Sociology (Societies In Transition)
MA students will:
Develop their ability to apply theories of social change to empirical investigation
Enhance their ability to communicate effectively through regular class presentations and discussions.
Receive a grounding in sociological methods and will be supported in using these methods in their dissertation work.
Gain an enhanced understanding of the economic, social, political and cultural dimensions of Irish society in comparative perspective.
Be provided with a comprehensive overview of the processes giving rise to social change and the challenges faced by societies in transition.
The course involves 6 x 10 credit modules over two semesters and the completion of a thesis (30 credits). Classes are timetabled on a Thursday and Friday. See our website for our MA handbook.
Spanish & Latin American Studies
The MA in Spanish and Latin American Studies aims to provide students who already have a background in Spanish Studies at undergraduate level with an opportunity to develop their interest in and knowledge and understanding of the language, literatures and cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. As well as increased linguistic and intercultural competence, the programme also offers students the opportunity to develop their awareness of a variety of theoretical approaches to critical analysis; to broaden their intellectual experience; to improve their intercultural and communication skills; and to develop their transferable skills, such as research skills, presentation skills, teamwork, organization skills and time management.
It is possible to study modules of particular interest without completing a Masters degree or to exit with a Postgraduate Diploma (Level 9) in Spanish & Latin American Studies after completing 60 credits of taught modules.
Performance & Musicology
The MA in Performance & Musicology degree programme is designed for students with strengths in performance who want opportunities to deepen and extend their skills. The pathway is carefully designed to foster and develop skills in performance and musicology at postgraduate level. The preparation of a dissertation allows students to develop their research skills in an area closely related to their final recital performance. All of this takes place within the rich environment of the Department of Music with its research and teaching strengths in musicology, performance, composition and music technology. What You Can Expect:
Funding towards lessons on your instrument/voice.
Priority access to practice room facilities.
Regular rehearsal time with an official accompanist.
Regular opportunities to perform in Performance Seminar classes.
Priority allocation of tutorial time with visiting performers as available.
Priority inclusion in the Department’s public lunchtime concert series.
Opportunities to have performances recorded.
Individual tutorial time with a designated advisor.
Involvement in Research Seminar presentations in which MA students have the opportunity to present their research and receive feedback.
Expert advice on interpretative issues from musicologists, performers, composers and music technologists whose research expertise is at the cutting edge of their fields.
Sound And Music Computing
This MSc programme caters for students who want to concentrate on technical aspects of the music and creative industries. It covers the areas of music application development, audio signal processing, sound synthesis, acoustics, and computer programming. It is taught in the state-of-the-art facilities of the Music Technology Laboratory of the Music Department.
Philosophy
This PG Diploma relates discourses and developments in the history in Western philosophy up to the 21st century. It thus aims at carrying out a serious philosophical analysis of some of the underlying cultural themes and philosophical presuppositions of Western self understanding and contemporary society. Building upon the strengths of critical thinking, systematic reflection, and historical awareness developed at undergraduate level, the programme allows the student to explore thematic concerns of philosophers in the Western tradition from medieval times to the 21st century. The PG Diploma in Philosophy is taken by examination (100% continuous assessment) only.
Creative Music Technologies
The MA in Creative Music Technologies degree is a skills conversion programme. The programme is aimed at graduates, with musical abilities, who would like to explore musical applications of technology. The programme accepts graduates from any primary degree.
The programme is concerned with a range of areas relating to music technology, including composition, sound recording and engineering, computer music programming, and acoustics.
The MA offers full use of computer resources at the Music Technology Labs at Maynooth University; access to studio space, with the possibility of working towards recording and production projects; opportunities to have compositions performed; individual tutorial time with a designated advisor; expert advice on musical and technical issues from composers and researchers at the cutting edge of their fields.
Irish Traditional Music
This MA is designed for students who are interested in traditional music, arts, and culture, including the broader areas of literature, language, and history, and who want to develop their interests in performance, creativity, or research. The MA is anchored by a final capstone project (choosing from options in performance, recording, and thesis) and provides specialist training in the areas of student choice.
Music Composition
The MA Composition at Maynooth University provides a supportive yet stimulating environment in which to develop your individual compositional style. The focus of the course is the creation of a professional portfolio of compositions, supported by regular one-to-one tuition from the experienced composers in the Department of Music. Core modules in contemporary compositional technique and the study of works and writings of other composers help broaden your compositional focus and allow you to develop your own voice in the exciting world of contemporary music. These activities are complimented by regular talks and consultations with visiting professional composers and opportunities for performance of your works by visiting performers and student ensembles.
Music Technology
The course is creativity-driven, with emphasis on musical aspects of computer programming and audio technology. It offers full use of computer resources at the Music Technology Labs at Maynooth University; access to studio space, with the possibility of working towards recording and production projects; expert advice on musical and technical issues is provided by composers and researchers at the cutting edge of their fields
Musicology
Whether as a stand-alone degree or a stepping stone towards MLitt and PhD research degrees, the MA in Musicology offers you the opportunity to develop as a researcher, deepen your critical and communication abilities, and apply these skills to the study of music history, music and culture, and analysis. The programme is delivered by staff with strong international research reputations, active as scholars, performers, and composers. Their diverse expertise includes areas such as: music and film; opera studies; source studies; European art music in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries; music in Ireland; ethnomusicology; popular music; music, gender, and sexuality; analysis; and more. Beyond the modules, seminars, and showcase outlined in the Course Structure, MA in Musicology students may also attend conferences, concerts, and other events that Music Department staff regularly organise. Students also benefit from a first-rate library, access to the University’s language courses, and close proximity to Dublin, enabling access to a further range of research libraries and archives.
