INFORMATION FOR VISITING STUDENTS
EOLAS LE HAGHAIDH MICLÉINN ÓN IASACHT

• Welcome
• Structure of History
• What modules can you take?
• How do you choose History modules? 
• Assessment Information
• Information Page and Timetables (These will be available in May)
• Module Descriptions (for 2013/14. Updated March 26. 2013)
  

  • 2nd Year Modules
    
  • Final Year Modules
• Academic Calendar
• Contacts
• Advice in languages other than English
• Archive: 2012-13 2nd year module descriptions
  
• Archive: 2012-13 3rd year module descriptions
  

Welcome

We would like to welcome you to History at NUI Galway.  We are pleased to have visiting students doing History modules.  We hope you have a wonderful experience here in Galway.  Please attend the introductory session with the History Department (details will be in the Visiting Student Handbook), where you will be able to ask questions and pick up timetables and information sheets.

  Structure of History

It might help to know how the B.A. is structured for Irish students. The undergraduate B.A. in NUI Galway is a three-year degree in which students take two subjects of equal weight.  Each year of the B.A. degree course for each subject consists of 30 ECTS of study.  ECTS is a European measurement of work required for a 3rd-level module throughout the European union.  Typically, a lecture module in an undergraduate course is 5 ECTS.  There are some modules that are 10 ECTS.  These 10 ECTS modules are small groups and students are expected to put more work and more individual research into them.  For more information about ECTS click  here.

As a visiting student, you do not have to fulfill the requirements of our own students.  You are free to choose from all 2nd year and Final year History modules, with number restrictions in two cases. Read on!

In History there are three types of modules that you might be interested in: 

• LECTURE MODULES
  Lecture modules are 5 ECTS modules.  There is no cap on the size of the class, so these modules are often big group modules.  Lecture modules consist of 2 lectures of 1-hour duration per week plus between 5 and 8  1-hour tutorials per term.  For visiting students they are normally assessed by mid-term essay and a final extended essay.  Lecturers may vary this assessment.  Assessment details are given out by lecturers at the beginning of the term.
  
  
• COLLOQUIUM MODULES
  Colloquium modules are 2nd-year small group teaching modules of 10 ECTS. These modules have a limited number of students.  Colloquia require reading, presentation, oral participation and regular attendance. Students are expected to work independently and be motivated. Visiting Students are welcome to take a colloquium, provided they understand the workload, obtain the permission of the colloquium convenor, and that there is space for the student in the colloquium.  Three spaces are set aside for visiting students in each colloquium.  Assessment for colloquia is based on coursework (35%), oral presentation (15%), class participation (10%) and a final essay (40%) of 3,000 to 4,000 words on a topic chosen in conjunction with the lecturer. 

• SEMINAR MODULES
  Seminar modules are Final-Year small group teaching modules of 10 ECTS.  These modules have a limited number of students. Most seminar modules focus on a discrete body of primary source material, introducing the students to the use of documentary evidence. Seminars require students to participate in class discussions every week and give one class presentation during the semester. Students also must submit a final essay of 5,000 to 7,000 words including footnotes.  It should resemble an academic paper/article with proper referencing and be based on a mixture of printed primary and secondary sources, with a preference for the former.  Three spaces are set aside for visiting students in each seminar. Assessment for seminars is based on Oral Presentation (20%), Class Participation (10%), Coursework (10%) and Final Essay (60%).

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What modules can you take?

• Visiting and Erasmus students are welcome to take both 2nd- and Final-year History modules.  First-year History modules are not available to Visiting and Erasmus students. 
• All modules that are on the current 2nd- and Final-year programme are open to Visiting and Erasmus Students.  These modules are listed in the Visiting Student Handbook and on the History website on the 2nd-year page and the final-year page. 
• Lecture Modules:  Generally, there are no restrictions on visiting students numbers registering for History modules. However, if a particular module attracts more students than the lecture hall holds, a lottery system may be put in place for visiting students. (This is extremely rare.)  Lecture modules are suitable for all students, whether you are studying History in your home university or not.  However, be aware that modules dealing with modern Irish history do assume some familiarity with the subject, as the lectures are aimed at Irish students. (If any special restrictions on a Lecture Module are put in place, you will be informed and a link to that information will be put online).
• Colloquia and Seminar Modules: There is a limit of 3 visiting or Erasmus students on colloquia and seminar modules. Remember that colloquia and seminars carry a heavy work load and a substantial written essay.  We usually advise that only students doing History in their home institution take a colloquium or a seminar.

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How do you choose History Modules?

You do not need to get approval from the History Department to attend lecture modules (5 ects modules).  Just go along to the first lecture of the module.  You will be registering for your modules with Academic Records and will have an opportunity for change of mind as well.  Sometimes students will use the first week of lectures to try out a number of modules before they make their final choice.  However, in History, this 'trial period' is limited to LECTURE MODULES.

COLLOQUIA AND SEMINAR MODULES are assigned to our 2nd- and Final-year students.  For colloquia, this assignment procedure takes place at the beginning of term.  For seminars, the assignment procedure takes place at the end of the students' 2nd year of study. 

Visiting students who are interested in taking a particular COLLOQUIUM or a SEMINAR should:

• Speak to the module convener (lecturer) about the colloquium or seminar beforehand to ascertain whether the module will suit you and whether there are any areas of concern. 
• If the convener will allow you to take the module, bring confirmation (an e-mail or signed note) from the convenor to Helena Condon (Room 405, Tower 1). She will give you a letter of confirmation to bring to your module registration session.
• In Semester 1, 2011-12, Seminars begin in the week starting Monday, Sept 3.  Colloquia begin in the week starting Monday, September 10.

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Assessment Information

• For visiting students, all History modules are continuous assessment, which usually consists of a mid-term essay and a final essay.  However, lecturers have the discretion to vary this general method of assessment.  Lecturers will inform you of their marking scheme at the beginning of term. Note that Seminars & Colloquia have a different marking scheme and different weighting to the Lecture modules (see above.) 
• There is no "AUDIT" type registration in NUI Galway.  If you register for a module, we have to return a mark for you.  If you do not want to be assessed for a module (you just want to sit in and don't intend to use it in fulfilment of your year abroad obligations), just ask the lecturer for permission.  This is no problem for a Lecture module.  Permission would not normally be granted for a Seminar or Colloquium.

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Academic Calendar

• Information on the Academic Calendar and Exam start times are available here.

History Department Contacts

The History Department is always happy to help students in any way that we can.  Feel free to come up to the department to speak to someone about any questions or problems that you may have.  Below are pertinent contacts.

• Dr Enrico Dal Lago,   Academic Advisor for  Continental Students 
  • Rm 403, Tower 1, Floor 2, Arts Science Building
  • 091-493546 (external), 3546 (internal)
  • enrico.dallagonuigalway.ie
    
• Dr Kimberly LoPrete,  Academic Advisor for North American Students
  • Rm 407, Tower 1, Floor 2, Arts Science Building
  • 091-493547 (external), 3547 (internal)
  • kimberly.lopretenuigalway.ie
    
• Maura Walsh, Part-time Administrative Assistant with responsibility for Student Records and Visiting Students information
  • Rm 404, Tower 1, Floor 2, Arts Science Building (9 am to 1 pm, Tues through Friday)
  • 091-493675 (external), 3675 (internal)
  • maura.ocroininnuigalway.ie
    
• Helena Condon, Full-time Administrative Assistant
  • Rm 405, Tower 1, Floor 2, Arts Science Building
  • 091-492537 (external), 2537 (internal)
  • helena.condonnuigalway.ie

ADVICE IN LANGUAGES OTHER THAN ENGLISH

The History Department is happy to help students with queries in their native languages, if English is proving a difficulty.  The following staff can be of help:

• Italian

  • Dr. Enrico Dal Lago and Dr. Niall Ó Ciosáin
• French

  • Dr Kimberly LoPrete and Dr Gearóid Barry
• German

  • Prof. Steven Ellis, Prof. Dáibhí Ó Cróinin and Dr Róisín Healy
• Spanish

  • Dr Mary Harris 
•  
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