University College Dublin

MA Philosophy & Public Affairs
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)
The MA in Philosophy and Public Affairs is especially designed for those people with an interest in public policy debates, e.g. in journalism, the civil service, public policy research institutes, etc.. At the same time, it will be useful for any job requiring a subtle understanding of debate and disagreement, or requiring close attention to texts.

- Unique combination of philosophy and social science
- Close attention from dissertation supervisor
- Vibrant academic and social community

Vision and Values Statement
Our MA in Philosophy and Public Affairs programme is aimed at students who wish to deepen their knowledge of the core areas of philosophy and its application to public affairs at graduate level. It is also intended to provide a good foundation of graduate work for students who wish to continue to more advanced graduate research. It aims to provide an integration of social and political theory with the philosophical implications of the area. The School of Philosophy encourages our students to be critical philosophical thinkers with the ability to reflect on current philosophical debates, history of philosophical thought and add their own contribution. We aim to provide a learning environment that fosters collegiality and a pluralistic approach to the main areas of philosophy and encourages students to engage critically with questions. As the largest teaching and research centre in philosophy in Ireland, the programme benefits from many world-leading figures in philosophy that give invited seminars and conferences throughout the year. Small group seminars and participation in conferences and workshops are a key element of the programme design. As such, the programme uses key approaches to teaching such as philosophical debates, critical reflections, essays and paper presentations.

Programme Outcomes
A detailed study of foundational questions of public policy. Delivered with the Schools of Social Policy and Social Justice, Sociology, Politics and International Relations

An extensive knowledge of library and online sources that facilitate research, including classical and foreign language sources.

An enhanced awareness of how to work with texts, organise a thesis and set out extended philosophical arguments clearly and compellingly.

An awareness of how to present and defend philosophical papers in seminars, workshops, conferences and other fora.

An awareness of how to compose and structure philosophical writing for peer reviewed journals, book collections and monographs

A knowledge of how to write research proposals and attain funding from national and international organisations

A grasp of how to pursue a career in academic life and the acquiring of transferable skills in research and organisation

An enhanced awareness of the relevance of philosophy to other academic disciplines and to personal, professional and political life.

A deepened appreciation of the significance and value of ideas in and for internationalisation and globalisation