Social & Political Thought

MA Social and Political Thought
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)

SPT is an inter- and multidisciplinary Master's degree in which a number of UCD Schools participate (Sociology, Philosophy, Geography, History, Music, and Politics and IR).

Thinking about social and political issues and problems doesn't stop at disciplinary boundaries. The MA in Social and Political Thought harvests the benefits that come with a more openly structured, interdisciplinary approach that is based on a wider contextual appreciation of political and social ideas. It will provide students with a deeper understanding of how ideas play out in practice and develop the knowledge base and critical skills required to think beyond disciplinary boundaries when addressing contemporary social and political problems.

Programme Outcomes
The SPT degree puts an emphasis on:
- Improving analytical and interpretative skills through analysing politically and socially relevant meanings in texts and other media, and engaging with critical methodological approaches;

- Developing an awareness and diagnostic skills that allow for addressing the complex relationship between thinking and action;

- Building the resourcefulness and facilitating scholarly/intellectual capacity-building powers to address social and political problems and issues;

- Sharing an awareness and encouraging a more self-reflective approach vis-à-vis a purely practical-oriented political engagement or a propensity towards ideological politics;

- Encouraging political and social engagement by stressing the educational dimensions of citizenship and civic engagement.

- Fostering communication and presentations skills, orally and in writing;

Related Programmes
MSc Comparative Social Change FT

N.B. The below list is indicative only and subject to change.

Core Modules:
SPT: Theories and Concepts
SPT: Methods and Approaches

Optional Modules:
Organised Violence and Society
Critical Geographies
War, Peace & Globalisation
Global History
Feminist and Gender Theory
Political Theory & the European Union
International Political Theory
Sociological Thinking in the Digital Age
Critical Acting

Modules will be mainly lecture- and seminar based.

Applicants should have an undergraduate degree (NFQ Level 8 or international equivalent) in the Social Sciences or Humanities (or equivalent). A Second Class Honours Grade One (2:1) or higher is required but Second Class Honours Grade Two (2:2) standard or equivalent may be considered.

All candidates are expected to be proficient in written and spoken English. Applicants whose primary language is not English must submit evidence of a certificate of proficiency (such as TOEFL, Cambridge or IELTS). Test results must be less than two years old. Details of english language requirements can be found here

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/

How to apply?
The following entry routes are available:

MA Social and Political Thought FT (W544)
Duration 1 Years
Attend Full Time
Deadline Rolling*

MA Social and Political Thought PT (W545)
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.