Course Structure

Students take six taught modules, including two compulsory modules in the first semester, which introduce them to the core of the discipline and teach the skills necessary to conduct research. They must also complete the Dissertation module. Each taught module is worth 20 credits. The Dissertation is worth 60 credits.

Course Details

The programme has three different components: Core modules, Elective modules, and an MA dissertation.

The MA offers students with the possibility to study a wide range of topics or specialise in Irish politics, political theory, European politics, or comparative politics:
• Irish Politics modules: PAI7022 The Politics of the Republic of Ireland, PAI7021 The Politics and Institutions of Northern Ireland
• Political Theory modules: PAI7059 Freedom and Modernity & PHL7057 Social Injustice
• European Politics modules: PAI7099 The UK and Europe & PAI7052 Institutions and Policies of the EU
• Comparative Politics modules: PAI7032 Gender and Politics, PAI7038 Theories in Comparative Politics, PAI7050 Ethnic Conflict and Consensus, & PAI7100 Engaging Citizens in Democratic Institutions

Teaching Times

Teaching takes place at a variety of times from 9-8pm Monday – Friday.

Learning and Teaching

Most modules are taught through seminars, which combine short lectures, class discussions, group work and other in-class activities. Class size is around 15-20 students. Our Virtual Learning Environment also provides opportunities for online activities such as discussion groups, reading groups, and quizzes (uses vary between modules).

Cognitive Skills

The MA in Politics,

• Provides learners with the opportunity to develop generic analytical, reasoning, literacy and communication skills.

• Provides learners with the ability to solve problems, process and prioritise a wide variety of information, and express arguments and positions in oral and written form.

• The learner to develop their basic knowledge of the general methodological and theoretical approaches of Politics as well as enhance their basic history of the discipline and knowledge of its specific concepts, issues and vocabulary.

At the end of the programme learners will have the capacity to be self-reflexive and practice sound judgement and will possess the necessary skills to enhance their ability to think critically and pursue independent research.

Knowledge and Understanding

This programme equips students with a set of key, subject, employability and transferable skills; encourages a professional attitude towards self-organisation; and provides students with the intellectual tools to reflect upon the subject of Politics both by theoretical explorations of the nature of Politics and by comparison between societies.

The MA provides students with a knowledge and understanding of core debars in the subject, and fosters an attitude of self-motivated and independent learning.

It enables students to research political phenomena, events and arguments/ideas.

It provides a grounding in the key issues in contemporary politics and normative theory, British Politics, Irish Politics, European Politics, International Relations Policy and Comparative Ethnic Conflict (depending on modules chosen).

Subject Specific Skills

Able to evaluate different interpretations of political issues and events.

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of different political systems, the nature and distribution of power in them; the social, economic, historical and cultural contexts within which they operate, and the relationships between them.

Apply concepts, theories and methods used in the study of politics to the analysis of political ideas, institutions and practices.

Understand the nature and significance of politics as a human activity.

Assessment

Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:

• • Essays
  • Learning Journals
  • Presentations
  • Examination
  • Portfolio projects, including blog posts
  • Policy briefs/papers

Modules

• Year 1

  Core Modules

  Democratic Challenges and Innovations (20 credits)

  ×

  Democratic Challenges and Innovations

  Overview

  This module explores the relationship between citizens and political decision-making in contemporary democracies. Around the world, conventional democratic processes and institutions have come under strain. Decreasing levels of voter turnout, low levels of trust in politicians and political institutions, and declining membership of traditional organisations such as political parties are just some expressions of a growing gap between citizens and decision-makers. This module will critically examine the changing nature of citizen engagement with democratic decision-making before considering ways of supplementing (or even replacing) conventional processes and institutions with greater opportunities for citizen participation. We will consider two broad, inter-related themes. First, the module will consider contemporary challenges facing democratic political systems, engaging with both democratic theory and relevant empirical literature. Second, using examples from around the world, it will then introduce students to a range of democratic innovations designed to supplement representative forms of decision-making, such as participatory budgeting and deliberative mini-publics. Students will engage in debates about different practical forms of participatory and deliberative processes as well as learn about how these processes are designed and implemented. The objectives are to enable students to engage critically in discussions about citizen participation in modern democracies and to develop their communication skills. Throughout the module there will be an emphasis on connecting academic research with democratic practice: where possible students will hear directly from practitioners and will have the opportunity to attend and observe real-world cases of democratic innovation.

  Learning Outcomes

  On completion of this module students:
  - Will be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of contemporary challenges facing democratic political systems, particularly regarding the role and attitudes of citizens;
  - Will understand theoretical and empirical debates surrounding both established forms of citizen participation and democratic innovations;
  - Will be able to draw on relevant criteria and evidence to critically evaluate democratic innovations and their design features;
  - Will be able to communicate key findings from academic research in this field for the benefit of a non-academic audience.

  Skills

  Intellectual skills
  • Managing & Prioritizing Knowledge: identify relevant and subject-specific knowledge; manage such information in an independent manner;
  • Analytical Thinking: identify, understand, interpret and evaluate relevant subject-specific arguments made by others; construct independent arguments;
  • Critical & Independent Thinking: ability to think critically and construct one’s own position in relation to existing and ongoing debates in the field.
  Professional and career development skills
  • Communication Skills: ability to communicate clearly with others, both orally and in writing;
  • Teamwork: ability to work with others in a team, negotiate conflicts and recognize different ways of learning;
  • Diversity: ability to acknowledge and be sensitive to the range of cultural differences present in the learning environment;
  • Self-Reflexivity: ability to reflect on one’s own progress and identify and act upon ones own development needs with respect to life-long learning and career development;
  • Time Management: ability to negotiate diverse and competing pressures; cope with stress; and achieve a work / life balance .
  Technical and practical skills
  • Information Technology: demonstrate the knowledge and ability to use contemporary and relevant ICT.
  Organizational skills
  • Efficient and effective work practice: demonstrate ability to work efficiently to deadlines;
  • Clear organisation of information: show efficiency in the organisation of large amounts of complex information and the ability to identify, describe and analyse the key features of the information;
  • Organisation and communication: demonstrate ability to use evidence to develop logical and clear argument; show aptitude for the effective use of information in a direct and appropriate way;
  • Enterprising thinking: Demonstrate ability to think and argue in novel and enterprising ways, to display originality of thought and argument and the ability to clearly support arguments in innovative ways.

  Coursework

  90%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  10%

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  PAI7100

  Teaching Period

  Autumn

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Core

  APPROACHES TO RESEARCH DESIGN (20 credits)

  ×

  APPROACHES TO RESEARCH DESIGN

  Overview

  This module aims to introduce key approaches to research design, while also introducing some of the contemporary debates in research in the social sciences and humanities. It will also provide students with an introduction to some of the key practical research skills they will find of use when designing and conducting their academic research. These skills are also those which students will find necessary as they continue their academic and research career.
  
  Students will have a high degree of choice across workshops, enabling them to tailor the module content to their pathway of student and personal research goals. The workshops will address five key areas: Fundamentals of Research; Debates; Philosophy of Science/Epistemology; Qualitative Methods; and Quantitative Methods.
  
  The broad aims of the module are to:
  • Introduce students to the diversity of research approaches and debates;
  • Heighten awareness of methodological issues facing researchers in the social sciences and humanities;
  • Develop an awareness of interdisciplinarity and its potentials and challenges in research;
  • Encourage students to develop their research skills through the selective use of this reading guide and their own search for appropriate literature on research design topics that are of interest to them.

  Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of this module, students will have:
  • obtained a clear understanding of some central issues and methodological debates that are basic to social science and humanities research;
  • been introduced to interdisciplinarity in research, and developed an understanding of how it relates to their own work;
  • communicated this understanding in an analytically rigorous manner through assessed written work;
  • demonstrated the kind of methodological awareness that will allow them to pursue their own research or coursework in an analytically rigorous and self-critical manner.
  • been equipped with the intellectual capacity to defend a particular approach to their own research;
  • started to make preparations for a research dissertation.

  Skills

  Intellectual skills
  • Managing & Prioritizing Knowledge: identify relevant and subject-specific knowledge, sources and data; manage such information in an independent manner
  • Analytical Thinking: identify, understand, interpret and evaluate relevant subject-specific arguments made by others; construct independent arguments
  • Critical & Independent Thinking: ability to think critically and construct one’s own position in relation to existing and ongoing debates in the field
  
  Professional and career development skills
  • Communication Skills: ability to communicate clearly with others, both orally and in writing
  • Diversity: ability to acknowledge and be sensitive to the range of cultural differences present in the learning environment
  • Self-Reflexivity: ability to reflect on one’s own progress and identify and act upon ones own development needs with respect to life-long learning and career development
  • Time Management: ability to negotiate diverse and competing pressures; cope with stress; and achieve a work / life balance
  
  Technical and practical skills
  • Information Technology: demonstrate the knowledge and ability to use contemporary and relevant ICT
  
  Organizational skills
  • Efficient and effective work practice: demonstrate ability to work efficiently to deadlines
  • Clear organisation of information: show efficiency in the organisation of large amounts of complex information and the ability to identify, describe and analyse the key features of the information
  • Organisation and communication: demonstrate ability to use evidence to develop logical and clear arguments; show aptitude for the effective use of information in a direct and appropriate way
  • Enterprising thinking: Demonstrate ability to think and argue in novel and enterprising ways, to display originality of thought and argument and the ability to clearly support arguments in innovative ways

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  HAP7001

  Teaching Period

  Autumn

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Core

  Dissertation (60 credits)

  ×

  Dissertation

  Overview

  The research and writing of a 15,000-word dissertation on any chosen aspect of Politics or International Studies. Submission date 15th September.

  Learning Outcomes

  To encourage students to engage in independent and original research.

  Skills

  Students are allocated an individual supervisor, with whom they work closely throughout the research, drafting and writing of their dissertation. The skills required for ongoing research, organisation of a thesis and professional writing and presentation of a dissertation are all acquired, and monitored, through liaison with the supervisor.

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Credits

  60

  Module Code

  PAI9099

  Teaching Period

  Summer

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Core

  Optional Modules

  Feminism(s), Gender and Global Politics (20 credits)

  ×

  Feminism(s), Gender and Global Politics

  Overview

  This module encourages students to examine the centrality of gender and sexuality in shaping political dynamics at the local, national and global level. It approaches the topic drawing upon feminist political thought; strategies for political mobilization and change; and feminist analyses of contemporary global politics. The module outlines the contribution of feminist scholarship in challenging understandings of politics and international relations as gender-neutral and draws attention to the, often neglected, experiences, agency and political claims of women and other minoritised groups. We will consider key contemporary issues such as transnational feminism, queer politics and social justice; feminism and global governance; reproductive justice; nationalism, populism and anti-gender politics; international security; borders and migration; feminism and the politics of crisis, feminist and queer visions for life. Students will have the opportunity to discuss theoretical perspectives and empirical examples as entry points to the gendered complexities of global politics.
  
  AIMS:
  
  This module is designed to provide you with the conceptual tools and study skills for developing your own critical appraisal of gender politics in an intersectional and transnational perspective. At the end of this module, you will have enhanced your skills to critically interrogate different dimensions of the political through the application of feminist intersectional lenses. Crucially, I also hope that you will feel empowered to apply this mode of thinking to analyse intersections between gender and other inequalities and to reflect on your own position in learning, knowledge production and politics.

  Learning Outcomes

  OOn successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
   analyse and explain the causes of gender inequalities in the public/private realm;
   understand how gender interacts with race, class, sexuality and nationality to produce divisions of power and resources, as well as processes of violence and exclusion.
   discuss and assess different feminist perspectives.
   apply feminist theories to analyse key issues in global politics and current political problems.
   think critically about narratives and practices of politics and international relations.
   independently develop a small research project of their choice.

  Skills

  Communicate ideas to others in a clear and concise manner, in oral and written form.\nPursue intellectual questions in a rigorous and academic manner, employing analytical skills and critical thinking.\nDiscuss issues that challenge dominant perspectives in an informed manner.\nEngage in small group activity.

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  PAI7032

  Teaching Period

  Spring

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

  Ethnic conflict and consensus (20 credits)

  ×

  Ethnic conflict and consensus

  Overview

  This module examines concepts of ethnicity, national identity, multiculturalism as they relate to contemporary conflict. Students will be provided with a detailed and critical analysis of the political and constitutional options in societies beset by ethnic conflict, with particular emphasis being given to mechanisms directed at and institutions involved in management of and accommodation after the conflict. By examining theories of ethnic conflict the module introduces students to issues underlying conflicts across the globe including nation building and rights of minorities, territorialisation of ethnicity, partition and secession management, and kin-state involvement as well as socio-political integration as mechanisms to avert and/or resolve ethnic conflicts. The module introduces students to debates about the construction and salience of ethnicity as a source of conflict. We conclude by critically examining how these debates inform approaches to ethnic conflict management and which implications they have for practical solutions of ethnic conflicts.

  Learning Outcomes

  • explore different and contrasting meanings of ethnicity, ethnic conflict and nationalism and their connotations;
  • examine the roots of ethno - nationalism and its impact on society, as well as the relationship between ethnic and other divisions in society;
  • analyse the role of ethnicity as a source of internal and international conflict in the post - Cold War world;
  • furnish students with basic intellectual skills (e.g. critical thinking, analysis, problem solving) in relation to nationalism and ethnicity;
  • understanding the key concepts in the field of the study of nationalism and ethnic politics and appreciation of the relationship between ethnicity and sources of conflict in societies;
  • develop a sufficient understanding of different methods of conflict regulation in ethnically diverse societies, paying particular attention to the role of political institutions in conflict management,
  • be aware of the context and practicalities of management, territorial management of divisions, whether by means of federalism, ‘re-scaling’, or partition or consociationalism as a means of conflict-management;
  
  Furthermore students will acquire a set of civic skills, including:
  • Sensitivity and appreciation of cultural diversity and how to handle diversity and conflict based on group identities;
  • Learning how to live with and tolerate other cultures in multicultural environments;
  • Developing an understanding of different forms and consequences ethnic conflict can take;
  • Relating to diversity in interpretations of the meaning of ethnicity and assess the role of diversity management and multiculturalism in this respect;
  • Understanding ideas and impact of institutionalised power relations on perceptions of good citizenship and democracy in multi-ethnic societies

  Skills

  This module will assist in developing students’ skills in a number of important areas. These include:
  
  • Understanding of dynamic and changing nature of conflict resolution and management;
  • Understanding a range of conceptual components associated with conflict management, including intervention, peace-building and reconstruction;
  • Processing, summarising and presenting facts/information including critical reflection, in oral and written format;
  • Pursuing intellectual questions in a rigorous and academic manner, employing analytical skills and critical thinking.
  
  Intellectual skills
  • Managing & Prioritizing Knowledge: identify relevant and subject-specific knowledge, sources and data; manage such information in an independent manner
  • Critical & Independent Thinking: ability to think critically and construct one’s own position in relation to existing and ongoing debates in the field of conflict management
  
  
  Professional and career development skills
  • Communication Skills: ability to communicate clearly with others, both orally and in writing through related assignments. Resolve or manage communication conflicts.
  • Teamwork: ability to work with others in a team, negotiate conflicts and recognize different ways of learning through class simulation on conflict management
  • Time Management: ability to negotiate diverse and competing pressures; cope with stress during class simulations; and achieve a work / life balance
  
  Organizational skills
  • Efficient and effective work practice: demonstrate ability to work efficiently to deadlines
  • Enterprising thinking: Demonstrate ability to think and argue in novel and enterprising ways, to display originality of thought and argument and the ability to clearly support arguments in innovative ways. Conflict management skills are particularly effective in managing life and work related challenges

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  PAI7050

  Teaching Period

  Spring

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

  Interest Groups, Lobbying and Advocacy (20 credits)

  ×

  Interest Groups, Lobbying and Advocacy

  Overview

  This course brings together students interested in the interaction between non-state actors, such as organised interests, and policymakers.
  
  Lobbying is a highly professionalised activity that is important for policymakers. Scholars do not fail to stress the importance of the information lobbyists supply in political process. Without it, many modern-day democracies could not fully function. This does, however, not mean that corruption is absent in lobbying. Even when the profession of lobbyist is carried in an ethical way, scholarly work showed that business often wins. In a democracy in which corporate lobbying has a strong influence on public policy, special interests tend to prevail over diffuse ones, with obvious negative consequences on inequality and participatory democracy. This course seeks to explain the role of interest groups in political systems, across interest group type and mobilization strategy.
  
  The course is structured around a set of seminars – these seminars focus on interactive discussion of the assigned materials and media coverage of contemporary news events while blending with some lecture materials. Given the seminar format, students are expected to keep up-to-date with the readings and topical issues in the arena. The reading list includes required material to be discussed during the weekly seminars and provides additional recommended materials that may be of particular use for the larger written assignments. Students are nevertheless expected to go beyond the list of required and recommended readings for their main written assignment (see below). This will prove the students’ ability to access sources independently from what dictated by the course contents. There is one core reading each week (typically articles published in academic journals, book chapters, newspaper articles). These are selected in a way to encourage a diverse, lively discussion. The required and recommended readings may provide accessible examples for you to draw on in class, in your discussion points or in the completion of your continuous assignments. The seminars are ‘participatory’, in the sense that the opinion of students is sought directly and consistently. Attendance at the seminars is compulsory as it links to credit for the Participation/Discussion Points set out below. The final part of the module sets up a simulation game around the creation of a global framework to make lobbying more responsible and sustainable.

  Learning Outcomes

  On completion of this module:
  - Students will be able to assess and understand the role of non-state actors in political processes and various policy fields.
  - Students will be able to apply diverse frameworks to understand key cases and patterns in Europeanization and globalization, and, more specifically,
  - Studies into practices of interest representation, related to basic differences between types of
  - Actors such as business interest associations, firms, social movement organizations, bureaucratic actors.

  Skills

  This module will assist in developing students’ skills in a number of important areas. These include:
  
  Intellectual skills
  • Managing & Prioritising Knowledge: identify relevant and subject-specific knowledge, sources and data; manage such information in an independent manner
  • Analytical Thinking: identify, understand, interpret and evaluate relevant subject-specific arguments made by others; construct independent arguments
  • Critical & Independent Thinking: ability to think critically and construct one’s own position in relation to existing and ongoing debates in the field
  Professional and career development skills
  • Communication Skills: ability to communicate clearly with others, both orally and in writing
  • Time Management: ability to negotiate diverse and competing pressures; cope with stress; and achieve a work / life balance
  Technical and practical skills
  • Information Technology: demonstrate the knowledge and ability to use contemporary and relevant ICT
  Organisational skills
  • Efficient and effective work practice: demonstrate ability to work efficiently to deadlines
  • Clear organisation of information: show efficiency in the organisation of large amounts of complex information and the ability to identify, describe and analyse the key features of the information
  • Organisation and communication: demonstrate ability to use evidence to develop logical and clear argument; show aptitude for the effective use of information in a direct and appropriate way
  • Enterprising thinking: Demonstrate ability to think and argue in novel and enterprising ways, to display originality of thought and argument and the ability to clearly support arguments in innovative ways

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  PAI7104

  Teaching Period

  Spring

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

  Institutions and Politics of the European Union (20 credits)

  ×

  Institutions and Politics of the European Union

  Overview

  The module explores the structure and institutions of the European Union (EU) as well as selected theoretical approaches to the study of European integration. It examines in detail the nature and roles of the EU’s main institutions (i.e. Commission, European Parliament, Council, European Council, European Central Bank, and Court of Justice), and provides a critical assessment of selected EU policies and political challenges facing the EU. In doing so the module explores the decision- and policy-making dynamics within the EU as well as some of the most pressing themes in European governance.

  Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of this module, students will:
  
  • have a detailed knowledge of the institutional structure of the European Union
  • have an appreciation of the explanatory value of selected theoretical approaches to the study of European integration and EU decision- and policy-making
  • be able to critically assess the essential characteristics of the EU’s institutional framework
  • have a familiarity with the EU policy base and policy priorities
  • be able to identify specific, timely and pressing contemporary issues of relevance to the politics of the European Union
  • have detailed knowledge of a selection of salient policy areas
  • be able to pursue intellectual questions in a rigorous and academic manner, employing analytical skills and critical/independent thinking

  Skills

  Intellectual skills
  
  • Managing and Prioritizing Knowledge: identify relevant and subject-specific knowledge, sources and data; manage such information in an independent manner
  • Analytical Thinking: identify, understand, interpret and evaluate relevant subject-specific arguments made by others; construct independent arguments
  • Critical and Independent Thinking: ability to think critically and construct one’s own position in relation to existing and ongoing debates in the field
  Professional and career development skills
  
  • Communication Skills: ability to communicate clearly with others, both orally and in writing
  Organizational skills
  
  • Efficient and effective work practice: demonstrate ability to work efficiently to deadlines
  • Clear organisation of information: show efficiency in the organisation of complex information and the ability to identify, describe and analyse the key features of the information
  • Organisation and communication: demonstrate ability to use evidence to develop logical and clear arguments; show aptitude for the effective use of information in a direct and appropriate way

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  PAI7052

  Teaching Period

  Autumn

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

  Comparative Territorial Politics (20 credits)

  ×

  Comparative Territorial Politics

  Overview

  This module offers students the opportunity to address core issues in Politics via the comparative study of federations and regionalised and devolved states. Across Europe and beyond, territorial reforms have transformed the shape, governance, and politics of the traditional nation-states that dominated the post-war era. These changes have often, though not always, been the result of increasing demands for territorial autonomy and increases in regional identity among voters.
  
  Comparative Territorial Politics explores this territorial challenge across a range of topics, including multi-level governance, nationalism and constitutional politics, political parties and elections across levels, territorial finance, and multi-level policy challenges.

  Learning Outcomes

  1. Understand the meaning of different forms of territorial governance, especially devolution, federalism, multi-level governance, as well as of concepts such as regionalism and nationalism.
  2. Critically assess theoretical perspectives and empirical analyses on the development of regionalism and multi-level government in a comparative perspective.
  3. Place Northern Ireland devolution in a comparative perspective by drawing comparisons with devolution across the UK and with other forms of territorial government in other multi-level and multi-national states.
  4. Understand the multi-level dynamics that shape politics and policy in at the sub-state level
  5. Effectively apply the comparative method
  6. Develop research and analytical skills that facilitate independent learning

  Skills

  Intellectual skills
  • Managing & Prioritizing Knowledge: identify relevant and subject-specific knowledge, sources and data; manage such information in an independent manner
  • Analytical Thinking: identify, understand, interpret and evaluate relevant subject-specific arguments made by others; construct independent arguments
  • Critical & Independent Thinking: ability to think critically and construct one’s own position in relation to existing and ongoing debates in the field
  
  Professional and career development skills
  • Communication Skills: ability to communicate clearly with others, both orally and in writing
  • Teamwork: ability to work with others in a team, negotiate conflicts and recognize different ways of learning
  • Diversity: ability to acknowledge and be sensitive to the range of cultural differences present in the learning environment
  • Self-Reflexivity: ability to reflect on one’s own progress and identify and act upon one’s own development needs with respect to life-long learning and career development
  • Time Management: ability to negotiate diverse and competing pressures; cope with stress; and achieve a work / life balance
  
  Technical and practical skills
  • Information Technology: demonstrate the knowledge and ability to use contemporary and relevant ICT
  
  Organizational skills
  • Efficient and effective work practice: demonstrate ability to work efficiently to deadlines
  • Clear organisation of information: show efficiency in the organisation of large amounts of complex information and the ability to identify, describe and analyse the key features of the information
  • Organisation and communication: demonstrate ability to use evidence to develop logical and clear arguments; show aptitude for the effective use of information in a direct and appropriate way
  • Enterprising thinking: Demonstrate ability to think and argue in novel and enterprising ways, to display originality of thought and argument and the ability to clearly support arguments in innovative ways

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  PAI7101

  Teaching Period

  Spring

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

  Policy analysis and evaluation: From theory to practice (20 credits)

  ×

  Policy analysis and evaluation: From theory to practice

  Overview

  How do we choose between policy alternatives? How effective are the solutions implemented in a country in response to new policy problems? What are the methods and tools one can best apply to evaluate policies? What factors should be accounted for when evaluating the effects of policy changes? These are the big questions this Module seeks to answer. In times of growing mistrust in experts, evidence and institutions, understanding what policy solutions are effective and appropriate to address policy challenges could help build better systems and processes of government to improve citizen’s lives.
  In this Module, students will have an opportunity to bring theory and practice together. By drawing on the key approaches to policy analysis the course will strengthen students’ understanding of processes and challenges associated with each stage of the policy-making process. By emphasizing the critical role of evaluation, the Module will allow student to learn about the tools and skills necessary to effectively evaluate policy changes using empirical cases. Taken together, the constitutive parts of the Module will provide students with the skills necessary to identify, analyze and assess policy measures and their suitability and effectiveness in addressing emerging challenges.
  
  Specifically, the topics that may be covered in this Module include ( but not limited to):
  - Policy analysis: What is it and why we need it?
  - Analyzing polices: Approaches and their limitations
  - Approaches to policy evaluation: Experimental approaches, Responsive and Realist evaluation
  - Evaluation Quality: Understanding criteria & indicators
  - Explaining policy change

  Learning Outcomes

  - Strengthen understanding of the policymaking stages
  - Acquire practical skills in identifying policy goals, targets, instruments, outcomes and outputs.
  - Develop a thorough understanding of methodological approaches applicable to policy evaluation and analysis.
  - Foster a better awareness of the role contextual factors have influencing policymaking and evaluation.
  - Engage with the empirical evidence and facilitate students’ ability to use it appropriately and systematically in policy evaluation and analysis.

  Skills

  The students will learn how to
  o Critically assess theoretical arguments relevant to policy analysis and evaluation.
  o Recognize and explain strengths and shortcomings of the extant approaches to policy analysis and evaluation
  o Evaluate the effectiveness of policy solutions
  o Identify and compare policy measures and their effectiveness/appropriateness
  o Produce a well-justified assessment of policy measures and their prospective reforms

  Coursework

  65%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  35%

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  PAI7106

  Teaching Period

  Spring

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

  Global Ireland (20 credits)

  ×

  Global Ireland

  Overview

  The module explores Ireland’s international experience, from the past to present, with a focus on three key relationships: that with Britain, with North America and with Europe. Through multi-method research, it explores common themes of empire, colonialism, emigration, diaspora identities, economic development, and culture. It examines the intersection of these themes at key moments in Ireland’s recent past such as the 1990s, when the Celtic Tiger economy, peace process, and global popularity of U2 and Riverdance all demonstrated the importance of the Irish diaspora. It also involves comparative examination of different diaspora experiences: how the Northern Ireland conflict affected the Irish in Britain; how Irish America contributed to that conflict, but also its resolution; and how the experience of female or Protestant migrants from Ireland had been markedly different from that of male and Catholic migrants respectively. The course looks at how Irish foreign policy continues to be shaped by its colonial past, particularly its role in the UN and peace-keeping operations. However, it questions the integrity of Ireland’s claimed neutrality, and considers how the Ukraine conflict fundamentally challenges its stance. The course looks particularly at the shock of Brexit, the ongoing challenges that it creates for both parts of Ireland, but also the possibilities which it creates for their reunification. Similarly, it reflects on how Brexit is reshaping Irish approaches to a changing EU order. In addition, the course reflects on the implications of globalisation and the role of the “New Irish” and other identities in Ireland that are now reshaping its international image. It concludes by considering the challenges of contemporary geopolitics, including climate change cyber security, the Covid pandemic, , and how Joe Biden’s election might be considered the last hurrah for Irish America, whilst a Chinese century unfolds.

  Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of this module students will:
  
  • demonstrate an awareness and understanding of Ireland’s place in the changing international order, from its integration into the British Empire to its embrace of an EU future without the UK;
  • appreciate the continued importance of the UK relationship, particularly with respect to Northern Ireland, but also how the EU and the US still provide balancing forces to this relationship;
  • be able to compare and contrast the very different experiences of the Irish diaspora, particularly in Britain and North America, and how female and Protestant migrants from Ireland have also had markedly different experiences from that of male and Catholic migrants respectively;
  • be able to critically examine different conceptions of “diaspora”, plus related notions of identity such as “hybridity” and “authenticity”;
  • understand how Irish foreign policy is shaped by its colonial experience, but is also is idealised in its presentation, and is facing increased challenges;
  • identify patterns in the spread of Irish culture, from the “exile” of its greatest writers to the Continent, to the success of its musicians, filmmakers and actors in Britain and the US;
  • critically interrogate the global phenomenon of St Patrick’s Day as an economic and cultural “soft power” project, with effective branding by the Irish government and private companies helping it to shut down Fifth Avenue and light the Great Wall of China up in green;
  • understand the contemporary challenges of globalisation for Ireland, with the need to integrate “New Irish” ethnic minorities, and continue its economic progress through the dual shocks of Brexit and the coronavirus pandemic;appreciate the ongoing political challenges that Brexit creates for both parts of Ireland, but also the possibilities which it creates for both their economic future and possible reunification;
  • understand how international responses to issues like climate change and global tax evasion, and also the rising power of internet and social media-based companies, pose particular challenges for Ireland’s political future;
  reflect on the future of global Ireland given power shifts both within and away from the US, political change and continued challenges for the EU, and the need for new international alliances.

  Skills

  The module will assist in developing students’ skills in a number of important areas. These include:
  
  Intellectual skills
  • Managing & Prioritizing Knowledge: identify relevant and subject-specific knowledge, sources and data; manage such information in an independent manner
  • Comparative Analysis: ability to understand commonalities and divergences across the cases and themes examined
  • Analytical Thinking: identify, understand, interpret and evaluate relevant subject-specific arguments made by others; construct independent arguments
  • Critical & Independent Thinking: ability to think critically and construct one’s own position in relation to existing and ongoing debates across the various disciplinary fields examined
  
  Professional and career development skills
  • Interdisciplinarity and multi-method learning: ability to use a variety of intellectual sources, from political speeches to poetry, song lyrics and film criticism, in order to analyse the overlapping themes of the module
  • Communication Skills: ability to communicate clearly with others, both orally and in writing
  • Presentational and Advocacy Skills: ability to present your ideas and arguments before a group of peers and respond to questions in a convincing fashion
  • Teamwork: ability to work with others in a team, negotiate conflicts and recognise different ways of learning
  • Diversity: ability to acknowledge and be sensitive to the range of cultural differences present in the learning environment
  • Time Management: ability to negotiate diverse and competing pressures and cope with stress
  
  Organizational skills
  • Preparatory Skills: always being well prepared for seminars (e.g. completing required reading)
  • Time Management: effective use of study time, meeting coursework deadlinesIndependent Research: making good use of the library and the materials available

  Coursework

  90%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  10%

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  PAI7102

  Teaching Period

  Spring

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

  Freedom and modernity (20 credits)

  ×

  Freedom and modernity

  Overview

  The modern era is distinguished by the emergence of divergent interpretations of the nature of freedom, individual, social, and political. This course is devoted to exploring the nature of these different conceptions and the theories of freedom associated with them. Benjamin Constant famously contrasted the liberties of the ancients, i.e. collective political freedoms, with the liberties of the moderns, i.e. individual freedoms. Berlin’s canonical contrast between negative and positive liberty, while partly inspired by Constant, approaches the analysis of freedom in a different way, foregrounding the contrast between ‘freedom from’ and ‘freedom to’. Recent work on freedom, however, challenges these accounts by reviving an older, republican, conception of freedom as freedom from domination. Where libertarian theories typically consider the state to be the primary threat to freedom, the non-domination account understands the state to be a potential bulwark against domination by other social actors. In this way, its concerns overlap with those of the critical theorists who are similarly concerned with obstacles to freedom in social relations more generally, reflected in theories of alienation and disciplinary power. This course will combine analytical and genealogical approaches to the problem understating the complexity of freedom in the modern world. Topics will vary from year to year but may include: liberal and libertarian conceptions of individual freedom, the relation between individual and political freedom, populist and constitutionalist conceptions of collective freedom; freedom as non-domination and the problem of structural domination; dimensions and theories of autonomy: moral, social, and political; alienation and disciplinary power.

  Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will be familiar with the standard theoretical analyses of the nature of freedom, i.e. negative liberty, autonomy and non-domination. 2. Students will be familiar with the historical development of different currents of thought about freedom in the modern era. 3. Students will be familiar with debates about interpersonal and structural accounts of domination, alienation and oppression. 4. Students will be familiar with debates about the different dimensions of freedom: personal, social, and political and their relations to one another.

  Skills

  Intellectual skills * Managing & Prioritizing Knowledge: identify relevant and subject-specific knowledge, sources and data; manage such information in an independent manner. * Analytical Thinking: identify, understand, interpret and evaluate relevant subject-specific arguments made by others; construct independent arguments. * Critical & Independent Thinking: ability to think critically and construct one’s own position in relation to existing and ongoing debates in the field. Professional and career development skills * Communication Skills: ability to communicate clearly with others, both orally and in writing. * Teamwork: ability to work with others in a team, negotiate conflicts and recognize different ways of learning. * Self-Reflexivity: ability to reflect on one’s own progress and identify and act upon one’s own development needs with respect to life-long learning and career development. * Time Management: ability to negotiate diverse and competing pressures; cope with stress; and achieve a work / life balance. Organizational skills * Efficient and effective work practice: demonstrate ability to work efficiently to deadlines. * Clear organisation of information: show efficiency in the organisation of large amounts of complex information and the ability to identify, describe and analyse the key features of the information. * Organisation and communication: demonstrate ability to use evidence to develop logical and clear arguments; show aptitude for the effective use of information in a direct and appropriate way. * Enterprising thinking: Demonstrate ability to think and argue in novel and enterprising ways, to display originality of thought and argument and the ability to clearly support arguments in innovative ways.

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  PAI7059

  Teaching Period

  Spring

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

  The UK and Europe (20 credits)

  ×

  The UK and Europe

  Overview

  This module offers students the opportunity to address core issues in Politics via a focus on the UK’s relationship with Europe in a time of flux. It is built around three broad themes: understanding, negotiating and delivering Brexit.
  
  The first part of the module focuses on explaining the UK’s past relationship with Europe, it’s nature as an ‘awkward partner’ in European integration and the outcome of the 2016 Referendum (“understanding Brexit”). It introduces students to theories of Euroscepticism, ideas of British ‘exceptionalism’ and the study of elections, referendums and public opinion.
  
  The second part of the module engages with the on-going Brexit negotiations, in terms of trade, citizens’ rights and borders. It introduces students to the politics of trade and negotiation dynamics. It considers and explain changes to both the UK and EU positions in the negotiations.
  
  The third part of the module focuses on Brexit delivery - the administrative challenges of taking back control and the constitutional challenges of repatriating competences for central and devolved governments. It introduces students to studies of multi-level governance and devolution and theories of implementation, enforcement and good governance.

  Learning Outcomes

  On completion of this module, the students:
  - Should be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of the UK’s relationship with the EU
  - Should understand debates about explanations of the EU referendum outcome and challenges for delivering Brexit
  - Should be able to understand how different theories and approaches in political science can help make sense of the UK’s changing relationship with Europe
  - Should have developed basic blog writing skills and basic policy brief writing skills

  Skills

  Skills
  This module will assist in developing students’ skills in a number of important areas. These include:
  
  Intellectual skills
  • Managing & Prioritizing Knowledge: identify relevant and subject-specific knowledge, sources and data; manage such information in an independent manner
  • Analytical Thinking: identify, understand, interpret and evaluate relevant subject-specific arguments made by others; construct independent arguments
  • Critical & Independent Thinking: ability to think critically and construct one’s own position in relation to existing and ongoing debates in the field
  
  Professional and career development skills
  • Communication Skills: ability to communicate clearly with others, both orally and in writing
  • Teamwork: ability to work with others in a team, negotiate conflicts and recognize different ways of learning
  • Diversity: ability to acknowledge and be sensitive to the range of cultural differences present in the learning environment
  • Self-Reflexivity: ability to reflect on one’s own progress and identify and act upon one’s own development needs with respect to life-long learning and career development
  • Time Management: ability to negotiate diverse and competing pressures; cope with stress; and achieve a work / life balance
  
  Technical and practical skills
  • Information Technology: demonstrate the knowledge and ability to use contemporary and relevant ICT
  
  Organizational skills
  • Efficient and effective work practice: demonstrate ability to work efficiently to deadlines
  • Clear organisation of information: show efficiency in the organisation of large amounts of complex information and the ability to identify, describe and analyse the key features of the information
  • Organisation and communication: demonstrate ability to use evidence to develop logical and clear arguments; show aptitude for the effective use of information in a direct and appropriate way
  • Enterprising thinking: Demonstrate ability to think and argue in novel and enterprising ways, to display originality of thought and argument and the ability to clearly support arguments in innovative ways

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  PAI7099

  Teaching Period

  Autumn

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

  Global Political Economy (20 credits)

  ×

  Global Political Economy

  Overview

  This module provides a themed examination of the changing politics of the world economy, through the lens of the sub/inter-discipline, known as International Political Economy. International Political Economy (IPE) has become the accepted academic term for the analysis of the exercise of economic power and the politics of economic policy and capitalist development placed in a global context. This module introduces students to theories and concepts in International Political Economy related to the exercise of power and authority. It then goes to analyze a number of key topics and issues relating to the power and politics of economic organization and management including: the future of United States supremacy; the politics of money and finance; theories of development; the politics and policy of economic development in developing countries; problems of underdevelopment; the politics of global civil society; the global politics of energy policy and climate change; and the political economy of environmental sustainability.

  Learning Outcomes

  Upon completion of this module, students should be able to:, understand the main theoretical, ideological and normative interpretations of and claims relating to globalisation; understand the ways in which globalisation is reconfiguring political, cultural and economic processes; pursue intellectual questions in a rigorous and academic manner, employing analytical skills and critical thinking; communicate ideas to others in a clear and concise manner, both orally and in written form.

  Skills

  Students will develop key intellectual skills such as critical analysis, creative thinking, problem solving; communication, e.g., oral, listening and written, working with others, improvement of learning and performance, managing information They will also cultivate employability skills such as research and communication skills, independent learning (organising and prioritising ideas), critical/independent thinking, co-operative endeavour (e.g. tutorial based teamwork). Subject specific skills include: listening/analytical/literacy/presentation skills; comparative methods, textual analysis, developing cogent arguments, ability to participate in a tolerant and supportive learning environment

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  PAI7030

  Teaching Period

  Spring

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

  The Politics and Institutions of Northern Ireland (20 credits)

  ×

  The Politics and Institutions of Northern Ireland

  Overview

  The Belfast/Good Friday Agreement put an end to armed conflict in Northern Ireland and set up institutions designed to govern a society and polity divided along unionist and nationalist lines. As the experience of Northern Ireland shows, governing in such a context is not easy. Stability and cross-community agreement can be hard to reach, which has occasionally led to the suspension of Northern Ireland’s institutions. Yet these institutions have endured despite repeated crises and are heralded by some as examples of post-conflict governance.
  
  The module explores contemporary developments in Northern Irish politics and discusses institutional design and politics in a changing Northern Ireland. It addresses topics such as the development of Northern Ireland’s consociational model of government, how institutions like the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive perform their functions, how parties and identity shape politics and voting behaviour, North-South relations after Brexit, and Northern Ireland’s place in Europe.

  Learning Outcomes

  Upon completion of this module, students
  - Should be able to understand how Northern Ireland institutions work and how they compare to other devolved institutions
  - Should demonstrate a critical understanding of the debates about consociationalism and the role it plays in the stability of Northern Ireland’s institutions and of its community divisions
  - Should understand party competition and voting in Northern Ireland
  - Should demonstrate an ability to write well, concisely

  Skills

  This module will assist in developing students’ skills in a number of important areas. These include:
  
  Intellectual skills
  • Managing & Prioritizing Knowledge: identify relevant and subject-specific knowledge, sources and data; manage such information in an independent manner
  • Analytical Thinking: identify, understand, interpret and evaluate relevant subject-specific arguments made by others; construct independent arguments
  • Critical & Independent Thinking: ability to think critically and construct one’s own position in relation to existing and ongoing debates in the field
  
  Professional and career development skills
  • Communication Skills: ability to communicate clearly with others, both orally and in writing
  • Teamwork: ability to work with others in a team, negotiate conflicts and recognize different ways of learning
  • Diversity: ability to acknowledge and be sensitive to the range of cultural differences present in the learning environment
  • Self-Reflexivity: ability to reflect on one’s own progress and identify and act upon one’s own development needs with respect to life-long learning and career development
  • Time Management: ability to negotiate diverse and competing pressures; cope with stress; and achieve a work / life balance
  
  Technical and practical skills
  • Information Technology: demonstrate the knowledge and ability to use contemporary and relevant ICT
  
  Organizational skills
  • Efficient and effective work practice: demonstrate ability to work efficiently to deadlines
  • Clear organisation of information: show efficiency in the organisation of large amounts of complex information and the ability to identify, describe and analyse the key features of the information
  • Organisation and communication: demonstrate ability to use evidence to develop logical and clear arguments; show aptitude for the effective use of information in a direct and appropriate way
  • Enterprising thinking: Demonstrate ability to think and argue in novel and enterprising ways, to display originality of thought and argument and the ability to clearly support arguments in innovative ways

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  PAI7021

  Teaching Period

  Spring

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

  The Politics and Political Economy of Energy and Low Carbon Energy Transitions (20 credits)

  ×

  The Politics and Political Economy of Energy and Low Carbon Energy Transitions

  Overview

  This module will take as it’s starting the concept of ‘Carbon Literacy’, its definition, measurement and development. Students will study policy making, governance and institutional structures at International, national, regional and local levels through the selection of relevant case studies. They will gain an understanding of the spectrum of carbon literacy and the challenges of identifying knowledge and capacity building needs for stakeholders, policy and decision makers at all levels, from global to local and individual.

  Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of this module each student should have gained knowledge of:
  • The emergence of carbon literacy and its role in the creation of a low carbon society;
  • The conceptual and interdisciplinary dimensions of carbon literacy as a communication and policy language and tool;
  • The scientific and normative components of carbon literacy in theory and practice;
  • The positive and negative dimensions of carbon literacy in relation to communication and policy relevance; and
  • The relationship between carbon literacy and existing frameworks for understanding and devising policies for the green economy.

  Skills

  The module provides students with opportunities to develop the following skills:
  Intellectual skills
  • Managing & Prioritizing Knowledge: to identify relevant and subject-specific knowledge, sources and data; to manage such information in an independent manner;
  • Analytical Thinking: to identify, understand, interpret and evaluate relevant subject-specific arguments made by others; to construct independent arguments;
  • Critical & Independent Thinking: to think critically and construct one’s own position in relation to existing and ongoing debates in the field
  Professional and career development skills
  • Communication Skills: to communicate clearly with others, both orally and in writing;
  • Diversity: to acknowledge and be sensitive to the range of cultural differences present in the learning environment;
  • Self-Reflexivity: to reflect on one’s own progress and identify and act upon one’s own development needs with respect to life-long learning and career development;
  • Time Management: to negotiate diverse and competing pressures; to cope with stress; and to achieve a work / life balance.
  Technical and practical skills
  • Information Technology: to demonstrate the knowledge and ability to use contemporary and relevant ICT.
  Organizational skills
  • Efficient and effective work practice: to demonstrate ability to work efficiently to deadlines;
  • Clear organisation of information: to show efficiency in the organisation of large amounts of complex information and the ability to identify, describe and analyse the key features of the information;
  • Organisation and communication: to use evidence to develop logical and clear arguments; to show aptitude for the effective use of information in a direct and appropriate way;
  • Enterprising thinking: to think and argue in novel and enterprising ways, display originality of thought and argument.

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  PAI7036

  Teaching Period

  Spring

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

  Social Injustice (20 credits)

  ×

  Social Injustice

  Overview

  This module examines the problem of social injustice in contemporary, plural societies. The first half of the module explores some of the main philosophical assessments of social injustice. Students will first be introduced to key critiques of liberal theory as a response to the structural disadvantages associated with difference (including race, gender, sexual-orientation, religion, and class, among others). Here, liberal policy approaches to difference (including toleration, uniform treatment, and non-discrimination), will be critiqued alongside liberal modes of justification for their failure to deal appropriately with the disadvantages suffered by affected groups.
  
  The second half of the module discusses the practical implications of both social injustice and its potential solutions. Precise topics vary year-on-year, but may include discussion of some of the following questions: Is unfettered freedom of speech a necessary feature of or a hindrance in the fight for social equality? What role does historical injustice play in the ongoing oppression of marginalised groups? Is the recognition of difference the appropriate response to cultural domination? How has social media changed the shape of social justice movements? Is civil disobedience a legitimate response to injustice, and must it always be ‘civil’ in nature?

  Learning Outcomes

  On completion of this module students:
  • Should demonstrate a critical understanding of key debates about social injustice.
  • Should be able to explain some of the central critiques of liberal theory as a way of dealing with structural oppression.
  • Should be familiar with debates surrounding the role of historical injustice as it pertains to ongoing marginalisation.
  • Should have a critical understanding of the changing nature of social justice movements.

  Skills

  Intellectual skills
  
  • Managing & Prioritizing Knowledge: identify relevant and subject-specific knowledge, sources and data; manage such information in an independent manner.
  • Analytical Thinking: identify, understand, interpret and evaluate relevant subject-specific arguments made by others; construct independent arguments.
  • Critical & Independent Thinking: ability to think critically and construct one’s own position in relation to existing and ongoing debates in the field.
  
  
  Professional and career development skills
  
  • Communication Skills: ability to communicate clearly with others, both orally and in writing.
  • Teamwork: ability to work with others in a team, negotiate conflicts and recognize different ways of learning.
  • Diversity: ability to acknowledge and be sensitive to the range of cultural differences present in the learning environment.
  • Self-Reflexivity: ability to reflect on one’s own progress and identify and act upon one’s own development needs with respect to life-long learning and career development.
  • Time Management: ability to negotiate diverse and competing pressures; cope with stress; and achieve a work / life balance.
  
  
  Organizational skills
  
  • Efficient and effective work practice: demonstrate ability to work efficiently to deadlines.
  • Clear organisation of information: show efficiency in the organisation of large amounts of complex information and the ability to identify, describe and analyse the key features of the information.
  • Organisation and communication: demonstrate ability to use evidence to develop logical and clear arguments; show aptitude for the effective use of information in a direct and appropriate way.
  • Enterprising thinking: Demonstrate ability to think and argue in novel and enterprising ways, to display originality of thought and argument and the ability to clearly support arguments in innovative ways.

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  PHL7057

  Teaching Period

  Autumn

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

  The Politics of the Republic of Ireland (20 credits)

  ×

  The Politics of the Republic of Ireland

  Overview

  This module explores and analyses the political development of the Irish Free State/Republic of Ireland in historical context. It combines an historical and thematic approach to provide students with an understanding of the politics of the Irish Free State, later the Republic. It introduces students to key debates on the Irish Revolution and its background, on Irish historical revisionism, on the foundations of statehood, and the institutions and political culture of the new state. Particular themes include partition , the pursuit of stability and order, negotiations of identity, problems of modernisation, Ireland’s shifting place in European and world politics, changing attitudes towards partition and ‘the Troubles’, the impact of social change on self-representation in a post-Tiger context.

  Learning Outcomes

  To enrich understanding of key debates and themes in modern Irish politics.

  Skills

  To enrich understanding of key debates and themes in modern Irish politics.

  Coursework

  40%

  Examination

  60%

  Practical

  0%

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  PAI7022

  Teaching Period

  Autumn

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

Career Prospects

Introduction

All of the Masters programmes offered in the School provide our graduates with the skills to pursue a wide range of careers in the private, public and voluntary sectors. MA Politics graduates are now working in careers with local, devolved and national government, policy analysis and advocacy for NGOs and charities. Many are also in the private sector working as lawyers, in the media and in management consultancy or public affairs. The MA also provides an excellent basis for those who wish to proceed to Doctoral-level study.

Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes alongside sterling integration with business experts helps our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally.
http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/

Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1	£7,300
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2	£7,300
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1	£9,250
EU Other 3	£21,500
International	£21,500

¹EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.

² EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.

³ EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

More information on postgraduate tuition fees.

Additional course costs

There are no specific additional course costs associated with this programme.

All Students

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.

Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.

Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.

If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.

Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.

There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

How to Apply

Apply using our online Queen's Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Apply now

Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study.
Queen's University Belfast Terms and Conditions.

Download a prospectus