Our overall approach is to provide as much ‘content’ (lectures, readings etc) as clearly and interestingly as possible and to provide you with plenty of opportunities to discuss the ideas, knowledge and information in each module. In some cases, and when it is possible, that will be in-person and in some cases it will be through a variety of online formats.
For Semester Two, teaching will be fully online. Lecturers will provide details of the exact formats in each module.
This document provides the anticipated general teaching approach in each module in the university, if we return to Level 3:
Semester 2 Module Formats - Level 5 and Level 3
GENERAL OVERVIEW OF FORMATS: As a general guide, we have three main formats that we are planning around for this year. They are: Live, Flipped and Remote – please read the description carefully. The exact form these take will vary by module.
You will find the draft timetables for the year ahead on our
Undergraduate Page under the Undergraduate Sociology and Politics Timetables tab.
There are a wide variety of factors affecting the teaching formats for each module. These include
- Class and room size
- Local and national public health guidelines (eg 50 person limit on meetings with students)
- University policies
- The teaching strategy of the module, linked to the learning outcomes
- Circumstances of the lecturer
- Fit with departmental approach to teaching and learning
The mix of these may change during the semester and affect the format of each module. You will understand that the specifics of some of these factors are confidential and it may not be possible to fully explain changes in format. In general, we all understand all too well now that while it is possible that overall we may be able to move to more in-person teaching as the year goes on, it is also possible that we will shift towards more remote, online teaching and learning, as circumstances change.
BLENDED LEARNING AND YOU - AN OVERVIEW: While we may provide a mix of in-person and online teaching, we also understand that student circumstances vary.
In general, please prepare as much as possible for both. However, our approach is also to provide as much back-up as possible for the in-person teaching so that students who miss out on some of that teaching will have an online backup to turn to.
This includes:
- recording of live lectures (except in the case of discussion oriented or tutorial style sessions);
- provision of other online materials;
- avoiding assessments in class;
- avoiding attendance marks (although there may be participation marks, which can be completed online)
If you miss in person sessions, we can’t guarantee that everything will be replaced or replicated online. However, the bulk of the material will be available in some recorded or other online format. There may be technological or other issues that interfere with that from time to time but please bear with us while we do our best to mesh together in person and online learning.
TUTORIALS: Information about tutorials and other small group teaching has been made available through the Moodle pages of the relevant modules.
Read our quick guide with 8 key tips for making your life easier using technology to learn
8 Hacks - Making Learning with Technology Easier
We are very aware of the challenges of technology access, connectivity, comfort with using educational software, and more challenges of technology use. Please get in touch with us if you have questions or concerns - or even suggestions.
Please note that currently (March) we are advised against coming to campus unless absolutely essential.
In some scenarios you may have classes on campus and also classes online.
You should be able to partcipate using campus wifi (eduroam) - ideally with headphones!
There are a few options for places to sit:
- We have study spaces (Library, computer rooms, arts reading room etc).
- There are social spaces around campus
- In certain restrictions there will be a lot of empty classrooms, which we will leave open. Remember that the classroom that you would be using if the class was in person is most likely empty!
For questions relating to your module, please contact your lecturers (or in some cases, your tutor). Don’t be shy!
An in person question, an email or an online query on Moodle, Teams or other platform are all possible. Please try and write as clearly and politely as possible – and include your full name, student number and year of study!
However, every year most of our students have questions or concerns about broader aspects of their studies at Maynooth. In many cases these questions involve a mix of academic, personal, administrative, financial, family, work and social pressures. Don’t be afraid to ask about any aspect that affects your studies.
This page should give you an idea of who best to contact with questions or concerns that you might have.
- Student Help Desk
https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/studenthelp
Maynooth University has a fantastic group of people working in supporting students, academically and with personal or social challenges they are facing. The Student Help Desk is a new initiative to make it easier for you to be in touch with those staff who can give you the support you need.
Telephone: 01 474 7444
Email: studenthelp@mu.ie
Live Chat: ‘Ask’ facility on www.maynoothuniversity.ie/studenthelp
Query Form: Facility to submit a query on a form
- Department of Sociology
For general queries about your course, timetables, handbooks, tutorial sign up or anything relating to your degree in Politics or Sociology, contact the office of the Department of Sociology and Centre for the Study of Politics.
Telephone: 01 708 3659
Email: sociology.department@mu.ie
- Academic Contacts by Subject and Year
First Year Sociology
Your first point of contact is your tutor – tutorials will be arranged in the early weeks of term and start in week 3.
The first year coordinator is Dr. Mary Benson mary.benson@mu.ie
Second Year Sociology
If you are taking SO202, your first point of contact is your tutor – tutorials will be arranged in the early weeks of term and start in week 3.
The second year coordinator is Dr. Delma Byrne delma.byrne@mu.ie
Third Year Sociology
If you are taking SO303A (Special Topics), your first point of contact is your special topics group lecturer – special topics groups will be arranged in the early weeks of term and start in week 3.
The third year coordinator is Prof. Colin Coulter colin.coulter@mu.ie
First Year Politics
Your first point of contact is your tutor – tutorials will be arranged in the early weeks of term and start in week 3.
The Politics coordinator is Prof. John O’Brennan john.obrennan@mu.ie
Second Year Politics
Your first point of contact is the Politics coordinator, Prof. John O’Brennan john.obrennan@mu.ie
Third Year Politics
If you are taking PO303A (Special Topics), your first point of contact is your special topics group lecturer – special topics groups will be arranged in the early weeks of term and start in week 3.
The Politics coordinator is Prof. John O’Brennan john.obrennan@mu.ie
In progress - more material to be added soon
Student Services is available to help - with technology, counselling, budgeting, accommodation, and various other issues. Our terrific colleagues are working especially hard these days to support students remotely.
For general advice on academic issues that you might be facing, contact the Academic Advising Office
For help with writing, contact the Writing Centre
Maynooth Chaplaincy runs a variety of activities (online) where students can chat, do yoga and more.
Click here for the details. Open to students of all faiths and none.
If in doubt about what supports are most suitable please email sociology.department@mu.ie or contact your tutors or lecturers.
Other Resources
For a glossary of terms relating to Covid-19 see this useful guide from the National Adult Literacy Association (NALA). NALA also provides useful services for adult learners (that's all of you...), including with teaching your children.
We carry out a detailed review of all marks at the end of the year to make sure that a student’s overall grade is being fairly allocated, given the overall spread of their marks (and for example that a single mark is not affecting their overall mark more than is proportionate).
This process is overseen by external examiners, who are internationally respected sociologists and political scientists from major US and European universities. This ensures that the standards in your degree are the same as at any major international university.
