Ideal for Irish and international students, and for those seeking academic, private, NGO, or governmental careers.
Develop knowledge and skills through a combination of taught modules and independent research.
Thesis provides an excellent springboard to further academic degrees and jobs
Blend of theoretical study, practical projects, and fieldtrip in Europe or Ireland
Interdisciplinary elective module options
Overview
Features
Curriculum
Careers
Admissions
Who is the MA in Geopolitics and the Global Economy for? Applications are welcome from graduates from any discipline, though undergraduate disciplines with a thematic link to geography, political science, history, economics or sociology may be advantageous. The programme would also be suitable for those with a professional background in related fields who might wish to develop and broaden their skillset.
What will I learn? The Geopolitics and the Global Economy programme will provide you with an opportunity to develop reading, writing and critical thinking skills in those areas, from a variety of perspectives and covering a number of world regions.
How will I benefit? You will develop your knowledge and skillset to a high level and also hone your skills in independent research under the supervision of a staff of academic experts in their fields. It is thus a degree that can either stand on its own or serve as a springboard for those with an ambition to progress towards doctoral study in the future, or non-academic jobs.
What is the programme about? The programme aims to produce graduates who are able to analyze and interpret the world in which we live, depending on your chosen research focus, including but not limited to:
Our programme emphasises global issues and local and regional case studies from around the world.
Programme Highlights
Field trip in Europe (exact location to be determined; for example, last year it was in Berlin, Germany for 5 days) in semester 2
Courses focusing on key global political and economic events, including US foreign policy and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the knowledge economy, and the current global economic crisis.
Independent research in your chosen field.
Many modules available to our students in related disciplines like Political Science, History, Economics, Sociology and American Studies.
The programme comprises of a total of 90 credits and taught modules make up 55-60 of the credits. The core modules focus on research design skills, methodology, and a fieldtrip. 30-35 credits are assigned to the thesis, which involves the production of a piece of original research (of around 12,000-15,000 words in length at 30 credits) supervised by members of the School academic staff with a wealth of experience in research areas such as: the Environment and Sustainable Development, Urban Studies, the Geography and Geopolitics of regions such as Ireland, the wider European Union, Latin America, the Middle East and the US, Irish geographical history, migration, the global economic crisis, as well as the knowledge economy. Please note the curriculum is subject to a year by year review and the modules below may or may not be available in any given year).
Core Modules (25 Credits)
Module Code
Module
Credits
GEOG 40360
Geographic Analysis
5
GEOG 40470
International Economic Crisis
10
GEOG 40510
Political/Economic Fieldtrip
5
PEP 40640
Research Design and Methods
5
Optional Modules (30-35 Credits – depending on Dissertation option)
Module Code
Module
Credits
GEOG 40430
US Foreign Policy
10
GEOG 40450
Political Geography of Europe
10
GEOG 40550
Evolutionary Economic Geography
10
GEOG 40560
Development in Asia
10
PEP 40670
Urban and Environmental GIS Workshop
5
A maximum of 20 credits of optional modules can come from the following list:
Module Code
Module
Credits
SOC 40230
Economic Globalization and Society
10
SOC 40610
Race, Space and Place
10
SOC 40620
Ethnicity and Nationalism
10
SOC 40670
Global Migration
10
POL 40130
Development and Global Justice
10
POL 40140
International Political Theory
10
POL 40260
Comparative Ethnic Conflict
10
POL 40320
Africa: Crisis or Opportunity?
10
POL 40390
Northern Ireland
10
POL 40590
The Economics of Europe
10
POL 41020
Politics of Human Rights
10
AMST 40250
Ireland and the US
10
PEP 40260
Housing Planning and Sustainability
5
Thesis
30/35
Where can I go? This programme will provide you with a range of academic and transferable skills that will be a benefit in many careers. Graduates of this programme may progress to doctoral study, careers in government, international aid agencies, global multilateral agencies (United Nations, World Bank, UNICEF, etc.), human rights institutions (Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, etc.), think tanks and research bodies. It is a new programme, therefore please see also the MA Geography programme to see what careers our graduates have gone on to in recent years for more detailed information.
If English is not your native language, unless you have done your primary degree through English in an English speaking country, an English language qualification is required for all programmes.
You will need:
An undergraduate degree in any academic field, with a preference for fields of study related to your chosen stream.
Good academic grades (your transcript should include grades for each subject taken).
Names and contact details of two referees who can assess your intellectual ability, maturity and motivation. At least one of these should be a member of academic staff at your current institution.
Applications to this programme for September 2012 are considered on a rolling basis. A further application stage will be available, however, the School of GPEP recommends that you make your application as early as possible, as late application may mean no further places are available.
