POSTGRADUATE. Opportunities

Transcription

1 POSTGRADUATE Opportunities

2 Limerick By Pass MARY IMMACULATE COLLEGE, LIMERICK GENERAL INFORMATION College Tel College Web Site ADMISSION ENQUIRIES Admissions Office, Mary Immaculate College, South Circular Road, Limerick Tel / RESEARCH AND GRADUATE SCHOOL OFFICE Tel WEBSITE You can download the Annual Guide with comprehensive information on all courses from the recently upgraded College website, As you will see, our current website has been re-designed so that visitors are directed as quickly as possible to the information they are seeking. As well as a Study at MIC page, which allows you to access complete programme information, you will find further information on Student Services, the Students' Union (MISU), Sports, Alumni and up-to-date News & Events. Career Guidance Counsellors are asked to consult our 'School Liaison' pages for information on school visits, our Open Days and campus tours, which can all be booked through our Student Recruitment Officer. INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS Exchange Students: Tel Non-Exchange Students: Tel / HOW TO FIND US Ennis Road LIT TO KILLALOE Follow MIC_Limerick on Twitter and find Mary Immaculate College Limerick on Facebook and YouTube TO ENNIS, GALWAY & SHANNON AIRPORT Ennis Road Condell Road UL TO KERRY Limerick Tunnel River Shannon Dock Road Courtbrack Accommodation South Circular Road MIC O Connell Avenue LIMERICK CITY CENTRE Dublin Road Childers Road Dublin Road TO DUBLIN Ballysimon Road TO TIPPERARY St Nessans Road Mid-Western Regional Hospital TO CORK & KERRY Limerick By Pass TO DUBLIN MARY IMMACULATE COLLEGE CAMPUS MAP ASHBOURNE AVENUE To Dock Road Junction COURTBRACK AVENUE Turn left for Dublin and Cork. Galway and Shannon Airport via tunnel. Tailteann Turn right for Limerick City Centre Main Entrance SOUTH CIRCULAR ROAD Foundation Building Library Tara Gerard House To Limerick City Centre Summerville House Courtbrack Accommodation SUMMERVILLE AVENUE

3 clár Introduction 2 ARTS Postgraduate Research Opportunities 3 ARTS Postgraduate Taught and Structured Programmes 11 EDUCATION Postgraduate Research Opportunities 18 EDUCATION Postgraduate Taught and Structured Programmes 19 Postgraduate Support 26 Application procedures and fees 27 MIC Postgraduate Awards 28

4 POSTGRADUATE STUDIES AT MARY IMMACULATE COLLEGE Mary Immaculate College offers postgraduate programmes in Liberal Arts and Education to masters and doctoral level. Students may choose from an extensive range of masters programmes (both research and taught) and many continue on to pursue doctoral research. Mary Immaculate College places postgraduate education and research at the heart of its academic mission and towards this end, the Graduate School in the College s Research and Graduate School is committed to excellence in best international practice. The College s Graduate School aims to foster creative teaching, learning and practice, original and unique research, and the flourishing of the human spirit. We provide a range of postgraduate programmes at graduate diploma, taught masters, and doctoral levels and a variety of blended teaching, learning, and assessment delivery modes. At the heart of this commitment is the centrality of the student experience. The Graduate School provides innovative and creative ways for engaging postgraduate students in new learning environments and supportive supervisory contexts. Full and comprehensive postgraduate orientations, innovative progression and feedback approaches, and community-building opportunities define our programmes and give our postgraduate students a real sense of belonging in a community of practice. All of our postgraduate students can avail of structured and coherent opportunities for building portfolios in graduate skills and training. We design our graduate skills and training opportunities to meet the developmental needs of students and to help enhance their employability at home and abroad. We are deeply committed to internationalising our postgraduate student body with reference to national and global changes in higher education. We believe that it is only by learning together that we can build a truly sustainable higher education landscape for all in the future. A long and rich heritage in teaching and supervision coupled with world class research helps our postgraduate students become confident and articulate scholars in their chosen fields of research and study. Today our graduates are taking leading roles in education, business, industry, media, and academe, among many other areas, around the globe and putting into the practice the knowledge learned during their programmes of study in the College. We also provide a range of financial supports for postgraduate research and study. Dr Ger Downes and Dr Jessica Kindler were recently appointed as our postgraduate programme coordinators. In part, their role is to support and promote researcher development in MIC through the delivery of a range of professional development activities. The programme of workshops that they offer ensure that postgraduate students are supported in the development of the skills they need to fulfil the demands of their programme, but also to progress to the next step in their career. Thank you for considering our programmes and we look forward to meeting you on campus. Professor James G. Deegan FRSA Head of Graduate School Research and Graduate School Page 2

5 ARTS Postgraduate Programmes By Research and Thesis MA, PhD in: Applied Linguistics English Language & Literature French Studies Gaeilge Geography German Studies History Irish Studies Mathematics Media & Communication Studies Music Philosophy Psychology Theology & Religious Studies Applied Linguistics Research areas for postgraduate students include: Corpus-Based Language Analysis Irish English Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language Pedagogical applications of language corpora Course Leader Dr. Anne O'Keeffe Tel Page 3

6 ARTS Postgraduate Programmes By Research and Thesis Department of English Language & Literature Research options for postgraduates include: Modernist Studies: Virginia Woolf, Rebecca West, Elizabeth Bowen; Irish Big House Fiction; Late-Nineteenth/Early Twentieth Century Fiction in England and Ireland Fiction in English from Southern Africa Renaissance/Shakespeare Postcolonial Literature and Theory Contemporary Irish Poetry Literary and Culture Theory Contemporary Irish Novel Contemporary American Novel Contemporary Irish Culture and Cultural Texts Irish Popular culture Head of Department Dr. Eugene O Brien Tel Dearbhla McCarthy, PhD, English Language & Literature After a gap of quite a few years I enrolled on the BA program, graduated with a BA in English and Philosophy and began a research MA in English Language & Literature in September 2008, then upgraded to the PhD course in May The main reason for this was that the dimensions of my ideas and research were constantly expanding. I had regular meetings with my supervisor to review my progress, but my daily work schedule was up to me. I set myself very specific, short-term goals and this worked very well indeed. One of my colleagues and I began a Thesis Writing Support Program (TWSP), which has proved to be very popular. It is open to everyone who is engaged in written research, and the focus is on establishing and maintaining good writing habits. Another of my colleagues initiated a series of Lunchtime Presentations. These are open to all postgraduate students, both taught and research, and provide an opportunity to present your research in front of an audience. This is very useful for those who have not presented before, or who may be preparing for conferences or larger group presentations. Both the Lunchtime Presentations and the TWSP have created a forum for interdisciplinary discussion and debate. Postgraduate life in MIC is busy. There are coffee mornings in the Students Lounge once every fortnight, and there are regular social events. As anyone who is engaged in academic work will know, it is very important to break out of the solitude that engaging in research generally imposes, and to be reminded that you are not entirely alone. Daniela Panzera, PhD, English Language & Literature I undertook my undergraduate studies here back in 2007 and it was a wonderful experience. MIC is small and familiar and it has always been very easy to interact with faculty and other students on a daily basis. I decided to undertake my PhD here because there is an excellent English department at MIC. My supervisor, Eugene O Brien, was always really helpful and encouraging, as well as being a renowned scholar in my area of research. He was also really obliging in helping me to gain an MIC Studentship, which has proven to be very helpful during my studies. When you do research you are mostly on your own, which can be hard in terms of time management, but there is great support in MIC to help you acquire new skills, to have more confidence in your own potential and to help you attain new knowledge in your field of study. Being able to teach has also been really important to me as I would love eventually to pursue an academic career. The College has also been very supportive financially in terms of attending conferences and getting papers published in academic journals. Excellent supports and structures are now in place for postgraduates with the creation of the Research and Graduate School. Overall, my experience in MIC has been extremely positive. Page 4

7 Department of French Studies Research opportunities are available in the areas of: Eighteenth century literature Histoire des ideés Development of the novel in France, C10 C20 Contemporary literary theory and narrative studies Head of Department Dr. Loic Guyon Tel ARTS David Ledent, PhD, French Studies I am an international student from France where I obtained a PhD in Sociology in 2007, after undertaking a course in sociology and anthropology at the University of Caen. During my doctoral studies, I taught sociology specializing in the history of ideas and the sociology of culture. My first thesis dealt with the emergence of musical modernity which resulted from the construction of symphonic form and the advent of the major historical figures of the conductor and the music lover. The work drawn from this thesis, entitled La révolution symphonique (The symphonic revolution), has appeared under the L Harmattan imprint. As a continuation of my work in the sociology of culture, I have been responsible for a research project on public concerts at the Maison des Sciences de l Homme Paris Nord, which has given rise to a series of lectures that I have coordinated during the 2008/2009 academic year. With the strength of this experience, I wanted to continue my teaching and research activities in an international context, which is why I sent a proposal to Dr Loïc Guyon in October 2009 to commence new PhD research in the field of French Studies. In December, I was offered a Teaching and Research Assistantship, consisting of a grant that permitted me to deliver some courses during the academic year and to concentrate on a specific research. The topic of my new doctoral thesis dealt with the implicit sociology to be found in the Rougon-Macquart novels written by the famous French writer Emile Zola. Thus, it allowed me to compare sociological to literary works, two different and fascinating ways of describing and analyzing the social reality. Undertaking postgraduate studies at Mary Immaculate College was an exciting experience for someone who has been used to living and studying in France. Throughout my postgraduate studies at MIC, the dynamic French faculty was encouraging. As a supervisor, Dr Loïc Guyon is very committed and energetic, maintaining the highest standards for success. I would encourage students who are still hesitating to undertake postgraduate studies in the French department because it s a great opportunity to improve one s knowledge about French language, culture and society. The French department at MIC warmly welcomes students from all horizons, including students from other countries (like me!), ensuring that the exchange of our ideas and knowledge of French culture takes places in an arena of mutual support and motivation rather than one of competition. Having graduated with a PhD from MIC I have returned to academic life in France. Roinn na Gaeilge Ar na réimsí taighde do mhic léinn iarchéime tá: Nua-litríocht na Gaeilge, idir phrós agus fhilíocht. Teanga agus litríocht na Gaeilge, idir phrós agus fhilíocht san seachtú, ochtú agus naoú haois déag Lámhscríbhinní na Gaeilge agus eagarthóireacht théacsúil. An Fhiannaíocht Ré na hathbheochana Drámaíocht na Nua-Ghaeilge Teanga agus Pobal. Logainmneacha Béaloideas Na Meáin Ghaeilge Léann an Chultúir (m.sh. an náisiúnachas cultúrtha, na healaíona dúchasacha, idir amhránaíocht agus cheol) Ceann Roinne Máire Ní Neachtain Tel Page 5

8 ARTS Postgraduate Programmes By Research and Thesis Geography Department Research areas for postgraduates include: Palaeo-ecological archives Marine micropalaeontology Quaternary (incl. Holocene) environmental change Monitoring environmental change Historical geography of Britain and Ireland Society and settlement in medieval Ireland Heritage management Territorial development and spatial planning Urbanisation and the Irish urban system Urban socio-spatial differentiation Head of Department Prof. Des McCafferty Tel Shane O Sullivan, PhD, Geography On commencing the Liberal Arts Degree programme in 2003, I never anticipated that I would eventually progress onto a PhD programme at the college. I thoroughly enjoyed my college experience, both academically and socially. There is a strong sense of community within Mary Immaculate College and one can easily make life-long friends. The strong sense of community is reflected through a high level of engagement amongst students towards on-campus extra-curricular activities, Mary Immaculate College has numerous sports clubs and societies, thereby catering for all tastes. By participating in extra-curricular activities one can make life-long friends. I can testify to this through my involvement within the One World Society and the Students Union. During my postgraduate studies, I was very fortunate to have an excellent working relationship with the entire Geography Department in Mary Immaculate College. The quality of supervision I have received was excellent. I am truly grateful for the guidance and support offered by both my supervisor, Dr. Brendan O Keeffe, and the Geography Head of Department, Prof. Des McCafferty. My research thesis examines the relationship between rural restructuring and rural in-migration in Ireland. As part of this project, I undertook extensive fieldwork in two case study locations (Counties Monaghan and Limerick), in which I distributed household and business questionnaires; and conducted semi-structured interviews with representatives from both statutory agencies and the community and voluntary sector. The fieldwork was a very enjoyable experience as I was able to gain sufficient data to successfully answer my research questions. Furthermore, I had the opportunity to present my research findings at numerous academic conferences throughout Ireland and the UK. I was also afforded the opportunity to represent the National Youth Council of Ireland at an EU Youth Conference on social inclusion of young people from a migrant background in Nicosia, Cyprus (September 2013). By participating in conferences, I have gained the opportunity to share my research findings from Counties Monaghan and Limerick with academics and policymakers; and to network with other postgraduate students from across the globe that have similar research interests to me. I was very grateful to the College for providing some financial assistance towards attending these events through the postgraduate conference support fund. The postgraduate community has a strong sense of identity within the College and we gather together on a regular basis for postgraduate coffee mornings, lunchtime presentations and thesis writing support groups. These activities have been initiated and organised by postgraduate students with ample support provided by the Graduate School and the Students Union. These activities are very important in fostering a sense of community amongst postgraduate students, regardless of subject discipline, within Mary Immaculate College. Page 6

9 Department of German Studies Research opportunities for graduates are available in the following areas: Contemporary German/Swiss Literature and Culture East German Literature/Culture and German/Eastern Europe Relations Women s Literature, Autobiography and Poetry German-language Jugendliteratur Head of Department Dr. Christiane Schonfeld Tel ARTS Department of History Main areas of research: Ireland - Politics, Religion and Society - 18th, 19th & 20th Centuries - Popular protest Politicisation, Local Government and Administration in the 19th century - Urban growth and Housing Policy 19th and early 20th centuries - Social and Economic Policy Cultural Nationalism, Labour, Local, Regional and Oral Studies - 19th and 20th centuries Europe - Irish Migration to France and Franco-Irish relations, particularly C17 C18 America - Irish-American Issues - General US history - 19th & 20th centuries Head of Department Dr. Liam Chambers Tel David Loughane, MA, History I was born with Cerebral Palsy. I could walk up to the age of sixteen and then I got very ill in Cork University Hospital. I think that this made me stronger and made me want to use my head more and so I became determined to make something of myself. When you're disabled it can be hard to open any door. Education opens up so many doors in life, but you have to be prepared to work hard and take the punches as you get them. My time at MIC has been a fantastic experience as I got to meet new people and in time became one of the lads. I don't let anything get in my way in life. Why should I? I am in a wheelchair but my brain is working overtime. I get all the supports that I need from the Access Office here in MIC. I had someone who typed up notes in every lecture when I was doing the BA and someone helped me when I was studying in the Library. The main aim of my research was to see how the perception of disability has changed throughout history. I loved college life at MIC and all the staff are so approachable. MIC is one big community - the best! Paul O Brien, PhD, History I did my undergraduate studies here at MIC and was given the opportunity to obtain a Student Assistantship which really informed my decision to come here. My supervisor was also an expert in my area of research so that was also a huge incentive to pursue a PhD here. MIC is a really good place to study as it is a small institution which means you re not a number, unlike larger universities. It is a good place to go to college because everyone is really open and welcoming and you get to know people here so well. It is also a great place to do research. Not only did I have an excellent relationship with my supervisor, I could also knock on the door of other lecturers, not only in the History Department, and they always responded to my queries. That is a level of attention that you don t get in larger universities. The MIC assistantship has been a fantastic help to me as it has funded my postgraduate studies. There are a lot of new developments in the College recently, which are really positive as they provide postgraduates with skills in areas such as career development. I was also very lucky in terms of the space provided to me by the College as I was working with a very old archive and I needed a large office to accommodate this. I was very fortunate in that regard and was very well treated during my time at MIC. Page 7

10 ARTS Postgraduate Programmes By Research and Thesis Irish Studies Research areas: Irish Kings and High Kings Irish Hagiography Seanghaeilge Early Irish Epigraphy and Sculpture Viking settlement in Ireland Church Politics in Pre-Norman Ireland Medieval Irish Literature Contact person: Dr. Catherine Swift Tel Department of Mathematics & Computer Studies Supervision for postgraduate students is available in specialist areas which are related to Algebraic Geometry including applications of Computer Algebra. Head of Department Diarmuid O Driscoll Tel Department of Media & Communication Studies Research areas for postgraduate students include: Television drama Irish film industry Gender and popular culture Television and gendered audiences Media effects Analysis of media content Public opinion formation Forces shaping media content Media sociology Communication media Television and radio production Head of Department Dr. Rosemary Day Tel Department of Music Research opportunities are available in the following areas: Music Analysis The Second Viennese School Contemporary Irish art-music The North German Baroque Keyboard Music of the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries Music Lexicography Improvisation Music Nationalism Polish Music Music Technology in Education Music Education Head of Department Dr. Gareth Cox Tel Page 8

11 Department of Philosophy Research options available include the following: Classical Greek Philosophy; Mediaeval Philosophy; The Philosophy of the Enlightenment Phenomenology; Psychoanalysis & Philosophy; Early Analytic Philosophy Epistemology; Kant and German Idealism; Hegel and Hegelianism; Existentialism. Marxism; Postmodernism; Philosophy & Literature; Modern Aesthetic Theory Philosophy of Language; Philosophy of Mind; Philosophy of Science Philosophy of Religion; Hermeneutics; Philosophical Historiography; Rorty, Pragmatism and Wittgenstein Professional Ethics (especially Medical Ethics); Justice & Human Rights Issues ARTS Head of Department Dr. Niall Keane Tel Department of Psychology Research Areas include: conceptual issues in behaviour analysis applied behaviour analysis psychological therapies and their applications autism service provision group decision making motor control counterfactual thinking; deductive reasoning; judgement and decision making; dynamic, embodied and enactive approaches to cognitive science cognition and emotion imagination and creativity mental health environmental psychology biological psychology the psychology of consciousness deliberate action. Acting Head of Department Kerry Greer Tel Cillian McHugh, MA, Psychology I did my undergraduate studies in Mary Immaculate College and I loved the place. As an undergraduate my supervisor was really influential in developing my interest in psychology, which I particularly enjoyed, so it made sense to approach him with a view to taking me on as a postgraduate student. Before doing that, I did look further afield and contemplated studying in Edinburgh or the United States and I also looked into studying in plenty of other colleges around Europe. However, I decided on MIC because I had a really good relationship with my supervisor and I was very happy to stay there. He helped me with my research proposal, told me what readings to look at and helped me with the final drafting of the proposal. Also, the opportunity of getting an assistantship at MIC was a huge incentive to stay here. It s a great college, everybody knows everybody, and there s a good buzz about the place. The staff are great. Whatever you re into you ll find your niche here and there is a great music and sporting culture in the College. With the new Graduate School in place communication levels are much improved. There are now clear lines of communication between postgraduate students and the Graduate School which has been a significant improvement. Page 9

12 ARTS Postgraduate Programmes By Research and Thesis Aoife McLoughlin, PhD, Psychology In 2004 I started in Mary Immaculate College choosing to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and English. Having lived in Limerick all my life, and knowing the great reputation that MIC had, it had always been among my top choices on my CAO for my undergraduate study. Little did I know then that I would enjoy my time here so much doing my undergrad that I would remain here for 7 years!! In 2008 I graduated with an honours degree, and realised that I was not ready to leave. The College has an extremely dynamic and energetic atmosphere, and that, coupled with the fact that the academic staff are very active in their areas of research meant that it was the clear choice for me to continue my education. During my undergrad I became very interested in the research side of Psychology, specifically the area of how individuals experience the passage of time. In September 2008 I registered as a Masters (Research) student in the Department of Psychology. I was very fortunate that Mary Immaculate offers a large number of teaching assistantships to research postgraduates. This meant that while I was conducting my own studies I also gained experience in the area of teaching undergraduate students though tutorials, received a bursary and had all my college fees covered. As postgraduate courses are very expensive, this assistantship was a blessing. In my second year as a postgraduate, Mary Immaculate backed my application for an Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences Postgraduate Scholarship. I was lucky enough to be successful in this application. During my second year of study I applied for and, was successful in, a transfer from the Master register to the Doctoral register. My time in MIC as a postgraduate was amazing. I have travelled to Manchester University to meet with researchers in my field, attended a workshop in Oxford University, presented papers at conferences and even discussed my research on national radio. In 2011 I travelled to Groningen University in the Netherlands to participate in a Neuropsychological Training School with fellow researchers in my area. None of this would have been possible without the support of the MIC postgraduate office, or the academic staff. Department of Theology and Religious Studies Research areas for postgraduate students include: Fundamental theology Faith and culture Technology and religion Morality and civil law, and church-state relations Canon law, and its relationship to sacramental theology and ecclesiology Johannine studies Medieval spirituality and theology Theology of the Trinity Soteriology Ecumenics and Reformation studies Liturgy Eclesiology Head of Department Prof. Eamonn Conway Tel Page 10

13 ARTS Postgraduate Taught and Structured Programmes ARTS These programmes normally consist of circa six taught modules and a dissertation of circa 18,000 20,000 words. Most taught programmes are offered in full-time (one year) or part-time (two years) mode. In order to be eligible to apply, a 2:1 degree in a relevant area is normally required. Please consult with the relevant course coordinator to confirm the duration and eligibility requirements of individual programmes. Interdisciplinary MA in Civil and Canon Law (with UL) MA in Heritage Publication MA in Humanities MA in Medieval Studies MA in Philosophy and Literature MA in Christian Leadership in Education Masters/Grad Diploma in International Development Practice via Blended Learning English MA in Modern English Literature Gaeilge MA sa Ghaeilge History MA in History MA in Local History (With UL) Media & Communication Studies MA in Media Studies Philosophy Structured PhD in Philosophy of Art & Culture (with UL & NUIG) German MA in German Language & Culture in Europe (with UL) Theology MA in Theological Studies Page 11

14 ARTS Postgraduate Taught Programmes Detailed Description of Programmes MA in Civil & Canon Law (with the University of Limerick Law School) Topics covered include Irish civil law on Church administration, marriage and Church finances in both legal systems, Church tribunals, comparative and European law, general norms and selected topics in canon law, the Church and the Churches, and legal research skills. Contact (MIC) Dr Patrick Connolly Tel Contact (UL) Dr Seán Patrick Donlan Tel MA in Heritage Publication The MA in Heritage Publication designed to provide archaeologists, local historians and students interested in Ireland's heritage with a training in publication and presentation skills in different media. It is intended that this will facilitate the creation of material in which recent archaeological discoveries are explained and presented to the local communities in which the excavations have taken place, as well as to the Irish public at large and to those with a professional interest in the field. Full-time students may take the MA degree course in one year. Part-time students may take the individual modules over a number of years, depending on the availability of their time and funds. The programme may lead to doctoral study in the field for suitably qualified graduates. Course Co-ordinator Dr Catherine Swift Tel Taught MA in Humanities On this programme, students will learn about the role of the Humanities in the modern world, from the perspective of a number of distinct disciplines, such as Philosophy, Languages, Theology and History. Course Co-ordinator Dr Chris Lawn Tel MA in Medieval Studies The MA in Medieval Studies is an interdisciplinary programme, offered across the disciplines of Philosophy, Theology, History, Literature, Irish Studies, Art and Music, in the study of their development in an era - the Middle Ages - of crucial importance to European culture. The programme focuses on Christian elements broadly speaking, but the Greek and Islamic roots of Europe are also considered. Students complete the programme with a greatly enhanced understanding of the deep roots of our culture, including Greek, Jewish and Islamic elements. Course Co-ordinator Dr. Catherine Kavanagh Tel Page 12

15 MA in Philosophy and Literature This programme is designed to provide an additional postgraduate academic qualification for graduates in the areas of Philosophy and English, and to give students a sense of the interdisciplinarity between the areas of Philosophy and English. It is also designed to develop a sense of critical thinking in both areas and to facilitate critical engagement with contemporary issues and problems. The programme may lead to doctoral study in the field for suitably qualified graduates. ARTS Course Co-ordinator Dr. Chris Lawn Tel MA in Christian Leadership in Education The MA in Christian Leadership in Education is a two year, part-time programme, providing a professional qualification for those involved in the second-level educational sector. It is designed to support school principals, prospective principals, members of boards of management, members of school trusts or those involved in the educational enterprise in any way, who wish to provide themselves with the necessary theological, leadership and management skills to lead faith based schools. The programme offers an integrated approach to the various subject areas, which include the following: New Testament, Christology; Developing Emotional and Relational Competence; Group Dynamics; Psychology of Leadership; Leading Curriculum and Learning; Education Legislation and Governance; A Christian Vision of Humanity for Contemporary Culture; Sacraments and Liturgy; Foundational Topics in Christian Spirituality and Ethos; Leading a Catholic School in Contemporary Ireland. Course Co-ordinator Dr Eugene Duffy Tel MA/Graduate Diploma in International Development Practice via Blended Learning From January 2013, the Graduate Diploma/Masters in International Development Practice (MIDP) programme will be offered on a full-time basis over 18 months, with part-time options also available for participants over an extended period. This programme is intended to help to maximise career opportunities for busy professionals and postgraduate researchers. The course will be delivered on a blended learning basis, through a combination of residential summer and winter schools, online learning and an international placement programme, which offers course participants the opportunity to obtain real-life experience of integrated approaches to international development practice, plus a 20,000-word dissertation. Additionally, the programme will provide participants with a strong inter-disciplinary foundation and continuing professional development expertise in the area of international development practice. Course Co-ordinator Dr Gerard Downes Tel Page 13

16 ARTS Postgraduate Taught Programmes Chalachew Niguse Agonafir, MA, International Development Practice via Blended Learning I began studying at MIC on the Master s programme in International Development Practice (MIDP) via blended learning in January My work since 2006 has involved serving rural communities through different development projects of several international NGOs in different thematic areas such as rural livelihood building, emergency response, recovery, disaster risk reduction (DRR),WASH (water sanitation and hygiene), and food security. For some time Ihad been trying to enhance my knowledge in the theoretical and practical concepts of development through reading, discussions with colleagues and communities, field visits, and participating on short term courses/workshops. I realised that what I needed was a more comprehensive, articulated and coached programme of study. To this end, Ifound this blended MIDP programme at MIC an ideal solution to achieve these ambitions. I am currently Program Officer for an NGO called the Dutch Committee for Afghanistan and am based in Kabul and study-wise this represented a logistical challenge. However, because the course is very flexible and allows for online participation, I have been able to take a full and active part in the programme, including a visit to Limerick for the MIDP Summer School in The fact that MIDP is an internationally-recognised programme is hugely important to me. This course is very significant for my line of work and I have found all the lecturers on the course and the staff within MIC to be very helpful and supportive. Through this course, I have been able to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of the concepts of development practice whereby I can meaningfully contribute to sustainable development. MA in Modern English Literature This is a taught programme, which is designed to enrich the student s knowledge of Modern English Literature and to enhance his/her professional competence. It leads to doctoral study in the field for suitably qualified graduates. Fulltime students may take the MA degree course in one year and part-time students will require two years. Students must complete six modules and write a minor thesis. Course Co-ordinator Dr. Eugene O Brien Tel MA sa Ghaeilge The objective of this postgraduate taught course is to facilitate Irish Language graduates who have a high standard of Irish and who wish to do further study in Irish Language and Literature. Students on this course will substantially increase their knowledge of the principal areas of Irish Language Studies and they will also have an opportunity to improve their skills in the language itself. Modern Irish Literature Old Irish Literature Study of manuscripts and 17th and 18th Century Literature The Classical Literature and Early Modern Irish Aspects of the Sociolinguistics of the Irish Language The Folklore The Irish Language and the Media Translation Studies Course Co-ordinator Dr. Breandán Ó Cróinín Tel Page 14

17 MA in History This is a one year, full time course which offers a variety of innovative and stimulating modules, based on interactive discussion and the use of primary source materials and the opportunity to undertake historical research on a subject of the student s own choosing. Course Co-ordinator (MIC) Dr Úna Ní Bhroiméil Tel ARTS MA in Local History (with UL) This programme is offered jointly by faculty from the Departments of History and Geography, Mary Immaculate College and the Department of History, University of Limerick. The programme meets the needs of graduates in history, or in related disciplines (e.g. Irish Studies, human geography, archaeology, anthropology) who wish to carry out historical research, especially in relation to a particular locality. The course is particularly suited for those hoping to proceed to PhD programmes in history, but also facilitates those interested in historical research for their own personal development. Course Co-ordinators Dr Maura Cronin/Dr Liam Chambers Tel / MA in Media Studies This programme familiarises students with current issues and developments in Irish and international mass media and mass media theory, situating the analysis of Irish media within the context of post-independence Irish society, culture and identity. It develops students abilities to analyse structures, trends and developments in Irish media, enables students to undertake research on key aspects of media production, texts and consumption, and seeks to equip students with the knowledge and skills required to advance to doctoral degree studies. Course Co-ordinator Dr. Rosemary Day Tel Structured PhD in Philosophy of Art & Culture (with UL & NUIG) This highly innovative, new programme is a full-time inter-institutional structured PhD programme in Philosophy of Art and Culture, developed by the Philosophy departments at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick and NUI Galway, and with the Department of History at the University of Limerick. By blending expertise from the three partner institutions, this four year programme seeks to explore the philosophy of art and culture in an intellectually enriched setting, combining Analytic and Continental Philosophy. Applicants with an upper second level primary degree in Philosophy, or with a similar award in a cognate discipline from a recognised third-level institution, will be considered for admission to the programme. Course Co-ordinator Dr Niall Keane Tel Page 15

18 ARTS Postgraduate Taught Programmes MA in German Language & Culture in Europe (with UL) The MA in German Language and Culture in Europe is a new jointly taught programme by German Studies experts at both Mary Immaculate College and the University of Limerick. The design of the course responds to the demand for plurilingual European citizens and reflects Ireland s increasing integration into a constantly changing European Union in which Germany represents a crucial economic, political and cultural force. By positioning German culture firmly within an EU and broader European context, the programme explores its relationship with Europe, the cultural dimension of the European integration process and the inter-relationship of German and neighbouring cultures. Alongside comparative cultural knowledge the programme intends to provide graduates with highlevel language competence in order to equip them with both the linguistic and conceptual skills to operate in an increasingly multicultural environment in Ireland and abroad and function effectively as cultural mediators between Ireland and the German-speaking countries. Designed to prepare students for leadership roles in cross-cultural contexts both within Ireland and for the EU, this programme is also attractive to existing and future teachers of German in secondary schools, where a progressive Europeanisation of the curriculum will be one of the features of educational reforms, and to students interested in evolving employment prospects in the tourism sector or multi-national companies. Course Co-ordinator Dr Christiane Schönfeld Tel MA in Theological Studies Theological Studies entails an intellectual exploration of the belief systems that have played a vital role in the shaping of our world throughout the centuries. As a valid academic pursuit, this discipline focuses on ultimate questions, explores the human phenomenon of religion and provides for the development of critical thought. Theology and Religious Studies involves an analysis of the historical perspectives and philosophical presuppositions of the content of religious faith and a clarification of the meaning of religious belief in the modern world. It will provide an opportunity for further studies in Theology for Theology and Religious Studies graduates. Prospective students would include the Department s own graduates, teachers of Religious Studies/Religious Education, those engaged in ecclesial ministries at a professional level and any suitably qualified persons who wish to explore in greater depth the disciplines of Theology and Religious Studies. Course Co-ordinator Dr. Patrick Connolly Tel Page 16

19 Page 17

20 EDUCAT Postgraduate Programmes By Research and Thesis A wide variety of specialist areas for postgraduate studies by research and thesis are available in the field of Education. Indicative specialist areas for postgraduate students at MA, PhD and SPhD level by research and thesis in the field of Education include: Primary School Pedagogy, for example, the Teaching of Reading Special Education Needs Health Education Teaching of Science in the Primary School Muineadh na Gaeilge Oral Language Development Children's Literature Music Education Physical Education and the Development of Self-Esteem Drama in Education Early Childhood Education Educational Disadvantage, for example, Rural Disadvantage Traveller Education Educational Psychology, for example, the work of Howard Gardner and Sternberg Sociology of Education, for example, Factors influencing parents' choice of second-level schools for their children History of Education Development Education Global Education Children's Rights Moral Development Information and Communication Technology Gaelscoileanna Whole School Planning Head of Graduate School Prof. Jim Deegan Tel Page 18