Postgraduate Diploma-MA Irish History and Politics
Entry requirementsEntry Conditions Applicants should hold a good degree (normally a high 2.2. (57%) or above) in a relevant discipline, or equivalent professional qualifications. North American applicants should have achieved letter grades of B or above, or a GPA score of 3.0 minimum. Account will be taken of publications or other experience in writing and analysis. Entry is at the beginning of semester 1, normally in the last week of September.
Academic titlePostgraduate Diploma/MA Irish History and Politics
Course descriptionThe course is offered annually, on a full-time and part-time basis, at the Magee campus. It is designed for anyone interested in studying Irish history and politics at advanced level.
Structure and Content
Successful applicants enter a taught course leading to the Postgraduate Diploma. Candidates who are successful in the Diploma exams may complete the course with the award of the Postgraduate Diploma, or, subject to the attainment of a sufficiently high standard and at the discretion of the Course Committee, may proceed to the MA. The MA is done by dissertation.
The Diploma element comprises six modules:
. The emergence of Irish national identity (twelve weeks)
. Parliament in Irish history (six weeks)
. Migration and the politics of violence (six weeks)
. The development of Ulster Unionism (twelve weeks)
. Religion, politics, and society in 1nineteenth century Ireland (six weeks)
. Labour, nationalism, and Unionism (six weeks)
The long modules are intended to be general surveys. The short modules are taught by specialists in those areas, and provide students with an opportunity to encounter the latest research and original interpretations at first hand.
Full-time students take the first three modules in their first semester, and the second three in their second semester. Part-time students take the two long modules in their first year, and the four short modules in their second year.
The MA is awarded on the basis of a dissertation of 15,000 to 20,000 words. Students may choose any topic of relevance to the course, provided a member of staff is willing to supervise it. Students will be introduced to research methods and supervised throughout the preparation of the dissertation.
Duration and Mode of Attendance
Full-time: one year and one semester
Year 1: Postgraduate Diploma: two semesters (October- January, February - June)
Year 2: MA: one semester (October-January)
Part-time: two years and two semesters
Year 1: Postgraduate Diploma: two semesters (October-January, February-June)
Year 2: Postgraduate Diploma: two semesters (October-January, February-June)
Year 3: MA: two semesters (October-April)
Assessment
The taught modules are assessed on a 50/50 combination of essays and exams. The long modules require two essays of about 2,500 words each, and involve a three hour exam. The short modules require one essay of about 2,500 words, and involve a two hour exam.
Teaching and Learning
Each Diploma module is taught through two hours of lectures and a one hour seminar per week. Students receive individual supervision for the MA and normally meet their supervisors for about one hour every second week.