About MA Political Science Syllabus & Subjects
MA Political Science course syllabus and courses includes Core and Elective subjects. However, depending on the university or college, the MA in Political Science curriculum may vary slightly. In India, a two-year postgraduate degree program in political science is called the Master of Arts in Political Science (MAPS). In this course, we delve into the political behavior, political system description and analysis, political theory, and political practice. Nevertheless, the MA Political Science curriculum at each college or university is typically broken down into four semesters which are as follows -
- Political Theory
- Critical Analysis
- Philosophy
- Ethics
In addition to a wide range of electives such as Themes in Citizenship, The Modern State in Comparative Perspective, Critical Traditions in Political Theory, and so on. Finding a job is aided by the multitude of career options that a master's degree in political science offers in both the public and private sectors.
The MA Political Science syllabus includes a wide range of subjects, such as:
- Comparative politics
- International relations
- Political theory and thought
- Political institutions
- Regional studies
- Political economy
- Public policy and administration
- Contemporary political issues
- Research methodology
Detailed Syllabus and Subjects:
| Related Courses Links | |
| MSc Zoology | MSc Computer Science |
| MCA | MSc Math |
| MBA | - |
MA Political Science Syllabus - Semester-wise Overview
| MA Political Science Syllabus - Semester 1 | MA Political Science Syllabus - Semester 2 |
| Indian Political Thought | Modern Political Analysis |
| Western Political Thought | Public Administration |
| Contemporary Political Philosophers | Government and Politics |
| Modern Political Theory | - |
| MA Political Science Syllabus - Semester 3 | MA Political Science Syllabus - Semester 4 |
| Research Methods in Politics | International Relations |
| Indian Polity- Its structures and goals | Foreign Policy of India |
| Issues of Indian Politics | International Law |
| Indian Administration | International Political Economy |
| Different state politics | Projects |
Also read - Top MA political Science Colleges 2024
MA Political Science Syllabus
MA Political Science 1st Year -
There are two semesters in the first year of the course. Throughout these two semesters, the students get to study a wide range of subjects that will deepen your understanding of the field. First-year courses cover a wide range of topics, including theories of international relations, comparative political analysis, themes in world politics, etc. This can, however, differ from university to university. The semester breakdown of the first-year MA Political Science syllabus, is provided below -
MA Political Science: Semester 1
In the first semester of Master of Arts in Political Science, students will become acquainted with a multitude of theories and their applicability in the current political climate. The subjects covered in the MA Political Science syllabus are listed in the table below -
| Subjects | Topics |
| Debates in Political Theory | Political Context; Debates on Freedom; Debates on Justice; Debates on Equality; Debates on Democratic Political Community; Debates on Rights |
| Political Development | Class, Caste, Tribe, and Gender; Approaches to Politics; Development Process; Political Parties; Religion, Region and Language; Elections |
| Comparative Political Analysis | Development; Comparative Methods and Approaches; Theories of State; Nationalism and Anti-Colonial Struggles; Comparative Party System; Social Movements and Revolutions |
| Theories of International Relations | Alternative Approaches in International Relations; Realism, its Variants and Complements; Introduction to International Relations; |
Also read - Top MA Colleges in India 2024
MA Political Science:Semester 2
Here are the subjects that are mandatory for the second semester of the MA Political Science syllabus, providing you with even more insight into the field -
| Subjects | Topics |
| Administrative Theory | Theories and Approaches to the Study of Public Administration; Contextual Public Administration; Contemporary Developments; Grassroots Governance Alternative Perspectives |
| Themes in World Politics and International Political Economy | International Political Economy; Global Challenges and Movements; International Political Economy; Themes in World Politics |
| Key Texts in Political Philosophy | What is Interpretation Theories of Interpretation Problems in Interpreting Data History of Ideas The Importance of Language |
| Texts of Philosophers | Plato, Aristotle, Locke, Rousseau, etc |
MA Political Science 2nd Year Syllabus
There will be two semesters in the MA Political Science final year, and separate exams will be given for each. Additionally, you will be expected to study electives in both semesters in addition to the core subjects. A dissertation or industrial training course will also be offered during the final term. But each university will have a different structure. Now, let's examine the second-year MA Political Science syllabus -
MA Political Science: Semester 3
| Subjects | Topics |
| Interpreting Modern World | The conception of the “Modern” Perspectives of Justice and Social Transformation; Development and its Critiques; The conception of Nationalism; Debates on Globalization; Community; Civil Society; Public Sphere; |
| Political Sociology | Citizenship; Social Movements; Political Culture and Social Capital; |
| Electives | - |
MA Political Science: Semester 4
In the last semester, a dissertation course must be completed by the student in order to be eligible for the degree.
MA Political Science: Popular Electives
As previously mentioned, in order to major in a particular course, student will need to select from a list of electives during the second year of the Master's program. It's crucial to remember that electives can differ between nations and universities while taking into account their respective political, cultural, and historical significance. Popular electives for MA Political Science students are listed below:
- Democracy and Constitutional Design
- Public Law
- Global Governance
- Advocacy and Public Policy
- Jurisprudence in a Globalized World
- Role of Public Institutions
- Ethics and Politics
- Peace and Conflict Studies
- Understanding Foreign Policy
- Quantitative Research in Politics
The specific subjects and topics covered in the MA in Political Science course are listed below:
| Name of Course | Topics covered |
| Debates in Political Theory | Introduction to Political Theory, the Political context Debates on freedom Debates on Equality Debates on Justice Debates on Rights Debates on Democratic Political Community |
| Comparative Political Analysis | Comparative Methods and Approaches Nationalism and Anti-colonial struggle Development Theories of the State State Forms Comparative Party System Social Movements and Revolution |
| Politics in India | Approaches to Indian Politics State in India Class, Caste, Tribe and Gender Religion, Region and Language Development Process Political Parties Elections Social Movements: Objectives, methods, impact and the recent trend |
| Theories of International Relations | Introduction to International Relations Structural Realism Indian Tradition: Kautilya’s Realpolitique Chinese Tradition European Schools of Thought The English School Neo-Liberalism Institutionalism Alternative Approaches in International Relations Problems of the ‘International’ |
| Administrative Theory | Evolution of the discipline of Public Administration Contextual Public Administration Contemporary Development – New Public Administration, New Public management Grassroots governance: alternative perspectives |
| Themes in Indian Political Thought | Perspectives Theories and practices of Knowledge State Conception and Forms of communities Critical Perspectives on Indian Society The Nation in Indian Political Thought |
| Interpreting Modern India | Conceptions of the Modern Perspectives on Justice and Social Transformation Conceptions of Nationalism Development and its Critiques Community, Civil Society and Public Sphere Debates on Globalization |
| Democracy and Political Institutions in India | Theory and Practice of the Indian Constitution Functioning and inter-relationship of governmental institutions Federalism Local Self Government Rule of law, rights, and accountability |
| Political Philosophy | Introduction Plato : The Republic Aristotle : The Politics Machiavelli : The Prince Hobbes : Leviathan Locke : The Second Treatise of Government Rousseau : Social Contract Kant: Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals Hegel : Philosophy of Right Marx and Engels Nietzsche : On the Genealogy of Morals Mary Wollstonecraft : A Vindication of the Rights of Woman Mahatma Gandhi : Hind Swaraj |
| Themes in World Politics and International Political Economy | Concepts of State, Power, Security, Culture and Religion International Political Economy Environmental Governance Global Challenges and Movements |
| Ethics and Politics | The Nature of Ethical Reasoning Sexual, Racist and Caste Discrimination Poverty and Hunger Environment Militarization Corruption Free Speech Secularism, Tolerance and Minority Rights The Morality of Representation Ethics and Politics of the Family Ethics and the Profession |
| Critical Traditions in Political Theory | Marxism Feminism Dalit Bahujan Critique Critical Race Theory Ecological Critique |
| Social Movements and Revolution | Revolution – French, Bolshevik, Chinese Ideology and politics of liberation in Asia and Africa Social Movements Ideology and Politics of Social Movement |
| Parties, Elections and Political Process in India | Typology of Political parties in India Party System in India The changing profile of National Political Parties Regional and State Parties Elections in India Non-Party Movements, NGOs and their impact on Political Parties and Representation of People’s Interests |
| Development Process and Politics in India | Theory of the Developmental State Concept of Development Socio-Economic Problems and Issues of Development in India Development Strategy and State Policies in India Shift in Developmental Policies and Strategies Critiques of Development and Alternative Models Democracy, Decision Making and Development Non-Governmental Initiatives, and People’s Empowerment |
| Democracy and Human Rights in India | The concept of Human Rights National and International Dimensions of Human Rights and Constitutional-Legal Framework in India Human rights: Issues and challenges Impact on deprived groups State response to Human rights Civil Society and Human Rights NHRC and Other Commission Reports Democracy, development and Human Rights in India |
| Public Institutions and Governance | Theoretical Issues: State and Development: Historical and Comparative Experiences From Structural Adjustment to Good Governance Public Finance & Management Administrative and Civil Service Reform Practical Issues in India State Governments: Comparative Development Performance Public Enterprises in India Social Development: Issues, Policies & Challenge Infrastructure Development: Issues, Policies & Challenges |
| Rural-Urban Development and Local Government in India | Understanding the 'rural’ and 'urban' in India. What is Development? Institutional framework for Rural & Urban Development Planning Rural Development: Approaches, Policies, and Programmes: Planning Urban Development: Approaches, Policies and Programs Decentralization, and Local Governments Devolution and functioning of Panchayati Raj Institutions Devolution and functioning of Urban Local Bodies People's Participation in Rural-Urban Development: Role of NGO's and Citizen Groups |
| Environment and Development: Policy and Politics | Environment and Development: An Introduction State, Market, Community & Local Governments Policy, Politics, Institutions, and Resources Poverty-Environment Inter-linkages Caste, Gender and Environment Global Commons and Initiatives Environmental and Social Movements |
| Public Policy | What is Public Policy? Public Policy: Concept and Dimension Approaches to Public Policy Studies Public Policy Process Public Policy Analysis: Quantitative and Qualitative Models Public Policy Research and Development Public Policy in India: Models and Trends Globalization. MNCs, WTO, and Development in India Impact of Public Policies on Socio-Economic Development and Nation Building in India |
Also check: MSc Computer Science Syllabus
MA Political Science Optional Subjects
MA Political Science electives that are offered as optional papers are first introduced in the 2nd semester. However, these papers are taught in third and fourth semesters at some universities. The optional papers for the MA Political Science course subjects strengthen the foundation of students' learning and are a complement to the other papers. Among the elective papers covered in the course are Public Policy, Indian Constitution, State Politics, and International Political Economy. The MA Political Science syllabus includes these elective papers, each with a different set of learning objectives.
A few of the electives included in the MA Political Science course syllabus are listed below:
| International Political Economy | Modern Political Theory |
| State Politics in India | Research Methods in Political Science |
| Public Policy | Indian Constitution |
| Public institutions and Governance | Parties, Elections, and the Political Process in India |
| Rural and Urban Development | Local Government in India |
| Peace and Conflict in International Politics | Politics and Ethnic Conflicts J&K |
| Ethics and Politics | The State in Diverse Political Traditions |
| Religious Nationalism and Political Violence | Themes in Citizenship |
| Theory and Practice of Democracy | Development Process and Politics in India |
| Critical Traditions in Political Theory | Foreign Policy |
| Social Exclusion: Theory and Practice | India and the World |
MA Political Science Entrance Exam Syllabus
Different entrance exams are required for admission to MA Political Science courses. While some universities only accept results from national entrance exams, others also accept results from entrance exams at the institute level. Students must be well-versed in the MA Political Science syllabus for these particular entrance exams in order to succeed on them. They also need to be aware of the format of the entrance exams.
The MA Political Science course has various entrance exams. CUET PG is one of the main entrance exams. This test score is accepted for admission to this course by a large number of central universities. The following is a list of MA Political Science subjects that will be tested on this crucial entrance exam:
CUET PG Entrance Exam Syllabus for Political Science
| Name of the Exam | About | Syllabus |
| CUET PG 2024 | CUET PG entrance exam is conducted at the national level to offer different PG level admission. This is a computer-based test that is organized once a year. | CUET PG Entrance Exam Syllabus for Political Science |
MA Political Science: Scheme of Assessment
Performance in the final year/semester theory exam and internal assessment determine the final MA Political Science grade. Below is a list of the assessment criteria -
| Assessment Criteria | Weightage |
| Theory Examination | 70 |
| Internal Assessment | 30 |
| Dissertation | 100 |
Also read - MSc Course Details