The MA in Politics is a one year full-time programme, which combines a comprehensive training in the methods and approaches of political science with the opportunity to specialise in one or more of the major subfields of the discipline.

Students are introduced to the key conceptual, methodological and practical problems of explaining, analysing and understanding politics. The programme is designed to attract able and ambitious candidates with an interest in understanding contemporary societies at sub-national, national and international levels.

Download the full programme description.

Programme Outline

Programme Content

The broadest of our postgraduate programmes, the core of the MA in Politics comprises modules in comparative politics, political theory and the methods of political science research. In addition to these, students are able to select additional modules from across the department’s range of specialisms, according to their own intellectual and professional interests. Students also complete a 15,000 word dissertation, written on a topic of their choosing under the guidance of a faculty supervisor.  In addition to providing a solid disciplinary foundation from which to study a broad range of political phenomena, the programme is designed to allow students to develop expertise in a variety of subfields, such as International Politics, Public Policy, European Union Politics and Peace and Development Studies.

Semester 1

During semester one, students take core modules in Research Methods, Contemporary Political Theory, Academic and Transferrable Skills, and choose one elective from a choice of seven.

Research Methods: This module introduces students to the logic and design of social science research. After reviewing fundamental philosophical issues in the generation of reliable scientific knowledge, the module discusses the structure and elements of scientific theories, the ability of different research designs to generate sound causal inferences, and different methods for collecting and analysing quantitative and qualitative data. In particular, methodological topics include the fundamentals of statistical analysis, comparative analysis and case selection, questionnaire design and interviewing, as well as archival research and document analysis.

Contemporary Political Theory: This module introduces students to the methods of political theory and to some prominent debates within recent political theory, in the first place by studying some crucial political concepts and subsequently by addressing substantive political controversies concerning democracy, justice and rights. Throughout, the module blends normative and conceptual analysis, exploring questions such as: What makes a society just? What are rights and how do human beings come to have them, if they do? What makes a state legitimate? How should goods, resources, opportunities and liberties be distributed, within and across societies? What would a democratic society consist in? What does it require to treat cultural minorities fairly? Do we have duties to the global poor?

Electives: One additional module from the following:

• International Relations
• Public Policy Analysis
• Institutions and Policies of the EU
• International Co-operation and Conflict
• Government and Governance
• Conflict, Security and Development
• Development Theory

Semester 2

During semester two, students take core modules in Comparative Politics and Research Methods, and choose two additional electives.

Comparative Politics: This module introduces students to research themes and methods in the field of comparative politics. Students will become familiar with issues involved in research design in comparative politics, such as the use of case studies, small-n comparative research, case study selection and selection bias. They will also study key debates over substantive issues in comparative political studies to see how different scholars use comparative research to study political development.

Electives: The electives offered from year to year, and may include the following:

• Global Transformation and Exclusion
• International Security
• Political Reconciliation in the Aftermath of Conflict
• Foreign Aid and Development
• Global Justice
• Development Practice and Programme Management
• European Public Administration: Actors, Institutions and Policy Process
• Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

Entry Qualifications

Applicants must have a primary degree in a social science or related discipline, with first or second-class honours or an approved equivalent qualification. Candidates should be proficient in the use of English.

Careers

The programme will equip students with substantive knowledge about a variety of political phenomena, competence in the use of social scientific research methods, as well as analytical and transferable skills. Some graduates continue studying towards a Ph.D. or towards professional qualifications in fields such as law and commerce. Others may go on to pursue careers in journalism, public administration, political activism, civil society organisations, think tanks, interest groups and business.

Fees

Students from EU countries: €4,660

Students from non-EU countries: €10,780
Please note that these fees refer to the academic year 2012/13 and are subject to annual review.

How to Apply

Please apply through the online application system.

Postgraduate Admissions Office
Graduate School
Foundation Building
University of Limerick
Tel: +353 61 234377
Fax: +353 61 233287
E-mail: postgradadmissions@ul.ie

Further information can be found at www.graduateschool.ul.ie.