Social & Political Thought – (M.A.)

Contents

The programme is studied over 12 months (full time) or 24 months (part time) and is University-based throughout the period. The programme comprises 180 credits in total: taught modules worth 120 credits in total, and a supervised dissertation worth 60 credits. Teaching takes place over two semesters (October to May), followed by completion of the dissertation over the summer (June to September). Each taught module is normally taught through seminars, underpinned by reading and essay assignments. The taught element consists of 3 core modules (for a total of 60 credits), and a choice of recommended options (other 60 credits).

Core Modules (60 credits )

POLM803 Source of Modernity and Postmodernity (30 credits )
This core module aims to introduce students to the main themes characterizing modern, and more recently post-modern, political theory. Every year a selection of core debates, such as those on toleration, civil society, utility, Enlightenment, and modernity itself are studied both historically and for their current significance. This module is taught through a series of interactive classes, but students also sit in the seminars of the Political Theory Reading Group during the first semester. This is a postgraduate and faculty research seminar and provides students with a unique opportunity to explore new and old texts and to learn how to read complex works in political thought.
POLM806 Topics and Texts in Social and Political Thought (15 credits)
The module runs in conjunction with the Political Theory Reading Group during the second semester, and the students will be required to play a leading role in the selection and presentation of texts. Its aims are: to familiarise postgraduate students doing this programme with some key texts and topics in the history of political thought and to develop analytical skills by close reading of texts. The module is also intended to prepare students for work on their final dissertation.
POLM037 Logics of Explanation (15 credits)
Recommended Options (60 credits)
In addition to the core modules, students choose 60 credits from the following recommended options (subject to availability) in consultation with the programme convenor(s):
POLM805 Theories of Revolution and Continuity in the History of Political Thought (15 credits)
POLM802 Critical Global Studies - The Politics of Governance and Resistance (30 credits)
PHLM001 Money, Ethics and Power (30 credits)
POLM506 World Politics: A Critical Interrogation (30 credits)
SOCM002A Philosophy of the Social Science 1 (15 credits)
Students can also choose modules (not more than 30 credits) from other MA programmes in the Department of Politics or available in the College.

There are two other modules that students may be recommended to take for this MA (subject to discussion with the Programme convenor)
POLM067 Foundation Study in Politics (30 credits)
This module is designed for those students who have gaps in their background knowledge in a particular area of politics. The programme of study for this module will be designed in consultation with the MA director of studies, and students will be supervised by a member of staff with expertise in the specific area. As part of this module, students may also be encouraged to follow some of the relevant classes available at undergraduate level.
POLM807 Independent Study in Political Thought (15 credits)
This module allows students to read for a Supervised Long Essay from a range of research areas in which members of the College have particular expertise. These areas include:
- Constitutionalism and Democracy
- Republican Theory
- Political Representation
- Theories of Civil Society
- Citizenship
- Philosophy of Science
- Foucault
- Justice and the Market
- Toleration
- Theories of Equality
- Theories of Power
- Human Rights
- State and Society in the Middle East
- Micropolitics
- Sociology of knowledge and culture
- Collective action
- Approaches to Social Theory
- Philosophy and methodology of economics
- Discourse analysis
- Cultural and Philosophical Anthropology
- Philosophical issues relating to the Holocaust
- Classical and modern concepts of the Self
- Philosophy of Religion
Dissertation (60 credits)
POLM066 Dissertation- Please note that this module is non-condonable.