About MA in Public Culture Studies

What is Public Culture Studies?

‘Public Culture’ refers to public policies, ideas, communication and behaviour in society, and in the relationship between individuals and the state. Key areas of interest include public/private culture and public life, citizenship, the mechanisms of governments, the media, the arts and the public realm. Public Culture Studies is also an emerging field in the context of the arts, most notably in the area of the arts, arts activism, arts and critiques, and cultural policy.
This programme offers an interdisciplinary approach to public cultures in Ireland and internationally. It is ideal for recent graduates from a range of humanities disciplines who wish to acquire greater knowledge. It also offers those in media, new media, the public sector, and arts advocacy an opportunity to acquire a postgraduate qualification.

The MA is offered on Fridays and on one evening from 4pm to 6pm.
On completion of the programme, you will be able to:

• construct your own intellectual pathways from a range of specialised courses, featuring different fields of study within the context of public culture
• explore and critically evaluate the impact of state policy on cultural practices
• read, interpret and critically evaluate public documents
• engage with the complex and unpredictable issues and problems arising within the field of public culture, and reflect on and develop responsible solutions.

Aims and Objectives

What will I be able to do when I graduate?

An appreciation of the public nature of knowledge production, policy formation and decision-making opens the door to a wide array of possible careers. You can pursue careers as community arts leaders, cultural planners, public policy advisors and developers, arts advocates and researchers, or, as a public activist, you will be dedicated to strengthening communities, furthering civic identity and advancing the field of public culture. This MA is recognised as the entry-level standard for research based PhD programmes, which are providing increasingly important pathways for professionals in the public sphere and in the arts.

What subjects will I study?

Critical Theory of Public Culture, Research Methodologies, Modes of Professional Writing, Critical Approaches to Cultural Texts, Public Cultures and Critiques, Cultural Policies and Practices

What are the Entry Requirements?

• Undergraduate qualification of 2nd Class Honours or higher at Honours Degree Level
• In exceptional cases, applicants will be considered provided they can demonstrate Honours Degree equivalence, which can be verified through APEL (Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning) process
• Shortlisted applicants may be called for interview.

What are the Fees?

Any queries relating to these, please contact our Admissions Office 01 2394621.

What is the closing date?

Applications must be made directly to IADT by 4pm on Friday, 21st August, 2009.

Download Application Form