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BSc Joint/Single Major

DN700 BSc Social Sciences - Joint/Single Major

In Year 1 and 2, students study Politics & International Relations as a Joint Major. From Year 3 onwards, students can opt for a Single Major in Politics & International Relations.

You can study Politics as a joint major with one of the following subjects.

  • Archaeology
  • Economics
  • Geography
  • Information and Communication Studies
  • Mathematics
  • Philosophy
  • Sociology
  • Social Justice
  • Statistics

* A combination of History and Politics is offered under DN530 BA Humanities

The list of modules below is subject to change.

Stage 1 Modules

Four Politics & IR Core Modules
  • INRL10020 Foundations of International Relations (Autumn)
  • POL10170 Foundations in Political Research (Autumn)
  • POL10160 Foundations of Contemporary Politics (Spring)
  • POL10180 Foundations of Political Theory (Spring)    

Tutorials are attached to INRL10020, POL10160 and POL10180

A Core Module for all BSc Students
  • SSCI10010 Societal Challenges in the 21st Century
Four Modules from the Other Subject of Your Choice

4 modules from Archaeology, Economics, Geography, History, ICS, Mathematics, Philosophy, Sociology Social Justice or Statistics

Programme Options and Elective
  • 2 Programme Options Students will choose 2 modules out of a list provided. 
  • 1 General Elective Students can choose any module in the University when places are available.
    • POL10120 Foundations in Global Development (Spring) can be taken as a Programme Option or an Elective.

Stage 2 Modules

Core Modules

You must complete the following four Politics core modules. You will also choose four core modules from the other subject of your choice.  

  • POL20010 Individuals and the State (Autumn)
  • INRL20040 International Relations (Autumn)
  • POL20020 Comparative Politics (Spring)
  • POL20050 Research Methods in Political Science (Spring)

Tutorials are attached to all Stage 2 core modules.

Option Modules

Autumn

  • INRL20080 Irish Foreign Policy
  • INRL20160 Introduction to EU Politics
  • POL20260 Introduction to Chinese Politics

Spring

  • DEV20010 Topics in International Development
  • DEV20130 Sustainable Development Goals
  • INRL20110 Introduction to Middle East Politics
  • POL20250 Irish Politics

Stage 3 & 4

There is no core module in Stage 3 and 4.

  • Joint major students complete 25 Politics credits in each of Stage 3 and 4.
  • Single major students complete 50 Politics credits in each of Stage 3 and 4. 

N.B. If you are studying abroad or doing an internship, the credit requirement in Stage 3 is less.

10-credit Options

Autumn

  • INRL30320 Gender in War & Peace
  • INRL30370 Terrorism & Political Violence
  • POL30640 Deliberative Mini-Publics
  • POL30820 Political Risk & Foreign Investment
  • POL30880 Capitalism and Democracy
  • POL30890 Politics of Organised Crime
  • POL36070 Political Psychology
  • POL36120 Gender Religion & Colonialism

Spring

  • INRL30340 International Political Economy
  • INRL30400 EU Foreign Policy
  • POL30660 Data Analytics for Social Sciences
  • POL30680 Gender and Politics
  • POL30690 Introduction to Asian Politics
  • POL36100 Strategies of Politics
  • POL36110 Comparative Political Theory
  • POL36130 Liberalism & its Critics
5-credit Options

Autumn

  • INRL20080 Irish Foreign Policy
  • INRL20160 Introduction to EU Politics
  • POL20260 Introduction to Chinese Politics

Spring

  • DEV20010 Topics in International Development
  • DEV20130 Sustainable Development Goals
  • INRL20110 Introduction to Middle East Politics
  • POL20250 Irish Politics

Final Year students can apply for a special year-long module called the Advanced Seminar in Politics (POL30860 & POL30870). See further information below. 

You are encouraged to study abroad (one semester or year-long) and/or take up an internship in your third year.

You may opt to take a single major in Politics from third year. 

Other Information

Conditions for Politics & International Relations Single Major
  • Students currently studying Politics a Joint Major, Major/Minor or the PPE thematic degree in BHSOC0101 (CAO code DN700) are welcome to transfer into Single Major, without any minimum GPA condition.
  • You must be eligible to progress to Stage 3 in your degree (i.e. have passed all Stage 1 credits and at least 50 credits in Stage 2).
  • However, there are four Level 1 core modules (INRL 10010, POL 10170, POL 10160, POL 10120) and four Level 2 core modules (INRL 20040, POL 20010, POL 20020, POL 20050). Students are welcome to transfer into the Single Major in Politics and IR while missing some of these core modules, but they must ensure that all of these core modules are complete by the end of Stage 4, e.g. by using up their elective places. This may impact your opportunities to study abroad or go on an internship, so please discuss this in advance with the School of Politics & International Relations if you have queries.
Applications and Contact for Politics and International Relations Single Major

If you want to make an application to study Politics & International Relations as a Single Major you should apply via the following google form:

Application form for Single Major in Politics & International Relations

(Log into UCD SISWeb required. Applications must be sent from your UCD email account.)

The form must be submitted by the 31st of May. 2023.  Queries can be addressed to spire@ucd.ie. You will be notified on the outcome by email in late June. 

Applications for Advanced Seminar in Politics 23-24

The Advanced Seminar in Politics 1 (POL30860) and 2 (POL30870) is a year-long course where staff members of the School of Politics and International Relations introduce students to cutting edge research in the field. During the second half of the course, students write a minor thesis, under the supervision of a staff member in the school. The module has limited capacity and entry is competitive. Registration for this course is done manually.

To be eligible to take this course, you must be a final year student in 2023-24, who has completed Core Level 2 Politics modules. Students with a GPA of 3.60 and above (across all modules or across SPIRe modules only) will be eligible for consideration.

The deadline for submission is Wednesday 28th June 2023. You must include grades in your application that will be released on 23rd of June. 

Google Application Form (Log onto UCD Connect Required)

Examinations Feedback

If you wish to review your script, send a request to spire@ucd.ie two working days in advance.

Please include the following information.

  • Student number
  • Full name
  • Module code and name

If you wish to review your script with your lecturer:

  1. Make an appointment with him/her by sending an email. (See here for staff details)  
  2. Also send an email to spire@ucd.ie so that the admin staff members will prepare your script before the appointment. Please indicate your student number, full name and the module code/name.

SPIRe School Office, Room G301 Newman Building,  Open between 10am and 4pm (Closed for lunch between 1-2pm), Monday to Thursday. 

Brian Farrell Medal

This award was established by friends and colleagues of Professor Brian Farrell who retired from UCD in 1994. It is awarded annually to the student(s) in Stage 1 Politics who achieves the highest grade point average in the two core Stage 1 Politics modules taken by all Politics students. The prize may be awarded to up to three students. In the rare case that more than three students meet the prize criterion, overall Stage 1 grade point average will be considered. 

  • 2020-21 Winner: Fionn Kenneally
  • 2019-20 Winners: Alysia Cloake, Stephen Mahon
  • 2018-19 Winner: Alex Greaney
  • 2017-18 Winners: Nils Hugo Ekelund, Elizabeth Higgins, Alan Kelly, Tommy MacDiarmada and Eannan Monaghan
Conor Martin Memorial Prize

This prize was established by the friends and colleagues of the late Reverend Professor Conor Martin, who was Professor of Ethics and Politics from 1952 until his death in 1980.

The prize of up to €200 will be awarded annually to the student in Stage Two Politics who achieves the highest combined grade point average in three core Stage Two Politics modules. The prize may be awarded to up to three students. It will be split evenly in the case of two winners, whereas in the case of three winners each student will be awarded €100. In the rare case that more than three students meet the prize criterion, overall Stage 2 grade point average will be considered.

  • 2020-21 Winner: Ciara De Buitleir
  • 2019-20 Winners: Iseult O'Callaghan, Jonathan Strieben
  • 2018-19 Winner: Nils Hugo Ekelund
  • 2017-18 Winner: Diana Volpe
Peter Mair Award

This prize commemorates a former SPIRe graduate and leading political scientist, Professor Peter Mair. The annual award takes the form of a letter presented to the final stage Politics student(s) who achieves the highest Stage grade point average in their two best Politics and International Relations modules. The prize may be awarded to up to five students. In the rare case that more than five students meet the prize criterion, overall Stage Four grade point averages will be considered.

  • 2020-21 Winner: Elizabeth Higgins
  • 2019-20 Winner: Arshdeep Kaur
  • 2018-19 Winners: Jack Heron, Ross Merriman
  • 2017-18 Winners: Nina Carroll and Anna L. Blix
Tom Garvin Award

This prize is named in honour of Professor Emeritus of Political Science at UCD, Tom Garvin. The annual award takes the form of a letter presented to the student(s) who achieves the highest grade for their thesis submitted in SPIRe’s Advanced Seminar. The prize may be awarded to up to five students. In the rare case that more than five students meet the prize criterion, overall Stage Four grade point averages will be considered.

  • 2020-21 Winner: Elizabeth Higgins
  • 2019-20 Winner: Clelia Li Vigni
  • 2018-19 Winner: Ross Merriman
  • 2017-18 Winner: Anusha De

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SPIRe Tutors & Teaching Assistants Directory, Autumn 2023-24

Tutors and Teaching Assistants are allocated to the following modules. 

  • INRL10020 Foundations of International Relations
  • INRL20040 Theories & Concepts in International Relations
  • POL20010  Individuals and the State

For queries related to administrative matters including tutorial registration, please contact the SPIRe School Office at spire@ucd.ie.

Salsabil Abdalbaki

POL10170 Teaching Assistant

Zuzanna Krakowska

POL20010

Anoor Amatul

POL20010

Angeliki Kourri

INRL10020

Margaret Bruce

INRL10020

Meabh Lonergan

POL20010

Mateus Bruno

POL20010

Annie MacDonald

POL20010

Ludovica Castellana

POL20010

Lorcan McLaren

INRL20160 Teaching Assistant

Grace Culhane

POL20010

Paula Montano

POL20010 Head Tutor

Daire Denby

POL20010

Sebastian Morabito

INRL10020

Sara Fortsch

INRL10020

Diana Nagle

INRL20040

Thomas Gavois

INRL20040

Jennifer O'Keeffe

INRL20040

Sean Gurrin

INRL10020

Neha Parikh

INRL10020

Sarah King

INRL10020 Head Tutor

Smrutimayee Sarangi

INRL20040

 

Dino Wildi

INRL20040 Head Tutor

UCD School of Politics and International Relations (SPIRe)

School Office: G301, Newman Building, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.