University of Limerick Certificate in Oral Heritage Studies
NFQ Minor Award at level 6 - 24 credits .
To be delivered by faculty from Department of History at UL.

Heritage Studies programmes in Irish third-level institutions tend to focus on the built environment, archaeology and literary heritage. To date, a wealth of recorded national and local oral narrative sources have been excluded from this scholarship. This University of Limerick Certificate programme is designed to address this exclusion. Oral history has broad and exciting interdisciplinary potential. Indeed, it may be considered as both a research tool and as a commercial product. The programme will provide a supportive and stimulating context for oral history research. It will cater for the continuing education needs of adult learners who wish to return to study. The programmes will facilitate the development of important skills in research methods particularly qualitative interviewing and presentation, thus addressing also the ongoing skills development of personnel working in the heritage, education and business sectors.

This University Certificate will particularly suit :

§ Individuals who are already active in the area of folklore and heritage,

§ Those who may wish to conduct or participate in funded oral history projects

§ Individuals who will find it professionally useful to advance their skills in interviewing techniques, writing and critiquing project proposals and resumés.

§ Those who are interested in local historical study and research for their own personal development

§ Individuals involved in education and training.

The course will be delivered on a part-time basis, one night per week, (Thursdays, 6.30-9.30 pm) in Ennis Regional Learning Centre, Clare County Museum, Arthur’s Row, Ennis. It will run for two twelve-week terms in Autumn 2010 and Spring 2011 beginning on Thursday 9 September.

The programme is conducted through seminar and workshop format. A flexible, blended learning approach involves options for podcasting and on-line tutorials as well as attendance at the centre in Ennis. Students will have full access to the University of Limerick Learner Management System (Sulis) for online and remote access learning. Students will also have full access to the resources of the Library including electronic resources and databases in the University of Limerick.
Entry Qualifications

Applicants are required to hold at the time of enrolment the established Leaving Certificate or an approved equivalent. Mature students (23 years or over on 1 January of the year of registration) are also encouraged to apply.
Candidates without Leaving Certificate may also be evaluated in terms of experience in heritage preservation, motivation and /or other occupational experience.
Contact: Anne Griffin,Ennis RLC, Clare County Museum, Arthurs Row,Ennis, Co. Clare
Tel: 065-6866844
www.ennisrlc.ie