2021/2022

MA (HEALTH AND SOCIETY)

NFQ Level 9, Major Award

Last updated on 16 September 2021

Note: Every effort has been made to ensure that the programme and module content as described in the University's Calendar and Book of Modules for the 2021-22 academic year are accurate. However, due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, no guarantee is given that programme/module content, delivery and assessment may not be altered, cancelled, replaced, augmented or otherwise amended. Any changes will ensure the same competencies and Learning Outcomes are met. Programme and/or Module Coordinators will communicate any such changes to students.

The MA in Health and Society is a full-time programme running for 12 months or part-time over 24 months from the date of first registration for the programme.

Students take 90 credits as follows:

Core modules (60 credits)
EH6025 Principles and Practice of Public Health (10 credits)
PH6047 Philosophy and Health (10 credits)
SS6019 Critical Public Health (10 credits)

Students select one of the following research modules:
PH6050 Dissertation in Philosophy and Health (30 credits)
PH6059 Work-Based Dissertation in Philosophy and Health (30 credits)
EH6040 Dissertation in Public Health and Epidemiology (30 credits)

Elective Modules
Students select 30 credits from the following postgraduate and undergraduate modules (max. 10 credits for undergraduate modules are allowed):

Postgraduate Modules
AP6129 Health Psychology (5 credits)
EH6026 Applied Research for Public Health (10 credits)
LW6546 Juvenile Justice (10 credits)
LW6549 International Children's Rights (10 credits)
LW6592 Mental Capacity Law (5 credits)
PH6012 Human Rights 1 (10 credits)
PH6048 The Philosophy of Death and Dying (10 credits)
PH6052 Advanced Moral Psychology (10 credits)
PH6053 Professional Ethics: Advanced (10 credits)
PH6054 Measuring Society: Growth, Poverty, Inequality, and Human Capital (10 credits)
PH6057
Philosophy and the Biological Health Sciences (10 credits)

Undergraduate Modules
Student may select a maximum of 10 credits from the following undergraduate modules:
AP3126 Health Psychology: Models and Applications (5 credits)
EH4005
Health Services (5 credits)
PH2002 Reasoning and Argument (5 credits)
PH2019 Philosophy of Science (5 credits)
PH2028 Applied Ethics (5 credits)
PH3046 Philosophy of Biology (5 credits)
PH3047 Evidence (5 credits)
SC1011 Sociology of Health, Public Health and Health Promotion (5 credits)
SC3025 Health and Scientific Deviance (5 credits)
SS3016 Social Perspectives in Mental Health (5 credits)
SS3024 Social Movements and Health (5 credits)
SS4000 Science, Technology and Public Controversy (5 credits)

Postgraduate Certificate in Health and Society (NFQ Level 9, Minor Award)
Students who pass taught modules to the value of at least 30 credits (but less than 60 credits) may exit the programme and be conferred with a Postgraduate Certificate in Health and Society.

Postgraduate Diploma in Health and Society (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
Students who pass taught modules to the value of 60 credits may exit the programme and be conferred with a Postgraduate Diploma in Health and Society.

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2021/2022 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2021/2022.

Programme Learning Outcomes for MA in Health and Society (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

  • Identify major sociological and philosophical theories and paradigms and define key concepts and ideas in the field of health and illness;
  • Identify and discuss philosophical and psychological factors which contribute to health and well-being;
  • Describe and critically evaluate the major determinants of the health of population, including biological, behavioural, social, economic, political and environmental factors;
  • Demonstrate ability to design and conduct original research at the interface of health and society;
  • Demonstrate ability to work independently, according to internationally approved standards of research, on an extended piece of written work.
  • Engage in systematic study of primary and secondary source material, articulate a thesis based on a synthesis of the research material, and deliver a dissertation that reflects the student's mature consideration of the research topic.
  • Demonstrate critical awareness of the nature and limitations of the scientific method;
  • Critically examine public health (including health services) particularly in respect of health equity, access to health care and Public Health Ethics;
  • Demonstrate the following cognitive competencies: Knowledge, Comprehension, Application, Analysis, Synthesis, Evaluation;
  • Apply the concepts of logical validity and soundness.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Diploma in Health and Society (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

  • Identify major sociological and philosophical theories and paradigms and define key concepts and ideas in the field of health and illness;
    Identify and discuss philosophical and psychological factors which contribute to health and well-being;
  • Describe and critically evaluate the major determinants of the health of population, including biological, behavioural, social, economic, political and environmental factors;
  • Demonstrate critical awareness of the nature and limitations of the scientific method;
  • Critically examine public health (including health services) particularly in respect of health equity, access to health care and Public Health Ethics;
  • Demonstrate the following cognitive competencies: Knowledge; Comprehension; Application; Analysis; Synthesis; Evaluation;
    Apply the concepts of logical validity and soundness.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Certificate in Health and Society (NFQ Level 9, Minor Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

  • Demonstrate some familiarity with major sociological and philosophical theories and paradigms and define key concepts and ideas in the field of health and illness;
  • Recognize the major determinants of the health of population, including biological, behavioural, social, economic, political and environmental factors;
  • Interact and communicate with other students in an inter-disciplinary setting;
  • Write short critical essays to a professional standard;
  • Demonstrate critical awareness of the nature and limitations of the scientific method;
  • Critically examine public health (including health services) particularly in respect of health equity, access to health care and Public Health Ethics.

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