MA Societies in Transition

MA in Sociology: Societies in Transition

This is a full-time one year course that aims to provide graduates with the necessary critical and analytical skills to make sense of societies undergoing rapid and dramatic transitions.  The programme is set against the backdrop of the recent global turbulence in financial markets and the related economic downturn.  More information here.

Societies such as Ireland are adjusting very rapidly to change in the external and internal environments. This requires us to re-think prevailing assumptions about the nature and direction of socio-economic development both in Ireland and elsewhere. The key idea underlying the this M.A. is to interrogate the political economy, power dynamics and cultural dimensions of social change in transitional societies, using Ireland as a key point of reference. 

The intellectual approach will embrace both comparative and historical dimensions of societies in transition. We hope to stimulate students to think about the role that sociological analysis can play in helping to advance solutions to the current social and economic challenges.

Course and Stucture

Students will take a range of substantive and methodological courses.  The programme structure and more information on the course is available in this years MA Societies in Transition handbook. Revised MA Timetable.

A core module “SO601 Societies in Transition: Debating Big Ideas” is the flagship of our MA programme.  Over twice weekly sessions in the first semester you will be given the opportunity to explore a number of different frameworks of interpretation that have been deployed to explain the nature and direction of social change, particularly at times of major social upheavals.  We want to encourage you to engage with a range of social thinkers, to reflect on their explanations of the contours of modern society and to develop a critical perspective on their work. 

The seminars will be lead by various members of the Department of Sociology.  The aim of this seminar-style module is to provide “points of embarkation” which will (a) provide an avenue into the theoretical literature on change and transition and (b) will enable students to identify their own areas of interest and relevant literature for defining research topics for their dissertations. To this end we will endeavour to demonstrate how different “understandings of social change” have been invoked and applied in Irish society and elsewhere and to discuss the potential for further application/modification of the theories.

In addition, the Department is committed to organizing at least one field trip in the course of the academic year.  Field Trip details

Thesis

Finally, you will write a thesis on a topic of your choosing, agreed with your supervisor. You will work on the thesis during the year through a special seminar designed to help you develop your research topic and methodology.

Assessment

Modules are examined by a range of methods including essays, projects, class presentations and in-class examinations. Students must complete all items of assigned work by the stated deadlines, otherwise they will not be eligible for award of the degree. 60% of total marks are allotted to continuous assessment, 40% allotted to the minor thesis. Students must pass both on Course Work and on the Minor Thesis to complete the MA successfully.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Available Full Time - Yes
2. Full Time course length - 1 year
3. Available Part Time - No
4. Closing Date - 31st MAY each year
5. Entry requirements - Second class honours grade 2 .2 in Sociology or  related discipline.
6. Class limited to 25 so entry requirement may be higher.

   
Career Opportunities

In terms of career opportunities, the course will provide students with a comprehensive overview of the processes giving rise to social change and the challenges faced by societies in transition.  It will be attractive for those seeking to go into policy-making, journalism, market research, development work and will also provide an excellent platform for those interested in progressing to PhD studies.