Mater Dei Institute

The three year Bachelor of Arts in Irish Studies and Religious Studies is a three year full-time BA degree programme, first offered in the 2002/2003 academic year. The programme examines Irish society and culture from an interdisciplinary perspective.  The course draws two areas:

• Irish Studies and
• Religious Studies

Programme Content

1. Irish Studies

Students pursuing Irish Studies engage in cultural studies, considering aspects of Ireland from a variety of disciplines, including English, History, Philosophy, and with a strong interdisciplinary approach. Students explore the culturally diverse nature of Irish society and history.

The Irish Studies programme asks students to re-imagine notions of Irishness. Who are the Irish? Who were the Irish? What does it mean to be Irish? Individual modules address shifting notions of Irish identity at various seminal points in the past, paying due attention to the manner in which identity is formed on the basis of class, gender, religion and politics.

While works of the great Irish writers are explored, students will also examine how notions of Irishness are represented in popular culture - on the television, through sport, in the cinema. In all three years of the programme there is an emphasis on examining Irish culture and the Irish past outside the lecture hall, through theatre, gallery and museum visits.

Students in second year will pursue a placement either in a Gaeltacht region or in a library or archive, allowing them to experience at first hand Irish culture and the voices of the past.

Further information on Irish Studies course visit:

Irish Studies Modules

2. Religious Studies

The component subjects of Religious Studies include:

* Systematic and Moral Theology,
* Scripture,
* Philosophy

These subjects are intended to contribute to the academic and intellectual formation of students, to foster personal faith and a capacity to respond to the challenges of contemporary society from a Christian perspective with an awareness of other faith traditions and a commitment to global and social justice.

In addition, a variety of opportunities for faith development are also offered including liturgy and prayer, retreat weekends, reflection days, and social justice groups.

Through placements, third-year students have the opportunity to engage with the wider community through work with refugees, the homeless and in the general area of social justice.

Module Descriptors

For a full list of module descriptors and learning outcomes please visit http://courses.materdei.ie and click 'Irish Studies and Religious Studies'.

Postgraduate Study

The degree will also provide graduates with a firm foundation from which to undertake postgraduate studies, such as research in Irish Studies in various interdisciplinary programmes in Irish universities, including Mater Dei Institute.

Career Opportunities

The BA degree provides the necessary Liberal Arts foundation to allow graduates to pursue careers in:

• *Teaching
• Journalism
• Law
• Irish Culture and Heritage
• Publishing
• Media Work
• Human Resources
• Librarianship
• Archival Studies
• Administration
• Civil Service

*The degree has the approval of the Teachers' Registration Council for application to the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Higher Diploma in Education) for the teaching of English and Religious Education.

Many graduates have also pursued taught postgraduate programmes and research at MDI and other leading colleges.

Visit the Graduate Voices section of our website to see some of our Graduate profiles.

Entry Requirements

All, except mature applicants, must meet the matriculation requirements of MDI as follows: Leaving Certificate or equivalent with a minimum of two recognised subjects at higher level grade HC3 and four at ordinary or higher level grade D3.

Subject Requirements

Six subjects must include:

1. Maths and
2. English or Irish

Access Route

For information relating to Access (HEAR/DARE), visit our Promoting Access page.

Mature Information

Mature applicants only. Visit our Mature Information section.

FETAC Route

For FETAC information visit our FETAC section.

Duration

3 years

Qualification Letters

BA

Awarding Body

• Heading 3

Dublin City University

Points for Entry in 2011

320

Application

Through the CAO (Central Applications Office): http://www.cao.ie. Course code: MD500.

Course Commences

September 2012

Undergraduate Prospectus 2012