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Non-EU Applicants

• Political Science and Geography, 4 Year(s) Full Time, Closing Date: 30/JUN/2013

Mature Student - Supplementary Application Form

Read the information about how to apply as a mature student, then select the link below to complete the TCD Supplementary Application Form for mature students.
• Political Science and Geography, 4 Year(s) Full Time, Closing Date: 08/FEB/2013

Advanced Entry Applications

Read the information about how to apply for Advanced Entry, then select the link below to apply.
• Political Science and Geography, Closing Date: 01/JUN/2013

Course overview

In a rapidly changing international economic, political, security and environmental context the tools of political science and geography are becoming increasingly important to analyse global problems and provide policy solutions. This course combines analytical rigour with an understanding of real-world variations and complexities. The two disciplines have been associated through the sub-fields of political geography, which covers geographical differences in voting patterns, for example, and through geo-politics, which examines how the great powers influence other parts of the planet. However, in a context of globalisation, interdisciplinary understandings of socio-environmental issues are becoming increasingly key in solving the problems of the future, such as political instability in parts of the developing world as a result of climate change.

Is this the right course for you?

Yes, if you are interested in the disciplines of political science and geography and you hope to develop a critical understanding of the relationship between the Earth's natural and human phenomena and its political institutions and systems.

Course content

In the first three years you will take twelve courses that will each require attendance, on average, of two hours of lectures and one tutorial per week. In the Senior Sophister (fourth) year there is a reduction in the number of courses required to allow greater depth of study and more independent work.

The Freshman years

In the first two years, called Junior Freshman and Senior Freshman, you will study foundation courses covering (i) Introduction to geography I (Physical), II (Human-environment) and III (Human); Changing worlds; Collection and analysis of geographical data, and Geography seminars; (ii) Introduction to political science, Introduction to sociology, Introduction to economic policy, Comparative politics, International relations and the History of political thought.

The Junior Sophister year

In the Junior Sophister (third) year students take each subject equally. On the geography side two courses are mandatory with the other four courses being drawn from a list of options. The mandatory geography courses are Geographic information systems, and History and philosophy of geography (see www.tcd.ie/Geography for more information). For those students planning to continue geography in the Senior Sophister (fourth) year as their sole subject, Advanced research methods in geography is also compulsory. On the political-science side, students may take any three options (see www.tcd.ie/Political_Science/undergraduate/timetable.php to view the courses currently offered); students intending to take political science alone in the fourth year must take Research methods for political scientists in their third year.

The Senior Sophister year

In the Senior Sophister (fourth) year, students may take both subjects equally or one subject alone. For students taking geography or political science as their sole subject in this year a research thesis or dissertation is compulsory. The geography dissertation will not be required, but may be taken as an option by students continuing to study politics and geography equally in their fourth year. See www.tcd.ie/Geography/undergraduate/modules/year4 to view the current courses offered for Senior Sophisters (fourth-year students) in geography and www.tcd.ie/Political_Science/undergraduate/timetable.php for those offered in political science.

Study abroad

There are opportunities for students to spend all or part of the third year studying abroad in the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Poland or Spain. Participating in these opportunities is dependent upon the exchange fulfilling the course requirements of both departments.

Assessment

Courses are examined by a combination of continuous assessment and formal examination.

Career opportunities

Careers for graduates lie in fields such as public and European affairs, overseas assistance, resource management and risk assessment, the supply of environmental-related advice to governments and industry, the study and practice of environmental policymaking, and teaching and higher education.

Further information

www.tcd.ie/Political_Science/undergraduate/polscigeog.php
Tel: +353 1 896 1576

www.tcd.ie/Political_Science/undergraduate/index.php
Tel: +353 1 896 1651