Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

The MA in Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies provides an opportunity to engage in the comparative study of a range of world literatures and cultural practices in a combination that is currently unique in Ireland. It aims to foster and develop critical inquiry into the function and social resonance of literature, art and culture (including popular culture). The programme also prepares students for doctoral research and is designed for both languages graduates and graduates in subjects such as English, who are seeking to develop a comparative dimension to their further studies. The programme may be undertaken on a full-time or a part-time basis. The MA's multidisciplinary focus enables students to benefit from a wide range of research expertise offered by academic staff from the Ralahine Centre for Utopian Studies, the Women's Studies Programme, the Centre for Irish-German Studies and the Centre for Applied Language Studies.

The Masters and Graduate Diploma in Development explores the nature of development in a local and global context and enables participants to increase their own capacity as development actors and/or motivators in a variety of development contexts. The course provides a broad understanding of development in theory and in practice - in relation to economic, social and cultural change and the associated role of individuals and institutions involved in developmental praxis. This course may be taken on a full-time or part-time basis.

The MA in Ethnochoreology is a one-year, full-time taught programme that considers dance in its cultural context. By applying theoretical concepts developed in the Social Sciences and by testing these within the context of field research, Ethnochoreology provides an alternative approach to the study of Irish Traditional Dance, popular Dance and World Dance. This approach embraces Anthropology, Cultural Studies, Gender Studies, Area Studies and Education in addition to other relevant areas in Dance Studies.

The programme introduces students to a comparative study of the laws and legal systems of the European Union, individual European states and some of the Union's main trading partners in North America. The emphasis is on a comparative study of common law and civil law treatment of primary areas of the law. The programme also includes scope to pursue business and criminal justice themes. The European, international and comparative orientation of the programme will enhance the career prospects of graduates in the legal profession, industry, commerce, agriculture, criminal justice and the public sector. Generally it also offers a solid foundation for progression to a PhD by research.