UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK, IRELAND
Department of Government
CERTIFICATE IN IRISH POLITICS
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 April/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.
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 in the UCC Visiting Student Book of
Modules:http://www.ucc.ie/en/international/visiting/modules/book-modules/
Examinations: full details of regulations governing Examinations for each programme
are contained in UCC’s Marks and Standards.