BA in Contemporary culture and society

xxzaraxx

I am transferring from UCD and hope to tranfer to second or third year of contemporary culture and society in DCU. Is there anyone who's doing it that can tell me about the course? Is the class big? And what is the timetable like?

artanevilla

I'm in 1st year atm. Class is about 40 maybe. You only do about 14 hours a week but there's plenty of assignments to keep you busy. It's interesting and quite diverse as well with plenty of options.

xxzaraxx

artanevilla wrote: »

I'm in 1st year atm. Class is about 40 maybe. You only do about 14 hours a week but there's plenty of assignments to keep you busy. It's interesting and quite diverse as well with plenty of options.

Ok and what is the social life like for the course?what do you hope to do when you finish the course?

artanevilla

xxzaraxx wrote: »

Ok and what is the social life like for the course?what do you hope to do when you finish the course?

Social life is pretty good, we go out together every couple of weeks, parties etc, we even have a football team. I haven't decided yet what I want to do which is the beauty of this course, it's quite diverse and gives you lots of options. It's a new course as well, the third years now will be the first to graduate.

xxzaraxx

artanevilla wrote: »

Social life is pretty good, we go out together every couple of weeks, parties etc, we even have a football team. I haven't decided yet what I want to do which is the beauty of this course, it's quite diverse and gives you lots of options. It's a new course as well, the third years now will be the first to graduate.

ok and is there anything else you can tell me about the course?Could anyone else you know who's doing the course tell me about it??

quackisss

I'm in 1st year as well! Personally think it's a great course because of the amount of choice you get, is there anything in particular you wanna know?

xxzaraxx

quackisss wrote: »

I'm in 1st year as well! Personally think it's a great course because of the amount of choice you get, is there anything in particular you wanna know?

Hmmm I'm not sure. . .whats the hours like?are you in at 9 most days??Im transferring from UCD so its a big move ya know. . In UCD the social life wasnt that great and the class sizes were huge like 500 per lecture. .is it better to have small classes? and is the course based around a continous assessment like 30% for an essay or 10% towards seminar/tutorial attendance?

quackisss

It of course depends on the modules you pick but for me I've only got 1 9am start on a Wednesday, off on Mondays, 1 lecture on Tuesday, 1 lecture and 1 seminar on Thursday and then Friday is my longest day with two 2 hour lectures back to back. In the first semester I was unlucky enough to get a 4 hour break on one of the days but again it just depends on the classes you pick!

It depends on the module again for class size, some are more popular than others and some are shared with other courses. The media type classes tend to be quite big because it's also a choice for the Journalism and Comm students but other classes like the Literature ones only have around 20-30 students in them. The core classes ( just 1 per sem.) are just for the 50 or so CCS students but there's pretty much never full attendance so that'll always be less.

As said above the social life is great, within the class there are plenty of nights out and house parties! If you get involved with some societies there'll always be nights out for one or another and most will have christmas parties etc.

As far as assessment goes check here: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/module_contents.php?function=4&programme=CCS

This shows all the modules and the % of CA or Exam. So obv. 100% exam means an exam at the end of the sem. CA can mean essays, assignments, moodle quizzes or presentations and then some have a certain % CA plus an exam at the end. None of my classes have % for attendance but as far as I know the Law module does.

Hope this helps!

xxzaraxx

Ok now that was really really helpful! I wasnt sure about the course in DCU but I think I'll definitely be considering doing this course. . I like the timetable its alot like my timetable for an arts degree in UCD! Alot of the work that has to be done for the core modules for year 3 I have already done so that's handy!I'm applying for a transfer to both second or third year so if I get a place in second year then I will see you there! :P

My mates doing this degree and he's pretty sure he's going to be working in McDonalds for the rest of his life.

g5fd6ow0hseima

if he gets a 2.1 and does a masters you'd never know

artanevilla

Deleted User wrote: »

My mates doing this degree and he's pretty sure he's going to be working in McDonalds for the rest of his life.

He should have done engineering. Oh wait...

Shelle

Thinking of putting this down for next year.Could anyone thats doing/has done it tell ma about it?Is it a decent degree to have/many hours/what the people are like?
Please:)

mccarn22

I am a CCS3 student, one of the first students to graduate with this degree... It is a very very... diverse course.... too much so... 1st, 2nd year were difficult as such.. but then 3rd.. it really hits you how important education is.. and after 3 years.... why throw away the op of bettering yourself...

Dr. Vera Sheridan is the course co-ord and chairperson... she has decicated a serious amount of time towards this course.. CCS3 are the first graduates of the course ( the guiney pigs as such )

we were very much mixed with CS (Communications Study Students ) and JR ( Journalism Students) this i found problematic.. as these students were at the apex of most classes as they were more involved in specialist subjects like film, photography etc... but its still fine..

The course is changing a lot... there will be more options for a more personally moulded degree.

I am going on to do my postgraduate in Public Relations and Events management .. so I wont be "working in Mc Donalds" to the person who said about their friend... If your ambitious and serious about your life and your education.. you'l work hard to get where you want...

final word: I think that the course points are really going to climb.. Attributes I would say that you should have to some degree applying for this course; Ambition, creativity and confidence..

Good luck to all... any questions just post.

mccarn22

Shelle wrote: »

Thinking of putting this down for next year.Could anyone thats doing/has done it tell ma about it?Is it a decent degree to have/many hours/what the people are like?
Please:)

Average of 14-16 hours a week... If you do languages, prepare to have a few 9am starts... every wednesday in DCU lectures finish at 2....

fridays usually finish by 12, but more people have it off ( 3 day weekend for those traveling nationwide )

class is nice, great mix of students...

Dr. Vera Sheridan (course chairperson ) is an amazing dedicated women who is very easy to approach...

jenjenxx

I have contempory culture and society down as my number 1 choice on the cao, its the only course that caters for all of my interests but im a bit nervous about it, ie.what will it lead on to? will i get a good job from it?
regarding the points going up, how much will they climb up by in your opinion? they were 350 last year, they surely couldnt go higher then 380...could they?
any other info on the course would be great!:)

_sparkie_

whenever i ask people about the opportunities this course offers after college they just seem to say 'there are lots of options, its a very diverse course'. great, but that doesnt answer my question. does anybody know what this course actually leads onto, what are you specialized in?

MsDarcy

I'm applying to do the course as well. The course seems to have four elements media-politics-languages-literature, I'm as you go along you focus more on one or two and like mosts Arts degrees these days people usually go on to do a masters. I'll probably try adn get into a public relations/media programme or something like that. Look up masters programmes in different colleges if your really concerned about what your going to do after.

_andrew2010_

useless course, no job prospects afterwards gonna transfer for september and do a course that will give me some good qualifications.

Advice: dont make a mistake by applying for this, youll regret it

jenjenxx

is this da general view in ur class or did you just not take to it like?

_sparkie_

i have heard the same thing from a few people that have done the course.

A racy brainrot

I have it down for my first choice as well.
I've looked through all the modules, and optional modules.
It is very broad, but I'm pretty sure I'll be able to mold it toward what I want to do.
That's why I'm picking it.

jenjenxx

I agree, i think da broadness is a plus, esp 4 people who havnt a clue wat dey wana do!:)

artanevilla

_sparkie_ wrote: »

i have heard the same thing from a few people that have done the course.

Nobody has "done" the course. The 3rd years now will be the first people to graduate.

_sparkie_

artanevilla wrote: »

Nobody has "done" the course. The 3rd years now will be the first people to graduate.

you know what i mean, people who are in the the course.

still nobody can come up with a half decent answer to the my question so they resort to knit-picking my posts. maybe you could be proof-readers on internet forums?

redout

DCU website:

"This unique degree gives you a great start for a career working within national and international institutions, NGOs, the public service, international advisory bodies, EU bodies, and other careers in international affairs, policy evaluation or research. As a graduate of this course you will also be eligible to apply for postgraduate degrees in Humanities and Social Sciences including masters programmes in areas such as Cultural Studies, International Relations, Globalisation, Communications, and Media Studies."

badradio

Just been offered this course. it was my first course, managed to secure 60 points more than required, thought it would go up alot more. the comments above about how you'll end up "working in McDonalds" or how there are no career options after graduating are complete nonsense. It's about time people realise it very hard to have any career prospects nowadays without a masters or postgrad, degrees today don't count for much. So for those less ambitious students who left comments, clearly havent been working hard at their degree if they think the course is "useless". I'm looking forward to beginning this course, and have already chosen the strands I want to persue. if anybody has an experience or info regarding the journalism, law or literature modules, please let me know (:

Russell_James

I'm going into 2nd Year of CCS and I do have mixed opinions of the course. It is very broad, sometimes so broad you haven't a clue what is going on. It all depends on your module choices

For the past two years, the choice system for the modules was very strange, but its been narrowed down now so it would become more relevant to the aims of the course.

My only advice to anyone taking up the course is to select modules that interest you rather than being ones of handiness (I know some who chose ones cos they could get a day off etc.). Read in detail the specifications of each module, and know what you are doing.

Overall, its a great course for an Arts degree. You get to be part of one of the best uni's in Ireland, in my opinion. Just keep up with the work, and i warn you, don't leave your reflective journal to the last min for Information & Study Skills!!

MsDarcy

Badradio - you're spot on Some people haven't a clue... Did 1st arts in nuim last year and parents and relations are always like "ooooh Arts...what type of job will that get you...." It'll get me to a post-grad is what I'll be getting haha. Looking forward to to css too. Will be going down the literature /media route of things too I think.

quackisss

badradio wrote: »

if anybody has an experience or info regarding the journalism, law or literature modules, please let me know (:

The literature modules are brilliant IMO, provided you have Brian Duffy who we had last year then I'm sure you'll enjoy them. The assessment for these modules were the easiest I had and my highest marks were for them each semester. As long as you have a natural interest in literature then you'll love it!

Didn't do any law or journalism ones myself but I heard from a few people that law was very hard, that's about all I know. Enjoy first year!

carrie19

Accepted this course and can't wait to start
Looks exactly like my kinda thing. What kinda stuff do ya do in the literature modules ya mind me asking? oh and whats the introduction to the study of a language? I've checked it out but i dont understand lol :S
cheers (:

quackisss

carrie19 wrote: »

What kinda stuff do ya do in the literature modules ya mind me asking?

You start off doing a bit of poetry, move onto some short stories then finish with a novel or novella. The semester essay is a choice of questions based on the short stories or novel so the poetry is just to give you a start into it really

janepops

hey i'm after accepting this course but am totally confused with the online registration...what's the story? how many modules do you have to choose and is it for the whole year or just this semester?? any help would be much appreciated:)

carrie19

janepops wrote: »

hey i'm after accepting this course but am totally confused with the online registration...what's the story? how many modules do you have to choose and is it for the whole year or just this semester?? any help would be much appreciated:)

Hey janepops ^_^
Once you sign in to register it should have all the details there? But I do remember you have to chose 3 modules (one from each strand) for each semester and one extra one from any strand. You chose your modules for semester 1 then 2.
Good luck

A racy brainrot

there are 3 strands. we've to pick one from each strand, but which modules are in which strand?
i

MsDarcy

What did everyone pick for this semester? I'm doing Language of lit, Human development, Study of language 1 and The emergence of modern America. Bit hit and miss on study of language... anyone any experiences with it?

A racy brainrot

for semester one : intro to politics, human development, modern america, language culture communication

carrie19

Language of Literature
Human Development : Power and Politics
The Emergence of Modern America
Introduction to social studies

see you guys there

carrie19

oops posted twice >_< lol

thecatsmother

everyone excited to start tomorrow ? or continue

carrie19

thecatsmother wrote: »

everyone excited to start tomorrow ? or continue

YES
Gonna be like a little kid startin off school, but an excited kid none the less

thecatsmother

i really cant wait to get started !!!!! and meet everyone too!!!!

carrie19

omg my laptop is so annoyin idk if last post worked :S grr
But same Except like tomorrow not knowing anyone ..But we'll all get to know each other!
And Morrisey is awesome btw thecatsmother

thecatsmother

carrie19 wrote: »

omg my laptop is so annoyin idk if last post worked :S grr
But same Except like tomorrow not knowing anyone ..But we'll all get to know each other!
And Morrisey is awesome btw thecatsmother

yay !! a fellow morrissey fan . i know a few people , i can introduce you to some people . i dont know anyone in my course , except for you that is!!!:D

carrie19

lol i don't know his music too well but i do know he's awesome ^_^
I kinda know someone whos in 2/3 year (but not really ha)..but now somone else who's in my course woot

thecatsmother

its good to know that i wont be a loner for the first few days!!!
are you going to be living on campus ?

carrie19

I was just thinking the same thing, no sitting alone at lunch time LOL
Nope I'll be getting the bus everyday..gah
How bout you?:D

thecatsmother

im getting the bus everyday too , two buses in fact . thats gonna be fun ....

carrie19

thecatsmother wrote: »

im getting the bus everyday too , two buses in fact . thats gonna be fun ....

Same
Well there is one bus i can get..but it involves a lot of walking..so wont be getting that lol
I am so going to get lost the moment i step into DCU

thecatsmother

carrie19 wrote: »

Same
Well there is one bus i can get..but it involves a lot of walking..so wont be getting that lol
I am so going to get lost the moment i step into DCU

its easy enough to find your way around , just follow everyone one else and you will be fine . :cool:

carrie19

thecatsmother wrote: »

its easy enough to find your way around , just follow everyone one else and you will be fine . :cool:

True Im still gonna be like O_O walking around haha
where bouts ya from ya mind me askin ? ^_^