MSc Political Thought
SOAS University of London
Key Information
Campus location
London, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
1 - 3 Year
Pace
Full time, Part time
Tuition fees
GBP 14,270 / per year *
Application deadline
Request Info
Earliest start date
Request Info
* full-time fees: UK £14,270; Overseas £23,800. Part-time 2 years fees: UK £7,135/year; Overseas £11,900/year. Part-time 3 years fees: UK £4,710/year; Overseas £7,855/year
Introduction
Mode of Attendance: Full-time or part-time
The MSc in Political Thought builds on SOAS’s wealth of regional expertise to offer a new approach to the study of political thought. It promotes the study of political theory as it is tightly linked to practices of global domination and resistance. The degree considers political theory as it emerges from and is linked to everyday political thinking, philosophical texts, or cultural production. Beyond the regions and traditions that have conventionally framed comparative work in political theory, this degree is unique in teaching students to see how concepts “travel” across the world as a means to examine both political thought and political practice in different times and spaces, with a focus on SOAS’s traditional regions: Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
The degree programme introduces students to the key approaches, debates, and questions in the emerging sub-discipline of comparative political thought. At the same time, it provides a thorough background in canonical political theory, albeit reconsidered through the political frameworks of imperialism, colonialism, and racial capitalism. Covering a range of thinkers, traditions and texts, it provides learning opportunities for students to compare ideas and values across regions and historical periods, and to place those ideas in global contexts.
Gallery
Ideal Students
Who is this programme for?
The MSc in Political Thought is designed for students who wish to gain a deeper understanding of political theory in its global context or to learn about the diverse strands of political thinking in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, and the different approaches to comparison in political thought. It prepares students for further advanced study and research in political thought and enhances analytical and communication skills suitable for employment in multicultural and international professional contexts. As such, this programme is highly relevant for students who wish to pursue doctoral studies in political theory and other subject areas in the Social Sciences and the Humanities. It is also relevant for practitioners working in or intending to work in governments, international organizations, think tanks and advocacy groups who wish to acquire a deeper knowledge of ideas and values that inform political practices in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Admissions
Curriculum
Structure
Dissertation
Students will take a dissertation module (15PPOC999) to the value of 60 credits
- Dissertation in Politics and International Studies
Core Modules
- Approaches to Comparative Political Thought
- Political Theory, Race and Empire
and
Choose a minimum of 30 credits from List B
and
Choose a maximum of 60 credits from List C
List B
- Methodology in the Social Sciences
- Race and Caste
- State Violence: Theories of the Leviathan and Beyond
- East Asian Buddhist Thought
- African Philosophy (PG)
- Political Thought on the Just Rebellion
- Law and Postcolonial Theory
List C
- Infrastructures, Conflict and Struggle
- Gender, Sexuality and Law: Selected Topics
- Religion in Global Politics: Theories and Themes
- International Politics of Human Rights
- Law, Rights & Social Change
- Critical Concepts in Buddhist Studies
- Violence, justice and the politics of memory
- African Political Thought
- Politics of resistance in the Middle East
- Religious Practice in Japan: Texts, Rituals and Believers
- Queer Politics in Asia, Africa and the Middle East
- Chinese 1 A (PG)
- Chinese 1 B (PG)
- Hindi Language 1 A (PG)
- Hindi Language 1 B (PG)
- Japanese 1 A (PG)
- Japanese 1 B (PG)
Important notice
The information on the programme page reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session.
English Language Requirements
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