SOAS, University of London (The School of Oriental and African Studies)

Structure

A. Compulsory Course:

• Approaches to Comparative Political Thought - (22.5 Unit) - Not Running 2012/13
• Comparative International Political Thought - 15PPOH021 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2

B. Courses within the discipline of Politics:

• Islam & the Democratic Tradition - (45 Points Unit) - Not Running 2012/13 - TBC
• Islam and political ideologies - 15PPOH007 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
• Political violence - 15PPOH009 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
• Politics of resistance in the Middle East - 15PPOH010 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
• Violence, justice and the politics of memory - 15PPOH019 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
• Queer Politics in Asia, Africa and the Middle East - 15PPOH020 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
• Sociology of International Norms - 15PPOH024 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
• Political Thought on the Just Rebellion - (0.5 Units Unit) - Not Running 2012/13 - TBC

C. Courses to the value of one unit:

These can be taken entirely within the Politics Department or from the list of those offered by other departments or, in the case of half-units, of a combination of the two

• Government and politics in Africa - 15PPOC205 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Government and politics of modern South Asia - 15PPOC003 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Government and politics of modern South East Asia - 15PPOC247 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• State and society in the Chinese political process - 15PPOC012 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Taiwan's politics and cross-strait relations - 15PPOC252 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Northeast Asian politics: Japan, Korea and Taiwan - 15PPOC253 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• State and Society in Central Asia and the Caucasus - 15PPOH022 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
• Political society in the Middle East - 15PPOH008 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
• State and transformation in the Middle East - 15PPOH011 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
• Orthodoxy and Gender in Indian Traditions - 15PSRC002 (1.0 Unit) - Not Running 2012/13
• Non-Violence in Jain Scriptures, Philosophy and Law - 15PSRC062 (1 Unit) - Full Year - Not Running 2012/2013 - Please note that from September 2011 this course unit will be named "Non-Violence in Jain Scriptures, Philosophy and Law"
• Oriental religions in European academia and imagination, 1815-1945 - 15PSRC168 (1 Unit) - Full Year - Not Running 2012/2013
• Modern Muslim Thinkers from South Asia - 15PSRC169 (1 Unit) - Full Year - Not Running 2012/2013
• Human rights and Islamic law - 15PLAC150 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Knowledge and Power in Early Modern China - 15PHIH024 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
• Genders and Sexualities in South East Asian Film - 15PSEH011 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2 - Not Running 2012/2013
• Locating China I: China and other Worldviews before 'Westernization' - 15PSRH025 (0.5 Unit) - Not Running 2012/13
• Locating China II: Missionaries and Misfits in the British Construction of China - 15PSRH026 (0.5 Unit) - Not Running 2012/13

D: Dissertation:

• Dissertation in Political Studies - 15PPOC999 (1 Unit) - Full Year

Programme Specification

• Programme Specification (pdf; 126kb)

Teaching & Learning

Teaching & Learning

The MSc in Comparative Political Thought has two core compulsory half-unit courses that all students registered for the degree will undertake. Approaches to Comparative Political Thought is taken in Term 1, and Comparative International Political Thought in Term 2. Students then choose courses equivalent to two units from a list of optional courses (outlined below), and complete a dissertation based on independent study and research (equivalent to a further unit).

Knowledge

1. Familiarity with the main approaches in the emerging sub-field of comparative political thought, including different understandings of ‘comparison’ and ‘thought’;
2. Advanced understanding of some of the philosophical, historical, political and linguistic issues that arise in the study of non-Western political thought;
3. In-depth knowledge of some key political concepts (eg. state, authority, individual, community), as understood by political thinkers in Asia, Africa and the Middle East;
4. An understanding of political thought not simply as articulated by elite intellectuals, but also as ideas in action, manifested in political practices at different levels of society.

Intellectual (thinking) skills

1. To analyse and evaluate competing approaches to comparative political thought;
2. To conceptualise the main issues and problems that arise in the comparative study of political thought;
3. To develop in-depth understanding of aspects of non-Western political thought;
4. To develop intellectual initiative and skills to compare political ideas across cultural and historical boundaries, identifying and evaluating similarities and differences;
5. To formulate research questions and hypotheses.

Subject-based practical skills

1. To identify, analyse and evaluate core arguments in theoretical materials from a variety of sources;
2. To develop skills to work creatively and flexibly across different disciplines and regional traditions;
3. To organise information in a lucid, coherent, concise, and clear form in written as well as oral presentations;
4. To develop initiative and capacity to work independently on research questions and to adjust hypotheses and approach in the light of work undertaken for the dissertation.

Transferable skills

1. To retrieve, select, digest and analyse complex information from a variety of sources.
2. To structure and communicate ideas effectively both orally and in writing.
3. To work effectively in and contribute to meetings, by presenting, listening to and discussing ideas introduced during meetings.
4. To manage time effectively.

How to apply

How to apply

• How to Apply
• Online Application
• Funding options
• English language requirements
• Tuition Fees
• Admissions Contacts

Scholarships

For further information visit the Scholarships section