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This is an advanced module in political theory. It will introduce various methodologies, approaches and traditions in political theory. The specific methods and approaches covered may vary year-to-year, due to developments in academic research and the interests of the class. Possible approaches include:Ìý utilitarianism, contractualism, legal positivism, conceptual analysis, reflective equilibrium, historical contextualisation, Marxism, feminism, and critical philosophy of race. We will evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each approach through close study of two types of text: methodological texts, which offer sustained and direct analysis of the method itself; and applied texts, which take one of the methods and apply it to one of the central concepts in political theory – the concept of liberty.Ìý Ìý
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Some of the thinkers whose work we may consider include Isaiah Berlin, Kimberlé Crenshaw, H. L. A. Hart, Melissa Lane, Karl Marx, Catharine MacKinnon, John Stuart Mill, Charles Mills, Marina Oshana, John Rawls, and Quentin Skinner. In each case, we will reflect on two types of question: (1) substantive questions about the nature and value of liberty (e.g. ‘What is liberty?’, ‘Are there different concepts of liberty?’, ‘Why is liberty important?’, ‘How much liberty should we have?’, etc.); and (2) methodological questions about the approach at hand (e.g. ‘What method(s) are being employed?’, ‘What are the (dis)advantages of the method(s) employed?’, ‘What kinds of questions does the encourage or allow?’, ‘What kinds of questions should we ask in political theory?’, etc.)Ìý
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This is a compulsory module for students registered on the MA Legal and Political Theory programme. Enrolment on this module is restricted to students on this specific programme of study (or to those who meet specific other criteria). You will not be able to join the module if you do not meet these criteria.Ìý
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By the end of the module, you should:Ìý
• have a good understanding of the different approaches and explanatory strategies in legal and political theory, and of the disagreements between them;Ìý
• have a good understanding of the central debates about liberty;Ìý
• be equipped with the key methods and techniques of conducting political theory research at a graduate level;Ìý
• be in a position to develop and execute a research dissertation; andÌý
• be aware of the ethical issues and practical impact of political theory research more generally.Ìý
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The books below provide useful overviews of many of the topics we will cover. Several chapters from these books are included in the weekly readings. Depending on your background knowledge, you might find it helpful to consult one or more of these sources before the start of the term. They can all be found in the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø Library.Ìý
• Adrian Blau (ed.), Methods in Analytical Political Theory (2017)Ìý

• John Dryzek, Bonnie Honig and Anne Phillips (eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Political Theory (2006)Ìý

• Katrin Flikschuh, Freedom: Contemporary Liberal Perspectives (2007)Ìý

• David Leopold and Marc Stears (eds.), Political Theory: Methods and Approaches (2008)Ìý
• David Miller (ed.), The Liberty Reader (2006 revised edition: Edinburgh)Ìý
• David Schmidtz and Carmen E. Pavel (eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Freedom (2018)Ìý