MA Critical Global Politics

Programme overview

The MA in Critical Global Politics brings together political science, activist politics, sociology and international relations to inquire into the origins of prevailing global power relations, how they are sustained, and the conditions that give rise to contemporary forms of resistance politics; identifying and critically interrogating their political practices.

As a student on this programme you will therefore examine how economic, social and other changes at a global level – such as the emergence of an information age media – are engendering new forms of political and social movement, providing you with critical awareness of key arguments about the relationships between power, identity, difference, meaning and knowledge. You will also explore the links between academic scholarship and political activism; and how political philosophy can help us understand the moral issues underlying conflicts, struggles and social experiments around the world.

Furthermore, rather than accepting existing social and power relations as the given framework for action, we will look at the possibilities for their transformation, exploring the actual and potential impact that various forms of resistance and activism may have, particularly in light of contemporary debates around the nature of politics, justice and globalisation.

You will then have the opportunity to apply these theories and approaches to transnational issues of particular interest to you, via your personal research into areas such as:

• aid and development
• climate change and environmentalism
• democratization
• feminism
• human rights
• indigenous land rights
• international security
• peace building
• the global justice movement
• transitional justice

Location

This programme is based at Streatham Campus, Exeter, in the United Kingdom.

Duration

You may study the MA in Critical Global Politics over 12 months as a full-time student, or 24 months as a part-time student.

Teaching takes place over two terms (October to April) followed by completion of the dissertation over the summer (June to September) - this will be the summer of your second year if you choose to study as a part-time student.