Semester-wise Syllabus for MSc Political Science

Semester 1: Foundations of Political Science

1. Political Theory

   • Classical theories (Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli)

   • Modern theories (Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Marx)

   • Contemporary debates (Rawls, Nozick, Foucault)

2. Comparative Politics

   • Political systems (Presidential vs. Parliamentary)

   • Electoral systems, party structures

   • Case studies (US, UK, India, China)

3. International Relations

   • Realism, Liberalism, Constructivism

   • Key concepts (sovereignty, power balance, globalization)

4. Research Methodology

   • Qualitative vs. quantitative methods

   • Data collection (surveys, interviews, content analysis)

5. Indian Political System

   • Constitution, federalism, judiciary

   • Caste, religion, and identity politics

Semester 2: Advanced Political Analysis

1. Public Policy & Administration

   • Policy cycle (formulation, implementation, evaluation)

   • Bureaucracy and governance challenges

2. Political Economy

   • Capitalism vs. Socialism

   • Global trade, WTO, IMF

3. Foreign Policy Analysis

   • Tools of foreign policy (diplomacy, sanctions)

   • Case studies (US-China relations, India’s neighborhood policy)

4. Elective I (Choose 1)

   • Gender and Politics

   • Environmental Politics

   • Media and Politics

5. Statistical Tools for Political Science

   • SPSS/R for political data analysis

   • Voting behavior studies

Semester 3: Specializations & Applied Politics

1. Conflict and Peace Studies

   • Theories of conflict (Galtung, Huntington)

   • UN peacekeeping, Track II diplomacy

2. Development Politics

   • SDGs, poverty alleviation programs

   • Role of NGOs, multilateral agencies

3. Elective II (Choose 1)

   • Digital Politics (Social media, misinformation)

   • Urban Politics (Smart cities, municipal governance)

   • Political Psychology (Voter behavior, leadership styles)

4. Elective III (Choose 1)

   • Human Rights (International conventions, refugee crises)

   • Security Studies (Cybersecurity, nuclear deterrence)

5. Internship/Fieldwork

   • 4-6 weeks with think tanks, NGOs, or government bodies

Semester 4: Research & Capstone

1. Global Governance

   • UN, WTO, climate change regimes

   • Non-state actors (MNCs, civil society)

2. Dissertation

   • Original research (e.g., impact of social media on elections)

   • 80-100 pages with primary/secondary data

3. Seminar Series

   • Contemporary issues (populism, AI in governance)

   • Guest lectures by policymakers

4. Career Workshop

   • Prep for civil services, political consultancy, academia