Degree Courses for the Study of Wider Europe
The Centre for the Study of Wider Europe is an interdisciplinary centre contributed to by various academic departments. Degree courses on offer at the National University of Ireland Maynooth that relate directly to the CSWE's research on Wider Europe include:
BA (International) in European Studies
Course Details
The departments of Ancient Classics, Anthropology, Economics, French, Geography, German, History, Sociology/Politics and Spanish at NUI, Maynooth, have joined forces to provide a programme in European Studies that provides an opportunity for students to reach an advanced level of fluency in one or more European languages, while learning about a variety of political, economic, social, geographic and cultural aspects of Europe, past and present. Students, while pursuing their core subjects, will also study specially designed modules in European Studies which draw upon the participating disciplines. The degree is a four-year programme, which includes a year spent at a university in France, Germany/Austria or Spain/Portugal. In first year, students chose three subjects from the following list: Anthropology, Economics or Greek and Roman Civilization, Geography or German, French, History, and Sociology/Politics or Spanish. In second year, two of the three first-year subjects are chosen, including at least one language. In third year, students study their two subjects at a university in the country of their chosen language. In fourth year, students return to NUI Maynooth to complete their studies.
Each subject will provide compulsory courses on European Studies; in addition students are required to attend interdisciplinary modules specifically designed for this degree. These designated modules in European Studies are: History of Europe, ancient, medieval and modern; Culture and society in three European countries - France, Germany and Spain; Economics and culture; and Constructing and contesting European identities. In addition, there will be a core module on European societies and politics, and a module taught abroad at the Louvain Institute for Ireland in Europe at Leuven.
Career Options
The European Studies programme is an ideal preparation for a variety of career paths in areas such as international business and marketing, finance and insurance, education, journalism, politics, diplomacy and the civil service as well as the Institutions of the European Union in Brussels. The programme also offers an excellent foundation for further study at postgraduate level.
For further information on the BA (international) European Studies degree course »»
BA Anthropology
Course Details
nthropology, the comparative study of human culture, bridges the social sciences and humanities to offer an integrated understanding of the complexity and rich variation of human lifeways. Beyond this deep fund of knowledge, the programme emphasizes the development of research, writing, and communication skills transferable to many careers in the private and public sectors.
As the only such programme in Ireland, the denominated degree offers students a unique opportunity to gain a thorough grounding in the discipline of cultural anthropology. There is a rich array of modules on offer in both theoretical and applied anthropology. Students also have the possibility of spending a year abroad conducting ethnographic research, and the experience of writing a BA thesis.
The programme involves taking two other subjects along with Anthropology in First Year Arts. In second year, 50 credits of Anthropology are combined with 10 credits in another discipline to be approved by departmental advisor. In the third year, Anthropology accounts for 45 credits (including thesis), plus 15 credits in another discipline to be approved by departmental advisor. Students have the option of spending their third year studying at a university abroad, taking some courses but also engaging in field research toward a thesis.
Career Options
Students will be highly qualified for positions in the public and private sectors that require understandings of culture and human behaviour, including work in such diverse fields as marketing and product development, policy research, education, museum and heritage, development and humanitarian aid.
For further information on the BA Anthropology degree course »»
BA Politics
Course Details
Protests on the streets, politicians on the campaign trail, complaints to local councillors, conflicts at work, European summits – all are part of the everyday life of politics. Politics is about how we figure out what our society should look like, but it is also about power, patronage and inequality. This degree allows students to explore the various ways that politics shapes our lives, the different forms that politics takes, and how politics is organised differently around the world. Politics at Maynooth is distinctive in its international focus, its emphasis on the wide varieties of forms of politics and a central concern with the tensions between democracy, power and inequality. Students can prepare for a wide variety of careers, including in politics, media, public policy and international affairs through an exciting range of courses that will combine study of Irish and international politics and provide opportunities to carryout first hand research into political life. Students will take Politics as a part of an Arts degree, combining Politics with two other subjects in first year, and one other subject in Second and Third Years.
First Year
In their first year, students take Politics along with two other Arts subjects (excluding English and Mathematical Studies). First year courses introduce students to the main concepts in the study of Politics and provide an understanding of politics in Ireland and Europe. Courses are taught through lectures and a tutorial programme. In first year, students are given the concepts and knowledge to expand their ‘political imagination’ – the ways that we think about and understand politics.
Second and Third Year
In second year, students are provided with the fundamentals of the study of Politics. Students are required to take courses in Political Theory, Research Methods and Active Citizenship. In third year, students take another required course on State and Society and develop their own research into political life, using the research methods learned in second year to write an original research thesis, supported with departmental tutorials. In second and third year, students can take a variety of other optional courses, with different options being offered each year. Relevant courses from other departments may also be taken. Further details can be found at the following address: http://sociology.nuim.ie/BAPoliticsIntroduction.shtml
Career Options
A degree in Politics opens up a wide variety of careers in public life. While some graduates may enter electoral and party politics, more will work in areas such as public policy, media, international affairs, the European Union, human rights, community work, activism and a variety of other areas of public life.
A degree in Politics will also provide the knowledge, theories and research skills that will serve students well in any career. The degree equips the graduate with various skills, including the abilities to understand topical issues, to investigate public life through systematic research, to analyse and present information, and to apply these skills to a wide variety of societies around the world.
Departments
The Centre for the Study of Wider Europe is contributed to by a number of Academic departments from N.U.I. Maynooth. The principal contributing departments are:
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