Maynooth University Undergraduate Handbook 2015

Politics
Subject Areas at Maynooth University 136 – 137
Why study Politics
Politics is everywhere. Street protests,
local elections, European treaties,
parliamentary debate, local council
decisions, industrial conflict – all are part
of everyday life and all are examples of
political action or political practice.
Politics is about how we figure out what our
society should look like. It is also about power
and inequality. As a student, you will examine
the nature of active citizenship, and the tensions
between democracy, power and injustice. You
will explore Irish and international politics,
including a focus on Europe but also further afield
including Latin America. You will be equipped
with the necessary analytical and methodogical
skills to carry out research into political life.
Why study Politics at Maynooth
The University’s Politics programme was launched
in 2007 as a new and innovative approach to the
subject. The degree programme combines the
traditional study of political institutions (parties,
parliaments, elections, policy-making and more)
with political sociology (examining the relationship
taking politics as part of an arts degree – Sample modules
between politics and society and how they shape
each other), and active citizenship. The focus
on active citizenship is the key distinguishing
feature of Politics at Maynooth University.
We provide students with opportunities to be
active participants in their own learning on and
off campus – in social movements and issuebased
campaigning, as well as involvement with
political parties and human rights work.
The Network on Power, Politics and Society (PPS)
and the Centre for the Study of Wider Europe (CSWE)
are both an important part of the Department of
Sociology, and provide opportunities for extending
the breadth and range of political studies here.
meet some of the team
There are three full time permanent faculty members
in the Sociology Department whose primary focus
is in politics. Faculty members are experts and
prominent contributors on political issues to a range
of domestic and international media, including
leading newspapers such as The Guardian, the Irish
Examiner, the Irish Times, the Sunday Business
Post, RTE, TV3, CNN, BBC, and many more.
First year Second year Third year
Head of the Sociology Department (the home of Politics at
Maynooth University), Professor Mary Corcoran
Dr. Mary Murphy graduated from TCD in 1986
with a BA in Economics and Sociology. Mary has
worked as a campaigner and policy analyst in
antipoverty and labour market NGO’s for 15 years,
among other areas. Mary returned to academic
research in 2002 and graduated with PhD from
DCU in 2006, taking up her present position in
Maynooth’s Sociology Department in 2007.
Mary’s research interests include political
economy, social politics, globalisation, welfare
states, social security, activation, gender, poverty,
political sociology, power and civil society.
What can I do with my degree
Politics students acquire useful skills such as the
ability to understand topical issues, investigative
and research capabilities, and strong communication
skills – opening up a wide variety of career options.
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Democracy & Active Citizenship
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Political Institutions:
Theory & Practice
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Political Institutions &
Civil Society in Ireland
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Global Society
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Political Theory
EU Law
Politics of the EU
Political Geography
International Relations
Media and Society
Active Citizenship
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International Public Policy
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Gender and Politics
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Social Movements and
Collective Action
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Irish Public Policy
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Social Policy and Welfare
States in Times of Change
While some graduates may enter electoral and
party politics, many more will work in areas such as
public policy, the media, international affairs, the
European Union, human rights, community work,
political activism and business and management.
Dr. Mary Murphy