Another question about First Arts

Ell69 · 17-01-2009 01:26PM #1

I'm trying to work out which subjects to pick for Arts.
Thanks to all who answered my questions in a previous post below.
Re French, I'd be applying as a mature student. To what level do you need to be able to speak French before taking French in 1styr?. I had my subjects picked, but their times are clashing in a couple of lectures. How important is attending the lectures, would I be able to maybe swap them around or will I just have pick different subjects. I had my heart set on 'History of Art'. History, English and Celtic Civilisation. The only other one that interests me is French, but my French is very basic, I could take night classes etc or do a crash course in this to give me an advantage, but would I be wasting my time, do you need to be able to say write an essay in French before enrolling in it?. I'd even try the Italian , as it says, beginners, anyone doing this?.
Also do UCC have 'blackboard' available?
Thanks. Ye're all fab around here for all the info.

Amtmann · 17-01-2009 06:04PM

My understanding is that it would be a BIG mistake to do First Arts French if you don't have a decent Leaving Cert standard to begin with.

I'm sure the French Dept offer a stand alone beginners French class that you could do in addition to your four Arts subjects.

taram · 17-01-2009 09:28PM

Yep, we have blackboard, but some lecturers use it for every little detail, some completly ignore it.

I know in German, unless you took it and passed it at a certain level in higher leaving cert (think C3, open to correction) you have to sit an exam or have a qualification that brings you to the higher leaving cert c3 level. If you think you could pass the department exam, go for it, but I assume it'd be quite a high standard, but if you did work very hard off the Leaving Cert course and get tutoring I'd imagine it'd be quite possible to do. You could ring the department and ask them?

I'd reccomend Italian, if I was doing Arts (and hey, if my postgrad falls through, I will be) I'd pick Italian, I know a lot of the department and they're lovely. Plus it's from the beginning so you can build up your knowledge.

Ni.Chofaigh · 17-01-2009 10:01PM

Im currently in First Arts in UCC. I took french at the begining of the year and even thought i had a LC mark above the required i still found it very difficult. My strenght is spoken french and i found the grammer class very difficult. I changed out of french and im so glad i did!!! I wouldn't take french unless your willing to put in alot of time and effort.

As regards lectures they are important. Blackboard is not used by all lecturers (tear) but its a great help when they do. Dont mean to sound like a buzz kill but its true what they all say about how reading the lecture notes is not the same as being in the lecture.

hope that helped a bit..

Ell69 · 17-01-2009 10:50PM

Thanks so much. My question in my original post was a bit vague, I really meant to ask what happens if you pick two subjects that are on at the same time. I wanted to do Celtic civilisation and History, but on Mondays these two are timetabled for 3pm. I've gone over and over the subjects and no matter which way I re-arrange them some of them are at the same times.
Sorry for all the questions. its just I'm a mum to four kids and I'm trying to work out a timetable and subjects that will allow me to stick the course out. xox:)

Ni.Chofaigh · 18-01-2009 01:31PM

Check the groupings. If there in the same grouping then the college wont let you do them as far as i know. On the big timetable not all times allocated for a subject are actually used but its the groupings that are important, there on the website i think and in the course book.

Ell69 · 18-01-2009 01:51PM

Thanks, yes they are in different groupings. Even so timetables seem to clash. :rolleyes:

fated2pretend · 18-01-2009 02:14PM

If your 4 subjects are in 4 different groups, you can pick them. The timetable includes things like all the allocated times for tutorials, which you yourself get to arrange based on what suits you

Ell69 · 18-01-2009 06:35PM

fated2pretend, perfect. Answers my question. Thanks. Ive now narrowed it down to 6 so hopefully I'll get the four I'm looking for, xox

ReacherCreature · 19-01-2009 03:45PM

Again make sure you put them in order of preference.
With your 1 & 2 choice you're guaranteed to get what you want.

IMO Stay away from French if you don't have any previous experience/schooling of it. I had a solid enough Leaving Cert in French but in College I hated it, it was far too difficult for me!

Alan Smith · 21-01-2009 08:52PM

Stay away from European studies.

Worst course around.

Burtchaell · 23-01-2009 06:19PM

Im a 1st year. Study European Studies ( I think its good btw), French, Spanish and Politics.

A couple of my friends are Mature students and they are taking French and or Spanish. Im not sure what levels they have tbh but they have been out for a while. You got to choose one or the other. Your Timetable can't clash at all. French requires a C3 in the LC to give you an idea of the standard. French requires some work alright. Our first test 2 weeks ago was on object pronouns. The culture classes can be interessting and no you dont have to be able to write your essays in French. We were told we could write our 1st one in English.:) I doubt that we have to write any in French for 1st year.

Lots of homework involved btw.

Any questions???

Hope that helped.lol (Its long enough anyway!)

Alan Smith · 24-01-2009 01:07AM

Burtchaell wrote: »

Im a 1st year. Study European Studies ( I think its good btw), French, Spanish and Politics.

I'm definitely going to be spending lectures next week trying to figure out who you are :eek::D

Although, I would think that people with an interest in foreign languages would enjoy it more.

ReacherCreature · 24-01-2009 01:50AM

Burtchaell wrote: »

The culture classes can be interessting and no you dont have to be able to write your essays in French. We were told we could write our 1st one in English.:) I doubt that we have to write any in French for 1st year.

Last year we didn't have to write any essays in French. All in English. The age old question "If it's in English, answer it in English"

Some people can write in French if they want.
Same thing with the end of term exams. Passed them easy!

Ancee · 25-01-2009 11:13PM

OP if you want to do English make sure you put it down as a first or second choice otherwise you haven't a hope of getting it

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