My experience in St. Mary’s was second to none, I was fortunate enough to get involved with a lot of the sports teams during my year as VP where I developed my knowledge of managing and coaching the teams as well as meeting new people and making lifelong friends. As a Liberal Arts student I was lucky enough to get out on work experience in both a school and business environment which will stand by me in later life. Everyone in the college, students and staff, are willing to help you succeed and it creates a positive atmosphere in the college and pushes you to do your very best in all aspects of college life.
Religious Studies
In the first two years, students will take modules in biblical studies covering selected sections of the Old Testament (year one) and the New Testament (year two) where key themes relating to the Judaeo-Christian traditions are examined.
Theological issues are explored in all years, beginning with an introduction to theological method and to issues relating to handing on the faith. In later years, we develop our understanding of the Sacraments and of the nature of the Church. More advanced topics include selected issues in dogmatic and moral theology, an analysis of the Christian understanding of the person of Jesus, and key issues in the area of morality and ethics. The course also looks at aspects of Church history and an overview of the key concepts of the beliefs and practices of other major Christian denominations and selected world religions.
In the Skills and Work Placement component of the degree, consideration will also be given to how Religious Studies impacts on the lives of individuals and their role in society today. Teaching and learning is through interactive lectures, tutorial sessions and independent learning. Assessment is through coursework and written examinations.
Students take the equivalent of six modules per year. Modules in Human Development Studies and International Studies are core modules taken by all Liberal Arts students. Students also take modules in their chosen subject area.
Year 1
The Year 1 core modules introduce the student to the key areas of Human Development Studies and International Studies. They make use of a range of disciplinary approaches to address foundational questions:
| • | What are we and how have we come to this human condition we experience today? | |
| • | How can we think about human living and working in contemporary society and employment? | |
| • | What are the various concepts that shape our understanding of our place in the world? | |
| • | How are we to live in the many contexts which ‘Europe’ represents? |
Students are offered the opportunity to enhance key skills in communication and study for both academic and professional life, and to explore the various environments for future employment.
Year 2
The Year 2 modules continue to explore Human Development by focusing on issues of Global Justice, with the aim of enhancing the students’ civic awareness and commitment to ethical practice. In International Studies, students make use of a range of disciplines to explore the rich cultural heritage and current diversity which characterises the European experiences. They also become more knowledgeable and proficient in the political and economic development of contemporary Europe.
Students are offered further opportunity to expand their key skills for both academic and professional life. They undertake a short work placement of six weeks in the second semester. The aim of such a placement is twofold: to enable the student to develop in practice the skills, attributes and values for professional life, and to develop the self-reflective skills that mark the ‘reflective practitioner’ who is able to self-evaluate and critically review the work context.
Year 3
All students take a core module of 40 credits (Liberal Arts: Work related learning) that continues their exploration of key themes of Human Development Studies, and includes a final year work placement of six weeks in the second semester. The module explores topical issues from both an ethical and a professional dimension in lectures while the placement allows students opportunity to engage with such issues in the workplace setting. During the six-week placement, the student continues to extend skills development as in the second year.
Students are able to choose modules amounting to 40 credits from a range of offerings in Human Development Studies, International Studies and their subject area. They also continue advanced studies in their subject area with modules worth a further 40 credits
Topics covered in Religious Studies include:
| • | introduction to the Old Testament (Pentateuch and Prophets) | |
| • | introduction to theological method | |
| • | introduction to catechetics |
Topics covered in Religious Studies include:
| • | studies of the Gospels | |
| • | ecclesiology | |
| • | sacraments |
Topics covered in Religious Studies include:
| • | selected topics in dogmatic theology (e.g. Christology) | |
| • | selected topics in moral theology | |
| • | philosophy of religion | |
| • | selected topics in the history of Christianity (e.g. Reformation and Ecumenical Movement) | |
| • | World Religions |
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