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Course Overview

The part-time Certificate in Media Studies and Digital Media Skills is divided into two parts. The first part of the course introduces learners to key concepts and theories in media studies and the changing nature of media, including the power of media, challenges for media regulation and the ownership and control of media. This section will also explore the relationship and role of the media in democracy, with reference to the freedom, responsibility, and accountability of the press.

The second part of the course equips learners with a diverse range of transferrable skills in digital and social media to enable the application of learning to the virtual environment.

Credits: 10 ECTS

Validated by South East Technological University

Course Practicalities

Course will be delivered via online lectures one evening per week from 6.30pm – 9.30pm (Thursdays) commencing January 2027. An on-campus workshop will also be scheduled during the semester. There will also be an on-site orientation before week one (date TBC).

Delivery mode: On-site: 8% | Synchronous online: 92%. See our Blended Learning FAQs for more details.

Course Content

The course will work on developing media and political literacy, as well as digital skills as part of conduct qualitative and quantitative analysis of evidence and data through a media lens.

The course will cover the following areas:

• Theoretical Perspectives on Media
• Contemporary and New Media
• Critical Media Literacy
• Digital Media Skills: curation and maintenance of online presence and familiarisation with key website builders and domain management.
• Media Analysis and Research Methods

Learners will gain experience and skill in web development software through project learning (weebly, wix, squarespace) and establishment and use of an online social networking profile (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube)

Assessment

Learners will be assessed via a Written Assignment (20%) and development of an Online Presence (80%).

Entry Requirements

Applicants must be resident in Ireland and at least 18 years old at course commencement.

Contact Details for Further Information

Email: slo@carlowcollege.ie

Please note our refund policy as follows

Carlow College will not issue any refunds for Certificate Programmes owing to the short duration of these programme, as per the Fees & Refund Policy

However, 100% refund will be issued if course is cancelled due to insufficient numbers.

Bookings close on Wednesday, 7th January 2026 (or when places are filled).

Data Protection

Personal data collected during the application process is used by Carlow College, St Patrick’s to administer your application in accordance with its Privacy Notice for Learners. The application platform is provided by WooCommerce and their Privacy Notice explains what data it collects.

The post Media Studies & Digital Media Skills first appeared on Carlow College.

To receive alerts when bookings open, please sign up to our mailing list here

Course Overview

The part-time Certificate in Introduction to Politics introduces the study of politics and is intended as a practical guide to some of the main concepts and vocabulary of political science. The course provides an introductory guide to important themes and issues related to the study of politics, such as the state, regime types, and political change and behaviour. It also introduces learners to some of the study skills that they need to complete assignments and assessments in the area of politics.

The course will also introduce learners to political and social science research methods. It will provide learners with a foundational knowledge of the theoretical dimensions of conducting research in the field of political and social sciences. A variety of qualitative and quantitative research methods, data sources and methods of data analysis are explored.

Credits: 5 ECTS

Validated by South East Technological University

Course Practicalities

Course is delivered via a two-hour online lecture every second Saturday (9.30am – 11.30am) and 6-hours self-directed learning with an on-campus workshop scheduled during the semester. There will also be an on-site orientation before week one (date TBC).

Classes commence in January 2027.

There will also be an on-site orientation before week one (date TBC).

Delivery mode: On-site: 17% | Synchronous online: 66% | Asynchronous online: 17%. See our Blended Learning FAQs for more details.

Course Content

The course will cover the following topics:

• Thinking about Politics
• Foundational Concepts in Politics
• Participation and Public Opinion
• Power and the Legitimation of Authority
• Ideologies and the Political Spectrum
• Political Representation and Political Parties
• Electoral Systems and Elections: Elections and Appointment of the Houses of the Oireachtas; The Northern Ireland Executive and the European Parliament
• The State
• Democracy and Democratic Government
• Political Institutions of Ireland and the European Union
• International Politics
• Researching Politics & Methods of Political Analysis (Introduction to Quantitative and Qualitative Research; Methods of Collecting and Analysing Data)

Assessment

Learners will be assessed via Online Quizzes (40%) and a Research Project & Poster Presentation (60%).

Entry Requirements

Applicants must be resident in Ireland and at least 18 years old at course commencement.

Contact Details for Further Information

Email: slo@carlowcollege.ie

Please note our refund policy as follows

Carlow College will not issue any refunds for Certificate Programmes owing to the short duration of these programme, as per the Fees & Refund Policy

However, 100% refund will be issued if course is cancelled due to insufficient numbers.

Bookings close on Wednesday, 7th January 2026 (or when places are filled).

Data Protection

Personal data collected during the application process is used by Carlow College, St Patrick’s to administer your application in accordance with its Privacy Notice for Learners. The application platform is provided by WooCommerce and their Privacy Notice explains what data it collects.

The post Introduction to Politics first appeared on Carlow College.

To receive alerts when bookings open, please sign up to our mailing list here

Course Overview

The part-time Certificate in Political Philosophy aims to provide learners with an overview of the classic topics in political philosophy and the major thinkers in the western political tradition, and support learners to examine the influence of these philosophical concepts influence on contemporary political structures. It also aims to deepen learner understanding of the links between into social, scientific, and philosophical subjects.

This course is divided into two parts. The first part examines classic topics in political philosophy, from the historical figures in Greek philosophy to social contract theories of Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, as well as key critiques. The second part of the course will explore issues within contemporary political philosophy, such as equality, human rights, and the politics of immigration with reference to contemporary case studies.

Credits: 5 ECTS

Validated by South East Technological University

Course Practicalities

Course is delivered via a two-hour online lecture every second Saturday (9.30am – 11.30am) and 6-hours self-directed learning with an on-campus workshop scheduled during the semester. There will also be an on-site orientation before week one (date TBC).

Classes commence in January 2027.

Delivery mode: On-site: 17% | Synchronous online: 66% | Asynchronous online: 17%. See our Blended Learning FAQs for more details.

Course Content

The course will cover the following areas:

• Introduction to Political Philosophy and Philosophical Inquiry such as the origins of and development of Political Philosophy; linking philosophy, social and scientific disciplines in the context of politics and sociology.
• Theorists and Concepts such as Plato and the Republic; Social Contract theories of Thomas Hobbes, John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
• Key themes in Political Philosophy such as human nature; natural rights; sovereignty; the Social Contract; notions of freedom and equality; political membership; critiques of political philosophy.
• Applying Political Philosophy to the Contemporary World such as immigration; open borders; distributive justice; citizenship – inclusion and exclusion.

Assessment

Learners will be assessed via In-Class Quizzes (30%) and a Research Project (70%).

Entry Requirements

Applicants must be resident in Ireland and at least 18 years old at course commencement.

Contact Details for Further Information

Email: slo@carlowcollege.ie

Please note our refund policy as follows

Carlow College will not issue any refunds for Certificate Programmes owing to the short duration of these programme, as per the Fees & Refund Policy

However, 100% refund will be issued if course is cancelled due to insufficient numbers.

Bookings close on Wednesday, 7th January 2026 (or when places are filled).

Data Protection

Personal data collected during the application process is used by Carlow College, St Patrick’s to administer your application in accordance with its Privacy Notice for Learners. The application platform is provided by WooCommerce and their Privacy Notice explains what data it collects.

The post Political Philosophy first appeared on Carlow College.