Politics & International Relations - Political Theory

MA Political Theory
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)

As a crucial part of understanding our human condition, political theory has always been held to be a valuable activity. More recently, however, changes in contemporary societies have made such systematic thinking about politics indispensable to understanding and participating in the life of our own state and a newly global world.

- Political theory addresses the more immediate practical concerns of politics and policy that are of concern to governments, the media, civil society groups and individual citizens.

- Combines a rigorous approach to analysing these problems with an imaginative search for solutions.

Vision and Values Statement
This programme aspires to allow students become specialists in critical thought and reflection on key issues in political theory, capable of engaging with cutting edge philosophical debates and practical applications thereof in the realm of practical politics.

Programme Outcomes
- allow students participate in political debates informed by theory

- develop oral presentation skills

- develop students' capacities for critical reflection on issues of political theory

- enhance group work skills

- enhance students' research and writing skills

- familiarise students with key issues and schools of thought in political theory

Student Internships
SPIRe's MA Internship opportunities

Related Programmes
MA Politics FT
MSc International Relations FT
MA Philosophy & Public Affairs FT
MSc Politics FT
Master of Public Policy

The MA Political Theory is a 90-credit programme. Full time students must take three 10-credit modules in the autumn trimester, and three 10-credit modules in the spring trimester. Students must also submit a thesis worth 30-credits or pursue an Internship instead in the summer trimester.

Core and Option Modules for MA Political Theory (credits in parentheses).

Please note these are subject to change.

Autumn Trimester:
Core Modules:
POL40140 International Political Theory (10)
POL42330 Research Design (10)

Core Options:
Select Minimum of 2:
PHIL41280 Feminist and Gender Theory (10)
PHIL41000 Aristotle's Ethics & Politics (10)

Option Modules:
EDUC41520 Children's Rights & Participat (10)
LAW41310 Asylum and Refugee Law (10)
PHIL41560 Truth, History, Justice (10)
POL40050 Theories of Internat.Relations (10)
POL40100 Politics of Development (10)
POL40950 Introduction to Statistics (10)
POL40970 Politics European Governance (10)
POL41020 Politics of Human Rights (10)
POL41650 Global Political Econ ofEurope (10)
POL41800 Theories of Int'l Rels Stream2 (10)
POL41860 Governance, Pol, Dev 10cr (10)
POL41910 Political Violence (10)
POL41930 Psychology of Conflict in MENA (10)
POL42040 Gender & the Political System (10)
POL42340 Programming for Soc Scientists (10)

Spring Trimester:
Core Modules:
POL41030 Theory of Human Rights (10)

Core Options:
Select Minimum of 2:
PHIL40420 The Good Society (10)
POL42000 Political Theory and the EU (10)

Option Modules:
PHIL41510 Ethics in Public Life (10)
POL40160 Comparative Public Policy (10)
POL40370 International Political Econom (10)
POL40540 Comparative European Politics (10)
POL40610 EU Foreign and Security Policy (10)
POL41640 Qual Research Methods for Pol (10)
POL41720 Gender, Peace, and Security (10)
POL41780 The Politics of Inequality (10)
POL41870 Econ & Policy Analysis 1 10cr (10)
POL41980 Peace & Conflict Studies (10)
POL42050 Quantitative Text Analysis (10)
POL42070 Politics of (mis-)information (10)

Summer Trimester:
POL42300 SPIRe Internship (30)
or
POL42310 Thesis (30)

A primary degree with at least Second Class Honours Grade 1 (2H1) in a relevant subject such as political science, international relations, social science, sociology, history, geography, economics, global studies, public policy, development studies, EU studies, law. 2H1 is equivalent to 60 per cent, B minus or 3.08 GPA - in American system: B or 3.00 GPA.

- Your application will be considered on its individual merits and relevant professional experience will also be taken into account.

- English language requirements: applicants whose first language is not English should have met TOEFL, IELTs, or computer-based TOEFL requirements (600, 6.5, or 250 respectively), or the Cambridge English Test (Certificate in Advanced English at a minimum of Grade B, or Certificate of Proficiency in English at Grade C). Applicants who obtained a previous degree from an English-speaking university may be exempted from this requirement.

- Students meeting the programme's academic entry requirements but not the English language requirements, may enter the programme upon successful completion of UCD's Pre-Sessional or International Pre-Master's Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information http://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/

These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes.

How to apply?
The following entry routes are available:

MA Political Theory FT (W277)
Duration 1 Years
Attend Full Time
Deadline Rolling*

MA Political Theory PT (W278)
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.

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

Careers & Employability
Graduates work with a wide variety of international private-sector employers, government agencies and Non-Governmental Organisations in roles such as: academics, policy analysts, diplomats, lawyers, journalists. Recent graduates of UCD School of Politics & International Relations now work in: UK Foreign Office, US State Department, Irish Civil Service, University College London, and University of Melbourne.