This is a full-time one year course that aims to provide graduates with the necessary critical and analytical skills to make sense of societies undergoing rapid and dramatic transitions. The programme is set against the backdrop of the recent global turbulence in financial markets and the related economic downturn. Societies such as Ireland are adjusting very rapidly to change in the external and internal environments. This requires us to re-think prevailing assumptions about the nature and direction of socio-economic development both in Ireland and elsewhere.
The key idea underlying the this M.A. is to interrogate the political economy, power dynamics and cultural dimensions of social change in transitional societies, using Ireland as a key point of reference.
The intellectual approach will embrace both comparative and historical dimensions of societies in transition. We hope to stimulate students to think about the role that sociological analysis can play in helping to advance solutions to the current social and economic challenges.
MA students will:
•Develop their ability to apply theories of social change to empirical investigation
•Enhance their ability to communicate effectively through regular class presentations and discussions.
•Receive a grounding in sociological methods and will be supported in using these methods in their dissertation work.
•Gain an enhanced understanding of the economic, social, political and cultural dimensions of Irish society in comparative perspective.
•Be provided with a comprehensive overview of the processes giving rise to social change and the challenges faced by societies in transition.
The course involves 6 x 10 credit modules over two semesters and the completion of a thesis (30 credits). Classes are timetabled on a Thursday and Friday. See our website for our MA handbook.
Comment
Sociology at Maynooth University prioritises a vibrant research culture. Established over 75 years ago, Sociology at Maynooth provides postgraduate students with high quality research training in a lively intellectual atmosphere. We actively promote students' professional involvement in academic life and ensure that students will make a contribution to the advancement of knowledge and to the understanding and wellbeing of contemporary societies.