MA Political Science - Political Theory Pathway (Standard Route) / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course description

Politics takes thought. By studying this programme, you'll learn how to ethically evaluate the shape of society and how it distributes rights, power and resources.

Based at a university with a long tradition of political theory, you’ll learn about the central tenets of key schools of political thought, evaluating their claims in relation to contemporary political issues. You’ll critically engage with ideologies including:

  • liberalism
  • egalitarianism
  • feminism
  • republicanism

Via mandatory course units, you’ll be introduced to a range of research techniques and approaches.

You’ll also be able to tailor the programme to fit your interests, with optional course units covering an array of current and interesting topics.

Throughout the programme you’ll develop skills in critical inquiry, research and creative thinking, preparing you for a stimulating and worthwhile career.

Teaching and learning

Part-time students complete the full-time course over two years. There are no evening or weekend course units available on the part-time route.  

You must first check the schedule of the compulsory units and then select your optional units to suit your requirements.  

Updated timetable information will be available from mid-August and you will have the opportunity to discuss your unit choices during induction week with your course director.

Course unit list

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Research Design and Skills POLI60312 15 Mandatory
Political Theory Research Training Seminar POLI70601 15 Mandatory
Debating Justice POLI70611 15 Mandatory
Dissertation POLI72000 60 Mandatory
Philosophical Bioethics CSEP60201 30 Optional
Governing in an Unjust World: Justice and International Relations POLI60182 15 Optional
The Ethics Of Killing POLI60221 15 Optional
Human Rights in World Politics POLI70492 15 Optional
Theories of Rights POLI70722 15 Optional
Philosophy of Politics Research POLI70771 15 Optional
Democracy: Theory & Practice POLI70872 15 Optional
Critical Environmental Politics POLI70921 15 Optional
Democracy & Autocracy in Eastern Europe and Latin America POLI70951 15 Optional
Critical Theory SOCY60282 15 Optional
Social Theory: Structure, Relations and Interaction (SRI) SOCY60332 15 Optional
Displaying 10 of 15 course units

Facilities

You will be supported by first-class resources, in addition to the networked study areas.

You will also have access to the one of the best-resourced academic libraries in the country, The University of Manchester Library .

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk