Law & Government

The School of Law and Government is committed to excellence in teaching and research. Members of the School teach on a wide range of undergraduate and taught postgraduate programmes. The School's research interests are concentrated in two main areas: law and society; and governance and international studies.

The School of Law and Government introduced two new undergraduate programmes in October 2004: a BA in Economics, Politics and Law (joint with DCU Business School) and a BA in International Relations. The BA in Economics, Politics and Law aims to provide students with an understanding of the political, legal and economic institutions that shape the current global environment. The BA in International Relations will provide students with an understanding of the forces shaping international relations from an interdisciplinary perspective. Students on both programmes will develop transferable skills, including oral and written communication, critical thinking and analysis, teamwork, and research techniques, and will find positions in a wide range of areas including: public or private organisations and agencies concerned with politics and conflict, the public service, private industry, international and European institutions, journalism, policy evaluation, research and teaching.

In September 2009, a third undergraduate degree will begin in the School of Law and Government: the BCL (Law and Society). The BCL (Law and Society) is a law degree which aims to provide students with both an understanding of the law and, importantly, an appreciation of the range of social forces which influence how legal rules are developed, enacted and applied. Students who study for this degree will learn to understand the law, and also to question or critique the law in its wider social context. There is a strong focus in the BCL (Law and Society) on the interaction between society and the law which distinguishes this from other traditional law degrees. It is an exciting, innovative degree which will provide students with a strong academic foundation as well as an array of related applied skills. Graduates of this course will be equipped for a variety of occupations both within and outside the legal profession.

The school has responsibility for the following taught MA programmes: MA in International Relations, MA in Globalisation, and MA in Security and Conflict Studies. In addition, the school has introduced two new MA programmes this year: MA in International Organisations, and MA in Development. These programmes are all offered on a one-year, full-time basis. The MA in International Relations is also offered on a two-year, part-time basis on Friday afternoons.

These programmes aim to provide students with the skills and abilities to understand the forces shaping today's world and the challenges that these pose to both the international community and individual states. Our students come not only from Ireland, but from all corners of the globe. Many come directly from undergraduate studies. Others, having worked for some years already in the field, choose our programme to help further their professional development. Prospective students for these programmes should contact Dr Maura Conway, the Course Director for the School’s Graduate Programme in International Governance.

The School also has a vibrant research community and hosts the Centre for International Studies. The School also offers three postgraduate research programmes: MA by Research, LLM by Research and PhD. More information on these programmes can be obtained from the School's postgraduate research page. Further information on postgraduate research programmes can be obtained from the Head of School, Dr. John Doyle.

Dr. John Doyle