MSc in Political Psychology
The Centre for Research in Political Psychology (CResPP) at the School of Psychology, Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) offers an MSc in Political Psychology, the first in the UK.
Political Psychology is a growing inter-disciplinary sub-field drawing on insights from a number of disciplines including Psychology, Political Science and History.. It is concerned with understanding political issues and phenomena by exploring how socio-political contexts and institutions are affected by and affect individual and collective cognitions and behaviours. It addresses questions such as:
- How are public opinions formed and mobilised?
- How do political leaders make decisions?
- What are the social influences which determine how diverse groups within nations and across nations relate to each other?
- Why and under what circumstances do people commit violent political acts and mass killings?
- What is the role of the media in influencing political cognitions and behaviours?
- Why are some inter-group conflicts intractable and protracted?
- How do we build peace?
Queen's University Belfast
CResPP at the School of Psychology, QUB is well placed to offer a course which deals with these issues. It has a longstanding international reputation for its social psychological research on political issues. It is also situated in Belfast, a city which has experienced one of the most protracted conflicts in the world and, following the peace process, is now in the process of fostering cohesion between communities which have been divided for a long time. This context provides students with opportunities to apply their learning to real life political phenomena.
The Aims and Structure of the Course
The course adopts a predominantly critical social psychological approach and places a strong emphasis on understanding how political psychological concepts may operate in practice. In particular, the course aims to provide you with:
- a critical understanding of the historical development of political psychology from different epistemological, ideological and disciplinary perspectives;
- an advanced understanding of current theoretical debates within political psychology;
- insights from the relevant literature in other cognate disciplines so that you can engage in multi-disciplinary dialogue and research;
- training in using political psychological theories to formulate research questions relevant to current political phenomena;
- research skills on how to use appropriate quantitative and qualitative methods to address your research questions and to interpret data;
- applied/practical skills on how to apply political psychological theories and empirical findings in a number of different employment settings.
The course will consist of eight modules and a dissertation.
- Theoretical Perspectives and Focal Issues in Political Psychology
- Understanding Political Behaviours: Civic Engagement, Political Participation and Disempowerment
- Applying Political Psychology to Current Social Issues
- Research Design and Professional Skills
- Principles of Qualitative Research Methods and Data Analyses 1
- Principles of Qualitative Research Methods and Data Analyses 2
- Quantitative Data Analyses 1
- Quantitative Data Analyses 2
Students will be encouraged to conduct their dissertation research whilst placed in a relevant setting; for example, an NGO, a political institution, or a media organisation.
In addition students are strongly encouraged to participate in the CResPP series of seminars which provide them with the opportunity to discuss cutting edge research or current topical issues introduced by external speakers and members of CResPP.
Career Opportunities
The course is designed to furnish you with knowledge and skills which would be useful when seeking to have a career in public policy or employment in Local or National Government, international and European organisations, political parties, the media, and lobby groups. It will also provide you with the research skills and knowledge to carry out a PhD in Political or Social Psychology or another cognate discipline and subsequently pursue an academic career.
Entrance Requirements and Application Process
Normally a first or upper second class honours degree in Psychology or Political Sciences or in another relevant discipline from an approved university.
Full-time fees for the academic year 2011-12 are yet to be agreed for Home/EU students (2010/11: £3,466).
For international students, fees are £13,145.
The School will offer a limited number of bursaries.
For funding possibilities, please check the web pages of Queen's Postgraduate Office (information for UK/EU applicants and for International/non-EU applicants).
Prospective students from the Republic of Ireland may find useful information at http://www.studentfinance.ie/.
Further useful information and a list of funding possibilities can be found at http://www.internationalpeaceandconflict.org/profiles/blog/show?id=780588%3ABlogPost%3A41887.
How to Apply
A postgraduate prospectus and information on the application procedure can be found on the Admissions Office website.
Students should apply via the Direct Applications Portal on the Queen’s University website.
Further Information
Further information about the School of Psychology and the programme can be found on the School of Psychology website and on the CResPP website.
Enquiries
Professor Evanthia Lyons
Tel: +44 (0) 28 90 974196
Email: e.lyons@qub.ac.uk