M.A. in International Relations

Course details

Contemporary international relations impact on our lives in realms such as international politics, human rights, the economy, communications and trade. This degree offers a broad interdisciplinary introduction to this subject. It explores the concepts, forces and processes underpinning international relations, looking at the role of powerful states and international organisations, legal frameworks, foreign policy, and the international political economy. Students come from all corners of the globe and are both recent undergraduates and those already immersed in the field (NGOs, teachers), who want to further their professional development. The programme is suitable for students from a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds, from politics, law and languages, to history, business and sciences.

Aims and Objectives:

• To provide an in-depth understanding of the core theories underpinning international relations, including liberalism, realism, and constructivism.
• To develop a clear and thorough knowledge of the political, social, economic, historical, and cultural contexts of the international system and its institutions.
• To detail specific aspects of international relations in the contemporary world (including security and conflict, development, globalisation, international law, area studies and foreign policy).
• To provide the opportunity to undertake interdisciplinary options such as language studies and communication studies.
• To appreciate both qualitative (e.g. comparative and case study approaches) and quantitative (i.e. statistical) research methods which will enable you to use one or both of these approaches in the completion of your dissertation.

Programme Structure:

This may be taken as a one-year, full-time programme or a two-year, part-time programme. On the, Semester 1 modules are all core; in Semester 2, students take three options. The dissertation is submitted in early September.

Theprogrammeruns over two years on Fridays from 2pm to 8pm. Students take two core modules in Semester 1 of Year 1. In Year 2 they take two further core modules. Students take three optional modules over the duration of the programme. The dissertation for part-time students is submitted at the end of the Year 2.

The MA features seminars and presentations by guest speakers with relevant experience and expertise, be it as politicians, officials, academics or diplomats.

Why DCU:

• The graduate programme is highly regarded in Ireland and internationally and provides a challenging and innovative learning environment.
• This course will develop your critical understanding of the major theories, issues, and debates in contemporary international/global politics.
• The advanced knowledge and skills you acquire are much sought after by government, research, the national or international non-governmental (NGO)/non-profit sector, and the inter-governmental (IGO) sector.
• Your knowledge and skills will open doors to further postgraduate studies in international relations (incl. International Relations Theory, Area Studies, Security Studies, International Political Economy), Politics/Political Science (including Comparative Politics).

External Speakers Programme

The MA Programme features seminars and presentations by guest speakers with particular experience and expertise, be it as politicians, officials, academics or diplomats, in foreign policy and international relations. The intention is to facilitate the exploration of key issues in international relations in an informal, interactive environment. Amongst previous guest speakers in DCU have been:

• Pat Cox (former President of the European Parliament);
• Gareth Evans, (member of High Level Panel on UN Reform);
• Judge Maureen Clark (Judge of the International Criminal Court);
• Sandy Thurman (CEO International AIDS Trust and President Clinton's National AIDS Policy Director);
• John Bruton (former Taoiseach and now EU ambassador to the USA),
• Dr. Thandika Mkandawire (Director of the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development);
• Peter Sutherland (former Director General of the WTO);
• Justin Kilcullen (Director, Trócaire);
• Conor Lenihan TD (Minister of State for Development cooperation);
• Dr Garret FitzGerald MRIA (former Taoiseach and Minister for Foreign Affairs) ·
• Tom Arnold, (CEO Concern World wide);
• Lt. Gen. David Stapleton (Chief of Staff, Defence Forces)

and numerous other diplomats, military officers, visiting academics and leaders of development NGOs.

Career Prospects:

Graduates are working for development agencies and NGOs such as Trócaire, Goal, Amnesty International, Concern and Oxfam. Our graduates also work in a variety of government departments, including the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of An Taoiseach and Department of Justice, as well as international organisations including the European Union and United Nations. Many also work for major multinational organisations, financial services companies, in the media and in international business.

Entry Requirements:

Applicants will normally have an honours primary degree or equivalent, but appropriate combinations of professional qualifications and experience may be accepted as equivalent to an honours degree, in accordance with the relevant regulations of the University.
Applicants will be ranked by prior academic achievement, their work experience where relevant, and their stated reasons for wishing to take the programme. Applicants are asked to include a 200 word statement outlining

• why they wish to study International Relations,
• what in their record and experience makes them suitable for the M.A. programme
• the impact which they expect the M.A. would have on their futures.

Some applicants may be called for interview. Such interviews will be held during the month of June.

Applicants who are awaiting their degree results should indicate both the level of award expected, and their undergraduate record to date. Some applicants may be called for interview. The closing date for receipt of applications is below, though we recommend that international students apply early and we will make some decisions on international applications at an earlier date where this is necessary to allow applicants secure funding or visas.