MA in Irish Studies

Course details

DCU's MA in Irish Studies problematises, debates and develops interdisciplinary interpretations to explore and to interrogate this complex, contested and dynamic question. The programme's focus is timely, as Ireland engages with a period of official and unofficial commemoration centred on a series of historical centenaries. Furthermore, as a modern nation Ireland is navigating through a period of economic and political uncertainty and instability. The near collapse of the Irish banking system and the need for an IMF/EU bailout brought Ireland to the forefront of international affairs. The loss of national sovereignty was concluded by many commentators.

Aims and Objectives:

• You will critically engage with key questions and debates in the study of Irish culture and Irish identities.
• You will understand and interrogate the various and changing answers to the question, what does it mean to be Irish?
• You will acquire advanced knowledge and research skills as you explore Irish issues through the lenses of identity formation and representation, through an investigation of the role of space, place, and landscape, and by engaging with contemporary debates.
• You will draw from a breadth of materials including digitised primary material in the online environment.
• You can develop advanced research skills through completion of a traditional thesis or engaging with a digital research project.
• You will have acquired thorough disciplinary knowledge, but will also have acquired significant transferable skills.

Programme Structure:

The programme is delivered online. You will take six core modules over a period of 2 to 4 years. The programme will challenge you to draw from existing disciplinary skills to interact with other disciplines to interrogate key issues and questions Irish culture. You will develop a critical awareness of and analyse the continuities and changes manifest in the stories the Irish tell, the spaces they construct and the landscape they inhabit, the communities, associations and political groupings they create, the religions they practice, the music and sport they play, and the creative and literary journeys they make.

The programme is set up to allow you to complete a Masters or to step out after successful completion of the requisite credits to complete a Postgraduate Diploma or Certificate.

Normally students will register for two modules in the first year. The first four modules are 15 credits each, Research Methods is 5 credits and the Dissertation is 25 credits. Relevant fees are set out below

Why DCU:

• Draw on expertise across Ireland's most innovative university
• Interactive, problem-based teaching style
• High quality teaching staff who are experts in their field
• Online delivery allows overseas students engage with an Irish Studies programme based in one of Ireland's leading universities

Career Prospects:

Given the diverse content and perspectives on this programme, students will have many motives for choosing the programme. Students may already be in employment and after graduation continue in their chosen field, applying the new knowledge, ideas and attributes they have developed. Other graduates may use the programme as an opportunity to develop skills which are important to their desired area of work, be it nationally or internationally based. In addition to this, graduates may also wish to continue further academic research following graduation.

Entry Requirements:

Applicants will normally hold a Second Class, Level 8, Honours degree, but appropriate combinations of professional qualifications and experience may be accepted as equivalent.