Political and Legal Philosophy (MA)

Program Overview

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The MA Political and Legal Philosophy program at the University of York is a research-led program that enables students to explore philosophical issues at the core of contemporary political and legal debates. Through intensive seminars and tutorials, students develop valuable skills in research, analysis, critical thinking, and presentation. Graduates have gone on to careers in various fields, including academia, marketing, education, and finance.

Program Outline

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Extracted Information from "MA Political and Legal Philosophy" Program at University of York:

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Degree Overview:

• Program Name: MA Political and Legal Philosophy
• Program Length: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
• Program Goal: To enable students to study philosophical issues at the core of contemporary political and legal debates.
• Approach: Research-led, drawing on the University's strong and diverse research community.
• Structure (Part-time):
• Year 1: Advanced Topics in Political Philosophy and two option modules.
• Year 2: Foundational Issues in Legal Theory, Research Skills and Dissemination Practice, one option module, and the dissertation.
• Benefits:
• Develop valuable transferable skills in research, analysis, critical thinking, and presentation.
• Gain a solid foundation in central areas of political philosophy and the philosophy of law.
• Gain practical experience in producing a sustained piece of critical writing on a chosen topic.
• Join a postgraduate community across both the Department of Philosophy and York Law School.

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Outline:

• Core Modules:
• Advanced Topics in Political Philosophy
• Foundational Issues in Legal Theory
• Research Skills and Dissemination Practice
• Dissertation:
• Focus on a topic of your choosing.
• 10,000 words in length.
• Allows you to apply the core knowledge, skills, and experience gained throughout the program.
• Option Modules (Examples):
• Advanced Issues in Legal Theory
• Advanced Topics in Ethics
• Ancient Philosophy
• Buddhism, Ethics, and the Self
• Comparative Analytic Theology
• Constitutional Law and Theory
• Fictionalism
• Freedom, Right, and Revolution: Post-Kantian Moral, Legal, and Political Philosophy
• Human and Machine Creativity
• Issues in the Philosophy of Criminal Law
• Justice, Legitimacy and Democracy
• Law and Society
• Models and Modelling in Science and Technology
• Phenomenology and Psychiatry
• Philosophical Theology after Maimonides
• Problem Based Learning: Government and Health Data
• Problem Based Learning: Surveillance Capitalism
• Reading Philosophy
• Science-Engaged Analytic Theology
• Social Justice and Political Economy
• Time, Tense, and Existence
• Topics in Consciousness and Representation
• Topics in the Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence
• Topics in Perception and Emotion
• Using and Abusing Language
• Wittgenstein's Tractatus
• Module availability may change based on staff availability.

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Assessment:

• Dissertation:
• Worth a significant portion of the final grade.
• Assessed by a member of staff with expertise in the chosen area.
• Essays:
• Typical length: 3,000 or 4,000 words.
• Assessed for originality, clarity, critical analysis, and engagement with relevant literature.
• Research Proposal and Reflective Journal:
• Part of the Research Skills and Dissemination Practice module.
• Assessed for quality of research planning, reflection on skills development, and engagement with philosophical issues.
• Presentations, Session Chairing, and Funding Proposal:
• Also part of the Research Skills and Dissemination Practice module.
• Assessed for clarity, communication skills, and ability to present complex ideas effectively.
• Continuous feedback provided throughout the program to help students develop their skills and understanding.

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Teaching:

• Focus on intensive seminars and individual or small-group tutorials.

• Taught by world-leading academics who challenge students to think independently and excel.

• Research-led approach ensuring students are exposed to cutting-edge ideas and debates.

• Students benefit from the supportive and stimulating environment of the Humanities Research Centre.

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Careers:

• Graduates have gone on to careers in various fields, including:
• Marketing
• Education
• Finance
• IT
• Charity sector
• Tourism and leisure industries
• Academia
• Program develops highly sought-after skills in:
• Analytical and critical thinking
• Constructing and defending arguments
• Grasping complex ideas
• Creative problem-solving
• Research and presentation skills
• Time management and independent study

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Other:

• The program is part of the Department of Philosophy, located on Campus West.

• Beautiful green campus provides a student-friendly environment.

For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the official University of York website.

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Tuition Fees and Payment Information:

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Annual tuition fees for 2024/25

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Study mode

Full-time (1 year) £10,590 £23,900

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Part-time (2 years)

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£5,295

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£11,950

• Students on a Student Visa are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.
• For courses which are longer than one year, the tuition fees quoted are for the first year of study.
• UK (home) fees may increase in subsequent years (up to a maximum of 2%).
• International fees may increase in subsequent years in line with the prevailing Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate (up to a maximum of 10%).