MA Politics - School of Politics International Studies - University of ...

The School of Politics and International Studies (POLIS) brings together
research and teaching strengths that are recognised both nationally and
internationally in the areas of Security, Development and Democracy.
Within these areas we focus on human
development; global justice and security;
conflict and terrorism; political parties
and leadership; and democratisation.
Our regional specialisms are in Britain,
Europe, North and South America, Africa,
South and South East Asia and the
Middle East.
The School offers a truly international
experience with a postgraduate community
of over 200 students – with more than half
coming from around 25 different countries
around the world.
Research expertise informs our teaching
Our teaching is closely connected to the
research interests of our academic staff, and
we design our programmes for their relevance
and importance to contemporary concerns
and questions.
Our staff will help you to grapple with the
important issues of the day with passion
as well as intelligence, utilising the expertise
gained through their own research work
and engagement with practitioners.
Postgraduate students from around the world
are attracted to our flexible MA programmes.
All of our wide range of modules are designed
to encourage critical thinking and debate.
Many of our students on graduation go on to
high profile careers in politics, the media, the
civil service, with NGOs and the private sector
as well as achieving further academic honours
as PhD students.
To find out more visit our website
www.polis.leeds.ac.uk
School of Politics and
International Studies
MA Politics
Whilst the University endeavours to ensure that the information contained in this
brochure is accurate at the date of publication it does not accept liability for any
inaccuracies. The University reserves the right to change or cancel its courses or services
at any time without liability even after students have registered at the University. The
University’s contract with its students does not confer third party benefits for the
purpose of Contracts (Right of Third Parties) Act 1999.
School of Politics and International Studies
University of Leeds
Leeds, UK
LS2 9JT
t: 0113 343 6843
f: 0113 343 4400
w: www.polis.leeds.ac.uk
e: polispg@leeds.ac.uk

MA Politics
The first decade of the twenty-first century
has witnessed a dramatic transformation of
the political landscape of our world.
The rise of international terrorism, the global
financial crisis, deepening anxiety over the
environment, new patterns of migration and
associated fears of social and cultural
fragmentation have all significantly altered
political priorities.
The MA Politics programme offers a unique
approach to the study of politics by drawing
on and integrating the breadth of research
expertise in the School. This enables us to
offer an unusually broad range of modules
alongside the opportunity for students to
construct a personalised programme of study
that allows in-depth concentration and
specialisation in areas of interest.
The programme will provide you with a firm
grounding in political analysis and a critical
insight into the real politics behind the
headlines. You will gain first-hand experience
of participation in a community of researchactive
scholars and you will develop
outstanding skills in research, team-working
and presentation.
Our innovative, research-based pathways and
modules provide students with the
opportunity to work in collaboration with
research-active academics and to contribute
meaningfully to our lively research culture.
Tailor your programme
As an MA Politics student, you will take a
core module in Advanced Political Analysis,
which concentrates on the development of
analytical and research skills in the study of
politics and which examines key concepts
such as power and the political. From there
you will specialise by selecting from a broad
range of optional modules.
You may also choose to tailor your degree to
suit your specific interests by pursuing one
of our specialist pathways in Political Theory
or Parliamentary Studies. The Parliamentary
pathway includes a semester-long internship
with a Member of Parliament. During the
internship, you will engage with the full
range of administrative and research work
undertaken – usually in an MP’s office in
Westminster
MA Politics provides an excellent grounding
for those seeking to launch careers in a
range of related areas such as politics, the
media, the civil service, NGOs, trades
unions and academia. It is ideally suited to
students wishing to develop the skills
necessary to pursue a PhD in politics.
The Politics Programme
The MA in Politics is a 12 month full time
degree. It can also be taken part-time over
24 months (except for the Parliamentary
pathway). Our MA programmes begin in
late September.
MA Politics
The MA in Politics is a flexible, crossdisciplinary
programme that combines core
modules with a wide range of optional
modules.
Core modules:
● Advanced Political Analysis (30 credits)
● 12,000 word dissertation (60 credits)
Optional modules
To complete a total of 180 credits, students
choose 90 credits worth of modules from the
MA Politics options listed opposite.
MA Politics Pathways
Students taking the MA in Politics have the
option to specialise in one of two pathways:
Parliamentary or Political Theory.
The pathways reflect the particular research
strengths in politics of the School and will be
stated on the degree certificate on graduation.
Each pathway contains its own additional
core modules.
MA Politics (Parliamentary)
● Advanced Political Analysis (30 credits)
● Parliamentary Studies 1 (30 credits)
● Parliamentary Studies 2 – Internship
(60 credits)
● 12,000 word dissertation (60 credits)
MA Politics (Political Theory)
● Advanced Political Analysis (30 credits)
● Concepts and Issues in Political Theory
(30 credits)
● 12,000 word dissertation (60 credits)
Plus 30 credits from the following options
(subject to availability):
● Debates about the Just Society
(30 credits) ● Politics and Morality (30 credits)
● Democratic Theory and Political
Transformation (30 credits)
● Relations of Theory to Practice (30 credits)
Plus 30 credits from the options listed.
Optional modules list for MA Politics
● Concepts and Issues in Political Theory
(30 credits)
● Conflict, Complex Emergencies and Global
Governance (30 credits)
● Contemporary International Security
(15 credits)
● Debates about the Just Society
(30 credits)
● Democracy and Development (30 credits)
● Democratic Theory and Political
Transformation (30 credits)
● Democratisation and Multi-Party Politics in
Africa (30 credits)
● Developments in British Politics
(30 credits)
● Environmental Politics and Policy
(30 credits)
● EU and the Developing World (30 credits)
● International Political Economy
(30 credits)
● International Politics and the Environment
(15 credits)
● Making of Modern Europe (30 credits)
● Parliamentary Studies 1 (30 credits)
● Policing Post-Conflict Cities (15 credits)
● Political Economy of Resources and
Development (30 credits)
● Political Transitions in South East Asia
(30 credits)
● Politics and Morality (30 credits)
● Politics of Intelligence (15 credits)
● Politics of the European Union (30 credits)
● Politics of Trade and Industrial Policy
(30 credits)
● Relations of Theory to Practice (30 credits)
● Thatcherism and New Labour (30 credits)
● World Politics and the Environment
(15 credits)
Applicants should note that the availability of
optional modules varies from year to year.