 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |  |  |
 |
Faculties & Departments
Department of Anthropology
“Anthropology of Ireland in European and Global Context” Taught Masters Degree
The postgraduate programme in Anthropology is an integrated taught/research programme, leading potentially to a PhD. However, students may elect (or be required) to stop at earlier stages, thereby earning a Postgraduate Diploma or an MA. All students without previous postgraduate training in Anthropology will complete a first, taught year, comprised of seminars and assessed by essays. As part of this year all students submit a thesis proposal for a minor thesis MA. Depending on their overall performance, their specific interests, the viability of their proposals, and Departmental approval, students will be directed to:
- accept a Postgraduate Diploma (formerly called a Higher Diploma) and discontinue further study;
- begin work on a minor thesis MA (1 year)
- begin work on a major thesis PhD (3 years minimum)
At the successful completion of a minor thesis MA, students may be encouraged to submit a proposal for a PhD. The above time frames, however, are guidelines only, as, very often, extra time will need to be budgeted for access and/or ethical approval issues, as well as competencies in field and reading language(s).
Entry Requirements
Students must have at least a Second Class Honours Grade II (2.2.) in Anthropology or cognate discipline to be considered for any of our postgraduate programmes.
Duration
The minor thesis M.A. should take no more than one calendar year beyond the taught year to complete. Normally a Major Thesis will take a minimum of three years to complete. As stated above, however, extra time will often need to be budgeted for access and/or ethical approval issues, as well as competencies in field and reading language(s). All these issues are worked our between the students and his/her advisor(s).
The Anthropology of Ireland in European and Global Context is a taught one-year Masters degree programme which is thematically oriented toward the discipline as a comparative enterprise, while developing the theoretical and methodological tools necessary to successfully pursue anthropological research either at Maynooth or at some other institution. The course comprises a required core class, Anthropological Theory & Ethnographic Practice, composed of four half-semester modules, each worth 5 ECTS. Along with this core strand students must choose two of the modules, titled Anthropological Topics at Maynooth (ATAMs) per semester We also require student attendance at our guest lecturer series and our Departmental Seminar, the whole comprising two 5 ECTS module, titled The Comparative Context I and II. The 30 ECTS/semester are rounded off with a choice between one joint Graduate/BA yr seminar or an Area Studies Course (5 ECTS). There is also a student-centred Research Presentation Seminar where issues of proposal writing, funding of research, research ethics, access issues, and methodologies are discussed. Students without previous experience in anthropology can also be required to sit extra courses from our undergraduate curriculum.
Further Course Information
The Core Seminar (Theory and Ethnographic Practice I-IV) is required by all MA programmes.
This course consists of 4 twelve-hour modules, each delivered over 6 weeks worth 5 ECTS each. The strand is composed of Introduction, Classical Theory in Anthropology, Contemporary Theory in Anthropology, and, Doing Ethnography.
Each module is assessed by essays of 4,000-5,000 words. Class presentations can count for up to 25% of this total.
The Comparative Context course includes approximately 4 visiting speakers who have carried out research elsewhere in the world on issues of comparative interest to the anthropology of Ireland. Each visitor will provide advance readings for the postgraduate students, deliver an evening lecture open to the general public, and lead a 1.5 hour discussion with the postgraduate students on the next day. The visitor may also contribute another paper to the Anthropology Seminar Series. Note: This module requires attendance at the Departmental Seminar Series.
ATAMs
Between four and six ATAMs, Joint BA/Graduate Seminars, or Area Studies Courses are required of all MA Programmes
Anthropological Topics at Maynooth 2007/2008 (ATAMs) – subject to change
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
Rural Ireland: Ethnography & Literature Rural Ireland: Ethnography & Literature Creole as a Model for Culture Linguistic Anthropology Indigenism Moral Geographies Refugees Joint BA/Graduate Seminars Anthropology of Violence Material Culture Famine Visual Anthropology |
Design Anthropology & Creativity Ritual Development and the Gift Northern Ireland Global Health Borders: Case Study US/Mexico Joint BA/Graduate Seminars Social Exclusion Anthropology of Sound Anthropological Issues in Papua New Guinea Culture & Risk Anthropology & Biography Illness Narratives Anthropology of Labour Movements Anthropology & Literature Trauma/Memory Death/Funeral |
Area Studies Courses Africa: An Anthropological Perspective |
Area Studies Courses Europe: An Anthropological Perspective |
Assessment
At the Graduate Level, all ATAMs, joint BA/Grad Seminars and
Area Studies Course are assessed by essays between 4,000 and 5,000 words. A
portion of this assessment may be made through an in-class presentation.
Graduate Student Research Presentation Seminar
(all year, 1.5 hrs)
A research topic based seminar run by and for graduate students with faculty
moderators. This seminar is an important venue for both First Year postgraduates,
and more advanced MA and PhD students. The latter will be presenting papers on
their ongoing research in the first semester and First Year students will present
their developing proposals in the second semester. This seminar gives all
postgraduate students an opportunity to try out their ideas in a professional, but
friendly forum. The first year postgraduates will be provided with valuable role
models/examples, especially important for those continuing for more advanced
degrees here or elsewhere. This seminar is also a venue for practical discussion
of research techniques, access issues and ethical problems.
Assessment: Not assessed, but attendance and participation is compulsory
Year 2
In most cases, students will register for Research Modules (AN 626 and AN 627)
in their second year. A schedule of regular contact with your advisor will need to
be worked out as part of this process.
Career Opportunities
Anthropological insights are becoming increasingly important in an information-based world economy, where an understanding of cultural difference is crucial - from local to international contexts. Advanced training in Anthropology can give one an advantage in preparing for a career in community work, education, the health professions, aid and development projects, business and administration, amongst other careers. A Ph.D. in Anthropology qualifies one as a professional anthropologist, and potential careers in third level teaching, research, or the application of anthropology in a variety of public and private programmes.