School of Politics and International Studies

MA Politics and Political Theory deploys theory as a mode of active political engagement in modern society.

The programme provides a flexible and student-centred approach to political thought which emphasises the contemporary relevance and practical application of political ideas. Working alongside research-active academics in deliberative research seminars, you will engage in enduring debates in political theory concerning, for example, the nature of freedom, justice and democracy and the relationship between politics and morality. You will address the practical implications of these ideas for pressing problems such as terrorism, global poverty, social cohesion, immigration, censorship, war and the environment.

You will play an active role in the thriving political theory research culture of the School. You will participate in both the Centre for Democratisation Studies, which brings together staff and students interested in the ideals and practices of democracy in the contemporary world, and also the White Rose Association for Political Philosophy (WRAPP) which brings together political philosophers from the Universities of Sheffield, Leeds, and York to create the largest national research network in the discipline.

This course is ideally suited to advanced students who seek the space to think for themselves, but also the opportunity to work with academic experts. It will appeal to those students who are enthused by political ideas not merely for their own sake, but who wish to make use of those ideas in the analysis, critique and transformation of practice.

Compulsory Modules

Advanced Political Analysis introduces you to the dominant paradigms in political science and is designed to equip you with the tools to study the key ways in which analysts construct understandings and explanations of political phenomena.

Concepts and Issues in Political Theory How can political theory be used to analyse, criticise and transform practice? This module will introduce the activity of political theory as a mode of enquiry and enable you to apply the tools of conceptual analysis to a range of practical issues reflecting your own skills and interests. The module first addresses central methodological questions concerning the nature of political theory and the application of theory to practice. It then proceeds to explore in depth four key concepts in political theory from a list including: freedom, justice, equality, rights, toleration, democracy, obligation, identity, violence, community, revolution, the political.

Poltical Theory Dissertation leads you through the process of developing a deeper understanding of a particular topic in political theory through independent research and the preparation of an extended piece of writing. You agree a research topic with your supervisor and write a 12,000 word dissertation that demonstrates your research skills, your ability to assess information, and appraise relevant concepts and theories.

Optional Modules

You will also be required to study between two and four of the following optional modules:

• Developments in British Politics
• Conflict, Complex Emergencies and Global Governance
• Democracy and Development
• Democratisation and Multi-Party Politics in Africa
• Political Economy of Resources and Development
• Capitalism and Crisis
• European Defence and Security Analysis
• The Politics of the European Union
• American Foreign Policy
• Contemporary Politics of the Middle East
• Political Transitions in South East Asia
• Contemporary International Security
• Environmental Politics and Policy
• International Political Economy
• International Politics and The Environment
• World Politics and The Environment
• Democratic Theory and Political Transformation
• Research Methods