Master of Philosophy in Politics (Comparative Government, Political Theory, European Politics and Society)

(See also the general notice at the commencement of these regulations

• 1. The currentprogramme editionshall ofbe under the Student Handbook contains an elaborated versionsupervision of these regulations.)

  The regulations made by the Politics Graduate Studies Committee are as follows:

  Each candidate must passof the Department of Politics and International Relations.  

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• 2. Candidates will be required to follow a course of instruction in either Comparative Government, European Politics and Society or Political Theory for six terms full-time.

• Qualifying TestExamination

• 3. atCandidates thewill endcomplete one of the thirdfollowing termthree fromcore thecourses beginningassessed of the course. The Qualifying Test consists of two compulsory papers (unlessby a candidatewritten is granted exemption by the Politics Graduate Studies Committee)examination:

  • (1i) A single three hour written examination paper testing knowledge of the candidate’s core subject (Theory of Politics or Comparative Government or European Governance).

    • Theory of Politics

      Compulsory paper for Political Theory students only. A critical examination of political concepts and theories, including social concepts and theories with political relevance.

      Comparative Government

      Compulsory paper(compulsory for Comparative Government students) 

    • (ii) only. The theory and practice of government in modern states.

      European Governance

      Compulsory paper(compulsory for European Politics and Society students) 

    • (iii) only. The theory and practiceTheory of governmentPolitics in(compulsory Europeanfor states,Political includingTheory the UK, and the theory and practice of integration in Europe.
      students)

  • Research methods 

  • 4. Candidates will complete one of the following:
  • 
    
    • (2i) Research Design Ain research methods paper (Research Methods inComparative Political Science orand Researchtwo Methodsmethods inoptions Political Theory).

      • Research Methods in Political Science

        Compulsory paper(compulsory for Comparative Government and European Politics and Society students only.

        Research Methods in Political Theory

        Compulsory paper for Political Theory students only.

        Research Methods in Political Science and Research Methods in Political Theory are assessed in the following way). The candidate must submit:

        • (i) A Research Design Proposal of between 4000 and 6000 words, excluding bibliography and any methodological appendices, on the subject of the student’s proposed MPhil thesis. Two copies of the Research Design Proposal, together with a copy on CD or USB flash drive, must be submitted to the Examination Schools by noon on the Friday of sixth week of Trinity Term. It must be accompanied by a separate signed declaration that it is the candidate’s own work except where otherwise indicated and that it has not previously been submitted for assessment, either at Oxford or at another institution.

          (ii) Research methods training coursework. Candidates will satisfactorilysubmit completethree asummative programmecoursework assignments, full details of corewhich andwill optionalbe researchset methods training, as specifiedout in the Student Handbook. 

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        • (ii) FurtherMethods and Approaches in Political Theory and Reasoning in Contemporary Political Philosophy (compulsory for Political Theory students). Candidates will submit two summative coursework assignments, full details regardingof thesewhich courseswill arebe providedset out in the Student Handbook.

    • 5. Research methods assignments may also be submitted as part of the thesis providing:

    • For(i) ait candidatehas not been submitted in whole or in part for theanother degree of Mthe University of Oxford, or a degree of any other university, and the candidate submits a statement to that effect;  

      (ii) the thesis itself is substantially new; and 

      (iii) the candidate also submits a statement specifying the extent of what is new.Phil 

    • 6. toTo pass the Qualifyingqualifying Testexamination and proceed to the second year of study, theeach candidate must pass: theboth researchcourses. methods paper (all elements of coursework and the Research Design Proposal) and the written examination.

      Candidates who fail theeither written examination (paper (1) above)course will normally be able to retake it before the beginning of the next academic year.

    The

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    • Final markExamination 
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    • 7. forCandidates will take two option papers from a list of those approved by the writtenPolitics examinationGraduate partStudies Committee. With the special permission of the QualifyingPolitics TestGraduate (Studies Committee candidates may take an option paper (1)from above)outside isthis carriedlist. forwardOption andpapers includedwill be assessed by written examination, research paper or essay as set out in the finalStudent classification process for the degree of MHandbook.Phil.

    Final Examination

    •  

    No candidate shall enter the Final Examination unless he or she has already passed the Qualifying Test

    • 8. InCandidates thewill Finalsubmit Examination every candidate must offer:

      • (1) Aa thesis of not more than 30,000 words, excludingby bibliographynoon on Tuesday of week 1 of Trinity term.

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      • 9. Research methods assignments and anyoption methodologicalpaper appendices. Two hard copies, together with a copy on CDessays or USBresearch flashpapers drive,and the thesis must be submitted tousing the ExaminationUniversity Schoolsapproved byonline noonsubmission system. Technical information on the Mondayrequirements offor firstonline week of Trinity Term. It must be accompanied by a separate signed declaration that itsubmissions is the candidate’s own work except where otherwise indicated and that it has not previously been submitted for assessment, either at Oxford or at another institution. After the examination process is complete, each successful candidate must deposit one hardbound copy of their thesisprovided in the Bodleian Library.

        (2) Two papers, taken from the approved list of optional subjects in Politics, as published in the Student Handbook by the Politics Graduate Studies Committee on Monday of first week of Michaelmas Term each academic year (to apply to candidates being examined in the Trinity Term of that year). Candidates should note that the Politics subjects available in any particular year will depend on the availability of teaching resources. Not all subjects will be available in every year, and restrictions may be placed on the number of candidates permitted to offer certain subjects in any particular year.

    Candidates may, with special permission of the Politics Graduate Studies Committee, offer subjects outside this list. Applications must be made by the last Friday of the Trinity Term preceding that in which the examination is to be taken, and must be supported by the candidate’s supervisor. Supervisors should ensure that applications are submitted as early as possible so that if approval is not granted the candidate has sufficient time to choose an alternative.
    
    When candidates sit optional papers offered at departments other than the Department of Politics and International Relations, they are bound by the regulations of the M.Phil in Politics.
    
    The Examiners may award a distinction for excellence in the whole examination, on the basis of the work submitted to them in both the Qualifying Test and the Final Examination.