MA in Contemporary European Philosophy

MA in Contemporary European Philosophy

For students interested in Contemporary European philosophy (also known as "Continental" philosophy), University College Dublin is reckoned to be one of the top universities in the English speaking world. 

This programme draws on the three main specialisations of the relevant faculty. These are

• German Idealism and Post-Kantian Philosophy;
• Phenomenology;
• Critical Theory.

Topics treated in the modules include transcendental and absolute idealism and subjectivity, intentionality and being in the world, embodiment and otherness, critique of ideology, autonomy and recognition, and feminism and gender theory.

Programme Structure
The programme may be taken in one year (full-time) or two years (part-time). Over either timespan, you must take six modules: four from the list of Core Modules and the remaining two from the rest of those on offer. Here are the descriptions of all the MA modules.

Autumn Semester core modules:

• PHIL41280 Feminism and Gender Theory (Katherine O'Donnell)
• PHIL41320 Topics in Continental Philosophy (Danielle Petherbridge)
• PHIL41570 Problems from Kant (James O'Shea)
• PHIL41810 Critique & Destruction (Joseph Cohen)

Spring semester core modules:

• PHIL40250 Merleau-Ponty's Phenomenology (Tim Mooney)
• PHIL40410 Philosophy and Literature (Lisa Foran)
• PHIL40420 The Good Society (Maeve Cooke)
• PHIL41240 Newman: A Philosophical Approach (Angelo Bottone)
• PHIL41800 Social & Political Theory: Methods (Katherine O'Donnell)

In addition, students must write a dissertation of 12,000-15,000 words by mid-August. It is expected that students will choose a topic from contemporary European philosophy. Students are encouraged to discuss possible topics with their lecturers as soon as possible.

For academic enquiries, please contact the Programme Director, Dr Lisa Foran (lisa.foran@ucd.ie)

To check your eligibility, please refer to the admissions page.

All administrative enquiries should be sent to the School Manager:

UCD School of Philosophy
Newman Building
University College Dublin
Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland

Email: philosophy@ucd.ie
Tel: +353 1 716 8186