My Politics MA thesis (AKA How I Spent My Summer)

I was asked by Dr. Mike Cosgrave to consider posting my thesis as a PDF file to my blog. I've agreed to do so, since I wouldn't mind getting my work out to an audience larger than those who might stumble across it in the UCC library basement. It might also help anyone planning to do a minor thesis at some point, and show an example of the kind of work you might be expected to do. At the very least, I'd like people to read it; I've been told it's an interesting topic, hopefully I've done it justice.

You can find it here.

That said, I don't know how good a piece of work this is. I haven't got a result yet, which isn't surprising really, as the submission date isn't until Friday. This is purely an example of a thesis. I merely hope that it's a good example. We'll find out soon enough.

Edit: Results are out, it's a good'un! I didn't expect a First, but I'll take it!

Reboot

Hi....

So, after nearly two years, I decided to show my face. What do I have to say for myself? Er, sorry.

I could've just started anew with a different blog, but I've decided to try again with my old one, not least because I have a reason to start blogging again, as it's a core part of one of my MA modules this year, Digital History.

This might be a good point to introduce myself, since this is aimed at people who don't know me. I'm a 24 year-old student in University College Cork, but originally from Conamara, Co. Galway. Having spent my hazy undergrad days in NUI Galway (or indeed just old University College Galway), I spent two years in the real world, selling hot chicken baguettes and cans of Coke to Galway students, and decided I really wanted to get back into college. So, last year I moved to Cork and did an MA in Politics. I recently finished my thesis, which was on British political opinion and the formation and first decade of commercial television. I'm back doing another MA, this time in History of Irish Media and Journalism, to expand my knowledge of the field, hopefully being able to eventually move on to a PhD in the area. The fact that a second MA keeps me out of the real world a little longer is purely coincidental, I assure you.

I have a special interest in television history, old programmes, adverts, TV guides, teletext pages, the lot. I'm not sure why I'm so interested in such things, though I imagine the copious amount of hours spent watching television as a child and as an adult may explain at least part of it.

I suppose I should now try to sell my blog, and justify both its existence and you spending time reading it. I'll aim to cover topics relevant to my studies, but also have a look at some contemporary news stories, preferably lighter ones that don't have doom and gloom in them. Besides, I have a number of friends who cover the bigger stories with greater elucidation than I could ever manage, so it might be better all round if I focus on things my friends aren't already covering.

That's it for now, and I promise that the next post won't take 22 months.