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MA Political Science Syllabus: Semester-wise, Year-wise, Entrance Exam Syllabus, Books 2023

Course

Simran Kaur

Updated on 10th November, 2023 , 8 min read

The full form of MA Political Science is Master of Arts in MA Political Science. It is a two-year postgraduate course that focuses on the study of political systems, theories, ideologies, policies, and processes. 

MA Political Science syllabus includes topics on Political Theory and ThoughtComparative PoliticsInternational RelationsPolitical InstitutionsRegional Studies, and Political Economy.

MA Political Science subjects include Public Policy and AdministrationContemporary Political IssuesResearch MethodologyHuman Rights and International Law, and Political Sociology. 

Detailed Syllabus and Subjects:

MSc Zoology

MSc Computer Science

MCA

MSc Math

MBA

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MA Political Science Syllabus: Overview

MA Political Science is a social science discipline that deals with the theory and practice of politics, government systems, and political behavior. Given below is a general outline of the MA Political Science Syllabus in India:

Core Subjects: 

  • Political Philosophy and Ideologies
  • State and Governance
  • Political Analysis and Techniques
  • Political Institutions in India
  • Global Politics
  • Public Administration and Management
  • International Political Economy

Elective Subjects: 

  • Indian Political Thought
  • Comparative Federalism
  • Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies
  • Gender and Politics
  • Environmental Politics and Sustainable Development
  • Media and Politics
  • Public Policy Analysis
  • Human Security and Development
  • Foreign Policy Analysis
  • Political Sociology
  • Political Communication
  • Political Parties and Party Systems
  • Public Diplomacy and Soft Power
  • Global Governance and International Organizations
  • Terrorism and Counterterrorism
  • Ethnicity, Identity, and Politics
  • Political Leadership and Decision-Making
  • Human Rights and Justice
  • Regional Politics and Area Studies

Research and Project Work Topics:  

  • The Impact of Social Media on Political Participation
  • Analyzing the Rise of Populist Movements in Different Countries
  • Women's Political Empowerment: Challenges and Progress
  • The Role of International Organizations in Addressing Global Challenges
  • Examining the Effectiveness of Foreign Aid in Developing Countries
  • Assessing the Impact of Economic Globalization on Sovereignty
  • Environmental Politics and Climate Change Policy
  • Comparative Analysis of Electoral Systems and Their Impact on Representation

MA Political Science Syllabus: Year-wise

MA Political Science focuses on the study of politics, governance, and political systems at an advanced level. The program typically spans two years and is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of various aspects of political science.

MA-Political-Science syllabus

MA Political Science Syllabus: 1st Year

The first year of the MA Political Science program generally lays the groundwork and introduces students to the fundamental concepts and theories of political science. Some of the key subjects covered in the first year include:

Topics

Sub-topics

Political Theory and Ideologies

Introduction to Political Theory

Liberalism

Conservatism

Socialism

Marxism

Feminism

Postcolonialism

Postmodernism

Environmentalism

Multiculturalism

Comparative Politics

Introduction to Comparative Politics

State and Nation

Political Culture and Political Socialization

Political Institutions (Legislature, Executive, Judiciary)

Political Parties and Electoral Systems

Forms of Government (Democracy, Authoritarianism, Totalitarianism)

Civil Society and Interest Groups

Public Policy Analysis

International Relations

Theories of International Relations

State Sovereignty and Power

International Organizations (UN, IMF, World Bank, etc.)

Globalization and Its Impact

Conflict and Security Studies

International Political Economy

Human Rights and Humanitarian Interventions

Emerging Issues in International Relations

Research Methodology

Approaches to Political Research

Research Design and Data Collection

Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods

Survey Design and Data Analysis

Case Studies and Comparative Methods

Writing Research Papers and Reports

MA Political Science Syllabus: 2nd Year

The second year of the MA Political Science program typically offers more specialized and advanced courses. It allows students to explore specific areas of interest within the field of political science. Some of the subjects covered in the second year include:

Topics

Sub-topics

Public Administration and Governance

Evolution of Public Administration

Theories of Public Administration

Bureaucracy and Administrative Behavior

Public Policy Formulation and Implementation

Decentralization and Local Governance

E-Governance and Technology in Public Administration

Political Economy

 

Political Economy Theories

Economic Policies and Political Outcomes

Global Trade and Development

Economic Development and Underdevelopment

Political Economy of Specific Regions

Specialization Courses (Electives)

International Law

Human Rights

Environmental Politics

Conflict Resolution

Political Sociology

Dissertation or Thesis

 

Students are required to conduct independent research on a topic of their choice within the field of Political Science.

MA Political Science Syllabus: Semester-wise

MA Political Science is typically divided into four semesters. In the first year, students are exposed to core subjects such as Introduction to Political Science, Comparative Politics, Political Theory, and Research Methodology. In their second year, students explore various subfields through elective courses, including International Relations, Public Administration, Political Thought, and Area Studies. 

MA Political Science Syllabus: 1st Year

1st Semester

2nd Semester

Introduction to Political Science

Public Administration and Governance

Comparative Politics

Political Thought (Ancient, Medieval, Modern)

Political Theory and Ideologies

Texts of Philosophers

Research Methodology in Political Science

Administrative Theory

International Relations

Political Economy

MA Political Science Syllabus: 2nd Year

3rd Semester

4th Semester

Political Institutions and Processes

Research Seminar or Thesis Proposal Preparation

Area Studies

-

Public Policy

-

Political Sociology

-

Interpreting Modern World

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MA Political Science Syllabus: Entrance Exam Syllabus

MA Political Science Entrance Exam syllabus may vary slightly depending on the college or university. However, here are some common topics that are usually included in the syllabus:

Topic

Sub-topics

Political Theory

Classical Political Thought

Modern Political Thought

Contemporary Political Thought

Major Political Thinkers (Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Marx, etc.)

Ideologies (Liberalism, Conservatism, Socialism, Feminism, etc.)

Comparative Government

Political Systems (Democracy, Authoritarianism, Totalitarianism, etc.)

Political Institutions (Parliament, Presidency, Judiciary, etc.)

Political Processes (Elections, Political Parties, Interest Groups, etc.)

International Relations

 

Theories of International Relations

International Organizations (UN, WTO, IMF, etc.)

Global Governance

Conflict and Cooperation among Nations

International Security

Indian Government and Politics

Indian Constitution

Indian Political System

Central and State Governments

Indian Federalism

Indian Political Parties and Electoral Politics

Public Administration and Governance

 

Principles of Public Administration

Bureaucracy and Administrative Reforms

Public Policy Formulation and Implementation

Governance and Development

Research Methodology

 

Introduction to Research Methods in Political Science

Research Design

Data Collection Techniques (Qualitative and Quantitative)

Data Analysis (Statistical and Non-Statistical Methods)

International Political Economy

 

Theories of International Political Economy

Trade and Finance

Globalization and Economic Interdependence

Political Philosophy

 

Ethics and Politics

Justice and Equality

Human Rights and Citizenship

Environmental Politics and Sustainability

 

Environmental Governance and Policies

Climate Change and International Cooperation

Contemporary Political Issues

 

Current Affairs in Politics and International Relations

MA Political Science Syllabus: Delhi University

Given below is the MA Political Science syllabus for Delhi University 

MA Political Science Syllabus: 1st Year

1st Semester

2nd Semester

Debates in Political Theory

Administrative Theory

Comparative Political Analysis

Themes in Indian Political Thought

Politics in India

Themes in World Politics and International Political Economy

Theories of International Relations

Key Texts in Political Philosophy

MA Political Science Syllabus: 2nd Year

3rd Semester

4th Semester

Interpreting Modern India

Democracy and Political

Optional Paper

Optional Paper

Optional Paper

Optional Paper

Optional Paper

Optional Paper

MA Political Science Syllabus: Jamia Millia Islamia 

Given below is the MA Political Science syllabus for Jamia Millia Islamia:

MA Political Science Syllabus: 1st Year

1st Semester

2nd Semester

Political Theory

Western Political Thought

Western Political Thought

Indian Political System: Constitution and

Institutions

Comparative Politics

International Politics: Themes and Issues

International Politics: Concepts and Theories

India’s Foreign Policy

Foreign Policy of Major Powers

Indian Political Thought

MA Political Science Syllabus: 2nd Year

3rd Semester

4th Semester

Public Administration and Governance: Concepts and Theories

Political Development in South Asia

Human Rights: Philosophical and Historical

Foundations

Political Development in West Asia

International Organization Compulsory

Global Political Economy and Governance

State Politics in India

Government and Politics in Sub-Saharan

Africa

Research Methodology

Project and Viva-Voce

MA Political Science Syllabus: IGNOU

Given below is the MA Political Science syllabus for IGNOU:

MA Political Science Syllabus: 1st Year (Compulsory Courses)

Political Theory

India: Democracy and Development

International Relations: Theory and Problems

Comparative Politics: Issues and Trends

MA Political Science Syllabus: 2nd Year (Optional Courses)

India and the World

State Politics in India

State and Society in Latin America

Canada: Politics and Society

Western Political Thought

The European Union in World Affairs

Social and Political Thought in Modern India

State and Society in Australia

State and Society in Africa

Australia's Foreign Policy

Peace and Conflict Studies

Sustainable Development: Issues and Challenges

Social Movements and Politics in India

Globalisation and Environment

Gandhi’s Political Thought

Non-Violent Movements after Gandhi

Civil Society, Political Regimes and Conflict

Human Security

Conflict Management, Transformation & Peace Building

Gandhian Approach to Peace and Conflict Resolution

MA Political Science Syllabus: Annamalai University

Given below is the MA Political Science syllabus for Annamalai University:

MA Political Science Syllabus: 1st Year

1st Semester

2nd Semester

Principles of Political Theory

Indian Political Thought

Western Political Thought

Dynamics of Indian Democracy

Indian Constitution and Administration

International Politics

Theories and Practices of Public Administration

Comparative Government and Politics

Elective Course – 1 

Elective Course – 2

-

Elective Course – 3

MA Political Science Syllabus: 2nd Year

3rd Semester

4th Semester

Modern Political Analysis

Research Methodology

Government and Politics of Tamil Nadu Since 1900

Contemporary Political Theory

Legislative Procedures

India in World Affairs

Human Rights in India

Project and Viva-voce

Soft Skills

-

Elective Course – 4

-

Elective Course – 5

-

MA Political Science Syllabus: Himachal Pradesh University 

Given below is the MA Political Science syllabus for Himachal Pradesh University:

MA Political Science Syllabus: 1st Year

1st Semester

2nd Semester

Western Political Thought: From Plato to Bodin

Western Political Thought: From Hobbes to Marx

Government and Politics in India

Recent Trends in Indian Politics

Comparative Politics

Comparative Politics and Political Analysis

International Politics (Theories, Approaches & Concept)

Emerging World Order

MA Political Science Syllabus: 2nd Year

3rd Semester

4th Semester

Indian Political Thought OR Theories, Approaches and Concepts

Democratic Theory or Modern Indian Political Thought

Regional Politics in India

Politics in South Asia

Theories of Nationalism and processes of Nation Building

Society, Economy, and Politics in Himachal Pradesh

India’s Foreign Policy and Relations

Public International Law/ Marxism after Marx/ Political Economy of Development

MA Political Science Syllabus: Pondicherry University

Given below is the MA Political Science syllabus for Pondicherry University

MA Political Science Syllabus: 1st Year

1st Semester

2nd Semester

Debates in Political Theory

Themes in Indian Political Thought

Theories of International Relations

Comparative Political Analysis

Western Political Thought

Issues in Indian Politics

Issues and Ideas in Public Administration

-

MA Political Science Syllabus: 2nd Year

3rd Semester

4th Semester

Debates in Political Economy

Public Policy Analysis

Research Methods in Political Science

Contemporary Political Theory

India’s Foreign Policy

Dissertation

Applied Political Science

Internship and Report Writing

MA Political Science Syllabus: University of Calcutta

Given below is the MA Political Science syllabus for the University of Calcutta:

MA Political Science Syllabus: 1st Year

1st Semester

2nd Semester

Western Political Thought and Theory

Public Administration (Continued)

Enlightenment and Liberalism

Public Policy Analysis and Indian Administration

Enlightenment: Lineages and Critiques

International Relations

Modern India: Ideas, Governance, Politics

Theories, Concepts, and Issues

Ideational Trajectories and Movements

Political Economy and India's External Relations

State, Society and Economy

Political Sociology

Public Administration

State and Society: Key Concepts

Theories, Concepts and Organization

Conflicts, Development and Communication

MA Political Science Syllabus: 2nd Year

3rd Semester

4th Semester

Politics of Development

Urban Governance in India

Concepts, Theories and Contexts

Human Rights in India

Themes and Issues

Globalization and Politics

Optional Papers

Optional Papers

MA Political Science Syllabus: University of Lucknow

Given below is the MA Political Science syllabus for the University of Lucknow:

MA Political Science Syllabus: 1st Year

1st Semester

2nd Semester

Political Theory and Ideologies

Indian Political Thinkers

Western Political Thought

Western Political Thought

Modern Political Systems

Modern Political Systems

Indian Political System

Indian Political System

State Politics in India

International Relations

Local Self-Government in India

An Introduction to Public

Administration

-

Fundamentals of Information

Technology

MA Political Science Syllabus: 2nd Year

3rd Semester

4th Semester

Contemporary Political Thought

Contemporary Political Thought

International Relations

Regional Politics of West Asia

Methods and Techniques of Research

Regional Politics of South Asia

Public Policy Analysis

Indian Foreign Policy

Contemporary Issues in Indian

Politics

Contemporary Issues in World Politics

Summer Internship

International Political Economy

-

Master Dissertation

MA Political Science: Assessment Scheme in India 

The evaluation process for MA Political Science in India focuses on assessing students' subject-specific knowledge, comprehension, and analytical skills. The program's assessment structure typically combines theory, internals, and dissertation to evaluate students' academic development.

Assessment Criteria

Weightage

Theory Examination

70

Internal Assessment

30

Dissertation

100

Total

200

MA Political Science: Recommended Books  

Given below are the names of some recognized books along with their authors in the field of Political Science that a candidate must read to gain further knowledge in the course:

Name of the Book

Author’s Name

The Republic

Plato

The Discovery of India  Jawaharlal Nehru

Jawaharlal Nehru

Why I am an Atheist and Other Essays

Bhagat Singh

Democracy in America

Alexis de Tocqueville

The Prince

Niccolò Machiavelli

The Origins of Totalitarianism

Hannah Arendt

The Argumentative Indian

Amartya Sen

The Accidental Prime Minister: The Making and Unmaking of Manmohan Singh

Sanjaya Baru

The Social Contract

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

The Road to Serfdom

Friedrich Hayek

India After Gandhi

Ramachandra Guha

The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order

Samuel P. Huntington

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