Irish and Politics BA drafted

Program Overview

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Students on the BA Irish and Politics will combine advanced learning of the Irish language with a study of Politics. In Irish the focus is on the modern language and culture. Language modules examine core aspects of written and spoken Irish, covering subjects such as syntax, phonetics and semantics. A range of optional modules provide you with a broad understanding of diverse aspects of Irish culture, society and identity. These include film studies, studies in Irish translation, language and rights, modern poetry, Irish linguistics, and the short story. The growth of Gaelic identity is also explored and insight into the country’s wider heritage is developed through the study of mythology, folklore and Scottish Gaelic. All our students spend an extended period in the Gaeltacht each summer as part of our residential course. Final-year students can also avail of work internships in an Irish-language setting. Politics examines areas such as conflict, co-operation, theories of society, the value and ethical basis of political ideas and action, and at politics in different national and historical contexts.

Irish and Politics Degree highlights

Irish Language Residential Scheme: Students studying Irish have the opportunity to live in QUB accommodation with other Irish speakers (subject to eligibility).

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Global Opportunities

You will have a chance to spend up to a year studying business in the US or you can take a semester at another university in Europe.

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Industry Links

We have former students in senior positions in most Irish language sectors and we maintain good links with media production companies, the translation sector and language promotion agencies.

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World Class Facilities

Queen’s has an excellent library for Irish materials and an outstanding collection of resources relating to Ireland.

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Internationally Renowned Experts

Queen’s has world-leading experts in the history of the Irish language and literature, Irish linguistics, and Gaelic names. Politics has internationally recognised experts in the politics of gender, the Middle East and the EU. Various serving politicians have studied in the School, including Ian Paisley Jr (MP), the Green Party Leader, Stephen Agnew, and ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive

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Student Experience

Irish Language Residential Scheme

Students studying Irish have the opportunity to live in QUB accommodation with other Irish speakers (subject to eligibility).

https://www.qub.ac.uk/News/Allnews/2022/irish-languages-scheme-unveilied.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_term=&utm_content=irish_accommodation&utm_campaign=Comms2022

Students have a unique opportunity to engage with native speakers through attendance at an annual Gaeltacht residential in Rannafast, Donegal. The course lasts 3 weeks at takes place at the end of Stage 1 and Stage 2.

The Irish student society, An Cumann Gaelach, is one of the biggest in QUB. The society is extremely active and holds a range of events and activities each year (annual festival, Irish classes, concerts, annual dinner-dance, etc.)

https://www.facebook.com/ancumanngaelachqub

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Course content

Program Outline

Course Structure

Stage 1	In stage 1 students will take 3 compulsory modules and choose 3 further modules from a range of Irish and Politics topics.
Stage 2	In Stage 2 students will take 3 further compulsory modules which build on the foundations of knowledge gained in stage 1. Modules change from year to year and are subject to viable numbers.
Stage 3	In Stage 3, students continue to deepen their knowledge of the Irish language, but are free to choose from a range of optional modules, including Irish language and literature, and a wide range of global and local politics.

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Contact Teaching Times

Personal Study	24 (hours maximum) 22–24 hours studying and revising in your own time each week, including independent reading, language practice, vocabulary development, guided study, online activities, coursework preparation etc
Large Group Teaching	6 (hours maximum) 5-6 hours of lectures per week
Medium Group Teaching	5 (hours maximum) 4-5 hours of tutorials or small group teaching per week

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Learning and Teaching

At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable our students to achieve their full academic potential.

We do this by providing a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners.

Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:

E-Learning technologies

Information associated with lectures and assignments is normally communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Canvas. This means that each course has its own mini-website containing all of the relevant course information, essential readings, recordings, discussion boards, etc. E-learning experiences are also embedded in the degree programme through the use of, for example, interactive support materials, podcasts and web-based learning activities.

Gaeltacht Course

Students taking this programme spend a total of six weeks on a dedicated summer course in Rann na Feirste in Donegal. Here students engage with native speakers while staying in accommodation with a host family. Intensive, structured tuition is provided by qualified native Irish speakers during the course involving approximately 60 hours of placement learning during each course. In addition to the benefits for oral competence in Irish, the residence course provides a unique opportunity for immersion in Gaeltacht culture and establishes a tremendous camaraderie among students.

Language enrichment classes

Intensive 2-hour language enrichment classes provide students with opportunities to develop oral skills and develop their knowledge of grammar and vocabulary in real-life, practical contexts. These classes are taught in very small groups (typically 12-15 students). Students will also be expected to attend one class per week on language accuracy.

Lectures

These introduce you to basic information about new topics as a starting point for your own further private study/reading. Lectures also provide opportunities to ask questions, gain some feedback and advice on assessments (normally delivered in larger groups of approximately 25-50 students). Only a small number of our modules are delivered in this way.

Personal Tutor

Students are allocated a Personal Tutor who meets with them on several occasions during the year to support their academic development. This gives students one identified contact with whom to discuss any difficulties they might encounter and who can answer any queries they might have.

Self-directed study

This is an essential part of life as a Queen’s student when important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback and assignment research and preparation work is carried out.

Seminars/tutorials

Almost all of the teaching in Irish is carried out in small groups (typically 15 students). These provide significant opportunity for you to engage with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions and to assess your own progress and understanding with the support of your classmates.

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Assessment

Details of assessments associated with this course are outlined below:

The way in which you will be assessed will vary according to the learning objectives of each module. Language modules are assessed through a variety of written tasks, a formal written examination and an oral exam at the end of the year. All other modules are assessed through a variety of forms of coursework which may include book reviews, projects, presentations, essays and language tasks. Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Student Handbook which is provided to all students at the beginning of their first year.

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Feedback

As students progress through this course they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module convenors, personal tutors, advisers of study and your peers. University students are expected to engage with reflective practice and to use this approach to improve the quality of their work. Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:

Formal written comments and marks relating to work that students, as individuals or as part of a group, have submitted

General comments or question and answer opportunities during or at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.

Immediate, on-the-spot feedback from your teacher during language classes

Individual consultations addressing specific queries with lecturers during designated consultation hours.

Online or emailed comment to specific queries.

Pre-submission advice regarding the standards you should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid.

Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services such as, Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service.

Once students have reviewed their feedback, they are encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of their work.

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Facilities

Queen’s has a world class library and its Special Collections in the library has a targeted policy for collecting resources relating to Ireland. The Language Centre has state-of-the-art facilities for language learning.

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Overview

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Modules

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Modules

The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2022/23). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

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Core Modules

Contemporary Europe

(20 credits)

Gaeilge 1

(40 credits)

Perspectives on Politics

(20 credits)

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Optional Modules

An Introduction to Modern Irish Literature

(20 credits)

Language Politics and Conflict

(20 credits)

Issues in Contemporary Politics

(20 credits)

World Politics

(20 credits)

Comparative Politics

(20 credits)

Celtic Mythology

(20 credits)

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Core Modules

Modern Political Thought

(20 credits)

Gaeilge 2

(40 credits)

Studying Politics

(20 credits)

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Optional Modules

Identity Politics in Diverse Societies

(20 credits)

Cearta an Duine agus Nualitríocht na Gaeilge

(20 credits)

Gender, Culture, and Representation – Backwards & in Heels

(20 credits)

Adaptation as Interdisciplinary Practice

(20 credits)

Security and Terrorism

(20 credits)

Scottish Gaelic Language 1

(20 credits)

Irish Politics

(20 credits)

American Politics

(20 credits)

International Organisations

(20 credits)

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Core Modules

Gaeilge 3

(40 credits)

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Optional Modules

Security and Technology

(20 credits)

Modern Irish Poetry

(20 credits)

Asylum and Migration in Global Politics

(20 credits)

Arms Control

(20 credits)

Global Pol. Econ. of Energy

(20 credits)

An Béal Beo

(20 credits)

Gairmeacha le Gaeilge

(20 credits)

Party Politics in the 21st Century

(20 credits)

The Placement

(20 credits)

Challenges to contemporary party politics

(20 credits)

National and Ethnic Minorities in European Politics

(20 credits)

Language and Literature in the Gaelic World

(20 credits)

Dissertation (Politics and International Studies)

(40 credits)

Gender and Politics

(20 credits)

Internship

(40 credits)

Earth, Energy, Ethics and Economy: The Politics of Unsustainability

(20 credits)

European Cultural Identities

(20 credits)

Political Parties and Elections in Northern Ireland

(20 credits)

The Far Right in Western Europe and North America

(20 credits)

Politics of the Global Economy

(20 credits)

Contemporary Political Philosophy

(20 credits)

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Course content

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Entry Requirements

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Career Prospects

Introduction

Studying on this pathway will assist students in developing the core skills and employment-related experiences that are valued by employers, particularly in a world where critical thinking, cross-cultural awareness and communication skills are at a premium.

Typical careers include education/teaching, language development and promotion, translation, arts management, media and

communication, museums, archives and libraries, journalism, and research.

88% of our graduates are in employment or further study within 6 months of graduation. Starting salaries may be in the region of £21,800.

Employment after the Course

Former graduates have gone on to work as teachers, translators, language officers, and researchers. Many have taken up employment in the media as presenters and producers. Graduates may also enter careers in business, management consultancy and software development.

Employment Links

Queen’s has strong links with a number of employers including the Department for Communities, the BBC, Irish Language Broadcast Fund and other media companies, and employers are routinely invited to address the Irish students. Our Level 3 module ‘Gairmeacha le Gaeilge’ enables students to undertake an internship (minimum of 50 hours across one semester) in an Irish-language organisation, public body, company, or educational service, where work is conducted through Irish. Many of our students work in primary and secondary schools as classroom assistants and language assistants while studying for their degree. Other opportunities to gain employment experience are provided by media companies located in the area and theatre and community groups in Belfast.

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Additional Awards Gained

Joint honours Irish students are required to spend 2 periods of residence in the Gaeltacht between Years 1 and 2 and between Years 2 and 3. The trips are subsidised by the School but each student is required to pay a contribution per residency (currently £180, i.e. £360 in total). Students have to pay their travel to and from the Gaeltacht.

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Prizes and Awards

Dr J Noel Hamilton Prize for Irish and Celtic Studies: awarded to the student who achieves the highest overall mark in their BA degree in Irish and who intends to continue their studies to postgraduate level at QUB.

Foundation Scholarships: recognise outstanding achievement in Stage 1.

John Devlin Fund: Awarded annually to the Final Year student with the highest overall mark in the Irish Language module at Stage 3.

Students receive a certificate of distinction for first class performance in the Stage 3 oral.

The Donohoe Prize: awarded for the highest mark in the oral examination at Stage 2.

The Emrys and Noelle Evans Book Prize: awarded at Stages 1 + 2 for the best performance in the written language examination.

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Degree plus award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Degree Plus. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

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Entry requirements

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Fees and Funding