Social Science

92Grainne1992

Hi everyone,
Was looking into doing social science next year, coming from a psychology FETAC. Does anyone have anything nice to say about the course? dont really like the look of the amount of policies to go through but i definitly dont want to go for pyschology... Is it alright/whats the workload like?
Thanks

isabella5

im currently studying social science, came from a social studies fetac. its very interesting and its not just about policy. you study poverty, discrimination and so much more. the work load can be heavy and demanding on your life, but its worth it if you put the effort in. any course you do at that level will have some form of workload. dont look at it that way. try and think about what career you want in the future and what course would suit you for that choice.

92Grainne1992

Just not sure if I'd like the more research side rather then the practical side they offer in courses in the likes of DIT or blanch... Decisions decisions!

isabella5

there really is no practical side, and is mostly just theory and readings. i no from friends that are doing it in blanch that it is mostly practical and a lot of group work so less pressure on the individual. if you want more practical work and less of your head stuck in books and researching different theories definitely go with blanch or DIT....

92Grainne1992

thanks for the heads up!

pocpaul

I'm coming to the end of the 2nd year of the course. I also came from a FETAC course and came in as a mature student. There's lots I can say about what I don't like particularly the emphasis on theory and not having any placement and practical studies. I also find that the social policy department can be slow to grade/give feedback and i'm not a fan of 2 hour 9am lectures which seem to be an ongoing trend.

In first year you are eased into your studies and very gradually you find your feet. Sociology fits in well all round and carries over to Social Policy right through the course. Note that when dropping a subject in 1st year you must drop an elective subject as dropping Social Policy will change your degree to an Arts. Also you are encouraged to keep on Sociology because of its relevance to Social Policy. As of workload it will get tough around different periods but it is manageable.

2nd year is alot tougher, I had 3 exams this time last year and now Iv 6 coming up along with another assignment to get through beforehand, we've also just had to get in 3 2000 word essays a few weeks ago that were due within the same 2 days. Its tough but you get used to timelines and stressing out and just take it step by step. 3rd year involves the usual continues assessment and exams (from what I hear much more intense) but also as this is a double honors you will need to write 2 thesis one 10,000 and 7.500.

What I like about this course is its content, you explore current trends in all areas of society, issues surrounding equality,society and welfare provision. It opens up your way of thinking and all round this is a well structured course. The lecturers and tutors are all very approachable and there is always help if you need it. The Sociology class can have anywhere from 150 to 400 students in lectures but the main Social Policy class is around 45 to 50 I think so everyone helps each other out and gets to know each other. The grounds itself is excellent, the new library is ideal and the lecture halls are spot on. There's not much else I can say but if you really don't like theory and research then this is not for you but if you think you might then go for it and chances are you'll be glad you did.

Turtyturd

pocpaul wrote: »

I also find that the social policy department can be slow to grade/give feedback and i'm not a fan of 2 hour 9am lectures which seem to be an ongoing trend.

Just on the other side of this...the Department are very flexible when it comes to deadlines and will often shift them around so they do not clash with those of Sociology. Every year we have had at least one essay that was due around the end of the first semester but it was pushed back into January. Waiting can be a pain but it's a trade off you have to make.

9 am lectures are a pain in the hole, and to make matters worse a lot of the time they are combined with lectures from 4pm to 6pm.....but on the plus side The Applied Social Studies department don't run lectures on a Wednesday or a Friday so depending on your subject/elective choices you could have two days off a week.

As has already been said think about what you want to afterwards before deciding. I want to get into the policy end of things so the course was really good for me and I enjoyed it....if I had wanted to get into social care/social work I might have chosen somewhere else.

ms.sunnyb

Hi, Can I ask you which subject choice would mean having two days of a week?

Turtyturd

ms.sunnyb wrote: »

Hi, Can I ask you which subject choice would mean having two days of a week?

In first year it was Social Policy/Sociology/Anthropology. In 2nd year you have a to make module choices so it's a bit more difficult but the Applied Social Studies and Sociology Depts don't run lectures on Fridays so you should have them off.

pocpaul

The 2013/2014 personalized timetables will be open mid August http://www.nuim.ie/timetable I pick all elective modules plus compulsory and weigh up the days there on, some of the electives for Anthropology and Sociology are on days you have no Social Policy so you could have one lecture on Friday if you pick it.. I had a 2 day week in 1st year and a 3 day week in 2nd year, you'll have to wait and see whats on which days.

ms.sunnyb

Cool thanks, I would like to take on Geography for the first year and could really do with a couple days free to earn some money but yeah I guess I'll wait and see how I find the subjects first and how the timetable works out. I'll most likely be keeping Sociology with Social Policy for 2nd and 3rd year.

stacerz17

hey guys , im going into first year social science, yet to receive info from maynooth, can u tell me is it everyday lectures 9 to 5 and also is it the 16th september i start?

thanks

DAISY DREAMS

Would be delighted to chat to any students going into first year social science..I am a nervously excited 46 year old woman...would be good to find other students on the course.

MeganLou

Would love if someone starting out in Social science as well as me would have a chat with me, might calm my nerves :L

DAISY DREAMS

Hey Megan - did you get in contact with many starting Soc Science at Maynooth?

ArleneKK

I am due to start Social Science 23rd too, I'm 40 and cant wait to get stuck in:)

hah1970

DAISY DREAMS wrote: »

Would be delighted to chat to any students going into first year social science..I am a nervously excited 46 year old woman...would be good to find other students on the course.

Hi Daisy,
I am starting in Maynooth this coming September. What is it like as mature student in Nuim? Is the course really tough? I have so many questions to ask. Can we chat more please?

Thanks
Amy