AnCoiste Feabhais Acadúil
Academic Quality Improvement Commitee
Programme for Academic Quality Assurance 2002-2003
Review of
An Ard-Dioplóma i gCumarsáid Fheidhmeach
Final Report (3 September 2003)
Review Report, An Ard-Dioplóma i gCumarsáid Fheidhmeach
1
This Report was prepared in Irish by the Review Group and the Irish version is,
therefore, the official Report. The Quality Office, NUI Galway had this English
translation prepared and it is made available for information purposes only. The
Review Group is not responsible for any errors due to translation.
This Report resulted from a visit by the Review Group to NUI Galway on the 29th
and 30th of January 2003. A self-assessment report had already been prepared by the
Programme Board and, as well as other documentation, was made available to the
Review Group a week before the visit. A English translation of the Self assessment
Report was available to the group one day before the review visit started.
The following are the members of the Review Group: Anna Ní Ghallachair, Director,
The Languages Centre, National University of Ireland, Maynooth (Chair), Cathal
Goan, Head of Television RTÉ, Carol Byrne Jones, Lecturer, Department of Film and
Media, University of Wales, Bernadette O’Sullivan, Director, Applied
Communications, University of Ireland, Galway and Dr. Peter Cantillon, Department
of Medicine from CFA, who acted as reporter.
The report has been compiled to cover the following main topics:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Aims and Objectives
Organisation and Management
Programmes and Teaching
Scholarship and Research
Public Service
The Wider Context
Summary and Conclusion
1. Aims and Objectives
The Ard-Dioplóma i gCumarsáid Fheidhmeach (The Higher Diploma in Applied
Communications through Irish) (Television, Radio, Broadcasting and Journalism) was
established in 1994 to meet the needs of Irish Language broadcasting and journalism.
Little written journalism in Irish, or Irish language radio existed at the time apart from
Radio na Gaeltachta (RnaG), Lá, Anois and journals, but there was hope that matters
might improve. And they did. RnaG's hours were extended as was RTE's Irish
language news service. Teilifís na Gaeilge (TnaG, now TG4) was established and
Foinse was also launched. It is obvious that the Programme succeeded in providing
for these markets and the employment statistics provided to the Review Group are
proof of that. As regards TnaG, the Programme fulfilled its central function by
recognising people with communication and broadcasting talent and training them for
the new station. On a national level, it was a pioneer in the Irish language media
industry.
Broadcasting is changing, however. The development of TG4's services will depend
on an increase in its general grant, and further growth in Irish language written
journalism seems unlikely for some time to come. Therefore, little recruitment will
henceforth take place in the media and the employment opportunities that were
enjoyed in broadcasting in the past number of years will no longer exist. In this new
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context, the Programme should be focusing more on transferable skills. It is timely,
therefore, that a strategic review and an audit of the programme are currently being
carried out. It was apparent to the Review Group, following discussions with
graduates and students who are currently attending the course, that some changes
have been carried out since the programme was first established. However, to ensure
that the skills of graduates meet the requirements of the new era, the Group
recommends:
1.
That the outline of the Programme be changed with more emphasis on the
academic aspect of the course and on the transferable skills of journalism.
2.
That the Programme be given a strong philosophical/academic basis in order
that students may understand how a minority language functions in a
multicultural, multinational, and macroeconomic context (sociolinguistics), and
the implications of same for the language concerned, for language change and
for the broadcaster/journalist who is practising in that language. This would also
create opportunities for a discourse on Irish language broadcasting and
journalism, something which is missing to a great extent at present.
3.
That computer skills of students be developed. e.g. website design, work in ecommunications etc. (This course could be provided via the Internet)
2. Organisation and Management
It was clear to the Review Group that people are working hard in order to provide
students with a programme of excellence. Initially, one individual carried most of the
workload and must be commended for what was achieved with very little resources.
It seems to the Group, however, that the management structure should be placed on a
more secure basis. It was conveyed to the Group that it would benefit the Programme
if an acting steering committee, which would meet regularly, were established.
If practising professionals in this field (as well as members of the management and
the teaching staff and a student representative) were represented, then the ‘Steering
Committee’ could function as an advisory board when decisions regarding the
direction of the programme might arise. A representative Steering Committee would
also add to the Programme's status within the University and would be of benefit
when additional resources are being sought.
4.
Therefore, the Review Group recommends that the (new) Steering Committee
meet twice a year to monitor the direction of the programme.
5.
The Programme has been located in the Arts Faculty since its foundation. The
Review Group is of the view that this arrangement should be reviewed in the
context of the foundation of Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge.
As indicated in the Self-Assessment Report and from the discussions held between the
Group and staff, postgraduates and students of the programme, the equipment needs
updating urgently. This might not necessarily involve large investment.
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The review committee recommends that a room be made available with up to
three or four computers with relevant editing packages specifically for students
of the programme. This would greatly benefit the programme. The issue of
equipment is at present the most urgent issue facing the programme.
3. Syllabuses and Teaching
It is the Group’s understanding that the programme entails 800+ contact hours. This is
excessive.
7.
It recommends that classes in keyboard skills be terminated. (Students may be
requested to have such skills on commencement or completion of the
programme). As was stated in Part 1, a course on sociolinguistics of minority
languages could be provided, perhaps via the Internet. As already mentioned
more emphasis must be placed on journalism and practical research courses;
research for programmes, how to find a story, the functioning of the state, etc.
Students praised teaching staff highly. The Law course was specifically mentioned as
one, which was considered to be excellent.
Students ere of the opinion that more feedback on their work earlier in the year would
be beneficial, thereby providing them with the opportunity to improve their work
before it is too late. Students should also be visited while on work experience.
Students stated that there was a certain amount of repetition amongst courses. This
often occurs when a large number of part-time staff teach programmes. The coordinator must find methods of addressing this difficulty.
4. Scholarship and Research
As stated above, the review committee believes that the programme contains an
excessive number of teaching hours.
8.
As well as a reduction in contact hours as recommended above, the Group also
recommends that the Programme become a 12 month programme with a
substantive project or minor-thesis at the end. Graduates would receive an M.A.
Degree at the end of this period.
This would result in more time to complete the programme, students would have the
opportunity to carry out independent research and thus would add to the culture of
academic research in this field which is necessary if this discipline is to develop in
Ireland.
This change could also be introduced in another manner. Were an optional three extra
months added to the Ard Dioplóma in order to obtain an M.A., this would provide
two different degree types. This is a choice for the Steering Committee.
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In order to give the programme a strong academic basis it is recommended that
one academic appointment be made in the field. This person should be active in
research.
10. It is recommended that an external examiner be appointed according to the
normal University procedure, or through Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge,
should this be a possible responsibility of An Acadamh.
11. Staff should be encouraged and enabled to carry out research in this field and
should receive recognition for it.
5. Public Service and The Wider Context
Possibilities exist for providing some modules (of the Programme) by distance
education, for example via the Internet. This would support, not only the University's
role as it is laid down in the University College Galway Act, 1929, but also the
University's wider role in developing Irish language-related research. and research
through the medium of Irish.
6. Summary and Conclusion
The Higher Diploma in Applied Communications (Television, radio, broadcasting and
journalism) was a huge step forward when first established in 1994. Broadcasting
through the Irish language has benefited from its establishment. In recent years,
broadcasting has changed and the focus must be directed now at the needs and
possibilities that arise with this change. So that graduates may effectively engage
with these new circumstances the review committee proposes the following changes:
1. That the layout of the programme be changed so that greater emphasis is placed
on the academic aspect of the course and on transferable skills of journalism.
2. That the Programme be given a strong philosophical/academic basis in order that
students may understand how a minority language functions in a multicultural,
multinational, and macroeconomic context (sociolinguistics), and the
implications of same for the language concerned, for language change and for the
broadcaster/journalist who is practising in that language.
3. That computer skills of students be developed. e.g. website design, work in ecommunications etc. (This course could be provided via the Internet)
4. The review committee recommends therefore that a meeting of the (new)
Steering Committee be held twice a year to monitor the direction of the
programme.
5. The Programme has been located in the Arts Faculty since its foundation. The
Review Group is of the view that this arrangement should be reviewed in the
context of the foundation of Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge.
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6. The review committee recommends that a room with up to three or four
computers with relevant editing packages be made available specifically for
students of the programme. The issue of equipment is at present the most urgent
issue facing the programme.
7. It is recommended that classes in keyboard skills be terminated and that more
emphasis is placed on journalism and practical research courses; research for
programmes, how to find a story, functioning of the state, etc.
8. It is recommended that the programme becomes a 12 month programme with a
substantive project or minor-thesis at the end. Graduates would receive an M.A.
Degree at the end of this period.
9. In order for the programme to have a strong academic basis it is recommended
that one academic appointment be made in this field. This person should be
involved in research.
10. It is recommended that an external examiner be appointed according to the
normal University procedure, or through Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge,
should this be a possible responsibility of An Acadamh.
11. Staff should be encouraged and enabled to carry out research in this field and
should receive recognition for it.
Anna Ní Ghallachair (Chairperson)
Cathal Goan
Carol Byrne Jones
Bernadette O’Sullivan
An Dr Peter Cantillon (Rapporteur)
Statements regarding the methodology of the Review Process
1. It proved disappointing for members to find that this work could not be carried
out in full through the medium of Irish at NUI Galway.
The committee
recommends that the relevant expertise and resources be provided to ensure that
this shall not happen again.
2. The committee held meetings with management staff and teaching staff, students
and former students. Their opinions have been taken into consideration in the
above recommendations.
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