The following information is intended to assist graduate students planning their study in political theory at UCSD.
Coursework
Students taking the field examination in political theory are required to take two core seminars (PS 210a, PS 210b), and either two seminars numbered PS 211-219, or one seminar numbered PS 211-219 and one PS 298 approved by the political theory field coordinator.
General Examination
Field examination
The written field examination in political theory will normally consist of two essays completed within a four-hour period. Questions will draw on the primary sources listed in the "Political Theory Field Examination Bibliography." (Copies of the bibliography are available from the field coordinator in political theory.)
Focus-area examination
The written focus-area examination in political theory will normally consist of two essays completed within a four-hour period. Students are encouraged to present one of the following focus areas:
Early Modern Political Thought
The Enlightenment and its Critics
Contemporary Political Thought
Each focus area has a core bibliography of approximately fifteen or twenty books. (Copies of the core bibliographies are available from the field coordinator in political theory.) Students are encouraged to amend these bibliographies through addition and substitution. Final bibliographies must be approved by the field coordinator in political theory by the first day of the spring quarter of the second year.
Alternative focus-areas of comparable breadth and depth are permitted, and must be approved by the field coordinator in political theory by the first day of the winter quarter of the second year.
Seminar Papers
A seminar paper in political theory should be between 30 and 50 pages in length and demonstrate mastery of a topic (including relevant primary and secondary materials). It should advance a coherent and original argument, and not simply describe the views of others. In scope and content, it might be compared to a paper given at a conference, or a chapter from a dissertation.
Language Study
Students seeking to write a dissertation in political theory must demonstrate reading competence in all languages pertinent to the student’s dissertation prior to advancing to candidacy.
