GV908 Political Theory is the core module for those taking the MA in Political Theory. It is also available to other postgraduate students as an option. GV908 will introduce MA student to two main traditions within contemporary political theory: analytical political theory, taught by Paul Bou-Habib in the Autumn term, and ideology and discourse analysis, taught by David Howarth in the Spring term.

More specifically, it has three principal aims-
1. It introduces a range of ideas and concepts in analytical political theory and in ideology and discourse analysis.
2. It engages students in a series of close textual readings of selected essays, books and articles, with the aim of elucidating key concepts and ideas.
3. It examines a number of central debates in contemporary political theory.
Each of these aims is pursued in specifically designed seminars, and each seminar is organised around a number of objectives designed to achieve these aims. The objectives and questions are listed in the section detailing the overall programme and readings for the course. On completing this research seminar, a student ought to have a good understanding of a number of contemporary forms of political theorising and argumentation; and be fully aware of a number of central concerns and discussions in contemporary political theory. Finally, students should be in a position to develop and execute a Masters Research Dissertation in political theory.