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MA-POLITICAL-SCIENCE in Political Science at Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College
Delhi, Delhi
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About the Specialization
What is Political Science at Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College Delhi?
This MA Political Science program at Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College, affiliated with the University of Delhi, focuses on a comprehensive understanding of political systems, theories, and contemporary issues. It delves into Indian and Western political thought, international relations, comparative politics, and public administration, equipping students with analytical and critical thinking skills essential for navigating the complex political landscape. The program is tailored to address the dynamic political environment of India and its global interactions, providing a robust foundation in political studies.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for fresh graduates from Political Science, History, Economics, or related social science disciplines seeking entry into government services, policy analysis, journalism, or academia. It also benefits working professionals, including those in public administration or non-profit sectors, who aspire to deepen their understanding of political processes and enhance their analytical capabilities. Career changers looking to transition into roles requiring a strong grasp of political theory and practice will find this program highly enriching.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect diverse India-specific career paths in civil services (UPSC, State PSCs), policy think tanks, research institutions, political consulting firms, and media houses. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 3-6 lakhs per annum, with experienced professionals earning INR 8-15 lakhs or more. Growth trajectories include roles as policy analysts, researchers, journalists, public relations specialists, or educators, with opportunities to contribute to governance and social development in Indian companies and organizations.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Master Core Political Concepts- (Semester 1-2)
Dedicate significant time to understanding foundational political theories, philosophies, and concepts from both Indian and Western thought. Attend all lectures, actively participate in discussions, and clarify doubts promptly to build a strong theoretical base for advanced studies. Regularly review key texts and thinkers.
Tools & Resources
University library resources, e-Pathshala for Political Science content, Peer study groups, Faculty office hours
Career Connection
A solid conceptual understanding is crucial for excelling in competitive exams like UPSC Civil Services, and for analytical roles in policy research or journalism.
Develop Academic Writing and Research Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Focus on improving academic writing, essay structuring, and basic research methodologies as taught in courses like Research Methods. Practice writing critical essays and short research papers, paying attention to citation styles and argument construction. Seek feedback on assignments to refine skills.
Tools & Resources
Online academic writing guides (e.g., Purdue OWL), Grammarly/QuillBot, JSTOR/Shodhganga for research papers, Writing workshops
Career Connection
Strong writing and research are indispensable for roles in policy analysis, academia, think tanks, and effective communication in any professional setting.
Engage in Current Affairs Analysis- (Semester 1-2)
Regularly read leading national newspapers (e.g., The Hindu, Indian Express), political magazines, and reputable online news portals. Connect current political events in India and globally with the theoretical concepts learned in class. Participate in debates and discussions to articulate informed opinions.
Tools & Resources
Daily newspapers (The Hindu, Indian Express), Economic and Political Weekly, PRS Legislative Research updates, News analysis channels
Career Connection
Critical analysis of current affairs is vital for civil services, journalism, and for understanding the practical application of political theories in governance and public policy.
Intermediate Stage
Explore Specialization through Electives and Projects- (Semester 3-4)
Strategically choose elective courses that align with your specific interests and career aspirations, whether in international relations, public policy, or social movements. Initiate small-scale research projects or term papers on topics within these specializations to gain deeper insights and practical experience.
Tools & Resources
Departmental faculty mentors, Specialized academic journals, Online courses (e.g., NPTEL, Coursera) for deeper dives
Career Connection
Developing expertise in a niche area strengthens your profile for targeted job roles, research positions, and further academic pursuits like M.Phil./PhD.
Seek Internships for Practical Exposure- (Semester 3-4)
Actively look for internships with NGOs, policy research organizations, government bodies, political campaigns, or media houses during semester breaks. This provides invaluable real-world exposure, allows you to apply academic knowledge, and helps build a professional network. Prioritize internships related to your chosen elective areas.
Tools & Resources
College placement cell, Internshala, LinkedIn, Professional networking events, NGO directories
Career Connection
Internships are crucial for gaining practical experience, making industry contacts, and often lead to pre-placement offers or strong recommendations for future jobs.
Participate in Debates, Seminars, and Model UN- (Semester 3-4)
Actively engage in departmental seminars, college debates, and Model United Nations (MUN) conferences. These activities hone your public speaking, negotiation, and critical thinking skills, while also broadening your perspective on global political issues. Present research papers in college symposia.
Tools & Resources
College debate clubs/societies, MUN conferences (intra-college, inter-college), Departmental lecture series, Public speaking coaches
Career Connection
These activities enhance soft skills vital for leadership roles, diplomacy, advocacy, and effective communication in professional political and policy circles.
Advanced Stage
Undertake Dissertation/Research Project- (Semester 4)
Engage deeply in a substantial research project or dissertation under faculty guidance. This capstone experience allows for in-depth exploration of a topic, development of advanced research methodologies, and contribution to existing scholarship. Focus on a topic relevant to your career path.
Tools & Resources
Dedicated faculty supervisor, Advanced statistical software (if applicable), Access to specialized databases, Research ethics guidelines
Career Connection
A strong dissertation showcases advanced research capabilities, which are highly valued in academia, policy research, and think tanks. It can also form the basis for PhD applications.
Network with Professionals and Alumni- (Semester 4)
Actively build a network with alumni working in relevant fields, faculty members, and professionals encountered during internships or seminars. Attend industry conferences, workshops, and career fairs. Leverage LinkedIn for professional connections. Mentorship can provide crucial career guidance.
Tools & Resources
LinkedIn, Alumni association events, Departmental networking events, Industry conferences
Career Connection
Professional networking is paramount for discovering job opportunities, gaining industry insights, and securing referrals that can significantly boost placement prospects.
Prepare for Post-MA Opportunities- (Semester 4)
Clearly define your post-MA goals (e.g., civil services, PhD, policy jobs). Prepare rigorously for competitive exams (UPSC, UGC NET) or university entrance tests if pursuing further studies. Tailor your CV/resume and cover letters for specific job applications, and practice interview skills.
Tools & Resources
UPSC/UGC NET coaching materials, Mock interview sessions, Career counseling services, Online job portals (Naukri, Indeed)
Career Connection
Proactive and targeted preparation ensures a smooth transition into your desired career path or further academic pursuits immediately after graduation.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- B.A. (Hons.) Political Science / B.A. Programme / B.A. Pass / B.A. Vocational Studies (10+2+3 scheme) or any other Bachelor''''s Degree from University of Delhi or any other recognized University with at least 50% marks in aggregate. Relaxation for OBC/SC/ST/PwBD as per DU norms. (As per University of Delhi guidelines for MA Political Science)
Duration: 2 years (4 semesters)
Credits: 64 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 25%, External: 75%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MA(PS) C 001 | Political Theory | Core | 4 | Concepts: Liberty, Equality, Justice, Rights, Approaches to Political Theory, Democracy and its theories, State and Sovereignty, Power and Authority |
| MA(PS) C 002 | International Relations | Core | 4 | Theories of International Relations (Realism, Liberalism, Marxism, Constructivism), Evolution of International Society, Globalisation and its impact, International Political Economy, Peace and Conflict Studies |
| MA(PS) C 003 | Comparative Political Analysis | Core | 4 | Approaches to Comparative Politics, State and Society relations, Regimes: Authoritarianism, Democracy, Electoral Systems, Political Culture and Social Movements |
| MA(PS) C 004 | Public Administration | Core | 4 | Classical and Modern Theories of Public Administration, Bureaucracy and Governance, Policy Making and Implementation, Public Sector Reforms, Ethics in Public Administration |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MA(PS) C 005 | Indian Political Thought | Core | 4 | Ancient Indian Political Thought (Kautilya, Shantiparva), Medieval and Colonial Thought (Barani, Abul Fazl, Rammohan Roy), Modern Indian Thinkers (Gandhi, Ambedkar, Savarkar, Nehru), Nationalism and Post-colonialism, Secularism and Communalism in India |
| MA(PS) C 006 | Indian Politics | Core | 4 | Constitutionalism and Democracy in India, Federalism and Decentralization, Political Parties and Electoral Politics, Social Movements and Identity Politics, Development and Governance Challenges |
| MA(PS) C 007 | Western Political Thought | Core | 4 | Classical Thinkers (Plato, Aristotle), Medieval Thinkers (Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau), Modern Thinkers (Mill, Marx, Hegel), Key Concepts: Rights, Property, Freedom, Justice, Critiques of Enlightenment |
| MA(PS) C 008 | Research Methods in Political Science | Core | 4 | Nature and Scope of Social Science Research, Research Design and Ethics, Quantitative and Qualitative Methods, Data Collection Techniques (Survey, Interview, Observation), Data Analysis and Report Writing |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MA(PS) E 009 | Post Colonial Theory | Elective (Pool) | 4 | Colonialism and its legacies, Theories of post-colonialism, Race, Class, Gender and Postcolonialism, Subalternity and Resistance, Postcolonial State and Citizenship |
| MA(PS) E 010 | Gender in Politics | Elective (Pool) | 4 | Key concepts of Gender and Feminism, Theories of Gender and Power, Gender and Political Representation, Women''''s Movements in India, Gender, Development and Governance |
| MA(PS) E 011 | Human Rights | Elective (Pool) | 4 | Conceptualizing Human Rights, International Human Rights Law and Institutions, Human Rights in India, Challenges to Human Rights, Human Rights and Global Governance |
| MA(PS) E 012 | India’s Foreign Policy | Elective (Pool) | 4 | Historical Evolution of India''''s Foreign Policy, India and Major Powers, India''''s Neighbourhood Policy, Economic Diplomacy and Global Order, Multilateralism and India''''s Role |
| MA(PS) E 013 | South Asia: Politics and International Relations | Elective (Pool) | 4 | Conceptualizing South Asia, Internal Dynamics of South Asian States, Inter-state Relations in South Asia, Regional Cooperation (SAARC, BIMSTEC), External Powers in South Asia |
| MA(PS) E 014 | Contemporary Political Philosophy | Elective (Pool) | 4 | Liberalism and Communitarianism, Theories of Justice (Rawls, Nozick, Sen), Multiculturalism and Recognition, Deliberative Democracy, Cosmopolitanism |
| MA(PS) E 015 | India and the World | Elective (Pool) | 4 | India''''s Engagement with Global Governance, India''''s Economic Diplomacy, India''''s Cultural and Soft Power Diplomacy, India''''s Strategic Partnerships, Challenges and Opportunities for India in Global Affairs |
| MA(PS) E 016 | Public Policy in India | Elective (Pool) | 4 | Concepts and Models of Public Policy, Policy Making Process in India, Policy Implementation and Evaluation, Sectoral Policies (Health, Education, Environment), Good Governance and Public Accountability |
| MA(PS) E 017 | Social Movements and Protests in India | Elective (Pool) | 4 | Theories of Social Movements, Historical Overview of Social Movements in India, Agrarian and Labour Movements, Dalit, Tribal, Environmental Movements, Women''''s and Human Rights Movements |
| MA(PS) E 018 | State and Society in India | Elective (Pool) | 4 | Nature of the Indian State, Civil Society and State Relations, Caste, Class, and Politics, Religion and Politics, Regionalism and Federalism |
| MA(PS) E 019 | Political Economy of Development | Elective (Pool) | 4 | Theories of Development and Underdevelopment, Colonialism and Capitalism, Globalisation and its impact, State, Market and Development, Development Debates in India |
| MA(PS) E 020 | Development Studies | Elective (Pool) | 4 | Evolution of Development Thought, Indicators and Measures of Development, Sustainable Development Goals, Role of State, Market, and NGOs, Critical Perspectives on Development |
| MA(PS) E 021 | Environment and Politics | Elective (Pool) | 4 | Environmentalism and Political Theory, Global Environmental Governance, Environmental Movements in India, Climate Change Politics and Policy, Conservation and Sustainable Development |
| MA(PS) E 022 | Understanding Indian Federalism | Elective (Pool) | 4 | Conceptualizing Federalism, Historical Trajectory of Indian Federalism, Centre-State Relations, Regionalism and Federal Demands, Fiscal Federalism and Governance |
| MA(PS) E 023 | Globalisation and Development | Elective (Pool) | 4 | Theories of Globalisation, Impact of Globalisation on Development, Globalisation and Inequality, Global Governance and Development, Resistance to Globalisation |
| MA(PS) E 024 | Disarmament and Arms Control | Elective (Pool) | 4 | Concepts of Disarmament and Arms Control, Nuclear Proliferation and Non-Proliferation Regimes, Conventional Arms Control, Emerging Technologies and Arms Control, India''''s Stance on Disarmament |
| MA(PS) E 025 | Conflict and Peacebuilding | Elective (Pool) | 4 | Theories of Conflict, Types of Conflict (Inter-state, Intra-state), Conflict Resolution and Management, Peacebuilding and Post-Conflict Reconstruction, Role of International Organizations |
| MA(PS) E 026 | Politics of Migration | Elective (Pool) | 4 | Theories of Migration, Types and Patterns of Migration, Governance of Migration, Citizenship, Identity, and Rights of Migrants, Migration and Development |
| MA(PS) E 027 | New Social Movements | Elective (Pool) | 4 | Theories of New Social Movements, Characteristics of New Social Movements, Environmental Movements, Women''''s and LGBTQ+ Movements, Human Rights and Peace Movements |
| MA(PS) E 028 | Politics of Digital Age | Elective (Pool) | 4 | Digitalisation and Political Change, E-governance and Digital Democracy, Social Media and Political Communication, Cybersecurity and Surveillance, Big Data and Algorithmic Governance |
| MA(PS) E 029 | Democracy and Development in India | Elective (Pool) | 4 | Interconnections between Democracy and Development, Challenges to Democratic Consolidation, Inclusive Growth and Social Justice, Decentralization and Local Governance, Role of Civil Society |
| MA(PS) E 030 | Law and Politics | Elective (Pool) | 4 | Relationship between Law and Politics, Constitutionalism and Rule of Law, Judicial Review and Activism, Human Rights Law and Governance, Political Jurisprudence |
| MA(PS) E 031 | Urban Governance | Elective (Pool) | 4 | Theories of Urbanization, Urbanization in India, Challenges of Urban Governance, Smart Cities and Urban Planning, Citizen Participation in Urban Governance |
| MA(PS) E 032 | Political Geography | Elective (Pool) | 4 | Concepts of Space, Place, Territory, Geopolitics and Geo-economics, Borders and Boundaries, Resource Politics, Environmental Geopolitics |
| MA(PS) E 033 | International Law | Elective (Pool) | 4 | Nature and Sources of International Law, Subjects of International Law, International Dispute Settlement, International Criminal Law, Humanitarian Law |
| MA(PS) E 034 | Political Sociology | Elective (Pool) | 4 | Concepts: State, Power, Society, Social Stratification and Political Behavior, Political Culture and Socialization, Elites and Masses, Democracy and Civil Society |
| MA(PS) OE 001 | Understanding Global Politics | Open Elective (Pool) | 4 | Key Theories of Global Politics, State and Non-State Actors, Globalisation and Interdependence, Global Challenges (Terrorism, Environment, Poverty), Future of Global Order |
| MA(PS) OE 002 | Contemporary Issues in Indian Politics | Open Elective (Pool) | 4 | Electoral Reforms and Party System, Challenges to Federalism, Identity Politics (Caste, Religion, Language), Governance and Corruption, Social Justice and Inclusion |
| MA(PS) OE 003 | Democracy and Human Rights in India | Open Elective (Pool) | 4 | Constitutionalism and Democratic Values, Fundamental Rights and Duties, Human Rights Institutions in India, Challenges to Human Rights Protection, Role of Civil Society and Judiciary |
| MA(PS) OE 004 | Introduction to Political Theory | Open Elective (Pool) | 4 | Concepts: Liberty, Equality, Justice, Rights, Approaches to Political Theory, Democracy and its theories, State and Sovereignty, Power and Authority |
| MA(PS) OE 005 | Public Opinion and Survey Research | Open Elective (Pool) | 4 | Nature of Public Opinion, Formation and Measurement of Public Opinion, Survey Research Design, Sampling Techniques, Data Analysis and Interpretation |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MA(PS) E-choice-1 | Elective Course 1 (Chosen from pool listed in Semester 3) | Elective | 4 | Refer to detailed list of Elective (Pool) subjects in Semester 3 |
| MA(PS) E-choice-2 | Elective Course 2 (Chosen from pool listed in Semester 3) | Elective | 4 | Refer to detailed list of Elective (Pool) subjects in Semester 3 |
| MA(PS) E-choice-3 | Elective Course 3 (Chosen from pool listed in Semester 3) | Elective | 4 | Refer to detailed list of Elective (Pool) subjects in Semester 3 |
| MA(PS) OE-choice-1 | Open Elective Course (Chosen from pool listed in Semester 3) | Open Elective | 4 | Refer to detailed list of Open Elective (Pool) subjects in Semester 3 |
