COURSE CURRICULUM

Curriculum Information for the MA in Public Advocacy and Activism at University of Galway is designed to provide a mix of core and optional modules that develop both practical skills and theoretical knowledge. In Year 1, students complete 90 credits, including required modules such as The Practice and Theory of Advocacy, Short Filmmaking for Advocates, Communication, Media & Marketing for Advocates, and a Dissertation. These modules focus on building expertise in advocacy strategies, multimedia communication, and research, enabling students to plan, implement, and evaluate advocacy initiatives. Optional modules allow students to tailor their learning according to their interests and may include Reporting Economics and Politics, Language, Gender and Power, Popular Music and Activism, Film, Politics, and Colonialism, Social and Political Context of Activism and Advocacy, Service Learning for Advocacy and Activism, and Media for Social Change. The optional modules provide opportunities to explore specialized areas, such as the role of media and culture in shaping public opinion, social justice issues, and the political and historical context of activism. By combining practical training with academic study, the program equips graduates to work effectively in organizations, campaigns, or initiatives that seek to influence societal attitudes, policies, and behaviors. The curriculum is structured to ensure that students gain both critical insight into advocacy and activism theories and hands-on experience in communication, media production, and engagement strategies, preparing them for careers in non-profits, governmental agencies, international institutions, or grassroots organizations focused on driving positive social change.