Key points of principle inform our approach to teaching in 2021-22 and inform you what we will do:
- Our approach to teaching for Semester 1 includes three main teaching formats – Live, Flipped and Remote - these are explained in the chart below.
- We do not offer a remote online degree; the degree is an on-campus degree and students who cannot attend in-person will inevitably lose some learning opportunity.
- Our campus-based MA and PhD programmes may include blended delivery but there is no full online provision. MA and PhD students are required to participate in on-campus modules.
- We encourage maximum attendance at lectures/tutorials, evidence shows better grades!
- Recognising many students are eager to engage, we will maximise in-person opportunities.
- We also endeavour to provide online material, and to continue to blend our approach to teaching and learning.
- Given the multiple forms of access barriers for students, and the need to accommodate periods of self-isolation, illness and care of others, this year we will strive for maximum flexibility.
- The default for individual meetings between students and lecturers will be online (MS Teams).
- Some modules with in-person lectures may provide online backup (e.g., recording) but not all, while small group classes (tutorials, special topics etc.) will be in person and not recorded.
- Given the ongoing health crisis, which impacts on both lecturers, tutors and students, the mix of and format of courses may change during the semester
Some useful information as to how we will manage teaching this semester:
- We cannot guarantee students who miss in-person sessions that everything will be replaced or replicated online but we will try to ensure some material will be available online.
- University support offices offer various supports for students, we encourage you to access them.
- If you are unwell in an in-person class, please inform the lecturer, and leave the class. The Covid Response Team (covid.response@mu.ie), will assist you to access a self-isolation space on campus and /or to return home.
- If a lecturer must self-isolate, they will pivot to full online provision (live streamed or pre-recorded).
- If a lecturer is ill and cannot teach the Head of Department will seek to replace the lecturer in -person or online, or only as a last resort, will cancel the lecture and inform the students as soon as possible.
- Students with complex medical conditions should contact the Student Health Service about learning options. Departments can advise which, if any, modules and tutorials are fully remote.
- Students are required to wear masks in lectures and are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated. Advise lecturers if you are exempt from mask wearing by showing your written confirmation.
- Students should be aware that lecturers have no enforcement role. If you feel a situation is unsafe, ask the lecturer to inform the CRT who will follow up.
- Learning spaces have been assessed for ventilation, please leave windows/doors with green dots open. CO2monitors are centrally monitored by campus services.
Teaching Format for Semester 1, Three Main Approaches - Live, Flipped and Remote:
The exact form teaching takes will vary by module across each year and your lecturer will inform you by Moodle in the first instance. The First Year, Semester 1, Sociology module SO152 is fully remote or online but the tutorials are live and in-person. All others are a combination of ‘Flipped’ (some content delivered online, and weekly content and discussion lectures) or ‘Live’ (content and discussion live in lectures).
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Student Engagement with the Course Material
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Most likely adjustment in case of occasional illness or large-scale return to fully remote teaching
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Lectures in person to groups of less than 250.
Some lecture content may be made available online
In person tutorials/ workshops.
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Some recorded content will be online
The usual materials (slides, readings etc) would be on Moodle
Discussion fora, questions for lecturers etc available on Moodle
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Attendance at lectures in person
Engage with online module lectures
Use of Moodle to access materials, Q&A etc
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Move of lectures online
Tutorials may pivot online
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Meetings in person with groups of less than 250.
Supplemented with content online
In person discussion and questions around online and lecture-based content materials. Unlikely to be recorded
May be supplemented with online Q&A
In person tutorials/workshops
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Some content and course material may be provided online
The usual materials (slides, readings, etc.) on Moodle
Discussion fora, questions for lecturers etc available on Moodle but also at in person meetings
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Follow the primary course material (e.g., lectures) online and in lecture
Attend the in-person meetings for content, discussion, clarification, etc.
Use of Moodle to access materials, Q&A etc
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Move of in person lectures/discussion to online formats (in addition to what is already be provided remotely)
Tutorials may pivot online
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Classes over 250 (S1 1st Sociology) will be delivered as recorded lectures
There will also be an online weekly discussion class for each student
All Tutorials/workshops are in person and not recorded
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Lectures and other course material may be provided online
Materials (slides, readings etc) may be on Moodle
Discussion fora, questions for lecturers etc available through Moodle and in in-person tutorial meetings
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Follow course material (e.g., lectures) online
Attend tutorials in person
Online meetings for discussion, clarification etc
Use of Moodle to access materials, Q&A
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Tutorials may pivot online
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In some scenarios, you may have a lecture class online due to the large class size.
You should be able to partcipate online while on-campus 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
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
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.
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.
The second year coordinator is Dr. Brian Conway brian.conway@mu.ie.
Third Year Sociology
If you are taking SO303A (Special Topics), your first point of contact is your special topics group lecturer.
The third year coordinator is Prof. Colin Coulter colin.coulter@mu.ie.
First Year Politics
Your first point of contact is your tutor.
The Politics coordinator is Dr Barry Cannon barry.cannon@mu.ie.
Second Year Politics
Your first point of contact is the Politics coordinator, Dr Barry Cannon barry.cannon@mu.ie
Third Year Politics
If you are taking PO303A (Special Topics), your first point of contact is your special topics group lecturer.
The Politics coordinator is Dr Barry Cannon barry.cannon@mu.ie.
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.
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.
