intensive; you could read a different novel every week in some modules so get started on reading asap! SU Copy Shop is your friend; lecturers will put articles in here about their lectures and novels/plays etc. There is loads of modules to choose from, everything from Shakespeare to Canadian literature, so you're bound to find something that you like.

Geography
Geography is less intense than English. You cover many areas of Geography, from human, physical to geopolitical. I found the subject very interesting. It can be tough at times, but it's enjoyable.

Well, that's my personal take on the two subjects. If you want another opinion look up myucd.ie. That should have info on the subjects. I know they're divided into groups so you mightn't be able to pick the subjects you want as they're at the same time.

Hope it helps!:D

jay dubya

thanks, how well recognised is the degree, as im aspiring to work in the media sector when i finish college

Rosita

jay dubya wrote: »

thanks, how well recognised is the degree, as im aspiring to work in the media sector when i finish college

Degree don't get any more recognised than a BA from UCD (or any of the other NUI colleges). These are time-honoured qualifications with no explanation necessary. Just make sure it is what you want to do. You do get a lot of people whinging about 'useless Arts degrees' when they realise that they should have pursued something else, or that they didn't give enough thought to the subjects they took. But it's no different to any qualification in that respect. It's a terrifically flexible qualification (assuming you have two 'majors') in that you can go the post-graduate route in either subject, or in a related subject area.

I come from a media background and I think it's a good idea to do an Arts degree rather than a media/journalism degree. You can always do a post-grad in media but you're not stuck with a primary journalism degree with little application elsewhere if you decide against the media/hit a brick wall later on.

It would be a good idea to get involved in college newspapers/radio too as it will give you some experience you can point to later.

Getting back to the Arts degree, I think it would be an idea to consider taking a language (other than English!) at least in first year and see how you get on. I think a language always gives an Arts degree an edge and it might be an idea not to close the door on the possibility from day one. It would make the course more difficult but it would be worth it I think.

TiGeR KiNgS

i done archaeology in 1st year and majored in Geography for my degree.

Archaeology was a pain in the arse for me. there were 2 essays and a final exam which meant more of a workload than a typical first year subject,This was the system for all modules and there was also a field trip which was very easy in comparison. I wouldn't recommend it unless you have a particular interest in the subject.

Geography on the other hand was a nice subject for me. The lecturers were easy going (barring one) and the workload was more in line with what you'd expect from a first year course. so I would recommend it. The modules I found very interesting as well which really helps.

First year was 4 years ago for me though, so it might of changed.

El Siglo

I did this course.

Geography in UCD is piss, it's nearly all human so it's just reading articles, books etc... The one draw back is that there's no proper GIS modules in the undergrad or at least that was the case when I was there. Also, they only do 'stats'* in the MA and not at undergrad which might be useful.
The biggest problem I found was that physical geography isn't run well or at all as it may seem. There's feck all practical stuff, you'll never use any of the grain size equipment, microscopy etc... Essentially, physical geography is almost non-existent. And trust me when I say, there are times when you think you're studying applied sociology with some of the shite that some lecturers feed you.**










*By 'stats', it's excel which isn't a good stats package.

**Seriously, "feminist political geography" and "political economy" are retarded.

theboat

I'm going into third year, doing Archaeology and French. I also did History in first year.
I love Archaeology, and to be honest, I don't think it's any more or less difficult/time-consuming than most other subjects. If you have an interest in it, you'll probably enjoy it. It consists of quite a lot of reading (as does History) and the assessment for each module usually involves one or two essay submissions during the semester. 'Intro to Archaeology' (assuming that course is still offered) also includes a field trip, which can be interesting and good fun.
Archaeology also goes very well with either history or geography, as there's quite a bit of overlap once you get beyond first year.
If you're looking to get into the media, it's not going to make a huge difference what specific subjects you study. The fact that you have completed a BA is the most significant thing. As Rosita said, get involved in societies the college newspapers so that you have some hands-on experience.
Hope this was of some help, and best of luck starting in university.

RandomName2

jay dubya wrote: »

hi guys, im looking at this course, and im looking at four specific subjects, english, history, geography, archaeology. Does anyone have any info they could share on any of these subjects or combinations. thanks:D

I can tell you literally everything there is to know about history and english in UCD. PM me if you want detailed descriptions.

kev9100

Hey

Can anyone PM me some information on French and Histoy?

Thanks:)

Extrasupervery

Arts Freshers are so lucky this year, ye've got the buddy scheme so the big bad mindfúck that is UCD Arts should be a little less daunting.

jay dubya

i also noticed a new degree, english with film its called. Does anyone have any ideas what this degree will be like and, if anyone has information that would be great. Thanks for all the help and useful info guys:D

kev9100

Extrasupervery wrote: »

ye've got the buddy scheme so the big bad mindfúck that is UCD Arts should be a little less daunting.

What's the buddy scheme?

El Siglo

kev9100 wrote: »

What's the buddy scheme?

I think it's something like this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKmUsVeKp1o

Extrasupervery

kev9100 wrote: »

What's the buddy scheme?

Other courses have a peer mentoring system, where you're split into small groups...of 5 or 6 (I think) and assigned a mentor from an older year of the course. That way you get to know people and you've got someone to go to if you have questions. I just did an awful job of explaining that BUT you get the picture.

Arts is a massive course and for some reason we haven't got peer mentors (yet) so they started a buddy scheme! I imagine it'll be something similar, you'll be assigned a student from 2nd or 3rd year who will you help you get to grips with the college and the course. You won't be completely lost like past years.

kev9100

Extrasupervery wrote: »

Other courses have a peer mentoring system, where you're split into small groups...of 5 or 6 (I think) and assigned a mentor from an older year of the course. That way you get to know people and you've got someone to go to if you have questions. I just did an awful job of explaining that BUT you get the picture.

Arts is a massive course and for some reason we haven't got peer mentors (yet) so they started a buddy scheme! I imagine it'll be something similar, you'll be assigned a student from 2nd or 3rd year who will you help you get to grips with the college and the course. You won't be completely lost like past years.

Cheers:)

Mushy

jay dubya wrote: »

i also noticed a new degree, english with film its called. Does anyone have any ideas what this degree will be like and, if anyone has information that would be great. Thanks for all the help and useful info guys:D

My friend did English & Film for his degree, but as a joint major in Arts. Tough for people to say what it'd be like as its only new, but one could assume it's be those two courses, with maybe more interlinked. WIll contain many essays and readings, some late nights for college (films till 8/9 o clock), but certainly managebale.

Monksie

was offered arts 2day! anyone have an idea what information studies is like? i think im doing it with art history! kinda regret picking those two now... x :eek:

chave

Monksie wrote: »

was offered arts 2day! anyone have an idea what information studies is like? i think im doing it with art history! kinda regret picking those two now... x :eek:

did it as an elective , was quite lame. id highly recommend economics, stats, politics. much more useful too, as well as interesting. especially economics.

littlefriend

Monksie wrote: »

was offered arts 2day! anyone have an idea what information studies is like? i think im doing it with art history! kinda regret picking those two now... x :eek:

I did Info Literacy - develop skills last semester and I found it fairly dull. It was easy but I much preferred other subjects that had more work but were more interesting. You have a 2 hour lecture per week and I think a tutorial every two weeks. You will have to keep a journal about planning and researching an essay. The journal has to be submitted in around week 9 and then your essay before the end of the term. That part of it is good as you don't have to worry about an exam - once you submit your essay you are done with that module. Also, the lecturers and tutors are very helpful and everything you need for the course is put up on blackboard so you can access easily. Its not a bad elective as you do get to know how to use the library properly and do a lot of stuff about referencing etc which is good.

There is another info studies subject as well which apparently was also pretty boring but easy. I think you have to make a poster or something for that one so again no exam.

In your orientation week there will be sample lectures on. Go to them to see if you like them - well worth your time to do this. If you do start a subject that you don't like - get out of it quickly so that you can start something else without being too much behind [you have until week 6 I think to do that].

Most of all - don't get too stressed out about all of this stuff. It really does fall into place fairly quickly. The beginning of term is a bit crazy but by the 3rd or 4th week you'll feel a lot better about things.

Ron100

Hi, just wondering if anyone knows if field trips in geography in UCD are compulsory and if they constitute separate modules?

HavingCrack

Ron100 wrote: »

Hi, just wondering if anyone knows if field trips in geography in UCD are compulsory and if they constitute separate modules?

There's no geography field trips in first year (there wasn't last year anyway) but I think a field trip constitutes a module on its own. I'm only about 75% sure on that so you'd best check it up if you're looking into taking one.

They definately are not compulsory if it involves an over night trip though.

Ron100

Thanks, that sounds about right

Pigwidgeon

chave wrote: »

did it as an elective , was quite lame. id highly recommend economics, stats, politics. much more useful too, as well as interesting. especially economics.

I did economics last year and hated it, even though I loved it for leaving cert. Most people I know either loved it or hated it, but by all means if you think you might like it try it as one of your subjects for first year, then you have the option of dropping it afterwards.

jay dubya

i was looking at the new degree, english with drama. does anyone have any insights or info on this course?

jmclee

Mushy wrote: »

My friend did English & Film for his degree, but as a joint major in Arts. Tough for people to say what it'd be like as its only new, but one could assume it's be those two courses, with maybe more interlinked. WIll contain many essays and readings, some late nights for college (films till 8/9 o clock), but certainly managebale.

Hi sorry I'm really crap with all this what'd you mean by he did it as a joint major? You can't do film in arts can you?? Please explain cos I'd be well interested in that!

OneOfThem Stumbled

jmclee wrote: »

Hi sorry I'm really crap with all this what'd you mean by he did it as a joint major? You can't do film in arts can you?? Please explain cos I'd be well interested in that!

Linky

That's everything; although it is quite dense. Also note that Comp Sci is no longer being offered.

jmclee

OneOfThem Stumbled wrote: »

Linky

That's everything; although it is quite dense. Also note that Comp Sci is no longer being offered.

Oh wow I am soso confused, is this just a different arts programme altogether than the one I've already put down on my CAO? Cos on that one you couldn't choose film studies or anything?? I picked English and history just? Even if I wanted to go that other route I can't do film studies swell it's in same group as history
I can't believe how uninformed I am afterrr the leaving cert aaagghh

Harryru

Is there a buddy system for French 1st years. I have been hearing that French is difficult. I am prepared to work hard and am up for the challenge, but a little scared. Any comments