MA in Local History

Structure: Part-time two-year programme, involving taught courses and supervised research (minor thesis). New entrants September 2001 will attend Monday nights, 6.30-8.30pm over the x24 weeks of the academic year. 

Content: Courses cover the comparative methodology of local history, sources and research methods for Irish local history, and case studies. There are field trips and site visits. 
 

Unit 1	Methodology	12 weeks	Year I	semester I
Unit 2	Sources for local history in Ireland	24 weeks	Year I	semesters I & I
Unit 3	Research methods	12 weeks	Year II	semester I
Unit 4	Case studies	24 weeks	Year II	semesters I & II

Assessment: by projects and three-hour papers taken under examination conditions.  The minor thesis of about 12,000-15,000 words is due for presentation by 1 August in the second year; the thesis is assigned 50% of the marks in the final assessment. 

Admission: Applicants must normally hold at least a second class honours degree in History; however, an appropriate cognate subject, i.e., Geography, Archaeology may satisfy in place of History. Holders of a degree of at least three years’ standing at any level in any discipline (including the B.Ed. degree) can be admitted if they have a proven record of interest and achievement in the field of local history. 

Higher diploma in Local History: this is an award which may be conferred on students who satisfactorily complete the MA in Local History programme in all other respects but have not submitted a minor thesis. 

Applications for entry September 2001 should be made before the 16 March 2001, to the secretary of the Department of Modern History, NUI Maynooth. Application forms to be requested from the secretary; a cheque or postal order for £20 should accompany each application. 

Enquiries re the MA in Local History to be directed to Dr Raymond Gillsepie, <raymond.gillespie@may.ie>.