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Teaching
The MPhil in Political Thought and Intellectual History is a nine-month full-time programme which combines elements of formal teaching with independent research. Students on the MPhil will join a group of researchers of all levels within the fields of political thought and intellectual history, allowing them to integrate into the research culture at Cambridge.
The teaching on the MPhil is designed to expand students' knowledge of political thought, political theory, and intellectual history. These classes do not form part of the course examination, but they will help students expand their knowledge and skills in the relevant fields.
The course comprises two kinds of work: group study and individually tailored supervised research training. Both persist simultaneously throughout the year, and students are expected to attend the taught classes, research seminars, and lectures while at the same time researching their essays. While there are no fixed course classes in the third term (Easter), when students will be concentrating on their dissertation, they will be required to present their work at a dissertation seminar and encouraged to continue attending lectures and relevant research seminars.
The teaching consists of a core course on Methods in the History of Political Thought, a Key Texts course (students are allocated to one of several classes offered by the MPhil), and a Key Concepts course (students choose from a list published by the MPhil).
The Key Texts and Key Concepts options offered each year vary. An illustrative list of options previously offered includes:
Text: G.W.F. Hegel, Elements of the Philosophy of Right
Text: Adam Smith, Theory of Moral Sentiments
Concept: Modern Democracy from Hobbes to Schumpeter
Concept: Punishment and Whatever Happened to Reward and Mercy?
In addition, students attend the weekly research seminar in political thought and intellectual history, additional training classes, such as a class on essay writing, and present their dissertation work-in-progress at the dissertation seminar in Easter term.
| One to one supervision | All students admitted to the MPhil in Political Thought and Intellectual History will be assigned a supervisor to work with them throughout the course, but crucially on the dissertation. Students will meet regularly with their supervisor for one-on-one supervisions throughout the course. The frequency of supervisions will vary depending on the time of year, and the onus is on students to organise these sessions, but students can expect at least two supervision sessions per term and normally eight across the year. The University of Cambridge publishes an annual Code of Practice which sets out the University's expectations regarding supervision. |
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| Seminars & classes | The taught seminars are as follows:
Students are also required to attend and participate in the weekly research seminar in political thought and intellectual history. This thriving research seminar gives students the chance to hear papers from early career and more senior scholars in the field, from Cambridge, elsewhere in the UK and overseas. Students are encouraged to ask questions and engage with speakers. |
| Lectures | Although not compulsory, students are welcome to attend relevant undergraduate lectures as indicated by their supervisor. |
| Posters and Presentations | All students will present their work at least once during the academic year and will receive feedback from academics and peers on their work-in-progress. This is not an assessed element of the course but is a valuable feedback tool for the dissertation. |
| Taught/Research Balance | Equal Taught/Research |
Feedback
Students will receive regular constructive feedback throughout the MPhil.
Students can expect to receive:
- regular oral feedback from their supervisor, as well as termly online feedback reports
- written feedback on essays and assessments
- oral feedback from peers during postgraduate workshops and seminars
- written and oral feedback on the dissertation proposal essay to be discussed with their supervisor
- formal written feedback from two examiners after examination of dissertation.
Assessment
Thesis / Dissertation
Students submit a dissertation of 15,000–20,000 words, worth 50% of the overall mark. The dissertation is Part II of the MPhil.
At the discretion of the Examiners, the examination may include an oral examination on the dissertation and on the general field of knowledge within which it falls.
Essays
Students submit two essays, each of up to 6,000 words, one in the first term (Michaelmas) and another in the second term (Lent). Each essay is worth 25% of the final degree mark, for a total of 50%. The two essays together constitute Part I of the MPhil.
Students will also prepare a 2,000-word dissertation proposal essay, due in Lent term. This essay is not assessed, but students will meet with their supervisor to discuss the proposal and receive feedback in preparation for the dissertation.