BACHELOR OF ARTS
DEGREE PROGRAMMES
National University of Ireland
Programme 1 BA Local Studies
Programme 2 BA Community Studies
Modular Evening Part-Time
BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE PROGRAMMES
Welcome
NUI Maynooth has a long tradition of providing learning
opportunities for mature students. The BA Local Studies and BA Community Studies degrees are designed
specifically for such students. They are offered at the Maynooth Campus and Kilkenny Campus on a part-time
modular basis. The in-built flexibility of the degrees is designed to accommodate the many demands that mature
students face when they return to education.
Since the degree programmes were first offered in 1997
they have attracted students from a variety of backgrounds. Feedback from students who have graduated
indicate that the rewards that accrue from completing the degree greatly outweigh the challenges
posed by the experience. The friendships, the increase in self-confidence and the opportunity to explore ideas
in an academic setting are often cited as the most cherished aspects of their experience.
Nine University departments are involved in the delivery
of the programmes and a Course Management Team oversee their ongoing development. A Degree Manager
ensures that the management of the degree meets the expectations of students. A Support Officer works
closely with students to ensure that the specific needs of individuals can be addressed.
All the Departments and those involved in the management
and delivery of these degrees are committed to providing positive and accessible learning opportunities
for mature students.
I hope you will find the information in this brochure
helpful and that it will encourage you to join us on an exciting
learning journey.
Professor Anne Ryan
Chair, Course Management Team
Department of Adult and Community Education
BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE PROGRAMMES
Table of Contents
Introduction 2
Structure of Degree Programmes 2
Semesters 3
Modules 3
Credits 3
Recognition of Accredited Prior Learning 3
Assessment & Awards 4
Choosing a path through the Degree 4
Semester 1 4
Programme selection: Local or Community Studies 4
Student Support 4
Admission Requirements 5
Fees 5
How and where to apply 5
Book of Modules CD-Rom Attached
BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE PROGRAMMES
2
Bachelor of Arts
Degree Programmes
Modular Evening Part-Time
Programme 1 BA Local Studies
Programme 2 BA Community Studies
Introduction
The National University of Ireland, Maynooth offers
modular part-time degrees in Local Studies and Community
Studies. These programmes were developed in response to
the demand for inter-disciplinary, flexible
progression routes for adults to degree level. They are
offered in the evening to facilitate adults who are unable
to attend on a full-time basis during the day. They
represent a further expansion of NUI Maynooth’s provision
for mature students. With such innovative features as
flexible delivery, modularisation, credit accumulation and
recognition of accredited prior learning, students may
advance in a systematic and learner friendly way towards
a primary degree.
These programmes are offered at the main campus at
Maynooth, Co. Kildare, and at the University’s Kilkenny
Campus.
Structure of the Degree Programmes
Over a five-year cycle of delivery the following two
programmes are provided:
• Programme 1: Local Studies
• Programme 2: Community Studies
Students on the degree may choose to follow either the
Local Studies Programme or the Community Studies
Programme. It is not possible to attend modules from
both programmes, except where Common Modules
are offered.
The inter-disciplinary nature of the programmes means
that various University Departments have responsibility
for module delivery.
1. Local Studies:
Participating Departments - History, Geography, Ancient
Classics, Nua Ghaeilge, Language Centre,
Sociology, Anthropology, Adult & Community Education
2. Community Studies:
Participating Departments - Adult & Community Education,
Applied Social Studies, Anthropology,
Sociology, Geography, History
Module titles for both programmes, together with their
associated credit values, are illustrated on pages 6-8.
BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE PROGRAMMES
3
Semesters
Each academic year has two semesters. Semesters are
blocks of fifteen weeks, consisting of twelve weeks
class contact and two weeks study and examinations.
Each academic year on-campus is typically structured as
follows:
Semester 1 September - November 12 weeks class
contact
+ 2 study weeks
Semester 2 January - April 12 weeks class contact
+ 2 study weeks
Summer Modules (Optional) Monday - Friday full-time
1 week
Lectures are offered over two or three nights per week,
usually Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, from
6.00 - 10.00 pm.
Modules
Each programme is offered through modules. A module is a
“block” of learning in which a particular topic is
taught and assessed. Most modules are “stand alone” and
can be studied as separate blocks. All modules
carry credits towards the degree. The modules of study
are delivered through a combination of regular lectures,
tutorials, presentations, field courses and short summer
schools.
The modules carry different credit weightings as
follows:
Module Credits 5 Class Contact Hours 24
Module Credits 10 Class Contact Hours 48
Credits
The degrees are based on the accumulation of credits.
Students must accumulate 180 credits to successfully
obtain their degree. Credits are awarded on successful
completion of end of semester assessment. The
flexibility of the degrees means individuals can
accumulate a maximum of 20 credits or a minimum of 5 credits
per semester.
Recognition of Accredited Prior Learning
Accredited Prior Learning (APL) is considered for
exemption from specific programme modules. NUI Maynooth
courses and/or accredited higher education courses
provided by other institutions and successfully completed
by applicants are considered for APL. A University
Committee appraises the applications and credits are
awarded to individual students through NUI Maynooth
academic procedures.
A student can transfer a maximum of 60 credits for APL.
Applicants to the degree must indicate on their
Application Form the names of higher education courses for
which they may be seeking credits through APL. Copies of
certificates for such named courses will be required
only from applicants who are offered a place on the
degree.
“I loved it, I miss the whole experience, making
friends. I thought I would never achieve it,
it felt like an impossible dream. In the beginning I
didn’t tell anyone I was doing it in case
I failed or dropped out. I wish I was starting again. I
don’t take anything for granted
anymore - I question politics, religion - it has opened
my mind to society in general”
Nora Neary O’Hanlon (Graduated 2004),
Maynooth Campus
Student
Experience
BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE PROGRAMMES
4
Assessment and Awards
Each module on the degree programmes is assessed. In
general assessment methods include assignments,
project work, written examinations and presentations.
All students must complete a thesis.
On accumulation of 90 credits (allowing for 30 APL
credits) students will be awarded an
NUl Diploma in Arts
(Local & Community Studies).
On achieving 180 credits the student is awarded BA Local
Studies or BA Community Studies.
Choosing a path through the Degree
Students on the degree may choose to follow either the
Local Studies Programme or the Community Studies
Programme. However students are not required to make a
final decision on which programme they wish to
follow until they have successfully completed Semester
1.
Semester 1
In Semester 1 a student will be expected to successfully
complete the common obligatory modules:
Introduction to Programmes: Local Studies & Community
Studies; Study Skills & Student Support; Introduction
to Information Technology Skills.
All students must successfully complete the Common
Introductory Modules in Semester 1.
Exemptions in Semester 1
No exemption is possible from Introduction to Programmes:
Local Studies & Community Studies Module.
Where students have a proficiency in Information
Technology Skills they may apply to sit a competence test
before commencement of the programmes. If they pass the
test they will achieve an exemption in this module.
Students who have previously achieved the award of
Diploma in Arts or a higher award may apply for an
exemption in Study Skills.
Programme Selection: Local Studies OR Community Studies
In order to complete the degree students are expected
to:
• Choose sufficient modules from either the Local
Studies Programme or the Community Studies Programme
to accumulate 180 credits for award of the degree;
• Complete a thesis (worth 20 credits) as part of their
programme.
Students must have completed 120 credits of taught
modules before registering for thesis.
Student Support
Students on the part-time degree have access to all
services and supports available in the university, with the
additional services of a Student Support Officer. A
Study Skills and Student Support module is offered in the
first semester of the programme.
“I have met the most interesting, generous, warm hearted
people
among students, staff and lecturers. The communication,
co-operation
and help is great. Our campus is intimate, friendly”
Margaret O’Grady,
Kilkenny Campus
Student
Experience
BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE PROGRAMMES
5
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the degree programmes should be mature
students, i.e. aged twenty-three years or over by
1st January in the year of admission.
NUI Maynooth encourages applications from adults who may
not have completed second level education. The
number of places offered will be restricted so it may
not be possible to offer places to all applicants in any one
year.
Non-European Applicants
The University welcomes applications from non-EU
applicants. For information regarding fees for non-EU
applicants visit the University’s website at:
www.nuim.ie/international
Language Proficiency
Both programmes are delivered through English. Students
are advised that to benefit from their chosen
programme they should be proficient in both written and
spoken English.
Fees
Fees are calculated on the credit weighting of each
module and are payable at the beginning of each semester.
Please see Fee Schedule enclosed.
How and Where to Apply
Application for admission is made directly to Maynooth
Campus or to Kilkenny Campus. It should be made on
the official Application Form available from:
Maynooth Campus Kilkenny Campus
BA Support Officer, Campus Manager,
Department of Adult and Community Education, Kilkenny
Campus (NUI Maynooth),
National University of Ireland, Maynooth, College Road,
Maynooth, Kilkenny,
Co. Kildare. Co. Kilkenny.
Tel: 01 708 4587/708 3948 Tel: 056 777 5910/777 5919
Fax: 01 708 4687 Fax: 056 776 1369
Email: rosaleen.oriordan@nuim.ie Email: kilkenny.campus@nuim.ie
Completed application forms should be returned to the
same address.
The information in this introduction is intended only as
a guide for applicants. NUI Maynooth reserves
the right to alter any aspect of this information at any
time.
BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE PROGRAMMES
6
Local Studies Programme
Department Code Module Title Credits
Common Introductory Modules: Semester 1
CM 1 Study Skills & Student Support 5
CM 5 Introduction to Programmes 10
CM 4 Introduction to Information Technology Skills 5
Level 1 modules (recurring)
History LS 1 Introduction to Local History (over 2
semesters) 15
LS 2 Introduction to Maps & Landscapes 10
Level 2 modules
Adult Education CM 14 Project Planning & Management
5
CM 20 ICT for Research & Learning 5
Anthropology CM 11 Urban Society II: Critical
Studies of
Global Processes in Local Communities 5
CM 17 The Anthropology of Sport & Leisure 5
CM 19 Historical Anthropology: Local Communities through
Time 5
Classics LS 13 Latin for Local History 1 5
LS 17 Latin for Local History 2 5
Geography CM 10 Urban Society I: Global Processes in
Local Settings 5
CM 12 Continuity & Change in Rural Ireland 5
CM 16 Local & Regional Development: Theory & Practice 5
CM 13 Evolution of the Irish Landscape 5
LS 10 The Local Physical Environment 5
LS 26 Case Study of Landed Estates & Landscapes:
Estates, Farms & Settlements 5
History LS 3 Sources for Irish Local History 5
LS 5 Research Methods for Historians 5
LS 4 Introduction to Irish Archaeology 1 5
LS 8 Introduction to Irish Archaeology 2 5
LS 12 Landscape Archaeology 5
LS 34 Practical Archaeology 5
LS 7 Ireland 431 - 1014 5
Course Codes: Codes & Credits
BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE PROGRAMMES
7
Department Code Module Title Credits
Level 2 modules
History LS
11 Ireland 1014-1400 5
LS 15 Ireland 1400 - 1603 5
LS 19 Ireland 1603 - 1800 5
CM 15 Ireland 1800 - Present 5
LS 16 Irish Art & Architecture before 1600 5
LS 20 Irish Art & Architecture 1600 - 1900 5
LS 24 Case Studies in Urban History 5
LS 32 Europe in the nineteenth century 5
LS 33 Europe in the twentieth century 5
LS 35 Irish Cultural Nationalism 5
CM 23 From Local to National:
The Origins of Modern Nationalism 5
CM 24 Gender Studies in Local Context 5
Nua-Ghaeilge LS 6 Irish for Local History 1 5
LS 9 Irish for Local History 2 5
LS 14 The Irish Language, Literature & Folk Tradition 5
LS 29 Aspects of Irish Literature I 5
LS 30 Aspects of Irish Literature II 5
LS 36 Aspects of Irish Literature III 5
LS 21 Irish Place Names 5
Sociology CM 25 Culture, Identity & the Media 5
All Departments LS 98 Thesis Preparation 10
LS 99 Thesis Completion 10
LS Local Studies Module
CS Community Studies Module
CM Common Module – including both Local Studies and
Community Studies
Summer Modules
In addition, residential and non-residential modules for
both programmes are offered during the summer
allowing participants to augment the modules completed
during the winter and spring semesters.
Course Codes: Codes & Credits
BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE PROGRAMMES
8
Community Studies
Programme
Department Code Module Title Credits
Common Introductory Modules: Semester 1
CM 1 Study Skills & Student Support 5
CM 5 Introduction to Programmes 10
CM 4 Introduction to Information Technology Skills 5
Level 1 modules (recurring)
Sociology CS 1A Social Analysis I: Theorising
Society 5
CS 1B Social Analysis II: Locating Modern Ireland 5
Adult Education CS 2 Models of Community Development
10
CS 3 Introduction to Adult Development & Learning 5
Level 2 modules
Adult Education CS 06 Groupwork & Facilitation
Skills 10
CS 9 Psychology of Adult Development 5
CS 015 Theory & Practice of Working with Groups 5
CS 12 Counselling Theories 5
CS 32 The Reflective Learner 5
CS 27 Substance Misuse & Dependence 5
CS 024 Creativity & Performing Arts for Community
Studies 5
CS 16 Development Theories 5
CS 018 Community Education as Praxis 5
CS 21A Designing & Implementing Community Education 5
Programmes
CS 21B Adult & Community Education: Policy & Practice 5
CS 33 Guidance & Counselling in Adult Learning 5
CM 14 Project Planning & Management 5
CM 20 ICT for Research & Learning 5
Anthropology CM 11 Urban Society II: Critical
Studies of
Global Processes in Local Communities 5
CM 17 The Anthropology of Sport & Leisure 5
CM 19 Historical Anthropology: Local Communities through
Time 5
CS 07B Medical Anthropology 5
BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE PROGRAMMES
9
Department Code Module Title Credits
Level 2 modules
Anthropology
CS 34 Anthropology, Identity &
Representation 5
CS 35 The Anthropology of Ethnicity 5
CS 36 Culture & Suicide 5
CS 37 Introduction to Queer Theory 5
CS 38 Post-Socialist Transition - Personhood, Property &
Politics
in Eastern Europe 5
Applied Social CS 4 Public Administration 5
Studies CS 07A Introduction to Social Policy 5
CS 05 Community Work: Principles & Approaches 5
CS 8 The Role of the Community Worker 5
CS 023 Community Work: Policies & Issues 5
CS 11 Community Work: Equality & Social Exclusion 5
CS 14 Development of Irish Youth Work 5
CS 017 Contemporary Youth Work Issues 5
Geography CM 10 Urban Society I: Global Processes in
Local Settings 5
CM 12 Continuity & Change in Rural Ireland 5
CM 13 Evolution of the Irish Landscape 5
CM 16 Local & Regional Development: Theory & Practice 5
History CM 15 Ireland 1800 - Present 5
CM 23 From Local to National: The Origins of Modern
Nationalism 5
CM 24 Gender Studies in Local Context 5
Sociology CM 25 Culture, Identity & the Media 5
CS 019 Gender, Power & Identity 5
CS 28 Social Research 5
CS 29 Living in a Consumer Society 5
CS 30 Transnational Communities 5
CS 31 State, Governance & Community 5
Thesis
All Departments CS 98 Thesis Preparation 10
CS 99 Thesis Completion 10
LS Local Studies Module
CS Community Studies Module
CM Common Module – including both Local Studies and
Community Studies
Maynooth Campus Kilkenny Campus
BA Support Officer, Campus Manager,
Department of Adult and Community Education, Kilkenny
Campus (NUI Maynooth),
National University of Ireland, Maynooth, College Road,
Maynooth, Kilkenny,
Co. Kildare. Co. Kilkenny.
Tel: 01 708 4587/708 3948 Tel: 056 777 5910/777 5919
Fax: 01 708 4687 Fax: 056 776 1369
|
|
|
|
STUDENT EXPERIENCE
“I loved it, I miss the whole
experience, making friends. I thought I would never achieve it, it
felt like an impossible dream. In the beginning I didn’t tell anyone
I was doing it in case I failed or dropped out. I wish I was
starting again. I don’t take anything for granted anymore - I
question politics, religion - it has opened my mind to society in
general”
Nora Neary O’Hanlon (Graduated 2004),
Maynooth Campus |
|
