Masters Degrees in Gender Studies, Ireland

The M.Phil. in Gender and Women's Studies provides a critical understanding of the current scholarship on the position and representation of gender in society. Drawing on insights and perspectives from a number of academic fields within the Humanities and Social Sciences, the course is both interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary, training students to research across a range of disciplines. Its students acquire a deep understanding of the cultural contexts in which theories of gender are produced, performed and negotiated and an ability to use primary source material as well as critical theories and scholarship. The course also hones the sort of analytical, written, and verbal communication skills that are highly valued and effective in a many different careers.

All students take the core modules Gender Theories, Gender Research Seminar and Approaches to Gender Research, which provide a grounding in key approaches and skills. Students choose further modules from a wide range of electives, varying from year to year. These include both special topics and further skills and methodologies training options, allowing students to build specific skills and to follow their individual interests. Recently offered modules include: Gender and Symbolic Violence; Gender, Art and Identity; Gender and War in the 20th Century; Saints and Sanctity in Ireland, Britain and Europe; Gender, Identity and Authority in 18th century France; Gender and Nation in Irish Writing; Approaches to Historical Research; Libraries and Archives; Curating Art in Theory and Practice. The capstone of the course is a dissertation of 15,000-20,000 words on a research topic in the area of Gender and Women's Studies selected by the student, carried out under the supervision of a member of the teaching staff of the course.

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Overview

The MA in Gender and Sexuality, Writing and Culture introduces students to gender and sexuality theory in all its diversity. Specifically, the programme is designed to facilitate students’ critical engagement with the production, circulation and representation of ideas about gender and sexuality in literature and culture. As a student on this programme, you will become proficient in various approaches to the histories of gender and sexuality. You will be expected to engage with the major strands in gender and sexuality theory, while drawing on these theories to enrich your critical analysis of literary and visual texts, and cultural practices.

Along with a compulsory theory module, you will select five other modules to complete. You will also complete a 12000 dissertation on a topic that you will develop independently with the guidance of a supervisor.

As a student on this programme you will address: major historical currents and debates in feminist theory; significant theoretical and political questions in gender and sexuality theories; social reproduction; consumerism, gender and sexual identity. The MA is offered in conjunction with the MA in Irish Literature and Culture and the MA in Postcolonial and World Literatures. Thus, you will also have the possibility to further explore these questions in specific cultural and historical contexts, such as: twentieth-century and contemporary Ireland; African literature; political discourse and oratory; contemporary film and digital culture.

This MA programme is offered by the Department of English, with additional input from the Departments of Media Studies and History.

Students who do not complete the Dissertation (EN691) will be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Gender and Sexuality in Writing and Culture.

Course Structure

The MA in Gender and Sexuality in Writing and Culture is a one-year programme and requires students to take two core taught modules and four taught optional modules chosen from a suite of modules offered by the School of English, Media and Theatre Studies at MU working in conjunction with the School of English, Drama and Film Studies at UCD. Students will attend seminars in both MU and UCD, and will submit six essays related to their core and option courses and will complete a dissertation of 12-15,000 words in MU. The degree is awarded by Maynooth University.

Career Options

Students who successfully complete this programme will be very well placed to pursue future study in the area, with a view to a career in academia. In addition, this programme would provide a foundation for a career in advocacy, or in the field of cultural development or promotion.

How To Apply

Online application only http://www.pac.ie/maynoothuniversity

PAC Code
MHK80

The following documents should be forwarded to PAC, 1 Courthouse Square, Galway or uploaded to your online application form:

Certified copies of all official transcripts of results for all non-Maynooth University qualifications listed MUST accompany the application. Failure to do so will delay your application being processed. Non-Maynooth University students are asked to provide two academic references and a copy of birth certificate or valid passport.

Find information on Scholarships here https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/study-maynooth/postgraduate-studies/fees-funding-scholarships

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A growing body of research calls for the recognition of the complex, multi-faceted and gender-specific nature of homelessness (Barrow and Lawinski, 2009; Mayock and Sheridan, 2012; Mayock et al, 2015a; Savage, 2016). This project will apply a gender lens to the issue of housing and homelessness in Ireland in order to:

• evaluate if and how contemporary housing legislation and policies (e.g. the Housing Act, 2009; Rebuilding Ireland, 2016) in Ireland reflect and respond to the specific needs and realities of women at risk of and experiencing homelessness
• examine how contemporary housing policies impact on the provision of services for women experiencing homelessness
• distinguish between the experiences of women with and without children with respect to the provision of homeless and housing services.

Methodology proposed

The following qualitative research methods will be employed:

• a discourse analysis of relevant housing policy
• semi -structured interviews with housing service providers and advocacy organisations
• semi -structured interviews with women accessing homeless services

Expected outcomes: (e.g. deliverables & strategic impacts)

• Article in a social policy/gender studies journal (e.g. Critical Social Policy)
• Conference presentation at Social Care Ireland
• Policy recommendations on gender-sensitive housing policies

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Overview

MA students will:

• Develop their ability to apply theories of social change to empirical investigation
• Enhance their ability to communicate effectively through regular class presentations and discussions.
• Receive a grounding in sociological methods and will be supported in using these methods in their dissertation work.
• Gain an enhanced understanding of the economic, social, political and cultural dimensions of Irish society in comparative perspective.
• Be provided with a comprehensive overview of the processes giving rise to social change and the challenges faced by societies in transition. 

The course involves 6 x 10 credit modules over two semesters and the completion of a thesis (30 credits). Classes are timetabled on a Thursday and Friday. See our website for our MA handbook.

Course Structure

The taught programme is built around three components: a core theoretical module, substantive courses, and methods courses. Modules include societies in transition, debating big ideas, analytical reasoning in the social sciences, quantitative research and qualitative methods. Beyond this, the researching and writing of a thesis constitutes 30 credits. Each module comprises on average 12 two hour seminars.

Career Options

The course involves 6 x 10 credit modules over two semesters and the completion of a thesis (30 credits). Classes are timetabled on a Thursday and Friday. See our website for our MA handbook.

Campus venue: Auxilia Building and Iontas Building North Campus

Duration: One year full time

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Overview

Societies such as Ireland are adjusting very rapidly to change in the external and internal environments.

The aim of this MA is to interrogate the social, political, economic and cultural dimensions of the internet in contemporary societies. From work to leisure, from education to politics, the internet provides a platform for new forms of interaction, engagement and socialisation. This exciting new MA will build upon the theoretical and methodological strengths of the Department of Sociology, with additional options offered by the Departments of Law and Media in Maynooth.

Course Structure

The taught programme is built around three components: a core theoretical module, substantive courses, and methods courses. Modules include the political economy and cultures of the internet, information technology and privacy law and advanced digital research methods. Beyond this, the researching and writing of a thesis constitutes 30 credits. Each module comprises on average 12 two hour seminars.

Career Options

The aim of the MA in Sociology (Internet and Society) programme is to prepare students for both academic and non-academic positions which support social behaviour online, including on social media and in large transnational online communities. Graduates of this course will be able to interface with programmers and designers and with those working on the deep statistical analysis of user data. There is a demand for digitally literate graduates who understand the social, cultural, political, legal and business aspects of transnational online users and communities. Graduates will be able to develop, execute and report on internet based research projects for a range of public and private sector employers. They may also wish to use their new skills to progress to PhD studies.

How to Apply

Online application only http://www.pac.ie/maynoothuniversity

PAC Code
MHY56 MA Sociology (Internet and Society)

The following information should be forwarded to PAC, 1 Courthouse Square, Galway or uploaded to your online application form:
Certified copies of all official transcripts of results for all non-Maynooth University qualifications listed MUST accompany the application. Failure to do so will delay your application being processed. Non-Maynooth University students are asked to provide a copy of their birth certificate or valid passport, two academic references and official transcripts. A personal statement is required. This should include any information that you consider relevant to your interest and ability in the MA in Sociology.

Find information on Scholarships here https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/study-maynooth/postgraduate-studies/fees-funding-scholarships

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We aim:

- To provide high quality research training in a lively intellectual atmosphere
- To promote students’ professional involvement in academic life
- To ensure that students will make a contribution to the advancement of knowledge in sociology
- And to ensure that students will make a contribution to the understanding and well being of contemporary societies

By the end of their time as a research postgraduate student in the Department it is our goal that students will:

- Have completed a thesis which is a high quality piece of orginal sociological analysis and is at least partly publishable in a peer-reviewed academic outlet
- Have developed and demonstrated a significant level of skill in at least one methodology of sociological research and analysis
- Have a broad knowledge of a number of sub-fields within sociology
- And have had the opportunity to develop teaching and administrative skills and experience

Closing date
Research applications are generally accepted at any time however the deadline for applications is August the 15th if you wish to start in September of the same year.

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