Mary Immaculate College is currently seeking applicants for its Taught Masters in Philosophy and Literature—a degree course, which is unique in Ireland.

The Departments of Philosophy, English and Theology and Religious Studies have teamed up for the interdisciplinary postgraduate programme.

The MA brings together philosophy and the study of literature and it aims to to give a sense of the connectedness between the areas; to develop a sense of critical thinking in both areas and to facilitate critical engagement with contemporary issues and problems and to introduce the techniques and strategies for study and research at postgraduate level.

The MA programme—which can be done full time or part time—consists of six taught modules and students will also complete a dissertation of 15,000 to 20,000 words on an approved topic.

They will also be required to attend a series of postgraduate research methodology seminars as part of the preparation and presentation of dissertations and to submit dissertations by the stipulated deadlines.

The modules will include 'Philosophy and the Subject: From the Modern to the Postmodern', 'The Value of Literary and Cultural Theory' and 'Language, Symbol and Symbolism'.

The entry requirement is normally a second-class honours degree, grade two, in either of the two subjects, or in a cognate area but in exceptional circumstances applications may be considered from those with an approved equivalent qualification.

Candidates may be required to attend for interview and B Ed students who have taken either topic as part of their education degree are also welcome to apply, according to course director, Chris Lawn. "We will be taking applications up until the end of August. The course is unique in Ireland at the moment in that specifically explores the overlap between the two subjects. The combination of English and philosophy on our BA courses here is very popular so we are encouraging past students as well as other interested candidates to consider the course," he added.

For more information, call 061-204576 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it