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Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
103
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
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
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
to view the current courses offered for Senior
Sophisters (fourth-year students) in geography and
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
Tel: +353 1 896 1576
Tel: +353 1 896 1651
