MA in History
MA SA STAIR 

Programme description This newly revised popular post-graduate course has been restructured to offer students greater choice. All students will receive a thorough training in the craft of history and will explore the ways in which history is and has been interpreted by historians, politicians, the media and others. Students may choose to specialise in Local and Regional History, a branch of the programme which introduces a variety of regionally-focused approaches to the past, in Ireland and abroad, or they may select Transnational History, which explores the movement of peoples, ideas and goods across national borders. Alternatively, students may choose to combine modules on different themes, subject to timetable constraints. Whatever their specialism, students on the History MA develop their ability to carry out research and to construct their own historical arguments.Team-taught modules introduce students to various ways of exploring and interpreting the past, looking at a range of historic problems, periods and places. Students on all three branches of the programme will take the same two core courses: Sources and Resources, and Historical Debates and Controversies.  Aims and Objectives The taught MA aims to increase students' awareness of the nature of historical change and to deepen their understanding of the mentalities of other historical periods. In doing so, they develop a critical awareness of the relationship between current events and political, social,economic and cultural processes in the past. The programme provides guidance in defining and carrying out research, analyzing primary and secondary sources and using the techniques of the historical profession to present their findings. Students are encouraged to develop comparative perspectives and to consider aspects of Irish history in its wider contexts.

Application date: There are four offer rounds beginning in February.  For details see   http://www.nuigalway.ie/postgrad/closingdates/	ECTS weighting: 90
Duration: 1 year (September to August), full-time	Mode of study: Taught
Available places: 15	Next start date: September 2012

Course Content

The programme below is for the academic year 2012-13.

Core Modules

Each of the following modules examines both Irish and non-Irish topics and focuses on a range of historic periods.  Students are encouraged to think in comparative terms. 

Sources and Resources    [15 ECTS] (Semesters 1 and 2) 

This team-taught module explores the possible uses and limitations of a wide range of primary sources, including medieval manuscripts, memoirs, government records and evidence presented to commissions of inquiry.  It looks at the use of such sources in academic writing, popular histories, documentaries and docudramas.  

Historical Debates & Controversies: Studies in Historiography [15 ECTS] (Semesters 1 and 2) 

This team-taught module examines various approaches to the writing of history, including women’s history, Marxist history and the history of mentalities. It looks at controversies regarding traditional and revisionist interpretations and also considers questions regarding the commemorations of controversial events.

OPTIONS

SEMESTER 1

          Students take one of the following options:   
   

        Studies in Oral History (Dr Caitríona Clear)                    [10 ECTS]            

Secrecy, progress and nationalism: secret societies and transnational movements, 1700 - 1870 (Dr Enrico Dal Lago)        [10 ECTS]

SEMESTER 2

Students take two of the following options:
 

Studies in Local History (Dr John Cunningham) [10 ECTS] 
                                                   

Conceptions of Wealth and Poverty in Early Modern World (Dr. Alison Forrestal) [10 ECTS] 

 

Irish Contacts with Europe, 1900 - 1973 (Dr. Róisín Healy) [10 ECTS]
 

Studies in the History of Colonialism and Imperialism (TBA)     [10 ECTS]

Dissertation  [30 ECTS] (Semester 2) 

All students write a dissertation of 15,000-20,000 words.  This should draw extensively on primary sources and provide an original contribution to our knowledge and understanding of the research theme.

Assessment

Modules are examined on a continuous assessment basis throughout the year.  Modes of assessment include projects, essays, reviews and reports, as well as oral presentations.  The minor dissertation (15,000 - 20,000 words) involves original research. Students must pass all modules

Careers

Graduates have found employment in a wide range of occupations - teaching, consultancy, broadcasting and journalism, military history tours, library and archive work and administration; some have proceeded to the Ph.D. 

Applications

Applicants should normally hold an honours degree of 2:2 standard, including a minimum 2:1 in History or GPA of 3.5.  Selection will be based on applicants’ academic record and academic references testifying to their academic ability and enthusiasm for history.

Applications should be made online to the Postgraduate Applications Centre at www.pac.ie/nuigalway.ie citing GYA67 as the programme code. 

Further Information

NUI Galway Post-graduate website: http://www.nuigalway.ie/courses/taught-postgraduate-courses/history.html

History Contact:
Dr Mary Harris, History
School of Humanities
National University of Ireland, Galway
Email: mary.harrisnuigalway.ie
Tel: 00 353 91 493290
Fax: 00 353 91 494556

• Disclaimer
• Privacy
• Copyright
• Accessibility