An Coiste Feabhais Acadúil
The Committee on Academic Quality Improvement
The Academic Quality Assurance Programme 2004-2005
Report to Údarás na hOllscoile
Review of
Department of French
A SECOND REVIEW
Self-Assessment
Review Group Visit
Follow Up Meeting
October 2004 to January 2005
2nd – 4th February, 2005
4th July 2005
This Report was compiled for members of Údarás na hOllscoile, NUI Galway and its
committees as a readily accessible but comprehensive source of information on the above
review, its context and its outcomes.
Quality Office, March 2007
Report to Údarás – Review of Department of French 2004–2005
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1. Overview of Department
1.1 Aims and Objectives
Aims
• To further the Strategic and Academic Plans of the National University of Ireland, Galway in
the context of teaching and research related to France and the Francophone world
• To provide teaching and supervision at undergraduate and postgraduate levels that is
informed and invigorated by the research and scholarship of academic staff
• To deliver a curriculum that develops for each of its degree programmes, as appropriate, an
understanding of the nature and significance of France
• To create a supportive environment in which the academic development of students is
enhanced
• To foster the acquisition of key transferable skills including analysis of opinion, argument
and fact; evaluation and hypothesis; synthesis of debate; appropriate use of communication
and information technology and clear communication
• To offer students the possibility of studying French through the medium of the Irish language
(Fraincis trí Ghaeilge), wherever this is practically possible
Objectives
• Department’s contribution to the B.A. Arts programme to be overhauled
• Strengthening the bonds between the Arts and applied sections of the Department
• Attracting non-traditional students via an evening diploma course
• Increase in the recruitment of taught and research postgraduate students
• Enhancement of the Department’s research profile
• Adoption of new language teaching methodology
• On successful completion of their programmes of study, all students will have:
o Acquired subject-specific knowledge appropriate for their particular programme and
level of study
o Developed the ability to think critically and analytically about the subject matter
o Developed skills in the areas of communication, self-organisation and working with
others
o Gained experience of using information and communication technologies
1.2 Developments since Last Review in 1998-1999
Significant progress has been made in all areas of the Department’s activities in the last five
years:
a) Improvements in BA (International) programme
i) Three new staff appointed
ii) New course element developed in 1BA (‘Important Events in French Society’)
iii) Six lectures on ‘Popular Culture’ added to the introductory ‘Literature and Civilisation’
module in 1BA
iv) New modules introduced in final year and also in 2BA, with a number of existing
modules having been significantly revised in the latter course year.
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Report to Údarás – Review of Department of French 2004–2005
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
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v) Essays introduced as main mode of assessment for optional 2, 3/4 BA courses
vi) Final year project approved by faculty
vii) New seminars introduced at MA level
viii) Research forum for postgraduate students established in conjunction with other Modern
Language departments
ix) Department’s regular programme of research seminars by staff and visiting speakers has
been made available to students at all levels
Evening diploma course launched in September 2003, both in Galway and Ennis
Increased numbers in both taught postgraduate programmes (MA in French, MA in
Translation Studies)
The number of research postgraduates has nearly doubled
Contributed significantly to establishment of the new Lady Gregory Fellowship scheme
Enhanced profile as regards staff research
1.3 Background
In 2000, the Department moved from a house on Distillery Road and other locations to the
newly opened Arts Millennium Building, bringing them together with the other modern
language departments.
1.4 Student Numbers
The total number of fulltime equivalent (FTE) students in the Department was 142 in the year
2003/2004, representing a decrease of 17% in the five years since 1998-1999.
1.5 Student to Staff Ratios
In 2003-2004, the number of fulltime equivalent (FTE) academic staff in the Department of
French was 13, giving a student:staff ratio of 11 in year ending 2004 (this ratio was 14 in 199899). Across the four modern language departments (French, German, Italian and Spanish),
where small group teaching is essential, the average student:staff ratio was 12.75 in 03/04. For
the same academic year, across the Faculty of Arts, the average student:staff ratio was 22.
1.6 Accommodation and Facilities
The core facilities of the Department are located in the Arts Millennium Building.
2. Review Group Report Overview and Recommendations
The Review Team consisted of: Professor Richard Bales, School of Languages, Literature and Arts (French
Studies), Queen’s University Belfast (Chair); Professor Angela Chambers, Department of Languages and Cultural
Studies, University of Limerick; An tOllamh Mícheál MacCraith, Scoil na Gaeilge, NUI, Galway; and Dr Kathy
Murphy, Centre for Nursing Studies, NUI, Galway acting as Rapporteur.
2.1 Summary and Main Recommendations from Report
Summary
The Review Team commended the Department for its performance in all areas of practice,
citing significant progress since the previous review. Most advancement was made in the field
of research and research-related activity, but also in the care with which the diversification and
consolidation in teaching were fostered and embedded. The group noted that remaining
problems were mostly those which were perennially associated with language departments
everywhere. They commended the Department’s high level of organisation and administrative
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Report to Údarás – Review of Department of French 2004–2005
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support, noting that the latter was quite overworked. They highlighted the fact that student body
was extremely content with the intellectual and pastoral attention it obtains. The following
recommendations were made by the Review Team:
Main Recommendations
a) The Mission Statement should include a reference to applied language teaching and relevant
professional skills, and a reference to student centredness.
b) A number of additions to the aims and objectives are recommended, including participation
in the Bologna Process, the use of the Common European Framework of Reference for
Language Learning and Teaching, learner autonomy, learning to learn, life-long language
learning, and intercultural communication.
c) Consideration should be given to ways in which staff can be given opportunities to
undertake new responsibilities and roles.
d) In the light of the University's endorsement of rotating headships, this system should be
adopted in the French Department.
e) Additional support should be provided to the departmental secretary.
f) The teaching of French through Irish should be developed, in particular through the creation
of a full-time post.
g) There is an urgent need to develop a dedicated space for language-learning resources and
support facilities, including staff qualified to advise learners.
h) Comprehensive compulsory training of at least two days should be given to all lecteurs prior
to the commencement of their teaching duties, including the teaching of oral classes.
i) The weighting of lecteurs as 0.5 staff should be decreased.
j) A more equitable system should be found for the allocation of credits for Applied Language
courses.
k) In the evening degree attention should be given to the availability of library and language
support facilities, particularly for students in Ennis.
l) In the light of the views of students across all programmes that greater emphasis should be
placed on oral competence, provision in this area should be reviewed.
m) Opportunities for reciprocal teaching across programmes should be identified and ways of
overcoming contractual difficulties in facilitating this should be identified
n) Promotional outlets for ALTS beyond ALT grade 2 should be developed.
o) Given the very heavy teaching load of ALTS the Department should identify ways of
ensuring that these staff have sufficient time to undertake research.
p) A continuous assessment system distinct from intermittent testing should be introduced.
q) Student evaluation procedures should be harmonised across the Department.
r) The provision of courses on French-Irish cultural relations should be considered.
s) For postgraduate students the introduction of a formal course in research methods is
recommended.
t) There is potential for greater cross-departmental cooperation in research.
u) Greater collaboration with other language departments is recommended.
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3. Action Plans
Follow up Meeting
9.30 a.m., Monday 4 July 2005, AM215, Arts Millennium Building
th
Present: Professor J Browne – Registrar, Professor J Gosling - Director of Quality (Chair), Dr Kathy Murphy –
Review Group Rapporteur, Professor J Marshall – Dean of Arts, Dr J Conroy - Head of Department, Dr M Hiney –
Research Office Representative, Dr Sylvie Lannegrand, Dr Maire Aine Ni Mhainnin, Dr Coralline Dupuy, Ms
Ornaith Rodgers, Mr Ruadhan Cooke, Dr Catherine Emerson, Ms Maureen Linnane (in attendance).
3.1 Action Plan for the Department of French
a) The Department is in the process of revising its aims and objectives, its website and relevant
documents to:
i) Include references to applied language teaching (ALT) and relevant professional skills.
ii) Take account of the Bologna Process, and, where possible and practicable, the use of
the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for Language Learning and
Teaching and in recognising the importance of learner autonomy.
b) The Department, through the Modern Languages Board (MLB) will continue its work with
the other Modern Language departments to:
i) Pursue the additional joint objectives outlined in the Modern Language Departments’
draft Strategic Plan, in particular those related to enhancing the attractiveness of French
and other modern languages to prospective students.
ii) Employ a consultant to aid in the development of a coordinated strategy to maximise
the use of space and resources,
iii) Work with the Director of CELT to develop and optimise the resources of An
Teanglann, including dedicated space for language learning resources and support
facilities,
iv) Work with CELT and the Buildings Office to ensure that four language teaching rooms
in the Arts Millennium Building are fully equipped for language teaching (DVD, VCR
and TV wall-mounted),
v) Participate in the development of a team-taught module on generic skills and research
methodology for postgraduate research students,
vi) Achieve the implementation of a full promotional path for ALTs,
vii) Seek a meeting with the Registrar’s Office in relation to a more equitable system for the
allocation of ECT credits for Applied Language courses,
viii) Apply to the relevant Staffing Committee for additional support for the Departmental
Administrative Assistant at times of peak activity (by April 2005).
c) The Department will not adopt ‘rotating headship’ at this time.
d) The Department will discuss and implement the following:
i) Rotation of coordination duties and language teaching in Arts programmes (in June
2006),
ii) The identification of measures that allow for protected time for research and related
travel for all research-active ALT’s and other academic staff, to facilitate concentrated
research activity within and without semester periods (within academic year 2005–06).
e) In collaboration with CELT and the MLB, the Department will:
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Report to Údarás – Review of Department of French 2004–2005
i)
f)
g)
h)
i)
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Ensure that a more formal, comprehensive and compulsory training of at least 2 days
will be provided for all lecteurs prior to the commencement of their teaching duties
including the teaching of oral classes (done),
ii) Develop a set of standardised student feedback forms appropriate to each type of
module (language and other) (done),
iii) Develop a strategy for reducing plagiarism in take-home assignments (done)
The Department through its Teaching and Learning Committee during the academic year
2005–06) will:
i) Set up a Working Group in September, 2005 to examine the development of common
language courses and the reciprocal moderation of project work,
ii) Re-examine the teaching roles of lecteurs and how they can be supported through
mentoring (done),
iii) Review the content of the hours currently devoted to oral competence, i.e. language
laboratory and ‘travaux dirigés’ (between 1 and 3 hours per week) and review ‘written
language’ hours,
iv) Explore the use of essay correctors for certain types of assessment and feedback
sessions,
v) Emphasise the existing inter-cultural dimensions of programmes.
On its own initiative and in association with the MLB, the Department is exploring actively
the potential for developing new programmes and making further inputs to existing and new
programmes in the Arts and other faculties. The Department is a major contributor to the
new MA in Advanced language Skills to be introduced in 2006.
The Department will continue the existing pattern of close research and postgraduate
teaching collaborations, including:
i) Participation in ongoing funding proposals (IRCHSS, PRTLI4, RTN),
ii) Seminar series and joint conferences (to continue the pattern set by recent events such
as the conferences on Media, Borders and Margins, ‘Memory and the Crime Genre’,
and ADEFFI 2005),
iii) Ongoing and proposed MA programmes (Culture and Colonialism, Translation Studies,
Medieval Studies, Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies, Advanced Language
Skills)
The Department will seek to improve supports for students in Ennis taking its courses in
Ennis by:
i) Attempting to identify resources externally and internally (DVD player and software
already acquired),
ii) Engaging with Computer Services and The James Hardiman Library.
3.2 Action Plan for University Management
a) Registrar and Vice-President for Research and Dean recognise as essential the roles of the
Department of French and of the other Modern Language departments in the University and
in its further internationalisation, and will support to the limit of the resources available
agreed initiatives to develop and expand these roles.
b) Registrar and Dean support fully the developing role of the Modern Languages Board. The
coordinated marketing and administrative activities that can be achieved by such
cooperation offer the promise of continued viability and novel initiatives, which are
essential prerequisites to the enhancement of academic and administrative resources.
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c) The Registrar supports the rapid implementation of the reforms of the administration of
research degree programmes outlined in the recent IUQB report, and will work to ensure
that necessary actions of the University level will be in place by June 2006.
d) The Dean supports the further development of training and other supports in the Faculty for
research students and their supervisors, and will work with the Vice-Dean for Research to
ensure that significant progress is achieved during the academic year 2005–06.
e) The Director of CELT will work with the Department of French and the MLB to ensure that
the resources of An Teanglann are enhanced and that the learning supports available for
students of French are brought up to a good modern standard as soon as resources allow.
f) An t-Uasal Peadar Mac an Iomaire, Priomhfheidhmeanach Acadamh na hOllscolaiocht
Gaeilge will interact with the Department to explore ways to support existing courses taught
through Irish in the Department and identify opportunities for further developments in this
area.
Approved by: Head of Department, Professor Pádraig Ó Gormaile, 13th February 2006
Approved by: Dean of Arts, Professor J Marshall, 28th February 2006
Approved by: Registrar, Professor J Browne, 16th February 2006
Approved by: Vice President for Research, Professor N Canny, 3rd March 2006
Approved by: Director of CELT, Dr I MacLaren, 28th February 2006
Approved by: Priomhfheidhmeanach Acadamh na hOllscolaiochat Gaeilge, An t-Uasal Peadar
Mac an Iomaire, 9th March 2006
Finalised: 13th March 2006, Jim Gosling, Director of Quality
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