Visiting Students

Eolas le hAghaidh Micléinn ón Iasacht

WELCOME

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Information for Students re: COVID-19

Semester One Timetable can be found here: Visiting Students Information Sheet 2021/22 (semester I)

Semester Two Timetable can be found here:‌ Visiting Students Information Sheet 2021/22 (Semester 2)

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 are in the Visiting Student Handbook), where you can 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. 

As a visiting student, you do not have to fulfil 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 may be a cap on the size of the class, which can be large (50-150 students). Lecture modules consist of 2 lectures of 1-hour duration per week plus between 5 and 6  1-hour tutorials per term.  For visiting students they are normally assessed by mid-term essay (33%) and a final extended essay of 2500-3000 words (67%).  Lecturers may vary the type of mid-term 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 and meet 2 hours each week, one hour with the entire class and one hour in a smaller group.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 met once a week for two hours. Students are required to participate in class discussions every week and give one class presentation during the semester. Students also must submit a final essay of 4,000 to 6,000 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 an oral presentation (20%), class participation (10%), coursework, and final essay, though the relative weighting of coursework and final essay differs in Semester 1 and  Semester 2. 

HOW DO YOU CHOOSE & REGISTER FOR HISTORY MODULES?

You register for lecture modules on-line and have an opportunity to change your mind. Some students use the first week of lectures to try out several lecture modules before they make their final choice. However, registration for lecture modules is on a 'first-come, first-served' basis and because some modules are capped, we advise you to register as soon as possible for your first choices. Then, should you change your mind, be sure promptly to 'de-register' from or 'drop' those lecture modules so that other interested students may register in your place. 

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

• Speak to or email 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 convenor gives you a place on the colloquium or seminar, s/he will inform Helena Condon, who will add you to the list and complete your registration. 

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.

ACADEMIC CALENDAR

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

HISTORY CONTACTS

We are always happy to help students in any way that we can.  Feel free to speak to someone about any questions or problems that you may have.  Below are pertinent contacts.

Dr Kimberly LoPrete,  Academic Liaison for continental European and North American Students 
Rm 407, Tower 1, Floor 2, Arts Science Building
091-493547 (external), 3547 (internal)
kimberly.loprete@nuigalway.ie

Ms Helena Condon, Administrator 
Rm 405, Tower 1, Floor 2, Arts Science Building
091-492537 (external), 2537 (internal)
helena.condon@nuigalway.ie

ADVICE IN LANGUAGES OTHER THAN ENGLISH

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

Italian
Prof. Enrico Dal Lago 

French
Dr Kimberly LoPrete, Dr Gearóid Barry and Dr Alison Forrestal

German
Prof. Dáibhí Ó Cróinin and Dr Róisín Healy

Spanish
Dr Mary Harris