1. Political Science and Geography
Orientation Meeting
21 September 2017
Political Science and Geography

2. Why Politics & Geography?
Globalisation: changing international economic, political, security & environ. contexts;
Understand relationships between the Earth’s natural and human phenomena and its political and institutions and systems;
Geo-politics: how the great powers influence other parts of the planet;
Political geography: e.g. geographical differences in voting patterns
Environmental politics / Politics of the environment: Need for interdisciplinary understandings of socio-environ. issues

3. Political Science and Geography
Programme Director:
Raj Chari,
Room 4.04, Department of Political Science
Geography coordinator:
Patrick Bresnihan
Museum Building

4. Political Science and Geography - Administration
Course Administration:
Course Administrator: Martina Ní Chochláin
Room 3023, Arts Building
Local Administration:
Political Science: Raimonda Elvikyte
; Room 5.02, College Green
Geography: Mary Forde
; Museum Building

5. Course Structure 4 year degree
Junior Freshman ECTs Geog / 30 ECTs PolSci
All modules compulsory
Senior Freshman ECTs Geog / 30 ECTs PolSci
Junior Sophister ECTs Geog / 30 ECTs PolSci
Some modules compulsory/some elective
Senior Sophister – ECTS but 3 options
Equal Geography and Political Science
Geography only
Political Science only
ECTS = European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System

6. Course Structure Junior Freshman Year
Political Science Modules (30 ECTs)
PO1600 Introduction to political science
SO1310 Introduction to sociology
EC1040 Introduction to economic policy
Geography Modules (30ECTs)
GG1024 Introduction to geography I: Physical Geog
GG1025 Introduction to geography II: Environmental Geog
GG1026 Introduction to geography III: Human Geog

7. Course Structure Senior Freshman Year
Political Science Modules (30 ECTs)
PO2610 History of political thought
PO2640 International relations
PO2650 Comparative politics
Geography Modules (30ECTs)
GG2024 Physical Geography: Changing Environments
GG2025 Human Geography: Changing Worlds
GG2023 Geography seminars

8. Junior Sophister – choosing modules
At the end of Senior Freshman year (2nd), you will be asked to choose your modules for Junior Sophister year (3rd)
Your choice will depend on how you want to progress through the course
Study PolSci and Geog equally
Geography only
Political Science only
Must think carefully about this!!

9. Course Structure Junior Sophister Year
Political Science Modules (30 ECTS)
PO3600 Research methods for political scientists required for political science only in SS
PO3630 Irish politics
PO3650 Government and politics of the United States
PO3670 Democracy and development
PO3680 European Union politics

10. Course Structure (current) Junior Sophister Year
Geography Modules (30 ECTs)
GG3056 History and philosophy of geography optional
GG3028 Advanced research methods in geography 1 required for Geography only in SS year
GG3025 Advanced research methods in geography 2 required for Geography only in the SS year
GG3033 Geographical Information: Data & Tools (5 ECTS) (optional and restricted based on second year performance)
GG3034 Practical Physical Geography
GG3037 Urban Economic Structure and Re-generation
GG3039 Exploring the Sustainable City
GG3015 Globalisation
GG3030 Environmental Governance 1
GG3054 Tropical Environments
GG3055 Deserts of our Solar System
GG3477 Human Origins
GG3475 Glacial Geomorphology

11. Course Structure Senior Sophister Year
In Senior Sophister (fourth) year students have the following options
Study political science and geography 50/50
Specialize in Political Science only
Specialize in Geography only

12. PolSci/Geog 50/50 60 ECTS Political Science (15 ECTS)
Geography (5 & 10 ECTS)
PO4610 Contemporary political theories
PO4670 Political Parties
PO4690 Issues in contemporary politics
PO4700 Contemporary international relations
PO 4710 African politics
PO4740 Topics in Political Science
PO4750 Chinese Politics
PO4760 The Politics of Policy-Making
PO4770 Political Psychology
GG4066 Historical Geography 1
GG4067 Historical Geography 2
GG4026 Environmental Governance 2
GG4036 Globalisation and African Development
GG4061 Understanding Environmental Change
GG3475 Glacial Geomorphology
GG3477 Human Origins
GG4069 Urban Geography: Cities, Space & Culture
GG4070 Stormy Geomorphology

13. Political Science only (4th year)
All 15 ECTs
PO4600 Research seminar in political science required
PO4690 Issues in contemporary politics required
PO4610 Contemporary political theories
PO4670 Political Parties
PO4700 Contemporary international relations
PO4710 African politics
PO4740 Topics in Political Science
PO4750 Chinese Politics
PO4760 The Politics of Policy-Making
PO4770 Political Psychology

14. Geography only (4th year)
GG4030 Research dissertation (20 ECTS) required
All 5 and/or 10 ECTs:
GG4066 Historical Geography 1
GG4067 Historical Geography 2
GG3475 Glacial Geomorphology
GG3477 Human Origins
GG4026 Environmental Governance 2
GG4036 Globalisation & African Development
GG4061 Understanding Environmental Change
GG4062 Spatial Analysis using GIS
GG4069 Urban Geography: Cities, Space and Culture
Etc.

15. Broad Curriculum/ Language
SF - one module (10 ECTS) in PolSci can be replaced with two modules (5 ECTS each) from the BC and Language.
JS – two modules (10 ECTS) of elective Geog modules can be replaced with BC and Language.
SS – (If not done in JS) Geography only students can replace ECTS worth of elective Geog modules with outside modules including BC/Language.

16. Study Abroad Options
PolSci & Geog follow the rules for Two-Subject Moderatorship (TSM) for Erasmus and Socrates exchanges
Erasmus co-ordinator in Geography:
Prof. Mark Hennessy:
Erasmus co-ordinator in Political Science:
Prof. Emanuel Coman:
JS year
Full year: must study and pass at least 45 ECTs in the host University. Half-year: ECTS (strongly advised to take more)

17. Examinations and Assessments
Most PolSci modules and Geog modules are assessed by a combination of examination and course work
The proportions differ depending on the lecturer/module co-ordinator
All modules require
Sustained work throughout the year
Analytical thinking
Reading

18. Career Opportunities Public and European affairs Overseas assistance
Resource management and risk assessment
Environment-related advice to governments and industry
Teaching at second or third level
Research
Consultancy
Etc…

19. Where to find …… The Course Office? The political science office?
Room 3023, Level 3, Arts Building
The political science office?
2 College Green, next to Starbucks
The geography office?
In the Museum Building ………………………..
The course handbook?
Information on the modules?
Blackboard
Geography:
Political Science:
Rules and regulations relating to this course?
College calendar

20. Thank you

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ALSO ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER!