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, that will be in-person and in some cases it will be through a variety of online formats.
FORMATS: We have three main formats – Live, Flipped and Remote – please read the description carefully. The exact form these take will vary by module.
MODULE FORMATS AND HOURS: We have also provided a list of the modules offered in the department in the first semester and the basic format of teaching, as well as an estimate of the in person contact hours for students in each 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. It is possible that overall we may be able to move to more in-person teaching as the year goes on, but it is also possible that we will shift towards more remote, online teaching and learning, as circumstances change.
BLENDED LEARNING AND YOU: While we 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: Further information about tutorials and other small group teaching will be available over the coming weeks. We expect to mix online and (as much as possible) in person teaching in these smaller groups. However, we hope this gives you a general sense of the department’s approach.
We will also make clear before the start of the semester how sub-groups within classes will be allocated (probably on an alphabetical basis) and who your first point of contact in the department should be in case of difficulties.
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.
