"metaphysics is a dark ocean without shores or lighthouse, strewn with many a philosophic wreck"

MA Ethics, Politics and Public Policy

In a world of scarce resources and conflicting demands, politicians and policy makers face ethical decisions at all times: What is the right balance between public safety and human rights? How can we respect autonomy while protecting the best interests of  vulnerable people? Who deserves welfare benefits? Should religious minorities be exempted from laws that contradict their beliefs? How important are the interests of future generations, over those of current generations, in the preservation of the environment? The MA in Ethics, Politics and Public Policy deals with a range of ethical dilemmas raised by contemporary politics, using normative political theory and moral philosophy to address them. Our graduates gain deep knowledge in applied political theory, and an understanding of the ethical dimension of policy making and implementation.

This interdisciplinary MA is offered jointly by Philosophy at Essex and the Government Department. Both excel in applied political theory and discourse analysis. Among those working in this area are Paul Bou-Habib, Peter Dews, Fabian Freyenhagen, Jason Glynos, Bob Goodin, David Howarth, Timo Jütten, Aletta Norval, Avia Pasternak, and Hugh Ward. The Government Department hosts fortnightly seminars dedicated to political theory and public policy issues (along with departmental seminars in both Departments); and Philosophy is home to a major research and public policy initiative, the Essex Autonomy Project (http://autonomy.essex.ac.uk/), which puts on regular workshops and conferences.

The MA caters to students with a variety of academic backgrounds. It is designed to allow those who have studied politics or related disciplines, to extend their interests in a moral and philosophical direction. Equally, it enables those with a philosophical background to apply their understanding to issues of policy making. Applications from students with other backgrounds will also be considered.

Given the increasing sensitivity of governments, public bodies, and corporations to the moral dimension of what they do, the MA may naturally lead on to work in a variety of fields: politics, the civil service, think tanks, the health service, corporations and NGOs.

Course Structure

All students are required to take the MA Seminar in Political Theory (GV908) (30 credits); the MA Seminar in Ethics, Politics and Public Policy (PY904) (30 credits) and 30-40 credits worth of optional modules from the range of modules offered in Government, Law, Philosophy, and Sociology. The Seminar in Political theory provides an overview of contemporary issues in political theory, covering concepts such as justice, democracy, and toleration. The Seminar in Ethics, Politics and Public Policy analyzes particular issues that arise in contemporary politics such as health care, the environment, and multiculturalism. You can find more information on modules by visiting the online Module Directory. 

In addition to the coursework, students write a substantial MA Dissertation (15,000-16,000) on a topic of their choice.

Module Options:  Updated April 2012

Not all modules will be available every year. 

Other modules may be taken by arrangement with the Director of the MA in Ethics, Politics and Public Policy and the Module Tutor concerned.  Details of all modules are available in the online Module Directory.

Further information about the participating departments

Essex Philosophy is internationally recognised for its unique combination of Anglo-American and European continental philosophy. It also has a long-standing research orientation in moral and political philosophy. In summer 2011 it merged with the Department of Art History and Theory to form the School of Philosophy and Art History. We are committed to fostering a variety of philosophical approaches, and to developing links between philosophy and other disciplines. In the last Research Assessment Exercise we came first for Continental Philosophy, as well as being placed in the top ten philosophy research departments in the UK, top 10 in the Guardian's ranking of philosophy departments in the UK in both 2010 and 2011 and received 100% in the National Student Satisfaction Survey for overall student satisfaction. We are in the top 10 in the Complete University Guide league tables for 2012, with amongst the highest scores for student satisfaction and graduate prospects. Philosophy is home to Inquiry and to the Essex Autonomy Project.

Our Department of Government is one of the largest and most prestigious in Europe, with an outstanding record of teaching, research and publication. We are the only political science department to have achieved the highest rating in all five UK Research Assessment Exercises (RAE), with 45 per cent of our research ranked as ‘world-leading’ in the most recent RAE (December 2008). Our staff distinguish themselves in various ways; by acting as media commentators, by writing textbooks used by students across the world and with involvement in practical training. In addition, our students have access to academic staff and a constant flow of distinguished visiting scholars from abroad. Our research interests are wide ranging. We host the British Election Study, a major Economic and Social Research Council-sponsored survey of attitudes and opinions of the British electorate, with other significant research projects studying foreign policy attitudes, corruption, and civil wars and peacekeeping.

Both Philosophy and the Department of Government participate in the work of various centres and institutes within our University, including the Centre of Theoretical Studies in the Humanities, the Essex Transitional Justice Network, the Human Rights Centre, and the newly established Institute for Democracy and Conflict Resolution.

Other modules may be taken by arrangement with the Director of the MA in Ethics, Politics and Public Policy and the Module Tutor concerned.  Details of all modules are available in the online Module Directory.

Assessment

All modules will be assessed by the agreed procedures of the Department which administers them. The core seminars will be assessed 100% by coursework, normally made up by written work equivalent to two 4,000 word essays and a class presentation. Students must receive at least an overall pass mark for each component of the degree scheme (i.e. the coursework and dissertation components), the pass mark being 50.

MA Ethics, Politics and Public Policy Module Map.