Political Thought (MA)

Course content

The MA Social and Political Theory gives you the opportunity to study the thinkers who have shaped the modern world – Locke, Hegel, Marx and others – as well as more recent debates in social and political theory. It draws upon the diverse interests of our lecturers; refers to both Anglo-American and ‘Continental’ literatures; and employs analytical and institutional approaches.

As a graduate of this programme you will have a broad knowledge of classic debates in the history of political ideas and of changing perceptions of money, work and commerce. You will also have the opportunity to take a wide range of options in subjects including philosophy of social science, science and technology studies, and theories of revolution.

The modules below provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

Modules Please note that the module information displayed here is from a previous year and is subject to change. Students must take three compulsory modules: POLM803 (30 credits), SOCM027 (30 credits), and POLM886 (60 credits). Students must also take a further 60 credits-worth of optional modules at Master’s level. Of these, at least 30 credits must be Politics or Sociology modules (module codes beginning POLM or SOCM). The remaining 30 credits can be in Politics, Sociology, Philosophy (PHLM), or any other discipline in the university, with approval from the programme director (or equivalent) of the relevant discipline. The ‘Recommended optional modules’ in the table below are some of those currently led by political and social theorists/philosophers, or otherwise closely related to core topics in the MA Social and Political Theory. Politics and International Relations modules https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=politics Compulsory modules Code Module Credits POLM886 Dissertation 60 POLM803 Sources in Modernity and Post-Modernity 30 SOCM027 Social Theory 30 Optional modules Code Module Credits MA Social and Political Theory Option Modules 2025-6 POLM168 From Oppression to Resistance: Exploring the Intersections of Race, Class and Gender 30 POLM156 The Transformation of Politics in the Global Age 30 POLM307 International Politics of the Body 30 POLM502 International Relations: Power and Institutions 30 SOCM002B Philosophy of the Social Sciences 30 PHLM006 Contemporary Ethics 30 POLM084 Conflict, Security and Development in World Politics 30 POLM173 Theories of International Development 30 POLM174 Tools, Policy and Practice of International Development 30 POLM343 Gender, War and Militarism 30 POLM503 Foreign Policy Decision-Making 30 POLM651 State and Society in the Middle East 30 POLM063 Qualitative Methods in Social Research 15 POLM140 Qualitative Methods in Social Research 30 POLM809 Applied Quantitative Data Analysis 15 POLM222M The Politics, Policy and Practice of Sustainable Development 30 POLM228M Leadership, Equality and Diversity 30 POLM237M Collaborative and Participatory Governance 30 POLM342M Public Accountability and Governance 30 POLM158 Digital Politics and Policy 30 POLM887 Public Policy Process 30 POLM231 State Crime 30 POLM246 The Politics of the Future 30 SOCM021 Food Systems, Alternative Food Networks and Ethical Consumption 30 SOCM054 Food Systems, Alternative Food Networks and Ethical Consumption 15 SOCM045 Food and Sustainability: Economy, Society and Environment 30 SOCM044 Food and Sustainability: Economy, Society and Environment 15 POLM344 Empire and Hierarchy in Russia and Eurasia 30