The academic content and curriculum of the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science Program aims to provide students with a broad perspective in the field of political science. The curriculum of the program provides a balanced distribution among core disciplines such as political theory, international relations, public administration, political psychology and comparative politics. It is designed to provide students with the skills to understand and analyze global and local political processes.
One of the cornerstones of the curriculum is political theory. These courses examine the evolution of political thought from the Platonic ideal state to modern democracies and totalitarian regimes. Students learn the theories of thinkers such as John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, Karl Marx and discuss their implications for contemporary politics.
International relations courses cover topics such as interstate relations, international institutions, foreign policy analysis and global issues. It provides students with knowledge on topics such as the balance of power in the international system, economic relations, theories of peace and conflict. In-depth knowledge is also provided in areas such as international law and human rights.
Public administration courses deal with the processes of formulation, implementation and evaluation of public policies. Students learn about the policy-making process, public budgeting, public personnel management and service delivery. They also focus on the relationship between local governments and central government.
Comparative politics courses examine political systems and institutions in different countries. These courses cover a variety of topics such as democratic and authoritarian regimes, electoral systems, party systems and government structures. Students gain the ability to evaluate the functioning and performance of different political and administrative structures.
The methodological aspect of the program places great emphasis on students learning research techniques and methods of data analysis. Courses such as statistics, computer-assisted data analysis and field studies teach students the basic tools used in political science research. These courses develop students' ability to conduct independent research.
The curriculum also offers students the opportunity to deepen their interests through elective courses. These elective courses include current and specialized topics such as environmental politics, migration studies, gender and politics, media and politics. Through these courses, students increase their knowledge in their specific areas of interest and receive a better equipped education.
In general, the Bachelor's Program in Political Science offers students a comprehensive and diversified education with theoretical and applied course content. This curriculum ensures that students are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed in their academic and professional lives.