Basic HTML Version
Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
66
Junior Freshman (first) year
There are approximately 22 hours of classes
per week.
Senior Freshman (second) year
There are approximately 22 hours of classes per week.
n
International relations
This module is an introduction to the positive, descriptive study of international
relations. Why do states make war? What are the conditions for the growth
of cross-border trade and finance? What is the impact of international
organisations on relations between states? This module considers these
questions by looking at differing theoretical approaches to international
relations and a selection of topics in historical and contemporary politics,
including the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation, the European
Union, and international environmental and human rights regimes.
Introduction to social science
This module offers students an introduction to
the significant issues in the three main fields
of social science: politics, economics and
sociology.
The first section of the course introduces key
debates in sociology about European social
structure.
The second section provides an introduction
to main issues in political science of
significance to students of European politics.
The third section builds on the first two
sections by paying attention to issues
surrounding the economics of the EU.
n
European societies
This module examines different forms of social inequality in Western Europe,
the divisions of class, region, gender, ethnicity and life cycle. It considers the
extent to which the European Union involves a European social model of social
cohesion – a particularly European way of countering the divisions of a market
society. The course uses case studies from France, Germany, Italy, Sweden
and the UK.
n
Intermediate economics*
The macroeconomic module of the courses has three steps. The first two steps
study the sources of fluctuations in economic activity and the policy responses
that help mitigate such fluctuations. The third step aims to understand why
different countries have different long-run growth rates and different levels of
prosperity. The microeconomic module of the course studies the theory and
applications of microeconomics at an intermediate level. The module covers
consumer theory (indifference curves and budget constraints); producer theory
(isoquant curves and isocost lines); market structure (perfect competition;
monopoly; monopolistic competition and oligopoly); game theory; factor
markets (in perfectly competitive and imperfectly competitive settings) and
general equilibrium.
* Students who wish to take this course must seek permission from the Head of the
Department of Economics during the Trinity (third) Term of their Junior Freshman
(first) year, before declaring their Senior Freshman (second year) subject choice.
Junior Sophister (third) year
The Junior Sophister year is spent at a university abroad
studying through the language you choose as your major
language and this is an integral part of the course. Exchanges
have been established with history and political science
departments in universities in France (Paris, Strasbourg,
Grenoble, Bordeaux), Germany (Hamburg, Tübingen, Freiburg),
Italy (Pavia, Siena, Florence), Poland (Krakow), Russia
(Moscow) and Spain (Seville, Salamanca, Alcalá). The year
abroad may entail additional expenses for students but support
funding under the European Union’s Erasmus scheme partially
offsets this additional expense (with the exception of Russia,
where the Erasmus scheme does not apply).
Senior Sophister (fourth) year
In the Senior Sophister year, language work focuses
predominantly on your major language. Coursework for your
minor language concentrates mainly on comprehension and
textual analysis. The core course in your final year is a history of
ideas course: Modernism and mass society – ideas and culture
since 1890. Additionally, you will choose one or two options
from a wide range of modules from history, political science,
sociology, and a number of culture and literature options
from the language departments. Students who so wish are
encouraged to write a ten thousand word dissertation (replacing
one of the options) on a subject of their own choice under the
supervision of a member of staff.
Assessment
Written, oral and aural exams are combined with continuous
assessment, essays and end-of-year examinations.
Career opportunities
Recent graduates are employed in international organisations
both in Ireland and abroad, in the EU, in the civil service and
the diplomatic corps, in business, finance and marketing. Other
popular career paths are in law, consultancy, teaching (in Ireland
and abroad), translating and interpreting, journalism and tourism.
Many students go on to do postgraduate courses, often with a
more applied, specialised focus or specifically relating to Europe.
Further information
Tel: +353 1 896 1808
E-mail:
