Prof Paul Apostolidis

This course is available on the MSc in Culture and Conflict in a Global Europe, MSc in Culture and Conflict in a Global Europe (LSE & Columbia), MSc in Culture and Conflict in a Global Europe (LSE & Sciences Po), MSc in International Migration and Public Policy, MSc in International Migration and Public Policy (LSE and Sciences Po) and MSc in Political Theory. This course is freely available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. It does not require permission. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process. For information on controlled access courses, including eligibility, application processes, deadlines, and departmental contact details, please refer to the Controlled Access Courses webpage.

How to apply: To apply for a place on this course, please submit a short statement of no more than 200 words via LfY. Your statement should outline your reasons for applying and explain how the course will support your academic and/or career goals. If applicable, you should also demonstrate how you meet any pre-requisites listed in the course guide. If the course is compulsory for your programme, no written statement is required.

Priority for places on Government (GV) courses will be given first to students for whom the course is compulsory. Where applicable, priority will then be given to students on the Department of Government programmes listed in the ‘Availability’ section of the course guide, followed by students on other programmes listed in that section. Students on all other programmes will be considered next, where a course is available as an outside option. You should ensure that you meet any pre-requisites listed in the course guide before applying. Places on capped courses cannot be guaranteed. Where a course is oversubscribed, places will be allocated based on programme priority and the written statement.

Deadline for applications: The deadline for applications is 12:00 noon on Friday 25 September 2026. You can expect to be informed of the outcome of your application by 12:00 noon on Monday 28 September 2026. Any places remaining after this date will be allocated based on priority and written statement - up until course selection closes.

For queries contact: gov.msc@lse.ac.uk.

This course is capped at one group. Priority will be given to students on the MSc in Political Theory programme.

This seminar explores diverse theoretical perspectives on political and ethical responses to contemporary multiculturalism and the many different forms of cultural politics. In part, we confront normative-philosophical issues concerning how to justify special rights for particular cultural groups with reference to certain principles of freedom, justice or the human need for ‘recognition.’ We consider immigrants' and other groups’ demands for cultural preservation in light of European cosmopolitan ideals, and explore how those ideals may not only embrace cultural openness but also carry legacies of colonialism. The course also takes up questions regarding the meaning and effects of cultural politics in relation to political struggles for socioeconomic justice and against racial, gender and sexual domination. Through what practices of communication can different cultural groups approach mutual understanding in the aftermath of empire and colonisation? Does engaging in sexual and gender identity politics clash with or strengthen political action against capitalist and racial power? Texts in the course’s later phase combine political theory with empirical studies of indigenous, racial/ethnic minority, youth-subcultural and religious politics. These readings give us concrete grounds for addressing the course’s key questions as well as examples of innovative methodological approaches to writing political theory.

20 hours of seminars in the Winter Term.

This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Winter Term.

Essay (1500 words) in Winter Term Week 8.

Students are invited to write one 1,500 word formative essay, due no later than week 8.

Charles Taylor, “The Politics of Recognition”; Will Kymlicka, “Multicultural Citizenship”; Iris Marion Young, "Polity and Group Difference”; Cristina Beltrán, “The Trouble with Unity: Latino Politics and the Creation of Identity”; Saba Mahmood, “Religious Reason and Secular Affect”; Glenn Coulthard, “Red Skin, White Masks”; Charles W. Mills, “Multiculturalism as/and/or Anti-Racism?”

Essay (100%, 4000 words) in Spring Term Week 3.