Month: October 2017

New Year, New Intro

/ Lewis

Hi there,

My name is Lewis and I am a Master’s student in Politics at Lancaster University, having previously graduated with a 2:1 in History and Politics at Lancaster last year.

So far, life at uni this year has been quite busy. I am currently studying three modules this term, namely Theories and Concepts in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy, Theory and Method in Postgraduate Studies and Public Policy, which are proving interesting to say the least! My modules are comfortably spread out throughout the week, which is making doing the work to stay on top of my studies really easy.

In addition to my studies, I have also become involved again in the societies that I had joined throughout my undergraduate degree in Lancaster, namely Badminton (on which I currently serve on the exec as the ‘Engagements’ officer, having previously served as ‘Social’ sec and ‘Health and Safety Officer’ in previous years), as well as debating, which has helped me to continue to hone my skills and help me to prepare for my upcoming job applications. It has been really easy to fit back in with everyone this year, and most of the old faces have returned along with a bunch of new people who I am already getting along really well with.

Outside of this, I am also getting used to my new flat. This year, I have chosen to live in Chancellor’s Wharf, which is university ran accommodation the town itself (as opposed to being on campus). This is the first time that I have lived in halls since first year, and the big thing that I have noticed is that is is nice to have a cleaner again!

Flexible Part 1 System

/ Ryan Bartle

During my time attending visit days, and meeting prospective students, some people have asked me questions about Lancaster University’s flexible part one system. As someone who benefited from this system, I thought it would be helpful to make it the subject of this week’s blog, and explain how it has benefited me personally.

The transition from A-level to university is quick, and it is natural to feel anxious about whether you have made the correct decision when choosing your degree scheme. It is not uncommon to want to have time to experience a subject before committing to it for three years. Or it might be that you have other academic interests that you haven’t yet had chance to study formally, but might wish to learn more about. If this applies to you then the flexible part one system should benefit you.

In your first year at Lancaster, you will be required, during registration, to sign on to the subjects you want to study. Each student in the PPR department is required to take three subjects in their first year. Those of you intending to study a triple major (such as PPE) will have satisfied this requirement, and need only to sign on to those subjects for which you’ve already applied. But for those of you who are studying single or joint honors, it will be necessary to select other subjects to take you up to three.

What Subjects should you choose?

This one is entirely up to you. You should choose the subjects you are most interested in, or those that you may want to continue with after you have completed your first year. Upon completion of your first year, you will be given (provided you pass) the opportunity to shape your degree scheme based on the subjects you have taken. There are some limits to what you can choose. Some subjects, for instance, require previous training. This is the case with vocational subjects, but also with sciences and maths, which obviously require students to be at a high level before beginning.

Why is this beneficial?

As I benefited from the part one system, and used it to change my degree scheme, I will answer this question by explaining how it helped me. When I first arrived at Lancaster, I had been accepted on a joint major in Philosophy and Film Studies. As much as I was interested in film, I had doubts over whether I wanted to pursue it as a career. Moreover, I was very passionate about politics, and it was simply in virtue of not studying politics at A-level that I was deterred me from applying for it in the first place. Naturally, upon being informed about the flexible part one system I decided to choose politics as my minor subject.

This allowed me to make a fully informed decision on how I wanted my degree to progress. I found that politics and philosophy complemented each other well. During my last visit day, it was interesting to speak to a prospective student whom raised similar points. He told me that he was interested in politics because it addresses the practical issues of society and its institutions, and philosophy because it addresses questions concerning the just society and the morally correct way to organise institutions. I felt the same way about this connection, and as such, I made the decision to drop film studies and progress with a joint major in Philosophy and Politics. And looking back as I approach the end of my final year as an undergraduate, I can honestly say that I made the right decision.

 

Finding your way at University

/ Amy Fitzgerald

This week I have been meeting prospective students at applicant days and interviews. I still can’t believe I’m in my final year at University and am telling people, who frankly look older than me, about Lancaster and my experiences. I remember the mentors at my applicant day and how mature they seemed and then I realise that I have actually matured over the past three years. I am more confident both in myself and in my ability and feel proud to have nearly completed my degree.

I remember my first day very clearly. I was so so nervous. I have always lived off campus so I didn’t know the campus as well as my course friends. As the first day talks were in colleges, I made a few friends in my college but the friendships were short-lived as none of them were on my course. Getting into my car to go home that first day was a bit of a relief, I must admit, as it all seemed so overwhelming. However, once the lectures and seminars started I soon got into the swing of things. I remember feeling like I was starting high school all over again, making friends and not knowing where my lectures and seminars were being held and generally panicking about the unknown. But soon enough I felt like I’d been at University for years and couldn’t imagine being back in a classroom. University allows you to be more independent, both in your social and work life, especially if you live in. But there are still support networks present.  You get assigned an academic advisor who you meet up with and can email or see at any time if you have anything you’re concerned about. There are also wellbeing, counselling and mental health services which can help in a variety of ways. My college, Bowland, also offers its own welfare services and peer mentors which ensure you get the most out of your time at University. So even though at first it may feel like you are totally on your own in a whole new place, you’re not really and support is always there if and when you need it.

I get asked a lot about the collegiate system at Lancaster and whether it’s similar to ones at other Universities. As I can’t really talk about other Universities’ systems as I’ve never been to one, I can tell you that at Lancaster we have nine colleges, each with a distinctive character. The colleges are made up of people on different courses so it encourages you to make more friends with a diverse range of interests. Each college put on their own events too which enables you to make even more friends and really feel like part of a family. Each college have their own accommodation and this may differ slightly in each one, for example County offer townhouses which provide a different experience to the flats offered by the other colleges. It’s all about choosing a college which you feel comfortable in and which provides the accommodation that suits you.

I also remember being asked by one of my future lecturers on my applicant visit day what I liked most about Religious Studies and I have to say I really struggled with the question. I liked learning about ethical issues and the government and religious legislation surrounding them but I didn’t really feel passionate about anything. Now I struggle to think of things I don’t like about Religious Studies. There are so many interesting components to religion and connections between religion and the other areas of society which relate in ways I’d never considered before. Media and politics play a bigger part in the existence and nature of religion throughout the world and understanding religion as part of the bigger context has really helped me to better understand the world in which I live.

The place of religion in the world is better understood when studied from a variety of angles in a variety of contexts and I feel that the PPR department itself and the module system at Lancaster really allows you to do this.

Days Out

/ Ryan Bartle

Being a student it is easy to get caught up in the slog of academic life and feel the need to escape. One of the best ways to clear your head after a long week of studying is to go somewhere nice for a day out. Here at Lancaster, there are plenty of places to explore in and around the area, so the best thing to do is make the most of them. I was lucky in my first year because my girlfriend Abigail, who was in the year above me, would take me on days out and introduce me to new places. In this post I will share some of them with you, and hopefully you will get the chance to visit them when you arrive.

Last Saturday, I paid a visit to Barton Grange Centre in Garstang, where I met up with Abigail and her family. Abigail introduced me to this place last Christmas. It is perfect for those who want a festive day out, and yes, it’s almost December so I’m allowed to be excited by that. Inside, there is a wonderful array of festive displays and outside there is an ornamental garden, with a variety of plants and model animals.

For those who don’t want to travel too far, Williamson Park is the perfect place for a day out. The park is large and contains various places of interest. Most notable of which is the Ashton Memorial, which was built in the early 1900’s by former Lancaster MP and industrialist James Williamson, in remembrance of his wife. This building is grand in size, and has a historic feel to it. For a small donation of £1 visitors are granted entry. On overcoming the large flight of stairs there is a balcony; from which you can survey the surrounding landscape. The sheer height of the building provides a birds-eye view which stretches from Morecambe Bay to Blackpool tower. Behind the memorial there is a cafe, with a perfectly situated seating area for enjoying the sun when the days are warm.

For just a 15 minute train journey from Lancaster you can visit Grange-over-Sands, a historic parish town overlooking Morecambe Bay. Shortly upon exiting the train station, you will find the ornamental gardens. The gardens  includes a picturesque walk, on which there is a large pond, attracting various wildlife, including emigre Canadian swans and Mandarin Ducks. At the heart of the pond is a fountain, surrounded by semi tropical trees and shrubs. A visit here wouldn’t be complete without a walk along the promenade, where you can enjoy pleasant views of the bay.

There are also great places nearby for those who enjoy going out on walks. One of the best walks is along Lancaster canal. The canal can be accessed by the bridge, just near the Royal Infirmary at the top of town. Down the steps there is a pub called the Water Witch, which serves great food and has a seating area overlooking the canal, for those who want to finish their walk with a drink or a bite to eat. If walking is your thing, then you needn’t go further than campus. The Woodland Trail which surrounds the university campus, along with the outer woodland is home to a variety of species of wildlife. The walk stretches 2 and a half miles in total, and is perfect for a quiet stroll. It also includes the “trim trail”, for those seeking to get fit.

Hopefully this will give you some good ideas for days out. Next week I will be giving some advice on coursework and exams.

 

 

End of Term and Break Plans

/ Ryan Bartle

The end of term is quickly approaching. This has definitely been my most difficult term, being the one in which I need to complete my dissertation. But I’m almost there. I’ve completed the other two assignments that are due in. Now I’ve just one chapter of my dissertation left to write and then I can look forward to the break.

It is also coming toward the climax of our pool season. We are currently second in the league after pulling off decent wins in our last few games. Things are tightening up at the top, but those currently occupying the number one spot are still in reach. We play them in the final week. It would be great to go out with a win, but I’ll just have to keep my fingers crossed.

On the Monday after breaking up, I will be leaving home again in the direction of the North West, not to go back to uni, but for a week’s holiday in the Lake District. My family and I go there every year. This time my girlfriend, Abigail, is coming along too. We always plan our walking schedule ahead of leaving. The longest walk we tackled last year was Wansfell. It is by no means to most difficult walk in the Lakes but it is challenging enough for me. I really enjoy the walks but I equally enjoy a celebratory pint in one of the local inns as a reward.

We stay in the same area each year; a small town called Ambleside, situated next to Lake Windermere. Ambleside is populated with many nice cafes, book shops, and Inns, one of which overlooking the Lake. There is a village nearby, called Grasmere, which the famous poet William Wordsworth described as “the loveliest spot that man hath found”. He would know, as he spent the latter part of his life there, and also marks the place of his burial. Each year we complete the walk from Ambleside to Grasmere which takes a few hours but the picturesque landscape makes it well worth it. On the return route we always stop in a nearby pub called The Badger, where as the name would suggest, visitors are able to enjoy their drinks while watching the badgers arrive for their evening meal. I’m yet to witness this as we always visit at the wrong time, but this time I think we should make an effort to see it.

For those of you unfamiliar with Lancaster, you will be happy to know that it is situated rather close to the Lake District; close enough that it is in travelling distance if you wanted a day out or break from work. When I was in first year, the university organised a bus trip to the Lakes. Worth looking out for that when you arrive!

My last ever Week 20!

/ Amy Fitzgerald

So Week 20 has finally arrived! I cannot believe I have my last ever lecture and seminar this week! This week is a bit different to my usual last week of term when I am usually trying to get all my essays tied up and finished for the deadlines. This week I only have one essay due as my mini dissertation and dissertation are due after the Easter break. That doesn’t mean I’m not trying to finish them, but it is just not quite as frantic.

I’ve done my Christianity essay which answers the question, is the Christian Church an institution for women who refuse to submit to male authority and who seek a career on equal terms with men? Although it is similar to my dissertation, I have approached it differently and I obviously don’t have as many words to give as much of an in-depth discussion. I have assessed the biblical representation of women which provide a foundation for the Christian teachings. I then move onto Christian theologians who are predominantly male and examine their views on women. I then examine the feminist theologians’ arguments who largely argue that Christianity can provide women a religion where they don’t have to submit to male authority but that it needs a revision of its ideology. However other feminists reject Christianity altogether as irrevocably patriarchal and oppressive. This is because of the consistent masculine language and the prohibition of women from ordination. It has been really interesting assessing the justifications for the oppression of women in the Christian church and the feminist reinterpretation of them. One of the key parts of my degree has been assessing religion in the modern world and the religion/gender debate seems to be one of the most prevalent debates. It has provided much discussion both within the church and external to it and is very relevant to today.

My mini dissertation is about the secularisation and sacralisation debate which is also highly relevant today. Many people believe society to be declining in religious significance. However the New Age spiritualities are increasing in significance and this suggests that modern society is just as religious as it ever was. Berger’s works are particularly interesting on this debate as he changed his thesis from the secularisation of the 1960’s to the desecularisation of the 1990’s.

Looking at these issues of religion helps me to understand the society I live in and the societies throughout the world and the place of religion within them. When someone asks me why I’m doing religious studies when it is so irrelevant today, I say it is as relevant as ever. It is unusual for religion to not be in the news. Being able to understand these issues in more depth is invaluable not only to my degree, but to my own understanding.

Now that my coursework is nearly done, I am looking forward to a bit of a break before I start my revision. I still cannot believe that this will be my last exam period. Let’s hope it’s a good one!

 

 

Career Experience

/ Amy Fitzgerald

I am now fully in the swing of lectures and seminars. But I have done something slightly different this week. Not only am I a mentor for applicants, hence why I am writing this blog, I am also a mentee for the Career Mentoring Programme.

The Career Mentoring Programme pairs you up with a working professional, usually suited to your career interests or your degree. My mentor also did Religious Studies at Lancaster and now works for Lancashire County Council. He has been so helpful for me, in helping to update and change my CV. He has also given me invaluable tips on how to perform in an interview, the most significant being that just because you don’t get a job doesn’t mean your interview went badly. It all depends what the employer is looking for and doesn’t make you unemployable, only that that job isn’t right for you at that time. He drew on his own experience when he discussed this with me. He is now in a job which he feels suits him perfectly and one which he would not have been in had he succeeded in every job interview.

This week I shadowed him at his workplace, at County Hall in Preston. This was a really insightful and rewarding experience. I had never been in an office setting before. I have previously done work experience in schools as I originally wanted to be a teacher but have since decided to change my career path and I work part time in a bar, so this was a totally new working environment. I got to oversee what he does day to day, but as a policy officer, this changes week by week. At this point he was editing a visual diagram to be used in a presentation and booklet on the procedures for homeless teenagers. It was great to see how varied his workload was and how interesting each case is. I also got to speak to an apprentice who had been at County Hall for six months and really enjoyed her job and had learned so many skills in such a short amount of time.

Without the mentoring programme, I wouldn’t have had this opportunity to get a real insight into what working in the local government is like. Lancaster University has so many opportunities to enhance your career prospects, from the Career fairs, study abroad, Richardson Institute Internship Programme and the mind out programme. They care not only about you getting a good degree, but also making the most of your time here and ensuring that your time spent after university is best suited to you.

So, make sure that when you do get to Lancaster University, make the most of the extra opportunities available and make yourself the best prospective employee you can be.

A Week Of Top Tips

/ Amy Hobbs

Over half way through first term already! Time is definitely not slowing down for anyone and essay deadlines are already looming.

An update on me for this week:

My two regular modules are progressing nicely; we are already onto our second thinker in Continental Philosophy- Foucault and his ideas on disciplinary and regulatory power, how they appear to organisations and institutions and how this affects who we are. Darwinism is also moving swiftly, we are now looking at Evolutionary Psychology – the theory that the traits we have as humans are products of evolution that can be traced back all the way to the Stone Age. We will also be looking at the moral controversies and scientific criticisms that this theory faces. The essay deadlines for these modules are slowly creeping up, so my essay plans are taking shape. It may seem very early for me to start planning two essays that are due five weeks from now, but it is definitely necessary (especially in philosophy)! Secondary readings are just as important as primary readings, not just for your grade, but for your understanding of the subject. There are so many great resources out there, and Lancaster is lucky to have so many of them on the library system. Talking to lecturers is also a must during essay time! It may seem daunting at first, but (in my experience) the philosophy lecturers are all friendly, encouraging and very helpful. In fact, they insist that you talk to them as much as you need! Speaking of which; I am also meeting with my dissertation supervisor next week to discuss my plan and how I can begin writing the actual thing! It’s all becoming very real.

Three Things I’ve Taken From This Week:

  • Make a schedule. This does depend on how you work in a lot of cases, but trust me, it’s very likely that you will need one! It’s always good to be able to see what you need to get done, right in front of you, instead of having it playing on your mind all week. I’m really appreciating the weekly schedules I’ve been making so far, and there’s no better feeling than being able to check something off your list- one step closer to free time!
  • Ask questions. This applies particularly to seminars. Lecturers- believe it or not- do notice who engages and who doesn’t, and making an effort to take part in discussions really helps with learning the material. Often, one comment can spark a conversation or debate that will be useful for understanding the material when it comes to essay writing and revision period. You can’t lose.
  • Don’t be afraid to be ‘wrong’. This is one that I am guilty of. There is nothing worse than having a gut feeling about an answer to a question, staying quiet out of self-doubt, then someone else saying the same thing and being right. Take the risk! Even if it turns out the answer wasn’t quite what the lecturer wanted, you won’t be ridiculed for it. Instead, they will offer you some constructive criticism and tell you how to get to the correct answer next time, so you won’t make the same mistake again in your essays where it counts.

I did my presentation of the primary reading in Popular Music and Philosophy this week and lived to tell the tale! I talked about ‘The Value Problem in Cultural Studies‘ by Simon Frith. I highly recommend it, it’s a really interesting read and has actually taught me how to argue more effectively when it comes to different stances on art! I feel that the presentation itself went really well, and it seemed to be well-received by everyone. Presentations at university level really aren’t as scary as you might think. One of the many plus sides of being at university is being around people that are passionate about the same things as you, so everyone is respectful and engaged in what you have to say. (It also helps that everyone is a bit older too!) My presentation in Feminist Philosophy is coming up next week on Luce Irigaray and the relationship between women and nature. These presentations really require you to read the texts in depth and think critically about them- what philosophy is all about! I’m definitely getting some great material out of them for my essays.

Three quick tips for presentations:

  1. Don’t include things that you don’t understand! It seems self explanatory, but you’d be surprised how many people include quotes and ideas that they think are useful but don’t understand- this makes them stumble over their words and get nervous. If you don’t understand something, go and learn about it from other sources, or pose it as a question! That way, you can get input from the lecturer and your course-mates, and spark a discussion at the same time.
  2. Prepare what you want to say. Whether this means writing out a script or simply having buzz-words, knowing what you want to get across is key. Preparing this way will help you articulate your points more effectively, be able to formulate relevant, cohesive arguments, and make it easier for everyone else to follow. Don’t ‘wing it’- it definitely takes the pressure off!
  3. Take it slow. This is a tip that I have had to remind myself again and again. If you’re a nervous talker like me, presentations become a race to get to the end, but because you’re going so fast, you hit bumps and end up stumbling along the way. If you find yourself rushing and tripping over your words, just take a breath and collect your thoughts, even shuffle through your notes if you need to. Nobody will be pressuring you to keep up your speed. The more you practice, the easier this will get and eventually you’ll find your stride.

On a less work-related note: alongside reading for my dissertation and presentation preparation, my housemates and I are planning on having a ‘pizza and movie night’ this weekend! It’s all about balance and allowing for taking some time for yourself. Appreciate the friends you make at university, you’re all going through similar situations and you’ll need each other so you can take your minds off work every once in a while. So, that should be a nice break from university work- even if it is just for an evening!