Geography - Critical Geographies - Power & Inequality

MSc Critical Geographies: Power & Inequality
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)

Critical geographies allow us to engage with power relations and inequalities that create contemporary societies, spaces, places, environments and lives. It develops a robust critical analysis of power relations and inequalities that define our contemporary and past worlds, in search of improved futures. Hands on, in the field learning includes a choice of fieldtrips, including a Global South option. UCD Geography has an impressive range of engaged international experts leading their fields in Radical scholarship, Anarchism, Geopolitics, Global South, Postcolonialism and Decoloniality, Feminism, Queer, Healthcare and Urban studies. Advised by these world leading scholars, who work with you to engage in ways that develop your analytical, intellectual and practical skills, and informed by cutting edge research, you develop both in-depth contemporary critical geographies.

Who should apply?
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes

Part Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. No

This Masters is for anyone who has an interest in considering how power and inequalities are created differently in different places, as well as created through the places that they are in. You do not have to have a Geography Degree. Critical geographies offers a distinctive graduate opportunity for activists to engage with and understand how place, environment and landscapes are central to shaping futures.

Programme Outcomes
Students should achieve the following learning outcomes over the course of the programme:

Knowledge and understanding
- Understand theoretical, applied and methodological issues in critical geography

- Demonstrate advanced conceptual knowledge of critical geographical engagements with contemporary and past worlds

- Understand the contribution of critical geographical enquiry to the study of power relations and inequalities that create contemporary societies, spaces, places, environments and lives

- Apply concepts and methodologies developed in the classroom to fieldwork and data.

Applying knowledge and understanding
- Critically appraise evidence from research papers, everyday life, media and historical sources concerning topics in critical geography

- Illustrate how critical geographies can be used to comprehend, theorise and seek to contest manifestations of power and inequalities

- Understand, develop and use a range of methods appropriate to critical geographical enquiry.

Making judgements
- Critically engage with the spatial manifestations of power and inequalities across a range of issues

- Systematically analyse the research literature in a chosen topic as part of a dissertation

- Decide, under guidance, on appropriate research design and data collection

Communications and working skills
- Articulate theoretical concepts, current debates and research findings within critical geographies to both specialist and non-specialist audiences in a range of oral and written formats

- Work effectively with peers in learning, research, and presentation

- Engage in effective teamworking

- Develop geographical/spatially analytical lens

Learning Skills
- Develop competence in the collection of source data using research methodologies taught on the programme

- Engage in independent research and analysis under supervision

Your studies will cover a broad engagement with critical and radical geographies and a choice regarding your focus. These choices vary annually, but include critical environmental studies, anarchism, critical geopolitics, critical urban studies, critical engagements with the Global South. Within your courses, you will choose what to focus on and for your dissertation you will work on a one-to-one basis with an expert member of staff who will guide you in creating your own research project.

Over the course of the Masters, you will complete five compulsory modules:
- Critical geographies,
-Research design (I and II),
dissertation (with a choice of focus within the course content)
and
- a fieldtrip (chosen from International fieldwork, international urban fieldwork and Global South Fieldwork).

You will choose four further modules, with choices including:
- Critical Geopolitics
- Geographies of the Global South
- Latin America
- Applied/Advanced GIS

Stage 1 - Core
Research Design GEOG40390
Dissertation GEOG40520
Research Design II GEOG40950
Critical Geographies GEOG40970

Stage 1 - Option
Critical Geopolitics of Europe GEOG40450
International Fieldwork GEOG40700
Reimagining Dublin: An Interdisciplinary Exploration in Urban Regeneration GEOG40750
Latin America: social movements and postcolonial approaches GEOG40800
Introduction to ArcGIS GEOG40820
Global South Fieldwork: Vietnam GEOG40830
Advanced GIS GEOG40870
Population Patterns and Challenges GEOG40880
Remote Sensing GEOG40890
International Urban Fieldwork GEOG40940
Health Care Crises GEOG41010

A primary degree with at least GPA 3.08 (2H1) or international equivalent in Geography or a related discipline.

We will also consider applicants with at least a GPA 3.08 (2H1) in a cognate area that provides appropriate background to the programme. In exceptional circumstances, students who have a GPA 2.48 (2H2) and some relevant work or other experience.

Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 7.0 (no band less than 6.5 in each element) or equivalent.

How to apply?
The following entry routes are available:

MSc Critical Geographies: Power & Inequality FT (W462)
Duration 1 Years Attend Full Time
Deadline Rolling*

MSc Critical Geographies: Power & Inequality PT (W463)
Duration 2 Years Attend Part Time Deadline
Rolling*

* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised

180 credits

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.

Careers & Employability
This programme offers direct employment prospects including in NGOs, voluntary sector, government, civil service, as well as further academic studies. Beyond this, critical geographies and the intellectual and practical skills developed are designed to enable graduates to understand the world in order to change it.