Institution:

TCD

How long has the course been running?

Since 1997

Why was it introduced?

"As a response to the changing nature of Irish society," according to courseco-ordinator, Dr Ronit Lentin. "Society, not immigrants cause racism," she says, adding, "Ireland has always been the site of racial tensions - with travellers, Jews, and in Northern Ireland."

How many people are admitted to the course?:

Up to 20

Course duration:

12 months.

Entry requirements:

A 2:1. However, "exceptions are made if we feel the applicant could do the course and contribute to it," Lentin says.

Who does the course?:

Gardai, social workers and other public servants, international students, who see Ireland as a race-relations laboratory, and Irish people who have spent time abroad.

Course content:

Includes two core courses - the theoretical concepts of race and ethnicity, and research methodology. "Students are trained to become social researchers," Lentin notes. One-term courses include language, ethnicity and expressive culture, migration and population movement, culture, colonialism and Irishness, gender and ethnicity, reading "race", managing cultural diversity, language and society in Ireland, and international issues and human rights.

In the third term, students work on a dissertation. Many of these are published and feed into public policy, according to Lentin.

Fees:

£3,052

Contact:

Dr Ronit Lentin: tel (01) 608 2766, e-mail: rlentin@tcd.ie.