University of Oxford: Politics (Political Theory)

Summary

**The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2020). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas**

The MPhil in Politics (Political Theory) is an advanced two-year postgraduate degree, which provides training in research techniques and methodology and enables you to acquire substantive knowledge in this sub-area of the discipline. It is also suitable if you wish to later embark upon doctoral research.

The MPhil in Politics (Political Theory) provides an advanced training in political theory and the history of political thought, in the major contemporary debates, and in the research methods appropriate to the discipline. It provides a range of educational experiences in a variety of learning environments to develop your written and oral communication skills as well as other technical skills. It will also provide you with a solid foundation for a wide range of careers, including academic, professional, commercial, diplomatic and governmental positions.

The Department of Politics and International Relations (DPIR) is internationally recognised as a leading centre for teaching and research in political theory, and counts among its members a number of acknowledged authorities within this discipline. It is also home to research centres and programmes within this field, including the Oxford Political Theory Network and the Centre for the Study of Social Justice.

In the first year, you must complete the core classes and tutorials in the theory of politics and a programme of research methods training, which includes core courses in reasoning in political philosophy and in approaches to the study of political theory.

In your second year, you will write a thesis and complete two specialist optional papers. Options offered in recent years have included:

- Political Theories of Hegel and Marx

- Political Theories from Machiavelli to Burke

- Mitigating Historical Injustice

- Contemporary Theories of Liberalism

- Critical Theory

- Contemporary Political Philosophy.

The approach to teaching comprises intensive and interactive work between you and your supervisor and course teachers, combined with a carefully planned programme of classes, seminars and lectures, as well as directed self-study. Work on the thesis is individually supervised.

Summary

**The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2019). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas**

The MPhil in Politics (Political Theory) is an advanced two-year postgraduate degree, which provides training in research techniques and methodology and enables you to acquire substantive knowledge in this sub-area of the discipline. It is also suitable if you wish to later embark upon doctoral research.

The MPhil in Politics (Political Theory) provides an advanced training in political theory and the history of political thought, in the major contemporary debates, and in the research methods appropriate to the discipline. It provides a range of educational experiences in a variety of learning environments to develop your written and oral communication skills as well as other technical skills. It will also provide you with a solid foundation for a wide range of careers, including academic, professional, commercial, diplomatic and governmental positions.

The DPIR is internationally recognised as a leading centre for teaching and research in political theory, and counts among its members a number of acknowledged authorities within this discipline. It is also home to research centres and programmes within this field, including the Oxford Political Theory Network and the Centre for the Study of Social Justice.

In the first year, you must complete the core classes and tutorials in the theory of politics and a programme of research methods training, which includes core courses in reasoning in political philosophy and in approaches to the study of political theory.

At the end of your first year, you have to sit a three-hour written examination in the core subject and a research design proposal as preparation for the MPhil thesis.

Progression to the second year is conditional on satisfactory performance in the first.

In your second year, you will write a thesis and complete two specialist optional papers. Options offered in recent years have included:
- Political Theories of Hegel and Marx

- Political Theories from Machiavelli to Burke

- Mitigating Historical Injustice

- Contemporary Theories of Liberalism

- Critical Theory

- Contemporary Political Philosophy.

At the end of the course, you are required to complete the assessment in the optional papers of your choice and submit a thesis of not more than 30,000 words.