Philosophy and Literature

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The MA in Philosophy and Literature is a taught programme, which is designed to provide an additional postgraduate academic qualification for graduates in the areas of Philosophy and English, and to give students a sense of the interdisciplinarity between the areas of Philosophy and English.

It is also designed to develop a sense of critical thinking in both areas and to facilitate critical engagement with contemporary issues and problems.
Full-time students may take the MA degree course in one year and part-time students will require two years.

The programme may lead to doctoral study in the field for suitably qualified graduates.

Aim of the Programme
The objectives of the programme are:

* To provide an additional postgraduate academic qualification for graduates in the areas of Philosophy and Literature
* To give a sense of the interdisciplinarity between the areas of Philosophy and Literature
* To develop a sense of critical thinking in both areas and to facilitate critical engagement with contemporary issues and problems
* To introduce the techniques and strategies for study and research at postgraduate level.

Programme Structure and Content
The MA programme consists of six taught modules. Students will aditionally complete a dissertation of 15,000-20,000 words on an approved topic. They will also be required to attend a series of postgraduate research methodology seminars as part of the preparation and presentation of dissertations and to submit dissertations by the stipulated deadlines.

The MA in Philosophy and Literature can be studied FULL TIME or PART TIME.

FULL TIME MODE* (1 Year)
Autumn Semester (September - January)
o Philosophy and the Subject: From the Modern to the Post-Modern
o The Value of Literary and Cultural Theory
o The Contemporary Crisis of Experience
o Dissertation

Spring Semester (February - August )
o Language, Symbol and Symbolism
o Contemporary Postcolonial Theory and Literature
o Introduction to Hermeneutics
o Dissertation

PART TIME MODE* (2 Years)
Year I

Autumn Semester (September - January)
o Philosophy and the Subject: From the Modern to the Post-Modern
o The Value of Literary and Cultural Theory
o The Contemporary Crisis of Experience

Spring Semester (February - August )
o Language, Symbol and Symbolism
o Contemporary Postcolonial Theory and Literature
o Introduction to Hermeneutics

Year II

o Dissertation

* Modules may, as resource demands dictate, occasionally be replaced by one or more approved substitute modules in the area. These include: Existentialism and Literary Realism, Literary Aesthetics, and Visiting Faculty Module.

Assessment
A variety of assessment methods will be used: essays, projects, course work and written examinations. The taught modules will be assessed by a combination of continuous assessment, written assignments and end-of-semester examinations.

The dissertation (18 credits) will form half of the final assessment, and the six taught modules (18 credits) will form the other half of this assessment.

The minimum qualification is normally a second-class honours degree, grade two, in either of the two subjects, or in a cognate area. In exceptional circumstances applications may be considered from those with an approved equivalent qualification. Candidates may be required to attend for interview.

Scholarships
Financial support structures at Mary Immaculate College include a Doctoral Award (PhD in Arts or Education), Studentships, Assistantships, and Special Awards. Students pursuing research postgraduate degrees in Arts or Education are eligible to apply for MIC awards. These are available on a competitive basis and at the discretion of the College. Typically, awards provide a subsistence bursary for the normal registration period of benefiting students, and in some cases also off-set tuition fees.

Gaeltacht University Scholarships, 1916 Commemoration Scholarships awarded on the results of the Leaving Certificate Examination, Irish Language Third-Level Scholarships are tenable in the College.

Details are available from the:

Higher Education Grants Section,

Dept of Education and Science,

Tullamore, Co. Offaly

Tel: 0506 21363

The Munster Council of the GAA awards a limited number of bursaries to students who have achieved County Level standard from minor grade upwards. Bursaries are awarded when students have registered in the College.