Master of Arts in Philosophy:
Ethics, Culture and Global Change

If there is anything certain about the world in which we will be living in the next decades it is that it will be one marked by a process of increasing Globalisation. The issues which this process raises are many and varied and most of these issues require urgent philosophical reflection. In this programme students will be introduced to the fundamental conceptual and ethical questions that global change is bringing about in contemporary culture, particularly in relation to cultural and technological change. This programme is designed to stimulate students to reflect on issues such as Poverty and Justice, Political Violence and War, Technology and Cultural Diversity, Intercultural Communication, Toleration and Pluralism, Gender Difference, Human Rights, Genetic Research and Human Life, Environmental Damage and Obligations to Future Generations.

Aims and Objectives
The programme is designed for students who wish to bring philosophical reflection to bear on global issues in which they have a genuine interest. Students will be encouraged to explore the ways in which theoretical knowledge can be applied in these areas, with a particular emphasis on areas of ethical relevance. It aims to equip graduates with skills in critical thinking and reflection on issues of global integration and diversity, which have relevance in fields from business to education to public administration to community work. The significance of these issues for professional practice will be reflected upon in a Professional Ethics seminar.

Service Learning:
One distinctive characteristic of the programme will be the introduction of a service learning element, i.e. practical experience in community organisations, NGOs, service institutions or companies with international, cultural or technological focus. This will enable the students to apply the philosophical knowledge they gained during the first semester in a practical context. Students will be encouraged to reflect on the significance of the theoretical concepts to which they will have been introduced in Semester I in the context of their service experience. The service learning experience will also be reflected upon with regard to its implications for the students’ approach to problems in professional ethics.

Career Opportunities:
This programme is directed towards the practical application of philosophy. It prepares students to apply ethical theory, political philosophy, interpretation and cultural theory to the practical issues of a global society. This is the first year that the programme will run, but it is expected that graduates from this programme could find careers in community work, teaching, business or the public service.

Programme Content (2009-10):

Semester 1
Three modules will be offered in semester one. These modules are as follows:

1. Topics of Environmental Ethics
2. The Hermeneutics of Inter-cultural communication
3. Professional Ethics 

Semester 2
1. Service Learning experience in the community
2. One Optional Seminar from a designated programme in the College of Arts Menu of MA Programmes
3. Dissertation (15000 words)

Throughout Semesters 1 and 2 there will be a Research and Service Learning Seminar meeting once a week.

Entry requirements:
Candidates must hold a minimum 2.2 degree in philosophy or in a cognate discipline. Students from the U.S. are required to have a GPA of 3.0 or above. Applicants whose primary degree is not philosophy will be required to show a sufficient philosophy component in a cognate discipline.

Structure of Degree:
This programme may be taken on a full time or a part time basis. Taken on a full-time basis it is a one year programme; taken on a part-time basis the programme lasts two years. In their first semester students are required to attend three seminar courses (two if part-time), to make in-class presentations in each and to submit an end of semester essay in each course. During the second semester students will be required to take a seminar course on Professional Ethics as part of their Service Learning and to write a dissertation under the supervision of a member of the department. Work-in-progress will be presented and discussed at a graduate research seminar.

Applications:
Applications are on line. The website address is: http://www.pac.ie/
Further information as to the application procedure available from:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
National University of Ireland, Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland.
Phone: 353 91 524411, Exts. 3065 / 2102 / 2103;
Fax: 353 91 495552

Programme Director
Dr. Felix Ó Murchadha,
Department of Philosophy,
NUI,G
Tel. 353-91-492573
Fax. 353-91-494554,
E-mail:  felix.omurchadhanuigalway.ie

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