About this course
Course Overview:
The Bachelor of Political Science program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of political systems, theories, institutions, and processes. Through a combination of theoretical study, empirical analysis, and practical applications, students develop critical thinking skills and analytical abilities essential for careers in government, public policy, international relations, law, advocacy, and academia.
Year 1: Foundations of Political Science
- Introduction to Political Science: Overview of key concepts, approaches, and subfields within political science, including comparative politics, international relations, political theory, and public administration.
- Political Theory: Exploration of major political theories from classical to contemporary perspectives, including liberalism, conservatism, socialism, and feminism.
- Comparative Politics: Examination of political systems, institutions, and processes across different countries and regions, focusing on themes such as democracy, authoritarianism, political culture, and state-society relations.
- Research Methods in Political Science: Introduction to research design, data collection, and analysis methods used in political science research, including surveys, interviews, content analysis, and quantitative techniques.
Year 2: Core Courses
- International Relations: Analysis of the dynamics of state interactions, diplomacy, conflict, cooperation, globalization, and international organizations.
- Public Policy Analysis: Study of the policymaking process, policy implementation, and evaluation, with a focus on theories of public policy and empirical approaches to policy analysis.
- Political Institutions: Examination of the structure, functions, and dynamics of political institutions such as legislatures, executives, judiciaries, and bureaucracies.
- Political Economy: Exploration of the relationship between politics and economics, including theories of economic development, inequality, globalization, and economic policy.
Year 3: Specialization and Electives
- Electoral Politics and Voting Behavior: Analysis of electoral systems, political parties, voting behavior, public opinion, and electoral campaigns.
- Political Sociology: Examination of the social bases of politics, including class, race, ethnicity, gender, and identity politics.
- Human Rights and Social Justice: Study of human rights theory, international human rights law, and contemporary issues related to social justice and equality.
- Political Communication: Analysis of media, propaganda, political rhetoric, framing, and the role of communication in shaping political perceptions and behavior.
- Global Governance: Exploration of theories and practices of global governance, including the role of international organizations, NGOs, and transnational advocacy networks.
Year 4: Advanced Topics and Capstone Project
- Advanced Topics in Political Science: Seminars or advanced courses on specialized topics within political science, such as environmental politics, security studies, or political psychology.
- Public Administration and Governance: Study of administrative theories, public management, bureaucracy, and governance reforms.
- Legal Studies: Introduction to legal systems, constitutional law, administrative law, and the intersection of law and politics.
- Capstone Project: Independent research project or thesis supervised by faculty, allowing students to apply their knowledge and skills to analyze a specific political issue or question.
Internship/Field Experience:
Students are encouraged to participate in internships, field experiences, or study abroad programs to gain practical experience and deepen their understanding of political processes and institutions in real-world contexts.
Career Opportunities:
- Policy Analyst
- Political Consultant
- Government Official
- Diplomat/Foreign Service Officer
- Legislative Assistant
- Nonprofit Administrator
- Campaign Manager
- Political Journalist