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BA-POLITICAL-SCIENCE-HONS in General at Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma College
Kokrajhar, Assam
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About the Specialization
What is General at Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma College Kokrajhar?
This BA Political Science Hons program at Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma College focuses on providing a comprehensive understanding of political theories, systems, and processes, both in India and globally. It delves into the historical evolution of political thought, constitutional frameworks, public administration, and international relations. The program aims to equip students with analytical skills to critically assess governance challenges, policy-making, and societal dynamics relevant to the Indian socio-political landscape.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for high school graduates with a keen interest in civics, public affairs, and social justice. It is also suitable for individuals aspiring to careers in civil services, journalism, policy analysis, or academic research. Students with a strong aptitude for critical thinking, reading, and debate will thrive, preparing them for roles that demand a deep understanding of political systems and societal structures.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect diverse career paths in India, including administrative roles in government (UPSC/APSC exams), political consulting, advocacy, and social work. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 3-5 LPA, growing significantly with experience. The program fosters intellectual growth, enabling graduates to contribute meaningfully to public discourse and policy development, aligning with various professional certifications in governance and public policy, enhancing their employability.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Develop Strong Reading and Analytical Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Engage deeply with foundational political texts and theories from syllabus. Regularly read academic articles and news analyses related to Indian and global politics. Practice critical evaluation of arguments and evidence through essay writing.
Tools & Resources
College library resources, Online academic databases (e.g., JSTOR via institutional access), Reputable Indian news sources (The Hindu, Indian Express, The Wire)
Career Connection
Essential for success in civil services exams, policy research, and journalism, which require strong comprehension and analytical abilities to interpret complex political scenarios.
Participate in Debate and Discussion Forums- (Semester 1-2)
Actively join college debate clubs, Model UN societies, or departmental seminars. Present viewpoints, engage in constructive arguments, and learn to articulate political concepts clearly and persuasively, enhancing rhetorical skills.
Tools & Resources
College debate societies, Departmental workshops and seminars, Local youth parliaments and community forums
Career Connection
Enhances public speaking, logical reasoning, and communication skills, which are crucial for advocacy, civil service interviews, and leadership roles in various sectors.
Understand India''''s Constitutional Framework- (Semester 1-2)
Go beyond textbooks to study landmark judgments, constitutional amendments, and the practical functioning of India''''s democratic institutions. Attend guest lectures by legal experts or civil servants to grasp real-world applications.
Tools & Resources
Constitution of India text (official versions), Supreme Court judgments online platforms (e.g., IndiaKanoon), PRS Legislative Research website, parliamentary archives
Career Connection
Provides a strong base for civil service examinations, legal studies, and understanding policy-making processes, essential for roles in governance and public administration.
Intermediate Stage
Engage in Grassroots Political Observation- (Semester 3-5)
Undertake short field visits or volunteer for local NGOs focused on governance, elections, or social issues. Observe local political processes, campaigns, and community interactions to gain practical insights into ground realities.
Tools & Resources
Local NGOs and community organizations, College''''s NSS/NCC units for community outreach programs, Internship portals for short-term volunteer positions
Career Connection
Develops a practical understanding of Indian political realities, valuable for roles in social work, development sector, political campaign management, and grassroots policy implementation.
Master Research and Academic Writing- (Semester 3-5)
Focus on writing well-structured research papers for internal assignments, learning to formulate research questions, gather evidence, and cite sources correctly. Aim for quality over quantity in academic output and seek faculty feedback.
Tools & Resources
MLA/APA style guides, Online citation tools (e.g., Zotero, Mendeley), Academic writing workshops organized by the college, Regular feedback from professors
Career Connection
Essential for higher studies (MA, PhD), policy analysis roles, think tanks, and research-oriented careers in India, demonstrating rigorous intellectual capability.
Explore Specific Sub-fields through Electives- (Semester 3-5)
Strategically choose Generic Elective (GE), Skill Enhancement Course (SEC), and Discipline Specific Elective (DSE) subjects that align with specific career interests (e.g., international relations, public policy, human rights, gender studies).
Tools & Resources
Departmental faculty advisors for guidance, Alumni network for career insights, Online course catalogs for exploring related fields and future study options
Career Connection
Helps in building a specialized profile, making graduates more attractive for specific roles in NGOs, international organizations, or government bodies requiring niche expertise.
Advanced Stage
Undertake an Internship in a Relevant Sector- (Semester 6 (or during semester breaks))
Secure an internship with a government department, political consulting firm, NGO, think tank, or a media organization focused on political analysis. Apply theoretical knowledge in a practical setting to gain hands-on experience.
Tools & Resources
College placement cell guidance, Internship portals like Internshala, LinkedIn, Professional networking with alumni and faculty
Career Connection
Provides valuable work experience, industry contacts, and often leads to pre-placement offers or significantly enhances job prospects in the competitive Indian job market.
Prepare Systematically for Competitive Exams- (Semester 6)
Begin dedicated preparation for civil services (UPSC, State PSCs), academic entrance exams (for MA Political Science), or other government job tests. Focus on general knowledge, current affairs, and political science specific modules.
Tools & Resources
Reputable coaching institutes (if feasible), Online test series and mock exams, Previous year question papers, current affairs magazines and newspapers
Career Connection
Directly targets highly sought-after government and public sector jobs, which are a primary career aspiration for many Political Science graduates in India, ensuring competitive edge.
Build a Professional Network and Personal Brand- (Semester 6)
Connect with alumni, professors, and professionals in the political science domain through LinkedIn, college events, and conferences. Develop a professional resume highlighting skills and experiences relevant to desired career paths.
Tools & Resources
LinkedIn for professional networking, College alumni association events, Career fairs and workshops on resume building and interview skills
Career Connection
Opens doors to mentorship, job referrals, and staying updated on industry trends, crucial for career advancement and securing meaningful employment in India''''s dynamic job market.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- 10+2 Pass in any stream (General Admission Requirement of the College)
Duration: 3 Years / 6 Semesters
Credits: 148 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 20% (Internal Assessment), External: 80% (End Semester Examination)
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSC 1 | Understanding Political Theory | Core | 6 | What is Political Theory?, Approaches to Political Theory, Concept of Liberty, Concept of Equality, Concept of Justice, Concept of Rights |
| DSC 2 | Constitutional Government and Democracy in India | Core | 6 | Making of the Indian Constitution, Philosophy of the Constitution, Fundamental Rights and Duties, Directive Principles of State Policy, The Legislature and Executive, The Judiciary |
| AECC 1 | Environmental Studies | Compulsory | 4 | Multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies, Natural resources and their management, Ecosystems and their functions, Biodiversity and its conservation, Environmental pollution, Human population and environment |
| GE 1 | Generic Elective - I | Elective | 6 | Subject will vary based on student choice and college offering, common choices include History, Economics, Sociology, etc. |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSC 3 | Political Theory - Concepts and Debates | Core | 6 | Concept of State and Sovereignty, Citizenship and its theories, Democracy: theories and practices, Power, Authority and Legitimacy, Nationalism and Liberalism |
| DSC 4 | Political Processes in India | Core | 6 | Parties and Party Systems, Elections and Electoral Reforms, Interest Groups and Pressure Groups, Social Movements in India, Religion and Politics, Caste, Class and Gender in Politics |
| AECC 2 | English/MIL Communication | Compulsory | 4 | Theory of Communication, Reading Comprehension, Writing Skills (reports, essays), Speaking Skills (presentations), Listening Skills, Grammar and Vocabulary |
| GE 2 | Generic Elective - II | Elective | 6 | Subject will vary based on student choice and college offering. |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSC 5 | Introduction to Comparative Government and Politics | Core | 6 | Understanding Comparative Politics, Approaches to Studying Comparative Politics, The State in Comparative Perspective, Regimes and Systems, Electoral Systems, Political Parties and Party Systems |
| DSC 6 | Perspectives on Public Administration | Core | 6 | Public Administration as a Discipline, Classical Approach to Public Administration, Human Relations and Rational Choice Approaches, New Public Administration, Public Policy: concepts and types, Bureaucracy and Governance |
| DSC 7 | Perspectives on International Relations and World History | Core | 6 | Understanding International Relations, Classical Realism and Neo-Realism, Liberalism and Neo-Liberalism, Marxist and Feminist Perspectives, The Cold War Era, Post Cold War Developments |
| SEC 1 | Skill Enhancement Course - I (e.g., Conflict and Peace Building) | Skill Elective | 4 | Understanding Conflict, Sources and Types of Conflict, Conflict Transformation, Peace-Building Strategies, Role of International Organizations, India''''s Approach to Peace |
| GE 3 | Generic Elective - III | Elective | 6 | Subject will vary based on student choice and college offering. |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSC 8 | Political Processes and Institutions in Comparative Perspective | Core | 6 | Constitutions and Constitutionalism, Legislatures: types and functions, Executives: forms and powers, Judiciaries: role and independence, Federalism: comparative analysis, Local Governance Systems |
| DSC 9 | Public Policy and Administration in India | Core | 6 | Public Policy: Concept and Significance, Models of Public Policy, Public Policy Making in India, Decentralization and Panchayati Raj, Good Governance Initiatives, Citizen-Centric Administration |
| DSC 10 | Global Politics | Core | 6 | Globalization: dimensions and debates, Global Actors: states, MNCs, NGOs, International Law and its institutions, International Organizations (UN, WTO), Global Security Concerns, Human Rights and Environment |
| SEC 2 | Skill Enhancement Course - II (e.g., Legislative Practices and Procedures) | Skill Elective | 4 | Parliamentary System and its functioning, Legislative Drafting, Law Making Process, Budgetary Process in Parliament, Committee System, Role of Opposition |
| GE 4 | Generic Elective - IV | Elective | 6 | Subject will vary based on student choice and college offering. |
Semester 5
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSC 11 | Classical Political Philosophy | Core | 6 | Plato: Justice and Ideal State, Aristotle: Forms of Government, Machiavelli: Realism and Statecraft, Hobbes: Social Contract Theory, Locke: Natural Rights and Limited Government, Rousseau: General Will and Popular Sovereignty |
| DSC 12 | Indian Political Thought-I | Core | 6 | Traditions of Ancient Indian Political Thought, Kautilya: Arthashastra and Statecraft, Barani: Theory of Kingship, Abul Fazal: Idea of Sovereignty, Kabir: Social Harmony, Rammohan Roy: Social Reform and Modernity |
| DSE 1 | Discipline Specific Elective - I (e.g., Development Process and Social Movements in Contemporary India) | Elective | 6 | Conceptions of Development, Critiques of Development Models, Social Movements in India, Peasant and Farmers'''' Movements, Women''''s Movements, Environmental Movements |
| DSE 2 | Discipline Specific Elective - II (e.g., India''''s Foreign Policy in a Globalizing World) | Elective | 6 | India''''s Foreign Policy: Evolution and Principles, Determinants of Foreign Policy, India''''s Relations with Major Powers, India and SAARC, India''''s Nuclear Policy, Economic Diplomacy |
Semester 6
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSC 13 | Modern Political Philosophy | Core | 6 | John Stuart Mill: Liberty and Representative Government, Karl Marx: Historical Materialism and Class Struggle, Hannah Arendt: The Human Condition, John Rawls: Theory of Justice, Michel Foucault: Power and Knowledge, Feminist Political Thought |
| DSC 14 | Indian Political Thought-II | Core | 6 | M.K. Gandhi: Satyagraha and Swaraj, B.R. Ambedkar: Social Justice and Equality, V.D. Savarkar: Hindutva, M.N. Roy: Radical Humanism, Jawaharlal Nehru: Democratic Socialism, Jayaprakash Narayan: Total Revolution |
| DSE 3 | Discipline Specific Elective - III (e.g., Human Rights, Gender and Environment) | Elective | 6 | Human Rights: Concept and Evolution, Rights of Women, Environmental Ethics, Gender and Development, Environmental Justice, Global Environmental Politics |
| DSE 4 | Discipline Specific Elective - IV (e.g., Understanding Globalization) | Elective | 6 | Globalization: Concept and Debates, Economic Globalization, Cultural Globalization, Political Globalization, Anti-Globalization Movements, Impact of Globalization on India |
