LL4BW Half Unit
Law and Political Thought
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Prof Thomas Poole
Availability
This course is available on the LLM (extended part-time), LLM (full-time), MSc in Law and Finance, MSc in Political Theory and University of Pennsylvania Law School LLM Visiting Students. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
How to apply: Priority will be given initially to LLM, MSc Regulation and MSc Law and Finance students on a first-come-first-served allocation.
Spaces permitting, requests from all other students will be processed on the same first-come-first-served allocation from 10am on Thursday 2 October 2025
By submitting an application, students are confirming that they meet any pre-requisites specified. Providing an additional written statement will not aid a student's chances of being accepted onto a course, and statements are not read.
Deadline for application: Not applicable
For queries contact: Law.llm@lse.ac.uk
This course has a limited number of places and demand is typically high. This may mean that you’re not able to get a place on this course.
Course content
This course examines the relationship between law and political theory. It does so through a close reading of classic texts, such as: Hobbes, Leviathan; Plato, Statesman; Rousseau, Discourse on Inequality; Benjamin, ‘The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction’ and ‘Theses on the Philosophy of History’; Arendt, Origins of Totalitarianism; Latour, The Politics of Nature. We extend the range of analysis to include other forms of media, such as Fritz Lang’s M in the context of a broader discussion of Weimar-era theorists of law and politics (Kelsen, Schmitt, Heller), Jonathan Glazer’s Zone of Interest in relation to analyses of totalitarianism or Debra Granik’s Leave No Trace in the context of contemporary Rousseau-inflected takes on nature, damaged civilisation and modernity. In this way, the course deals with major topics of theoretical and juridical interest, such as law and government, revolution and counter-revolution, politics and nature, the use of myth in political thought, and politics and theology.
Teaching
2 hours of seminars in the Spring Term.
20 hours of seminars in the Autumn Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn Term.
Formative assessment
All students are expected to produce one 2,000 word formative essay during the course.
Indicative reading
The reading for the course consists of classic texts in political thought. Many are available online and the course is delivered through Moodle.
Assessment
Exam (100%), duration: 150 Minutes in the Spring exam period
Key facts
Department: LSE Law School
Course Study Period: Autumn and Spring Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 21
Average class size 2024/25: 21
Controlled access 2024/25: YesCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
For this course, please see the following link/s:
LL4BW Law and Political Thought Course Guide Video https://youtu.be/dRhVrVp1xJY