MA Medieval Studies
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)
The MA in Medieval Studies is an interdisciplinary program which draws on the range of expertise in medieval subjects at UCD, offered across a variety of disciplines, including Archaeology, Art History, Classics, English, History, Irish, Languages, and Music.
Interdisciplinary approach to the Middle Ages
Small group work
Opportunity to pursue individual research interests
Vision and Values Statement
The MA in Medieval Studies is for students who wish to study the Middle Ages at a high level and across different disciplines. It aims to provide an education that is at the same time rigorous and wide-ranging, providing essential research skills while allowing students to choose from a variety of courses. Our students come from different academic backgrounds and choose a range of career paths. What they have in common is an interest in the medieval world, and an eagerness to explore different ways of investigating and understanding that world. We value an interdisciplinary approach to the Middle Ages: students are allowed to choose from relevant subjects in History, English, Irish, Archaeology, Languages, Classics and Music, from Ireland to Byzantium and from the fall of the Roman Empire to the dawn of the Renaissance. We use complementary learning and assessment methods, culminating in a research dissertation. Students are introduced to research methods and skills in small groups, working with their peers; they attend classes on specialist subjects of their choice; they work with a supervisor on a dissertation subject. They are taught by specialists in their field and are encouraged to participate in the community of medieval scholars at UCD through seminars and reading groups. As such, it is a suitable preparation for intending to go on to a research degree or a professional career, or for those who simply want to extend their understanding of the medieval period.
Programme Outcomes
Demonstrate a knowledge of various disciplinary approaches to the Middle Ages.
Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of selected areas of Medieval Studies depending on their choice of modules.
Demonstrate a familiarity with the major research methodologies in the field of Medieval Studies.
Demonstrate a knowledge of technical skills required for research in the field of Medieval Studies (e.g. languages, palaeography).
Demonstrate an advanced ability to think and reason critically, to evaluate evidence and argumentation, and to form a critical judgement of one's own work as well as the work of others.
Demonstrate the ability to write a coherent, analytically rigorous and original research-based thesis on a selected area of Medieval Studies.
Have experience of studying and researching across different disciplines related to Medieval Studies