Environmental History (M.Phil. / P.Grad.Dip.)

Overview

Course Overview

The M.Phil. in Environmental History gives students a firm understanding of the interplay of, and feedbacks between, nature and culture over time, allowing them to develop much-needed historical perspectives on the evolution of current environmental challenges. During the course, students will explore methods and themes that are directly relevant to the professional workplace at a time when there is an increasing awareness of the need to include the competencies and insights of the humanities in understanding and addressing environmental issues, not least climate change. The course combines a strong methodological focus with an emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches and innovative assessment design.

Is This Course For Me?

This programme is aimed at students interested in how humans have interacted with and changed their environment in the past and how these interactions have shaped the multiple ecological crises we live in. It is open to candidates with an undergraduate degree in either the Humanities or the Natural Sciences.

Career Opportunities

The M.Phil. prepares graduates for a wide variety of careers, including in the museum and heritage sectors, libraries and archives, publishing, NGOs, public policy and administration, teaching, and media. It also provides invaluable research training for those planning to pursue a doctorate and/or career in research. 

Course Structure

Taken as a full-time course, the M.Phil. lasts for 12 months, starting in September. Teaching will be spread over two terms, beginning in September and concluding the following April. EU/ UK/EEA students can also take the course on a part-time basis over two years.

An M.Phil degree within the School of Histories and Humanities consists of 90 ECTS.

Course Content

The M.Phil. in Environmental History is led by and draws upon the resources of the Trinity Centre for Environmental Humanities, allowing students to familiarize themselves with the latest developments in the field. Apart from taking a core module "Methods and Debates in Environmental History", students choose special subject modules whose topics are informed by our teaching staff’s research interests. As part of the course, students also get an introduction to GIS. 

The programme takes a structured approach to preparing students to design and pursue an individual research project, which forms the capstone of the course. Depending on the nature of their research, students can choose between two forms of assessment: a 15,000-word dissertation OR a combination of an extended research paper (10,000 - 12,000 words) and a digital output (e.g. database, map).

Click here for further information on modules/subjects.