The Sociology degree is organised around three major strands, or different kinds of courses:
- Concepts and Theories: Courses introduce you to the most important concepts used by sociologists and to the main sociological theories.
- The Substance of Society: Courses examine major areas of sociological analysis and use sociology to explore the key features of historical and contemporary societies.
- Research Methods and Design: Courses introduce you to the logics of social research and the different methods used by sociologists to analyse the social worlds around them.
Each year of the Sociology degree emphasizes a crucial aspect of learning and doing Sociology:
- Year One theme: 'Critical Thinking and the Sociological Imagination'. Our goal for first year is to develop critical thinking by introducing you to key concepts and contributions in Sociology- both in Ireland and internationally.
- Year Two theme: 'Fundamentals of Sociology'. Our goal for second year is to provide students with the crucial elements of the ‘sociological toolbox’ including theories and methods.
- Year Three Theme: 'Doing Contemporary Sociology'. Our goal for third year is to continue developing your sociological imagination and skills, and to put them into practice through original social research in a thesis.
You may study Sociology through BA Arts or BSc in Social Science.
Wondering what sociology is all about? We have put together some information in our about us pages and we have a list of staff books available so you can see the issues we research and write about.
Well known sociologists? - Rev. Martin Luther King, Robin Williams, Michelle Obama and our own President Michael D. Higgins. For foundational and contemporary sociologists you might be reading during the course see here.
A key distinguishing feature of Politics at Maynooth is our focus on active citizenship. This includes, but goes beyond, the traditional study of parties and elections to include a much broader variety of aspects of politics (including public opinion, community activism, the media, NGOs, new social movements, trade unions etc.) and exploring the tensions between formal democracy, political power and social inequality. It also means providing opportunities for students to be active participants in their own learning on and off campus.
There are three interweaving strands:
- Political Sociology: Power, organisation and decision-making are central parts of the informal politics that underpins much of the everyday world. People have communities have very unequal access to power. We study how people contest power in society; from trade unions and business to residents’ associations and social movements.
- Formal politics: The study of formal political institutions is a core part of any politics course. The degree introduces the theory and practice of how institutions such as elections, political parties, governments or the European Union work
- International relations: We live in an increasingly globalised world characterised by increasing volatility, we study the theory of international relations, ethic conflict, war, development and regional specialisms including the Balkans and Latin America
We work to enhance the following core skills and values:
- Active citizenship: The degree introduces students to the theory and practice of active citizenship, encourages students to actively shape their own world and supports this various trips or events, a structured external experiential learning opportunities in all types of political organisations and a focus on teamwork and communication skills
- Political theory: The attempt to understand how the political world works and the debate over how it should work, raising questions of freedom, justice, how we should live and who should decide.
- Research methods: The core tools for researching politics, including survey or fieldwork research methods and a final-year dissertation, organised around an original, independent piece of political research.
You can also study politics through BA Arts or apply directly to the BA Politics (MH 112).
The International Coordinator for Academic Year 2019-2020 is Dr. Barry Cannon.
The following modules are not available to International Students in 2019-2020:
SO201 Classical Social Theory
SO202 Introduction to Social Research
SO203 Structures of Inequality
SO204 Survey Research Methods
SO205 Fieldwork Methods
SO208 Media & Society
SO240 Media, Culture and the Construction of Crime (Criminology Module Law Students)
SO301 Contemporary Social Theory
SO303A Special Topic Research Project
SO345 Crime & Society
SO348 Sociology of Law and Social Control (Criminology Module Law Students)
SO349 Organisational and Occupational Crime (Criminology Module Law Students)
PO202 Active Citizenship Placement
PO223 Introduction to Research Methods
PO224 Research Methods for Criminology (Criminology Module Law Students)
PO303A Special Topic Research Project
Examinations
International students here for the full academic year follow exactly the assessment and examination procedure applicable to all Maynooth University students. International students here for Semester 1 only should contact their module lecturers for details of assessment requirements.
The purpose of the tutorial programme is to enable you to develop the skills needed to be a successful undergraduate sociology student. The First Year Sociology coordinator for 2019-2020 is Dr. Mary Benson.
Specifically, the small tutorial groups, led by experienced tutors, create an active learning environment to better understand the type of reading and writing that are involved in becoming a competent user of the language of sociology. Critical reading skills go beyond memorizing the textbook and involve a selective reading of a wide variety of texts. Critical writing skills involve using evidence effectively, arguing successfully against other positions and placing your own original arguments in the context of what other people have already said on the subject at hand.
The tutorial program in first year consists of 16 workshop sessions for the year (8 each semester), delivered in small-group settings of about 20 students in each group. Each of these sessions is meant to give you a combination of skills delivery and a workshop element relating to your first year course assessments for SO151 Contemporary Irish Society and SO152 Sociological Imagination.
In each session you will be presented with the chance to identify and start developing a specific skill in relation to an assignment (essay/exam) that you are working on for these courses. As such tutorials are a key component in both of these first year courses.
The tutorial sessions are NOT meant to be time for tutors to teach you the content of these two lecture courses. Instead, tutors will use examples from the content of the course to demonstrate certain sets of skills to you. As always, if you have content questions about the course, feel free to contact the first year lecturer directly.
In the end, attending tutorials, completing the assigned reading, participating and completing the assignments on time will give you the chance to improve your results.
Each year third year students undertake a thesis project. It is a major piece of work and they meet weekly under the supervision of a member of staff.
With the permission of staff and students we also like to share some examples of the diversity and quality of student projects. Below are a selection of some of the undergraduate theses.
Special Topics from 2019-20
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| Title |
Student and Supervisor |
Thesis |
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What Shapes the attitude of young women living in Ireland today on the topic of Obesity? |
By Amy Ruane. Supervised by Dr. Patrick Gallagher |
Amy Ruane Thesis
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An Exploratory Study of Women’s Experiences of Breastfeeding.
Can social and cultural understandings of gender be considered as a contributing factor for low exclusive breastfeeding rates in Ireland?
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By Gillian McGinley. Supervised by Dr. Pauline Cullen |
Gillian McGinley Thesis
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Controlling and Containing Drug Users: How Societal Perspectives Serve in Maintaining the Biopolitical Nature of the Dominant Irish Harm Reduction Modality, Methadone Maintenance Treatment
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By Andrea Eakin. Supervised by Dr. Richard Healy |
Andrea Eakin Thesis
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Place Exploration:
How is Brú na Bóinne, Co. Meath represented, visualised and understood?
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By Paul Cahill. Supervised by Dr. Mary Benson |
Paul Cahill Thesis
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Understanding 21st Century Motherhood: Irish Mothers' Perceptions of their Maternal Bodies in the Context of Celebrity Culture
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By Nadja Winter. Supervised by Dr. Paul Ryan |
Nadja Winter Thesis
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Special Topics from 2018-19
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| Title |
Student and Supervisor |
Thesis |
| How is The Dublin Story Slam Storytelling Viewed and Understood by Both the Storyteller and the Audience? |
By Laoise Brophy. Supervised by Dr. Mary Benson |
Laoise Brophy Thesis
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Special Topics from 2017-18
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| Title |
Student and Supervisor |
Thesis |
| Building Beauty: Exploring male body-building as a beauty practice in neoliberalism and the impact of social media |
by Jack Stockwell. Supervised by Dr. Rebecca King-O'Riain |
Jack Stockwell Thesis
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| To What Extent do Bourdieu's Theories Help us to Understand How Physical Activity Participation in Children is Influenced by Wider Social Structures? |
by Ciara Larney. Supervised by Dr. Delma Byrne |
Ciara Larney Thesis
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| The Performance of Men and Masculinity on Facebook |
by Cormac Stafford. Supervised by Dr. Aphra Kerr |
Cormac Stafford Thesis
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Special Topics from 2016-2017
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| Traveller outcomes in education: A Traveller perspective |
by Kathleen Lawrence. Supervised by Dr. Michelle Maher |
Kathleen Lawrence Thesis
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| How the Liberty Market is experienced, understood, and visualised |
by Eimear Dolan. Supervised by Dr. Mary Benson |
Eimear Dolan Thesis
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| Has the emergence of technology affected family life in terms of socialisation, isolation and communication? If so, how? |
by Lisa McPhillips. Supervised by Dr. Patricia Healy Kettle |
Lisa McPhillips Thesis
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| An analysis into how the sporting culture has affected the health and well-being of athletes with particular focus placed on concussions sustained through rugby |
by Brenda Melia. Supervised by Dr. Peter Murray |
Brenda Melia Thesis
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| An exploratory account of how young women negotiate agency and value within the service industry in Ireland |
by Heather Smith Keogh. Supervised by Dr. Pauline Cullen |
Heather Lara Smith Keogh Thesis
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| An exploration of Irish women's attitudes towards and experiences of the changing role of Catholicism within weddings and the social institution of marriage |
by Leah McMahon. Supervised by Dr. Brian Conway |
Leah McMahon Thesis
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Special Topics from 2015-2016
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| Title |
Student & Supervisor |
Thesis |
| An exploration of how supporting the Republic of Ireland soccer team contributes to the construction of a Nationalist identity in Northern Ireland |
by Patrick Clarke. Supervised by Dr. Peter Murray |
Patrick Clarke Thesis
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To what extent does family structure impact on a person’s quality of life?
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by Sean McCarthy. Supervised by Dr. Delma Byrne |
Sean McCarthy Thesis
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| Remembrance, Violence and War: An Exploration into Public Attitudes Toward the Poppy in Contemporary Ireland |
by Reema Hassan. Supervised by Dr. Niall Gilmartin |
Reema Hassan Thesis
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| Nice Day for a White Wedding? Within 21st Century Ireland, is the notion of the 'modern traditional wedding' still desirable? |
by Danielle O'Connell joint winner of the Justine Horgan Memorial Award. Supervised by Dr. Pauline Cullen |
Danielle O'Connell Thesis
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| What is the role of social media in a general election campaign? A case study of the 2016 Irish General Election |
by Hannah Byrne O'Morain. Supervised by Dr. Barry Cannon |
Hannah Byrne O'Morain Thesis
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| 'Queering Irish Nationalism' How the Irish Marriage Equality Referendum 2015 marked a reshaping of Irish national identity |
by Deirdre Campbell. Supervised by Dr. Niall Gilmartin |
Deirdre Campbell Thesis
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Special Topics from 2014-15
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| Title |
Student & Supervisor |
Thesis |
An exploration of the meaning of family and how family is displayed, renegotiated, and reinterpreted in the face of family structural change
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by Sandra Dunne. Supervised by Dr. Jane Gray |
Sandra Dunne Thesis
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The Employment of Play
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by Mark McManus. Supervised by Dr. Aphra Kerr
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Mark McManus thesis
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Put that phone away! An exploration of the selfie practices of Irish women and their negotiation of selfie culture.
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by Bernice Mc Laughlin. Supervised by Dr. Paul Ryan |
Bernice Mc Laughlin Thesis
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| An analysis of the effects that participation in social partnership has had on trade unions density levels in Ireland. |
by Paraic Breheny. Supervised by Dr. Peter Murray |
Paraic Breheny Thesis
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“I’ll have a P Please Bob! What P is a statement or proposition which, despite sound (or apparently sound) reasoning from acceptable premises, leads to a conclusion that seems logically unacceptable or self-contradictory?”
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by David Boyle. Supervised by Dr. Colin Coulter |
David Boyle Thesis
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| Flying South: The Creation of a Spoken Word Space for Re(claiming) Mental Health Narratives |
by Trudie Gorman winner of the Justine Horgan Memorial Award. Supervised by Dr. Mary Benson |
Trudie Gorman Thesis
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| How, and in what way, do dating apps gamify identity construction? The Case of Tinder & Grindr |
by Daniel Sheridan. Supervised by Dr. Aphra Kerr
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Daniel Sheridan Thesis
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Special Topics from 2013-14
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| Title |
Student & Supervisor |
Thesis
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| Discourses Around Video Games within Newsprint Media in the USA and Ireland Between 2001 to 2014 |
by Edward Sugden joint winner of the Justine Horgan Memorial Award. Supervised by Dr. Aphra Kerr |
Sugden UG Thesis 2014
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| "Do former students of CSPE have a higher level of active and participatory citizenship than individuals who did not take CSPE?" |
by Michael Naughton joint winner of the Justine Horgan Memorial Award. Supervised by Dr. Barry Cannon |
Naughton UG Thesis 2014
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| "From Hardhats to Nappy Sacks: A Sociological Exploration of The Lives of Irelands Celtic Tiger Construction Workers Who Have Become Stay at Home Dads" |
by Danny Fitzpatrick. Supervised by Dr. Peter Murray |
Fitzpatrick UG Thesis 2014
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| A Sociological Exploration of the Experiences of Temporary Agency Workers |
by Charissa Feeney. Supervised by Dr. Peter Murray |
Feeney UG Thesis 2014
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Special Topics from 2012-13
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Title
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Student & Supervisor
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Thesis
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| "How Do Online Social Networking Sites Affect the Shaping of the Social Self in Late Modernity? The Case of Facebook" |
by Derek Egan. Supervised by Prof. Mary Corcoran |
Derek Egan thesis
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| "An exploration of the impact participation in elite soccer has on the education of 12 to 15 year old boys" |
by James L'Estrange. Supervised by Dr. Peter Murray |
James L'Estrange thesis
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| "Doing it for the Boys: An Account of Young Women's Experiences of their Body Image and Sexuality" |
by Sarah Kennedy. Supervised by Dr. Theresa O'Keefe. |
Sarah Kennedy
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| "Does Advertising Influence Children's Consumption of Toys and Video Games in Ireland?" |
by Sinead Carroll. Supervised by Dr. Aphra Kerr |
Sinead Carroll thesis
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Special Topics from 2011-12
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Title
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Student & Supervisor
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Thesis
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| "A Cosmopolitan Perspective on Immigration: the case of Europe and the Maghreb" |
by Hassan Ould Moctar. Supervised by Bora Isyar. |
Cosmopolitan Perspectives on Emigration
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| "Headphone Culture, Music, Identity and Public Space" |
by David Long. Supervised by Dr. Mary Benson. |
David Long thesis
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| "Soundscapes of Youth" |
by Seán Williams. Supervised by Linda O'Keefe. |
Sean Williams thesis
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| "How Technology Has Changed Music Consumption Practices" |
by Aideen Ryan. Supervised by Prof. Mary Corcoran |
Aideen Ryan
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| "Social Networking Sites as a Medium of Expression for Sexual Identity Construction" |
by Stacey Devanney. Supervised by Dr. Rebecca King O'Riain |
Stacey Devanney thesis
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| "Dealing with it": exploring the college experience of mature students in relation to mental health and disability" |
by Patrick Gallagher. Supervised by Dr. Delma Byrne |
Patrick Gallagher
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| "The Impact of New Media Technologies on Social Interaction in the Household" |
by Siobhan McGrath. Supervised by Prof. Mary Corcoran |
Siobhan McGrath
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Undergraduate Achievements 2014
Inaugural year: The Justine Horgan memorial prize for best final year thesis project
Dr Justine Horgan, senior researcher in the National Advisory Committee on Drugs and Alcohol (NACDA), died in August 2013. Justine was a Health Research Board staff member seconded to the Department of Health and worked as prevalence expert at the Irish National Focal Point to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). Justine completed her undergraduate education at NUIM in the 1990s and embarked on doctoral studies jointly between NUIM and the University of Groningen. She defended her doctorate at University of Groningen where she worked for a while before returning to Ireland in 2006. With the permission of Justine’s husband, Dr. Peter Muhlau, we have inaugurated a new prize for the best final year project submitted as part of the degree requirements in the Department of Sociology.
The recommendation of the externs is that the prize be jointly shared by Michael Naughton and Edward Sugden.
- Michael Naughton: Do former students of CSPE have a higher level of active and participatory citizenship that individuals who do not take CSPE? Naughton UG Thesis 2014
- Edward Sugden: Discourses around video games within newsprint media in the USA and Ireland between 2001 and 2014.
Sudgen UG Thesis 2014
Undergraduate Achievements 2013
Raymond Payne, a third year student in Sociology and Politics, received a 'Bram Stoker' medal in Nov. 2013 for the best overall student on the island of Ireland in the Media and Arts category of the Undergraduate Awards 2013.
Raymond won the award for his second year Media and Society essay for Dr. Aphra Kerr in the Department of Sociology titled ‘From an Agora to a Trojan Horse: Potentials of a Public Sphere from the Traditional to the Virtual and Back Again.’ His work was chosen as the standout entry in its category, from 32 institutions on the island of Ireland.
His essay was one of almost 4,000 pieces of coursework submitted to The Undergraduate Awards from 182 third-level institutions internationally in 22 disciplines. Founded in Dublin in 2008, the Undergraduate Awards is a pan-discipline international awards programme. Winning and highly commended students came from Harvard, Princeton, the University of Hong Kong and Maynooth University in 2014. See
Sociology R. Payne UG awards essay
.
Staff in the Department organise a range of fieldtrips at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
Below are some images from a fieldtrip taken by students of the Northern Irish Society module, a second year option, taught currently by Dr. Colin Coulter.
Left: Student group at Stormont, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
The Department has a number of relationships with Universities abroad - some for exchanges and some for summer schools.
1. Duisburg Essen, Germany
Maynooth University undergraduates can take advantage of an opportunity to study with students from German, US and Turkish universities in courses taght by top international scholars in the heart of Europe this summer. Learn more here about the Summer School in Global and Transnational Sociology at Duisburg University-Essen. There is a charge involved. Please contact Prof. Seán Ó Riain at sean.oriain@mu.ie with any questions.
Summer School Duisburg Essen presentation
Summer School Duisburg FAQs
2. Erasmus agreements, Europe
The list of universities that Maynooth students can visit is revised regularly. Note: You can search by a range of subjects.
Please check here to see the current Sociology list -
Please check here to see the current Politics list
Students can study abroad as part of their degree after successfully completing two years of their BA degree at Maynooth University and they must spend a full academic year at their chosen host university. After the year abroad you return to Maynooth to progress into your final year.
3. Other international locations.
Not just Europe. See the list of international locations around the world.
