PhD in Sociology

PhD (Sociology + Philosophy) is a structured and credit-based (ECTS) programme aimed at graduates of sociology, social policy, applied social studies, government, politics, anthropology and cognate disciplines who wish to pursue research in an area to a highly specialised level. The aim of the programme is to produce highly skilled social researchers who can contribute to the development of society and the public sphere either as autonomous social research professionals, or as cutting edge academic social theorists, or as critically informed leaders in civil society, statutory or market organisations.

This programme integrates the traditional Diplomas, Masters and Doctoral degrees. Candidates can choose from 3 thematic streams:

-          Globalisation

-          Health, Civilisation, Nature

-          Knowledge, Understand, Action

Many generic research skills training are provided by the School of Sociology and Philosophy and by the Graduate Studies office which are free to research PhD students upon admission. In addition there are specialist disciplinary training and research classes within the department that are tailored to the expertise of staff and specific interests of students.

 The PhD research candidates will also be encouraged to attend the UCC Spring School in Theory and Philosophy for the Arts, Humanitites and Social Sciences offered by the School of Philosophy and Sociology (see www.tapss.ie) ; as well as a Summer School in Political Anthropology in Florence, Italy organised by the International Political Anthropology Association (see www.ipa3.com ).

A number of symposia are also held on topics such as

-     Bioethics & Film

-     Global Warming: East-West Approaches

-     The Extraordinary in Politics

-     Feminist Epistemologies

-     Rediscovering Aesthetics

A candidate must have obtained a standard of at least Second Class Honours, Grade I, in an approved primary or Masters degree to gain entry to the programme.

Please look at the staff profiles of the School of Sociology and Philosophy and requests for suitability of supervision can be discussed directly with staff members or discussed more generally by contacting Dr. Niamh Hourigan, co-ordinator for graduate studies at the School.