so you've heard about these law and language courses...

Sisu

Hi again to everyone I was talking to in here,

I hope your exams all went well.

I just thought I'd resurrect the thread to add that if anyone has any questions in the future - even next year - about Law and German or Law and French in Trinity or UCD or wherever, feel free to post them here and I'll come back and give them a go.

Have a good summer.

S.

the smiley one

coolo

Methinks I will revise the 'oul CAO, but kinda scared I suppose
I was going to do just pure law (all points permitting of course!!!) BUT I think I have since changed my mind....I think....

I would really like to do law and german cuz if I wasn't doing that I would prob keep up german on the side, just want to know a couple of things

1. Is it a pain having to learn about german law etc., I mean, wouldn't mind
learning German, but is all the other stuff....interesting, I suppose?
2. Do you think that you should do law and german even if you have no
intentions NOW of ever living or practising in Germany (but maybe perhaps
in the EU?
3. Do you need to be fluent in german to do the course?
4. How easy is it to switch courses to pure law if you find out you don't like
the German component?

right, I think that's all
for now...

Sisu

Hi the smiley one,

I'm surprised someone posted so soon. It's probably a good idea to think about the options before the change of mind deadline though.

Is it a pain having to learn about german law etc., I mean, wouldn't mind learning German, but is all the other stuff....interesting, I suppose?

I think young nastyman would be in a better position to answer that one. I've never been in a German law class, though I've been in plenty of French ones. I find it interesting enough, but that's entirely a matter of personal preferences, and of course, it's not probably not going to be fascinating every day. What is? I can't think how you can be sure before starting whether you'll like it or not. If you like Irish law, then, presumably, you'll also like foreign law. Studying another legal system does complement the Irish law. Don't forget the other stuff you'll be learning about German society and civilisation as well - it can be pretty interesting getting to know another country. Only you can decide whether you might find these things interesting. Sorry I can't give you a definitive answer on this one, but it does lead on to question four - it's easy to switch. If you think you'd like it, give it a go, and if it turns out you hate it, you've lost nothing.

Do you think that you should do law and german even if you have no intentions NOW of ever living or practising in Germany (but maybe perhaps in the EU?

I think hardly anyone knows before starting college what career they want to end up in, and even if you do, your ideas of what you like best can change while you're in college. Personally, I think people should do something they might enjoy and be good at, and not worry too much about jobs now. Law generally and especially law and language degrees are quite broad and can lead on to all sorts of jobs. The majority of Law and German graduates probably don't work in Germany, or maybe some work there for a while. So if you like the degree, you should do it, and then you'll have the possibility of working in Germany, for a short or long time, if that's what you want.

Do you need to be fluent in german to do the course?

No. The idea isn't that you start off the course fluent in the language. The idea is you come with school German and an interest in learning more and then over the four years it gets much better. I think the requirement is a C1, which means you don't have to be absolutely fluent to start (though lots of people who choose the courses have an A in the language). It might be a bit daunting to think you'll be learning other stuff through German, but it's not especially difficult when it comes to it. I understand the German classes in law and German are pretty good. The overall impression I have is the course is really well organised, and people do end up fluent.

How easy is it to switch courses to pure law if you find out you don't like the German component?

It's generally pretty easy to switch (in Trinity), if you have the points to get into the course you want to change to, ie law. You can change very early in the year, though I'm not sure if you get a real idea of the degree in just a few weeks. I'd say it might be a better idea to give it a year anyway, and then you can make an informed decision.

So if you think you'd like it, I'd say give it a go - you're not going to be trapped in a course you don't like if it turns out it's not for you.

Hope this helps.

young nastyman

yo,

the German law part, as I said above, is brilliant. In first year the course is German consitutional law which is a really interesting area which involves both the history and politics of German history (how the constitution was drafted so as to avoid the rise of movements such as National Socialism/Nazism etc., the part the allied forces played, the federal nature of Germany, which was abandoned during Hitler's time and then strongly re-enforced with the drafting of the const......)

Along with all that you'll study contemporary constitutional theory and caselaw. It really does complement your understanding of law in general and it's not a "pain" at all. Plus you're doing it in a small class with 9 others which helps, it's not as intimidating and it really is great craic!

Having said that, if you don't like the German side of the course, it's very easy to change to straight law. And no, you don't need to be fluent going in. The lectures conducted in German aren't too bad starting out and it'll be explained in English if it's not clear.

Jeez, I've way too much time on my hands! wish i'd had all this info this time last year!

Just pick law and German. put simply, it's better!

the smiley one

hmm, it all sounds good, just one little thing (and I'm guessing it is pretty little), I didn't do history for the LC...that shouldn't be a problem, should it?

The only thing I'm worried about is that I won't get enough points for law in trinners and then I will end up doing law and german, and REALLY not like the german part and be stuck with it for a year.....but then again I suppose I will just have to make the choice in the end...ah, the indecision!

Btw thanks for all your help, much appreciated. And I will inform you of the final decision(da da da dum)...unless I have any questions between now and then...in which case I will talk you later!

young nastyman

you don't need to have done history. I didn't to LC history.

you're thinking about it far too much. You should err on the side of caution and pick law & g, you won't be stuck with German if you don't like it, you can change to straight law (even if you didn't get the required amount of CAO points, you can switch. once you get in CAO points become less important as lots of people drop out so there's spaces available and the points drop in subsequent round offers)

the smiley one

yes I know I'm over-analysing, but I spend my life doing this... "thinking too precisely on the event etc." (and I thought I'd never use Hamlet again...)

So just to totally clarify, in fourth year you can do EU Law, Equity and Company (if you haven't already done EU) and remain eligable for Kings Inns/Blackhall Place..?

Sisu

the smiley one wrote:

So just to totally clarify, in fourth year you can do EU Law, Equity and Company (if you haven't already done EU) and remain eligable for Kings Inns/Blackhall Place..?

In third year, you can do EU and Jurisprudence in Germany. Then in fourth year, you can do Constitutional II, Equity, Evidence and Company. That should cover all the options.

abercrombie

this is a freaking brilliant thread!! thanks so much for linking me to it! i'll hve some questions for u 2moro as its nearlu 2:30AM and i'm KNACKERED!!!!!!

the smiley one

Just like to say mega thanks to Sisu and Young Nastyman!
I got 590 so should be ok for Law and German in Trinners.
Gotta get me a scorf....

Poz3D

Looks like I got Law & German in Trinity as well! Thanks to everyone for their advice in this thread.

Sisu

Hi the smiley one and Poz3D,

Congratulations to both of you on your results and your offer. I hope you really enjoy your course over the next four years.

Thanks for the thanks, too.

S.

Shyster

Just want to say thanks aswell to everyone for the advice on this thread and asking questions I wouldn't have thought to ask, I got my first choice so well happy now, good luck everyone!

Sisu

Hi Shyster,

Well done. What was your first choice? UCC or UL?

Shyster

I ended up putting UL down as my first choice, it seems similar to other european law degrees and I'm hoping to work abroad in the future so it should be of some use then.. In the end I would have had the points for UCC but we'll see how this course goes!! Thanks again