1. Political Science and Geography
Orientation Meeting
6 September 2018
Political Science and Geography

2. Why Politics & Geography?
Globalisation: changing international economic, political, security & environ. contexts;
Anthropocene: understanding relationships between the earth’s systems and social and political systems;
Geo-politics: how the great powers influence different parts of the planet;
Environmental politics: Need for interdisciplinary understandings of socio-environmental issues

3. Political Science and Geography
Programme Director:
Patrick Bresnihan
Room 1.2, Museum Building
Political Science coordinator:
Raj Chari,
Room 4.04, Department of Political Science

4. Political Science and Geography - Administration
Course Administration:
Course Administrator: Martina Ní Chochláin
Room 3023, Arts Building
Local Administration:
Political Science: Solange Daini
; Room 5.02, College Green
Geography: Laoise Quinn /Mirela Dardac
; Museum Building

5. Course Structure 4 year degree
Junior Fresh 30 ECTs Geog / 30 ECTs PolSci
All modules compulsory
Senior Fresh ECTs Geog / 30 ECTs PolSci
All modules compulsory (Geog)/some modules compulsory (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 Fresh Year
Political Science Modules (30 ECTs)
PO1600 Introduction to political science
SO1110/SO1111 Introduction to sociology
EC1040/EC1041 Introduction to economic policy
Geography Modules (30ECTs)
GGSU11003 The Anthropocene
GGSU11004 Spaceship Earth: In Introduction to Earth System Science
GGU11926 Human Geography: Society and Space

7. Course Structure Senior Fresh Year
Political Science Modules (30 ECTs)
PO2110/PO2111 History of political thought
PO2140/PO2141 International relations
PO2150/PO2151 Comparative politics
Geography Modules (30ECTs)
GGU22924 Physical Geography: Changing Environments
GGU22925 Human Geography: Changing Worlds
GGU22923 Geography student seminars

8. Junior Sophister – choosing modules
At the end of Senior Fresh 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)
PO3110/PO3111 Research methods for political scientists required for political science only in SS
PO3120/PO3121 Political Violence
PO3130/PO3131 Irish politics
PO3140 Public Opinion / PO3141 Political Participation
PO3150 Political Institutions of the US
PO3151 Contemporary Issues and Controversies in US Politics
PO3170/PO3171 Democracy and Development
PO3180/PO3181 European Union politics

10. Course Structure (current) Junior Sophister Year
Geography Modules (30 ECTs)
GGU33956 History and philosophy of geography optional
GGU33928 Advanced research methods in geography 1 required for Geography only in SS year
GGU33925 Advanced research methods in geography 2 required for Geography only in the SS year
GGU33933 Geographical Information: Data & Tools (5 ECTS) (optional and restricted based on second year performance)
GGU33934 Practical Physical Geography
GGU33937 Urban Economic Structure and Re-generation
GGU33939 Exploring the Sustainable City
GGU33915 Globalisation and Geopolitics
GGU33930 Environmental Governance 1
GGU33953 Deserts of our Solar System
GGU33954 Tropical Environments
GGU34978 Periglacial Geomorphology
GG34979 Quaternary Oceans and Climate

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
GGU44966 Historical Geography 1
GGU44967 Historical Geography 2
GGU44926 Environmental Governance 2
GGU44936 Globalisation and African Development
GGU44961 Understanding Environmental Change
GGU44962 Spatial Analysis Using GPS
GGU34978 Periglacial Geomorphology
GG34979 Quaternary Oceans and Climate
GGU44969 Urban Geography: Cities, Space & Culture
GGU44971 Stormy Geomorphology

13. Political Science only (4th year)
All 15 ECTs
PO4600 Research seminar in political science required
PO4690 Issues in contemporary politics required
PO4700 Contemporary international relations
PO4710 African politics
PO4740 Topics in Political Science
PO4750 Chinese Politics
PO4760 The Politics of Policy-Making
PO4770 Political Psychology
PO4780 Autocracy and Human Rights
PO4790 Women and Politics

14. Geography only (4th year)
GGU44930 Research dissertation (20 ECTS) required
All 5 and/or 10 ECTs:
GGU44966 Historical Geography 1
GGU44967 Historical Geography 2
GGU34978 Periglacial Geomorphology
GG34979 Quaternary Oceans and Climate
GGU44926 Environmental Governance 2
GGU44936 Globalisation & African Development
GGU44961 Understanding Environmental Change
GGU44962 Spatial Analysis using GIS
GGU44969 Urban Geography: Cities, Space and Culture
GGU44971 Stormy Geomorphology
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 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?
Admin office, ground floor, Museum Building
The course handbook?
Blackboard
Geography:
Political Science:
Rules and regulations relating to this course?
College calendar

20. Join GEOGSOC! ALSO ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER! EMAIL:
ALSO ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER!

21. Go raibh maith agat Thank you