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M-A-POLITICAL-SCIENCE in Political Science at Mahatma Gandhi Central University
East Champaran, Bihar
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About the Specialization
What is Political Science at Mahatma Gandhi Central University East Champaran?
This M.A. Political Science program at Mahatma Gandhi Central University focuses on equipping students with a profound understanding of political systems, theories, and international relations within a distinct Indian context. The curriculum emphasizes critical analysis of governance, public policy, and societal dynamics, fostering academic excellence and a nuanced perspective on contemporary political challenges. It aims to develop a strong theoretical foundation relevant to India''''s evolving political landscape and global interactions.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for fresh graduates with a background in social sciences, humanities, or law, seeking to build a career in public service, research, or academia. It also caters to working professionals in government, NGOs, or media who wish to deepen their understanding of political processes and enhance their analytical skills. Aspiring civil servants, policy analysts, and educators will find the curriculum particularly relevant to their career aspirations in India.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect diverse career paths in India, including esteemed roles in civil services (UPSC, State PSCs), policy research with think tanks, journalism, advocacy, and teaching. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 4-7 LPA, with experienced professionals potentially earning INR 10-15+ LPA in various sectors. The program provides a strong foundation for pursuing M.Phil. or Ph.D. studies and contributes to creating an informed citizenry capable of impacting public discourse and policy-making.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Build a Strong Theoretical Foundation- (Semester 1-2)
Focus on deeply understanding core political theories (Indian, Western, IR) by reading original texts and engaging in classroom discussions. Form study groups to debate concepts, clarify doubts, and prepare effectively for mid-term and end-term evaluations.
Tools & Resources
University library, Online academic journals (e.g., JSTOR, Project MUSE), Dedicated peer study groups, MGCU faculty office hours
Career Connection
A robust theoretical base is crucial for analytical roles in policy research, civil services, and academia, providing the necessary framework for understanding and addressing complex political phenomena.
Master Research Methodology Basics- (Semester 1-2)
Pay meticulous attention to the Research Methodology course. Practice formulating clear research questions, identifying appropriate methods, and understanding various data collection techniques. Apply these concepts to current events through mini-assignments or critical discussions.
Tools & Resources
Research methodology textbooks, MGCU library''''s research guides, Online tutorials on basic statistical tools (e.g., MS Excel for data organization)
Career Connection
Strong research skills are indispensable for any role involving policy analysis, academic writing, or investigative journalism, enabling evidence-based decision-making and critical inquiry.
Develop Critical Thinking and Academic Writing- (Semester 1-2)
Actively participate in seminars, debates, and presentations to refine critical thinking and public speaking skills. Practice structuring coherent arguments and writing well-reasoned essays for assignments. Consistently seek feedback from professors on writing style, logical coherence, and academic rigor.
Tools & Resources
MGCU writing workshops (if available), Peer review sessions, Online resources for academic writing standards, Reference management tools like Zotero or Mendeley
Career Connection
Clear and concise communication, both written and verbal, coupled with strong analytical abilities, is highly valued in all professional fields, from policy advocacy and civil services to journalism and public relations.
Intermediate Stage
Engage with Indian Political Realities- (Semester 3-4)
Deepen your understanding of Indian Government and Politics, and State Politics in India. Read national newspapers daily, follow political analyses from reputable sources, and participate in informed discussions on contemporary Indian political developments. Attend relevant workshops or public lectures focused on Indian governance and public affairs.
Tools & Resources
Major Indian newspapers (e.g., The Hindu, Indian Express), Reputable news analysis websites (e.g., ORF, IDSA), MGCU departmental seminars and invited talks, Lok Sabha TV/Rajya Sabha TV debates and documentaries
Career Connection
A strong and up-to-date grasp of India''''s political landscape is essential for civil services, policy think tanks, political journalism, and electoral analysis roles within the country.
Strategic Elective Selection and Project Application- (Semester 3-4)
Carefully choose electives based on your specific career interests (e.g., Human Rights for advocacy, Development for NGOs, Environmental Politics for policy roles). For the final project work, integrate your elective learning, selecting a topic with real-world relevance and executing it with strong analytical rigor and a clear research methodology.
Tools & Resources
Career counseling services, Discussions with faculty mentors and alumni, Online career guides and industry reports, Academic databases and research supervision for project work
Career Connection
Strategic specialization through electives and applying that knowledge in a substantive project demonstrates expertise and advanced research capability, making graduates highly competitive for specific roles and further academic pursuits.
Network and Prepare for Career Transitions- (Semester 3-4)
Actively participate in career fairs, workshops on interview skills, and resume building organized by the university. Network with alumni, guest speakers, and professionals in fields of interest. Start preparing for competitive examinations (e.g., UPSC Civil Services, UGC NET) or job applications well in advance, leveraging all available resources.
Tools & Resources
MGCU Placement Cell, Professional networking platforms (e.g., LinkedIn), Mock interviews and group discussions, Competitive exam coaching resources and government job portals
Career Connection
Proactive career planning, continuous skill enhancement, and strategic networking are crucial for securing desired positions and successfully transitioning from academia to the professional world in India.
Advanced Stage
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- Bachelor''''s degree with minimum 50% marks in aggregate (45% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD) from a recognized university.
Duration: 4 semesters / 2 years
Credits: 80 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 30%, External: 70%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PS-C-101 | Indian Political Thought-I | Core | 5 | Ancient Indian Political Thought (Dharma, Danda, Saptanga), Kautilya''''s Arthashastra, Early Modern Indian Thinkers (Rammohan Roy, Dayanand Saraswati), Vivekanand, Phule, Tilak, Savarkar, Dharma and Statecraft |
| PS-C-102 | Western Political Thought-I | Core | 5 | Plato (Justice, Ideal State, Education), Aristotle (State, Citizenship, Revolution), Machiavelli (Human Nature, Morality), Hobbes (Human Nature, Social Contract, Sovereignty), Locke (Natural Rights, Social Contract, Limited Government) |
| PS-C-103 | Theories of International Relations | Core | 5 | Classical Realism and Neo-Realism, Liberalism and Neo-Liberalism, Marxism and Critical Theory, Constructivism and Feminism, Post-Modernism and Green Theory |
| PS-C-104 | Research Methodology | Core | 5 | Meaning, Scope and Significance of Research, Types of Research, Research Design and Hypothesis Formulation, Methods of Data Collection (Quantitative & Qualitative), Data Analysis and Interpretation |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PS-C-201 | Indian Political Thought-II | Core | 5 | Mahatma Gandhi (Satyagraha, Swaraj), Jawaharlal Nehru (Socialism, Non-Alignment), B.R. Ambedkar (Social Justice, Constitutionalism), J.P. Narayan (Total Revolution), M.N. Roy (Radical Humanism), Ram Manohar Lohia (Socialism and Democracy) |
| PS-C-202 | Western Political Thought-II | Core | 5 | Rousseau (General Will, Social Contract), Jeremy Bentham (Utilitarianism), J.S. Mill (Liberty, Representative Government), Hegel (State, Freedom, Dialectics), Karl Marx (Historical Materialism, Class Struggle, Alienation), Antonio Gramsci (Hegemony, Passive Revolution) |
| PS-C-203 | Indian Foreign Policy | Core | 5 | Determinants of Indian Foreign Policy, Non-Alignment Movement and its Evolution, India''''s Relations with Major Powers (US, Russia, China), India''''s Neighbourhood Policy (SAARC, BIMSTEC), Economic Diplomacy and Global Governance |
| PS-C-204 | Public Administration | Core | 5 | Meaning, Scope and Evolution of Public Administration, Theories of Public Administration (Scientific Management, Human Relations), Bureaucracy and its Critiques, Development Administration and New Public Management, Good Governance and E-Governance |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PS-C-301 | Indian Government and Politics | Core | 5 | Making of the Indian Constitution, Preamble, Fundamental Rights & Duties, Directive Principles, Union Executive (President, Prime Minister, Council of Ministers), Parliament (Composition, Powers, Functions), Judiciary (Supreme Court, High Courts, Judicial Review), Federalism in India, Centre-State Relations |
| PS-C-302 | Comparative Politics | Core | 5 | Nature and Scope of Comparative Politics, Approaches to Comparative Politics (Systems, Structural-Functional), Political Culture and Political Socialization, Regimes (Democratic, Authoritarian, Totalitarian), Electoral Systems, Political Parties and Pressure Groups |
| PS-C-303 | International Law | Core | 5 | Nature, Basis and Sources of International Law, Recognition (State and Government), State Jurisdiction and Immunities, Law of Treaties, Use of Force and Humanitarian Intervention, International Organizations (UN, ICJ) |
| PS-E-304 | Elective-I (Options: Human Rights / Development and Underdevelopment / Environmental Politics) | Elective | 5 | Human Rights: Concept, Universal Declaration, Covenants, Rights in India, Development & Underdevelopment: Theories, Dependency, Sustainable Development, Globalisation, Environmental Politics: Movements, Global Governance, Climate Change, SDGs |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PS-C-401 | State Politics in India | Core | 5 | Nature of State Politics, Regional Parties, Coalition Politics and its Dynamics, Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies, Social Movements (Caste, Tribal, Farmers, Women), Identity Politics and Sub-Regionalism |
| PS-C-402 | Public Policy and Governance | Core | 5 | Concept of Public Policy, Policy Cycle, Models of Public Policy Formulation and Implementation, Governance and Good Governance, E-Governance Initiatives in India, Right to Information Act |
| PS-C-403 | Security Studies | Core | 5 | Concept of Security (Traditional and Non-Traditional), National Security Doctrine, Human Security and Environmental Security, Nuclear Proliferation and Disarmament, Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism Strategies |
| PS-E-404 | Elective-II (Options: Gender and Politics / Peace and Conflict Studies / Political Sociology) | Elective | 5 | Gender and Politics: Patriarchy, Feminist Theories, Women''''s Movements, Gender Justice, Peace and Conflict Studies: Nature of Conflict, Conflict Resolution, Peacebuilding, Diplomacy, Political Sociology: Political Culture, Political Socialization, Elite Theories, Civil Society |
| PS-P-405 | Project Work | Project | 5 | Research Proposal Development, Extensive Literature Review, Data Collection and Fieldwork (if applicable), Analysis and Interpretation of Findings, Report Writing and Viva-Voce |
