Department of Government
University College Cork
Handbook for Visiting Students
Containing details of all modules offered by the Department of Government
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MODULE PACK TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Welcome
3
Department of Government
4
UCC Term Dates & Teaching Periods
7
Timetable Information
7
Module Offerings
8
The Certificate in Irish Politics
12
Course Work and Assignments
14
Support Services
15
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Welcome to the Department of Government
Welcome to University College Cork and to the Department of Government.
The Department of Government provides an energetic and supportive learning
environment for visiting students interested in political science.
The Department is known for its student-friendly approach to education, active research
record and national profile in Ireland. Its teaching programme includes modules on Irish
politics, political corruption, citizenship and political economy. Other subjects popular
with visiting students are international political systems, human rights and the politics of
the European Union. A full list is set out in this handbook.
The Department has an expanding research and publishing agenda. Staff members
regularly publish in international journals. They have produced a number of books and
are involved in EU and other externally funded research programmes.
The Department of Government aims at enhancing the overall educational and cultural
experience of visiting students with modules are designed to maximize contact with Irish
students majoring in politics and/or business.
Visiting Students are welcome to join the Government and Politics Society, which is the
Department’s student society. It organises events throughout the year, including
debates, guest speakers and the annual Government and Politics Society Ball, which is
held during the spring semester.
Again, welcome to the Department of Government. We hope you enjoy your stay in
UCC.
Dr Andrew Cottey
Head of Department
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DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT CONTACT DETAILS
Address:
Department of Government,
Floor Two, Block B,
O’Rahilly Building (ORB),
University College Cork,
Cork.
Phone:
+ 353 21 4902770
Fax:
+ 353 21 4903135
Web Address:
http://www.ucc.ie/en/government/
Head of Department:
Dr Andrew Cottey
Administration Staff
Senior Executive Assistant:
Ms Niamh Kiely
Phone:
Email:
+353 21 4902770
n.kiely@ucc.ie
Executive Assistant:
Ms Stefanie Wojtek
Phone:
Email:
+353 21 4902009
s.wojtek@ucc.ie
Executive Assistant
Ms Dawn French
Phone:
Email:
+353 21 4902325
d.french@ucc.ie
Work Placement Officer:
Ms Dearbhaill O’Callaghan
2, Brighton Villas, Western Road.
Phone:
+353 21 4205161
Email:
dearbhail.ocallaghan@ucc.ie
If you would like to arrange an internship while in studying in the Department of
Government, please speak to Dearbhail O’Callaghan.
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ACADEMIC STAFF
Head of Department and Senior Lecturer
Dr. Andrew Cottey.
Dr. Cottey’s research and teaching interests are in the following areas: international
relations and global governance; foreign, security and defence policy; European security,
including NATO; the EU’s foreign, security and defence policy; central and eastern
Europe; conflict prevention and management; problems of international military
intervention; civil-military relations and democracy.
Email: a.cottey@ucc.ie
Phone: 021-4902087 Office: ORB2.49
College Lecturers
Ms. Fiona Buckley
Research and teaching interests: Experiential and reflective learning in political science;
political participation; electoral behaviour; electoral systems; Irish politics; gender
politics; public policy; careers advice.
Email: F.Buckley@ucc.ie
Phone: 021-4903237 Office: ORB2.45
Dr. Laurence Davis
Dr. Davis specialises in political theory and ideologies, with a particular expertise in radical
political thought. He is also responsible for the department's teaching in the area of U.S. politics.
Email: l.davis@ucc.ie
Phone: 021-4903238
Office: ORB 2.53
Dr. Clodagh Harris
Dr. Harris’ research and teaching interests include the politics of Northern Ireland,
political participation, civic engagement, democracy and the politics of the European
Union.
Email: clodagh.harris@ucc.ie
Phone: 021-4903472
Office: ORB2.46
Dr. Mary C. Murphy
Dr. Murphy’s research interests lie in the area of Northern Ireland politics; the European
Union; multi-level governance; Europeanisation and parliamentary reform.
Email: maryc.murphy@ucc.ie
Phone: 021-4902981
Office: ORB2.51
Dr. Aodh Quinlivan
Dr. Quinlivan specialises in local government studies and in reform of the public sector.
He has written books about Philip Monahan (Ireland’s first local authority manager), the
local elections and public sector innovation.
Email: a.quinlivan@ucc.ie
Phone: 021-4903368
Office: ORB2.54
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Dr. Theresa Reidy
Dr. Theresa Reidy teaches Irish politics, political economy and public finance. Her
research interests are in political institutions and voting behaviour. Dr. Reidy has been
involved in a number of research projects on elections in Ireland and she has received
research and teaching funding from the Department of Education, Irish Aid, the National
Academy for the Integration of Research and Teaching and Learning (NAIRTL) and the
European Commission.
Email: t.reidy@ucc.ie
Phone: 021-4903028
Office: ORB2.52
Dr. Emmanuelle Schön-Quinlivan
Dr. Schön-Quinlivan has recently completed her doctoral research on the institutional
impact of the administrative reforms launched by Kinnock in the European Commission.
Her research interests include organisational and institutional change, European
institutions, public management and public administration, French politics and
comparative European politics.
Email: e.schon@ucc.ie
Phone: 021-4205154
Office: ORB2.04
Dr. Liam Weeks – Lecturer. Research interests are in Irish politics and electoral
behaviour and political campaigning.
Email: l.weeks@ucc.ie
Phone 021-4903899
Office:ORB210 (Block A)
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2014/2015 TERM DATES
UNIVERSITY Semester 2
Monday 12 January –to- Thursday 2 April 2015
Duration of Teaching Period: 12 weeks
Easter Recess for two weeks
Friday 3rd April 2015 (College Closed) to Friday 13th April, 2015
Study Week: Monday 20th April –to- Friday 24th April, 2015
SUMMER EXAMINATIONS SESSION
Monday 27 April, 2015 –to- Friday 15th May, 2015
TIMETABLE 2014/15
Timetables can be accessed on the Internet. Please go to:
http://timetable.ucc.ie/
Click on ‘2014/2015 timetables’
Click on ‘Department Timetables’
In
1. Select Department:
Choose “GOVERNMENT”
In
2. Select Timeframe:
Choose “8am – 6pm”
In
3. Select Days:
Choose “All Weekdays (Mon – Fri)”
In
4. Select Teaching Period
Choose week of your choice
(Important: check teaching periods one and two as venues and times may change from one
term to another)
Class Locations
AL – Aras na Laoi
ELD – Elderwood
BHSC – Brookfield Health Sciences Complex
Elect – Electrical Engineering
BL – Bloomfield Terrace
FSB – Food Science Building
BV – Brighton Villas
GG – Geology/Geography Building
CARR – Carrigside
Kane – Science Building
CE – Civil Engineering Building
LL – Boole Lecture Theatre
Conn – Old Pres
ORB – O’Rahilly Building
CPB – Cavanagh Pharmacy Building
WW – West Wing
A map with these locations can be found at http://www.ucc.ie/en/visitors/maps/
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Modules for Visiting Students
Courses run in both the Autumn and Spring Semesters unless otherwise stated
(UCC full academic year credit weightings in brackets but all can be taken on a one semester
basis)
*************GV3103 Introduction to Politics of Ireland (5 credits)************
This module is open to Visiting Students only and introduces students to major features of Irish
politics, from its historical bases to its current operation. We will study the foundations of Irish
politics from independence, and its residual effects, before looking at the structure of Irish
society and the theory and practice of politics and government in the Republic of Ireland and
Northern Ireland. This module will provide students with a framework for understanding
contemporary political events.
GV1102 Introduction to Government and Politics (5 credits)
This module exams theories, principles, dynamics, processes and institutions which shape contemporary politics
including a specific focus on the Irish and European Union (EU) political systems
GV1202: Politics of the European Union (5 credits)
This module examines the theories and practice of politics and government in the European
Union.
GV1204 Democracy, Ideology and Utopia (5 credits)
This module introduces students to the role of ideas in politics by surveying some of the most significant forms
of political thinking that underpin and inform political life.
GV1207 Politics and Government of Ireland (5 credits)
On successful completion of this module, students will have an understanding of the theory and
practice of politics and government in the Republic of Ireland.. This module will also provide
students with a framework for understanding contemporary political events.
GV2005 Perspectives on French Politics (5 credits)
The module will focus on varying themes of importance in French politics.
GV2223: Global Politics (5 credits)
This module introduces students to the study of global politics. It examines concepts and
theories in international relations. It deals with contemporary global issues, American power,
the rise of China, terrorism and regional integration.
GV2225: International Relations of Asia (5 credits)
This module provides a critical analysis of Asia’s regional, sub-regional powers as well as
its trans-regional linkages and regional dynamics.
GV2229 Citizen Participation (5 credits)
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An examination of political mobilisation and public participation in the democratic process. This will involve an
assessment of theories and methods of political participation, facilitation and mobilisation. In particular it will
examine democratic innovations to enhance citizen engagement and participation in developing countries
GV2231 Public Management in Practice (5 credits)
Case study analysis of public managment in practice.
GV2233 Qualitative Methods for Political Science (5 credits)
To develop an understanding of the qualitative research techniques which are employed in the study of politics
as well as the theoretical principles which underpin these techniques.
GV2235 Policy making in the European Union (5 credits)
Introduce students to policies and policy processes of the European Union.
GV2237 International Politics 2: Contemporary Debates (5 credits)
Key contemporary debates in international politics: war, peace and global security; the global economy and
globalization; and justice and human rights in international politics.
GV3206: Northern Ireland Politics (5 credits)
This module provides an overview of the actors involved in the Northern Ireland conflict.
The conflict is assessed in detail, with a concentration on its causes and effects. The
constitutional and institutional structures established under the Good Friday Agreement
are critically evaluated. Finally post-Agreement Northern Ireland is studied.
GV3216 Contemporary Ecological and Anti-Capitalist Politics (5 credits)
A notable feature of the contemporary political landscape is the remarkable resurgence of ecological and anticapitalist mobilisations across the globe. This module provides students with a structured overview of
contemporary ecological and anti-capitalist politics.
GV3217 Political Economy 2 (5 credits)
This module will explore contemporary issues of finance and security using a political economy framework. It
will consider globization and its consequences for the operation of the international economy in the twenty first
century.
GV3218 Asia in Comparative Perspective (5 credits)
To develop an understanding of Asian Politics within a global context, theoretically and empirically.
GV4000 The Politics of Public Health Management (5 credits)
Theories and practice of Public Management in the context of public health.
GV4309 The European Union: Issues and Policies (5 credits)
An examination of key EU policies as well as contemporary issues in the EU including the Common Agricultural
Policy, Environmental Policy, Security and Defence policies, the Democratic Deficit and Euroscepticism.
GV4402 Global Governance 2 (5 credits)
The institutions of global governance and contemporary policy debates relating to: nuclear non-proliferation;
global economic governance; climate change; and global human rights.
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GV4410 Democracy: Theories and Innovations (5 credits)
Students will examine contemporary 'democratic malaise' and discuss competing definitions and theories of
democracy. They will then be introduced to the various models of democracy examining them normatively,
empirically and in praxis. This will include an examination of democratic innovations that have emerged in
recent decades both nationally and internationally to widen and deepen citizens' participation in political
decision making.
GV4413 Public Finance 2 (5 credits)
On successful completion of this module, students will have an understanding of the theory and practice of
public finance.
Internship in the Department of Government (5 credits)
The Department of Government offers an internship to visiting students. The internship is based
on 40-hour work in return for five UCC credits. An intern in the Department of Government will
have the opportunity of contributing to the research activities of the Department in a way that
enhances his/her own individual educational programme. Applicants should ideally have a
background in one or more aspects of politics, policy, public administration, public affairs or
related disciplines. This internship should be of particular interest to any student with an
interest in the social sciences, business and humanities. For more information please speak to a
member of staff of the Department of Government.
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UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK, IRELAND
Department of Government
CERTIFICATE IN IRISH POLITICS
NFQ Level 7, Special Purpose Award
The Certificate in Irish Politics is offered to Visiting Students only (i.e., JYA students, Visiting
Erasmus students). It runs in Teaching Period 2 of each year (January-April with end of year
exams taking place in May).
Interested in learning about Irish politics?
The Certificate in Irish Politics is especially designed for Visiting Students at University College
Cork (UCC) during the Spring Semester. It provides a comprehensive introduction to the issues
dominating political debates on the island of Ireland. It examines the unique political systems of
the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and the European Union (EU). Modules are designed to
inform students about key facets, symbols and emblems associated with the island’s politics and
its position within the European Union. The programme also examines the economic situation
in the Republic of Ireland, both before and during the current EU/IMF/ECB bailout programme.
Particular attention is paid to: 
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Structures of government in the Republic of Ireland;
Theories and practice of policy-making in the Republic of Ireland;
The impact of the EU on Irish politics;
The political institutions and structures of the EU;
The conflict in Northern Ireland;
Post Good Friday Agreement Northern Ireland; and
The economic situation in the Republic of Ireland.
Course Structure
Students pursuing the Certificate select a total of 30 credits:
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Core (compulsory) modules: 20 credits = 4 x 5 credit modules
Elective modules: 10 credits = 2 x 5 credit modules
Compulsory core modules (20 credits). Each module carries a 5 credit weighting:
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GV1202: Politics of the European Union
GV3103: Introduction to Politics of Ireland
GV3206: Northern Ireland Politics
GV4413: Public Finance
Elective modules (10 credits). Each module carries a 5 credit weighting:-
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Students may choose two modules from the list of elective modules or choose one module
from the list of electives and one other module from any academic department offering
modules to Visiting Students - subject to timetable constraints.
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GV1102: Introduction to Government and Politics
GV1204: Democracy, Ideology and Utopia
GV2005/GV4101: Perspectives on French Politics
GV2223: Global Politics
GV2225: International Relations of Asia
GV2229: Citizen Participation
GV2235: Policy Making in the European Union
GV2237: International Politics: Contemporary Debates
GV3216: Contemporary Ecological and Anti-Capitalist Politics
GV3218: Asia in Comparative Perspective
GV4000: The Politics of Public Health Management
GV4309: The European Union: Issues & Policies
GV4410: Democracy: Theories & Innovations
LW2102: Economic Law of the European Union
SS3015: The Politics of Racism
SS2004: Personal Lives and Family Policy
SC3007: Introduction to Planning and Sustainable Development
HI1115: Introduction to Irish History of Foreign Students
SC3009: The Sociology of Religion and Civilisation
PH2004: An Introduction to Political Philosophy
Module
descriptions
are
contained
http://www.ucc.ie/admin/registrar/visiting/.
on
the
UCC
Book
of
Modules:
Examinations: full details of regulations governing Examinations for each programme are
contained in UCC’s Marks and Standards.
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COURSE WORK AND ASSIGNMENTS
Over the course of the semester/year, you will have regular assignment work in your modules.
A high quality of written English and presentation is required as well as comprehensive and
analytical pieces of work, which address the question at hand. Lecturers will keep you informed
of their requirements as the year progresses but you should adhere to the Referencing Guide,
which is available from the Department of Government. The university grading system will be
new to you and very different to what you have been used to in your studies, particularly in the
USA. You should note the distinguishing characteristics between the various grades, which can
be awarded. Please ask lecturers for more information about this.
Grade Title
1H
2H1
2H2
3H
Pass
Fail
Range of Marks
70% and over
60% - 69%
50% - 59%
45% - 49%
40% – 44%
39% and under
Each module will have specific reading requirements with a text book or course pack as well as a
recommended reading list. As a minimum requirement, you are expected to attend your
assigned lectures and build up a comprehensive series of lecture notes. Miscellaneous sources
of material are also important such as newspaper articles, current affairs broadcasts, internet
sites, accounts/annual reports, speeches, legislation, national plans etc.
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SUPPORT SERVICES
Starting university can be a daunting challenge, especially in a foreign country. It is
important to realise that you are not alone even if at times you are confused and worried.
The Department of Government operates an ‘open door’ policy and if you have a
problem please call to see us at an early stage. You will be offered comfort and support
in a confidential and secure environment.
Do not keep your problems bottled up to yourself. Often people with a problem find it
difficult to see the wood from the trees and a neutral outside perspective can be
invaluable.
You should also ‘look out’ for your class colleagues and if you feel that any of them are
experiencing problems you will be doing them a favour by letting us know at an early
stage.
There are certain situations whereby you might not feel comfortable talking to a member
of the Department. In such an eventuality there are a wide range of student services
available to you in the university and these are contained on the next page.
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UCC Student Support Services
Student Services
http://www.ucc.ie/en/SIN/StudentServices/
Student Health Department
Ard Patrick,
College Road,
Cork
Tel: 021 4902311
Chaplaincy
“Iona”,
College Road,
Cork.
Tel: 021 4902459
Email: g.odonoghue@ucc.ie
http://www.ucc.ie/iona/
http://www.ucc.ie/services/health/
Nite Line
Tel: 1800 32 32 42
(A listening service for students)
Student Counselling and Development
Ard Patrick,
College Road,
Cork.
Tel: 021 4903565
Text: 021 087 2152505
Email: counselling@ucc.ie
http://www.ucc.ie/studentcounselling/
Assistant Dean (Student Affairs)
Faculty of Commerce,
O’Rahilly Building,
UCC,
Cork.
Tel: 021 4903252
Disability Support Service
South Lodge,
University College Cork
Tel: 021 4902985
Email: dssinfo@ucc.ie
http://www.ucc.ie/en/dss/
The Careers Service
3-4 Brighton Villas,
Western Road,
Cork.
Tel: 021 4902349
http://www.ucc.ie/careers/
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