MA Contemporary European Philosophy

MA in Contemporary European Philosophy

For students interested in Contemporary European philosophy (also known as ‘continental philosophy’), University College Dublin is reckoned to be one of the top universities in the English speaking world.

This programme draws on the three main specialisations of the relevant faculty. These are:

• German Idealism 
• Phenomenology
• Critical Theory

Topics treated in the modules include transcendental and absolute idealism and subjectivity, intentionality and being in the world, embodiment and otherness, critique of ideology, autonomy and recognition, and feminism and gender theory.

Programme Content and Structure

The programme may be taken in one year (full-time) or two years (part-time). Over either time span, you must take six modules: four from the list of Core Modules and the remaining two from the rest of those on offer. Descriptions of the MA modules may be found here.

(A)  Core Modules (4)

Autumn Trimester

• PHIL41240 Newman: Philosophical Perspectives
• PHIL41280 Feminist & Gender Theory
• PHIL41810 Critique & Destruction
• PHIL41840 Invention of the Modern Self

Spring Trimester

• PHIL40250 Merleau-Ponty
• PHIL41320 Topics in Continental Philosophy
• PHIL41330 Philosophy of Time
• PHIL41880 Reading Nietzsche

(B)  Option Modules (2)

Autumn Trimester

• PHIL41280 Feminist & Gender Theory
• PHIL41510 Ethics in Public Life
• PHIL41810 Critique & Destruction
• PHIL41890 Authenticity & Attitudes

Spring Trimester

• PHIL40410 Philosophy & Literature
• PHIL40960 The Cultural Mind
• PHIL40970 Topics in Philosophy of Mind & Cognition
• PHIL41330 Philosophy of Time
• PHIL41510 Ethics in Public Life
• PHIL41660 Moral Agency
• PHIL41880 Reading Nietzsche

In addition, students must write a dissertation of 12,000–15,000 words by mid-August. It is expected that students will choose a topic from contemporary European philosophy. Students are encouraged to discuss possible topics with their lecturers as soon as possible.

For academic enquiries, please contact the Programme Director, Associate Professor Joseph Cohen.

To check your eligibility, please refer to the admissions page.

All administrative enquiries should be sent to the School Manager.