Based in the childhood home of Oscar Wilde at 1 Merrion Square and delivered in association with the Irish Writers’ Centre, the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing offers aspiring or published writers a one-year course of study which examines the process and practice of producing prose fiction. The work of the last two years’ classes has included pieces that were shortlisted for the Penguin Ireland Short Story Competition, twice longlisted for the Fish Short Story Competition, and two students who were selected as finalists in the IWC Novel Fair. Within a critical workshop and mentoring format, students are provided with tuition and advice in completing either a novel or a short story collection. Consideration is given to the intellectual, psychological, economic and cultural influences that underpin and drive the creative writing process. The course also emphasizes the business and professional environment of writing, with seminars presented by agents and publishers and master classes by established writers. The programme provides the student both with expert guidance in producing a substantial written work of publishable standard and with a comprehensive understanding of the theoretical and practical requirements of successful participation in the activity of writing, whether as a professional career or as part of a lifelong personal commitment to creative endeavour.... [-]

The theatrical landscape is constantly being molded by theatre-makers who are presenting original works or reimagining classics. Critical to this process is new writings and adaptations. On the Master in Fine Arts degree in Playwriting, at The Lir Academy, we offer every student the opportunity to develop and hone their unique writing skill so that each written play is the best it can be. Modules in contemporary theatre practice, dramaturgy, and workshops in writing, are supplemented with one to one training and development so that each individual student has quality time with playwrights, directors and designers The training culminates with the students writing a full-length play whilst being mentored by the Head of Playwriting, Graham Whybrow. Graham brings a wealth of experience to this role including twelve years as Literary Manager of the Royal Court Theatre.... [-]

The M. Phil course in International History offers students the chance to pursue historical research outside the boundaries of the nation-state. Students will be trained in transnational, comparative, and international approaches to history and have the opportunity to study foreign languages, cultures, and societies. Possible topics of focus include the movement of culture, people, and ideas across national boundaries and issues such as imperialism, globalization, social movements, and the roots of international war and conflict. Throughout the course, students will be encouraged to reflect on the historical roots of current issues that cross national boundaries such as the refugee crisis, the spread of radical politics, security and intelligence services, the international economy, and other critical issues to prepare for careers in areas such as global politics, NGOs, journalism, or for further postgraduate study.... [-]

This course offers an opportunity for the advanced study of popular literature. In recent years a body of theoretical and cultural-historical material has developed that attempts to define what 'the popular' means now, and what it has meant historically. At the same time texts that do not seem to belong to traditional canons increasingly attract critical attention, and have come to be taught at university level alongside more canonical texts. In this light, the course will cover such popular genres as adventure fiction, children's literature, horror, detective fiction, romance, pornography and science fiction, as well as offering an advanced introduction to such topics as the bestseller, genre theory, print culture and readership.... [-]

The Department of Philosophy is delighted to announce that a Faculty of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Masters Studentship will be awarded to an incoming student in the MPhil in Philosophy programme in academic year 2016/17.

The value of the studentship is a €5,000 contribution towards MPhil in Philosophy tuition fees (EU or Non-EU) for the 2016/17 academic year. The Faculty’s studentship aims to support and develop gifted postgraduate students within the arts, humanities and social sciences.

Eligibility

This studentship is available to new entrants (EU and Non-EU) to the MPhil in Philosophy programme, for admission in September 2016. In order to be eligible, applicants must hold and have officially accepted an Unconditional Offer of a place in this programme by 15 June 2016.... [-]

Chinese Studies is a multidisciplinary field of study, drawing upon and integrating disciplines such as History, Linguistics, Politics, Social Policy, Cultural Studies and Translation Studies. The course focuses on China today and China over the last century. This course offers a unique and vibrant educational experience which equips its students to be global citizens. The M.Phil. the programme offers the opportunity to engage with key aspects of contemporary China, including its political and economic landscape, modern history, society, popular culture and language. Given China’s economic impact and international reach, this course equips its graduates to engage deeply with contemporary China. The multidisciplinary nature of the course can accommodate students from a wide range of backgrounds.... [-]

Intercultural Theology and Interreligious Studies integrates a variety of theological and other disciplines in order to explore significant and complex relationships within and between religious communities and their traditions. These fields of study attend closely to the connections and tensions experienced as the religions encounter alternative social, political and cultural resources of meaning and identity. This course focuses on the practical and theoretical possibilities posed by intercultural dialogue, and on the challenges of sustaining communities in which the praxis of peace and reconciliation with others is given concrete embodiment.

A variety of modules is offered each year, drawn from the list below. A module on Research and Methods is compulsory; students select a further 5 modules for assessment and write a dissertation.... [-]

The course is offered with three options for delivery; on campus, blended or fully online. The course is aimed at experienced English Language Teachers and other English language professionals. Its main focus is on the use and teaching of the English language in a global context. This focus will address an international need for professional development, especially among teachers of English. The MA/Structured PhD in Applied Linguistics aims to provide a broad-based course of study in language description (language systems: grammar, lexis and phonology), theories of Applied Linguistics, theories of Second Language Acquisition, frameworks for the study of discourse, as well as specialist research skills for the empirical analysis of language in context. Typically, the course will run over three semesters. Semesters 1 and 2 will involve taught modules (lectures and activities). Semester 3 will be dedicated to the writing of a dissertation. The three semesters can be taken back-to-back in one calendar year using the summer period for the dissertation module (September – August). Alternatively, the course can be taken over one and a half years. Part-time options are also available. Each semester is structured into 12 weeks or units in which three modules are taken. Each module will involve ongoing assessment. This may involve a mixture of tasks such as quizzes, discussions, essays, oral presentations, etc. For those students opting for the blended and online delivery formats, the assessments will have online options for completion.... [-]

Religious issues are an important part of public debate in contemporary pluralist societies. Many crucial social and political matters are affected by religious concerns and key policy debates require expertise and literacy in religious and theological concepts, traditions and practices. At the global, European and Irish levels a critical understanding of the Christian tradition is imperative, given the historic and continuing influence of this tradition.

This MPhil in Christian Theology provides students with the opportunity to gain an in-depth knowledge of the core disciplines of theology and to develop skills of critical thinking in relation to them. Its focus, on pluralist and critically constructive theological studies of the highest academic standing, will allow students to contribute to public debates on religious/theological issues in contemporary societies.... [-]