MA Philosophy of Mind and Embodied Cognition

MA in Philosophy of Mind and Embodied Cognition

This unique Masters course examines the intersection of philosophy, phenomenology and the cognitive sciences to explore the profound relationship between mind, body and world. By examining the role of the body in shaping perception, emotions and attention, students gain a deeper understanding of the mind and its place in the natural world. The programme offers small-group seminars with the opportunity to engage in philosophical debates to enhance critical thinking and presentation skills.

The MA in Philosophy of Mind and Embodied Cognition (formerly: MA in Consciousness and Embodiment) draws upon the research interests of a stellar faculty of philosophers, psychologists and cognitive scientists at UCD. It brings together expertise from the phenomenological and analytic traditions in philosophy alongside empirical approaches to the study of the mind and brain to offer a unique taught Masters course on this much-discussed and important topic.

Programme Content and Structure

The programme is available over 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time. At the heart of the programme are six taught modules (up to a total of 60 credits), which may be selected as follows.

(A)  One core module, compulsory for all students on the programme, in the Spring trimester:

• PHIL40970 Topics in Philosophy of Mind and Cognition

(B)  Students should select a total of 50 additional credits from the following, which may optionally include up to three modules from the Cognitive Science options below:

Autumn Trimester

• PHIL41280 Feminist and Gender Theory 
• PHIL41530 Reading and Research*
• PHIL41810 Critique, Destruction & Deconstruction
• PHIL41840 Invention of the Modern Self
• PHIL41890 Authenticity and Attitudes

Spring Trimester

• PHIL40250 Merleau-Ponty’s Phenomenology of Perception 
• PHIL40410 Philosophy & Literature
• PHIL40420 The Good Society
• PHIL40960 The Cultural Mind 
• PHIL41320 Topics in Continental Philosophy
• PHIL41330 Philosophy of Time
• PHIL41530 Reading and Research*
• PHIL41660 Moral Agency
• PHIL41880 Reading Nietzsche

(opens in a new window)(C)  Up to three of the following modules from UCD’s interdisciplinary (opens in a new window)Cognitive Science Programme:

Autumn Trimester

• COMP40250 Introduction to Cognitive Psychology**
• COMP47230 Introduction to Cognitive Science**
• COMP47740 Interdisciplinary Challenges**
• PSY40820 Fundamentals of Cognitive Neuropsychology
• PSY40910 Embodied and Social Cognitive Neuroscience

Spring Trimester

• COMP40260 Connectionism and Dynamical Systems**
• COMP40280 Embodied and Enactive Approaches to Cognitive Science**

*May be taken on its own in conjunction with one of our undergraduate modules in Philosophy by agreement with the Module Coordinator.

**7.5-credit modules should be taken in conjunction with one (or both) of the Guided Reading modules, PHIL40980 and PHIL40990, to make up the required number of credits.

In addition, all students must complete a 12,000 to 15,000-word dissertation by mid-August. Descriptions of the philosophy modules may be found here.

For further information, please contact the programme co-ordinator, Assistant Professor Keith Wilson.

For information about eligibility, please see the postgraduate admissions page.

All administrative enquiries should be sent to the School Manager.