Page contents > Political Theory | Members of Political Theory Group | MSc in Political Theory | MSc in Political Theory Research Track | Funding | Teaching, Assessment, and Support
Political Theory
Political theory is the study of the good society. Public debate is dominated by controversies such as what justice requires of citizens and the state; what the most important rights and liberties are and how they can be protected; and whether political decisions should be made by majorities. Political theory provides a scholarly examination of these questions, informed by moral philosophy, legal theory, historical study, political science, and rational and social choice theory.
Political theory has been central to the research and teaching at LSE since its founding in 1895. The Chair of Political Science in the Department of Government has been held by a succession of internationally recognised political theorists: Graham Wallas, Harold Laski, Michael Oakeshott, Maurice Cranston and Brian Barry. Currently, there are seven political theorists in the Department of Government, which is one of the largest concentrations of specialists in the world.
Political theorists in the Department work in areas such as multiculturalism, ancient and medieval political thought, Locke, Kant, feminism, social choice theory and democracy, and contemporary theories of justice. Members of the Political Theory Group in the Department also contribute to the wider political theory community at LSE.
For more information see the Political Theory Group website.|
Members of Political Theory Group
Professor Janet Coleman
Dr Katrin Flikschuh
Mr James Gledhill
Professor Paul Kelly|
Professor Chandran Kukathas|
Mr Alex Leveringhaus
Professor Christian List|
Professor Anne Phillips|
Dr Kai Spiekermann|
MSc in Political Theory
Applications
Applications are considered from all candidates with a good first degree in any discipline, with a strong interest in the areas of political theory taught on the MSc. See the prospectus for more application info|.
Structure of Course
The MSc in political theory offers a wide range of courses. All students study the core course 'Methods in Political Theory' and write a 10,000 word dissertation. In addition, students choose five courses from the course options (three for the research track). Students are also able to study suitable courses from other programmes in the Department and School, with the approval of the MSc course convenor.
Compulsory courses
(* half unit)
Options
Choose the equivalent of 2.5 units (1.5 for the research track) from:
You may, if your supervisor agrees, choose one of your optional courses from the range of others on offer at postgraduate level in the Department of Government or in other departments at LSE.
Please note that not every course is necessarily available every year, and some may only be available with permission of the course proprietor. Please refer to the Government Department's web pages for a more up to date index of available courses.
Dissertation
Students write a 10,000 word dissertation on a topic agreed with their supervisor. Previous dissertation titles include: 'Rawls on Global Distributive Justice', 'Relativism, Political Liberalism, and Impartiality', 'On the nature and boundaries of Right in Kant's political theory: an argument in favour of a right to revolution', ' Liberal Toleration and Dissent: Minority Rights as a Political Challenge to Democratic Constitutional State', 'What Obligation, if any, do governments have to preserve cultural heritage?', 'Is the debate between feminism and multiculturalism problematic in terms of womens' autonomy?', 'Methods in the history of political thought: A critique of different approached to Thomas Hobbes.'
MSc in Political Theory Research Track
The MSc in Political Theory Research Track is a programme structured to comply with the requirements for financial support from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) under the 1+3 formula, which is available only to those applicants from the European Union. The programme itself is open to students from any part of the world. A 1+3 programme is a linked programme of a one year masters followed by PhD study. For more information please see the funding your studies web page.|
If you wish to be considered for the Research Track you must include an outline research proposal with your application. This proposal should be a brief description of the research topic you are considering pursuing during your PhD and should explain why you are interested in this area of research. As your research interests will develop further over the year of your masters training your proposal need only be indicative.
Students on the Research Track take the Methods in Political Theory course, three MSc Political Theory course options, Foundations of Social Research|, and write a 10,000 word dissertation.
Funding
For information on funding, please see the funding your studies web page.|
Teaching, Assessment, and Support
The LSE has two ten-week teaching terms (Michaelmas and Lent Terms), and examinations are taken during the third term (Summer Term). Most courses are taught through weekly two-hour seminars over one term. Methods of assessment differ from course to course, and may include unseen written exams in the summer term and/or assessed essays.
All full-time students take the Methods course in the first term. Full-time students take a further three optional courses in one term, and two in the other. Part-time students studying over two years will normally take the Methods course and up to three options in year one, the remaining courses and dissertation are completed during the second year.
Each student is assigned a personal tutor who is a member of the Political Theory group. The personal tutor provides support for personal and academic well-being during the course.