If you pursue a Master's in Political Theory you then get to choose your own 'pathway' to the degree. We offer the following pathways:
The Politics of Human Rights What are human rights and where do they come from? Are they just “Western ideals”? How do we put them into practice? What are the connections between human rights and democracy? How might they be promoted around the world? Should we go to war in the name of human rights?
Politics, Theory and Culture This pathway explores the phenomenon of 'cultural politics', the intersection of and interaction between government and politics, on the one hand, and popular culture and daily practices, on the other. This pathway runs in association with the new Centre for the Study of Culture and Politics.
Contemporary Currents in Political Theory A comprehensive confrontation with the main schools in Anglo-American and Continental political thought. This is the essential grounding for postgraduate research.
How These Pathways Work
You take 6 taught modules and along with an individually supervised dissertation on a topic of your choice
All pathways include postgraduate research training in the “Conceptual Issues in the Social Sciences” and “Research Skills/Design” modules. Then the paths diverge as follows:
Politics of Human Rights
Modules on ‘Human Rights, Humanitarian Intervention and Global Justice’, ‘Democracy, Rights, Identity and Citizenship’, ‘Justice and Justification’ and another option (including International Human Rights Law)
Politics, Theory and Culture
Modules on ‘Post-Colonialism, Orientalism and Eurocentrism’, ‘Provincialising Europe’, ‘Approaches to Political Theory’, and an option
Contemporary Currents in Political Theory
Modules on “Approaches to Political Theory”, “Justice and Justification”, ‘Democracy, Rights, Identity and Citizenship’, ‘Continental Political Thought
Anyone interested in specialising in issues of culture and identity may like to consider: ‘Culture, Conflict and Identity’. This is an upcoming new scheme, currently a pathway in the ‘Global Politics and Intercultural Studies’ MA; contact Dr Rebecca Brown for details.
Anyone interested in an interdisciplinary study of human rights may wish to consider the MA in ‘Development and Human Rights’; contact Dr Evans for details.
Please note that the Department reserves the right to amend the schedule of modules on offer as and when necessary.
Enquiries welcome!
Contact Dr Mark Evans:
to find out anything you want to know about these pathways!
