Political Science

Power relations, interests, hierarchy, and order under the microscope.

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The conceptualization of the Bachelor study of Political Science seeks to provide students with orientation in the sphere of political theories and methods, political systems, parties and party systems, and Czech politics. Emphasis is put on acquisition of a solid basis of knowledge, and on the development of the skills to analyze political phenomena and processes in Czech, European and non-European contexts. The study also offers a number of specialized courses dealing with public administration, political philosophy, political regimes, political geography, elections and political communication. Students may tailor the curriculum to their own interests in one of four study profiles: a) Political thinking and contemporary democracy; b) Communication in politics; c) Election studies; d) Politics in Western democracies.

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After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:

  • understand, use, and apply the theoretical knowledge of political science;
  • understand important political doctrines and interpret the ideas of key figures in political philosophy;
  • explain the modern political development of imporatant European states, understand world history in the 20th century, and describe processes of European integration, the evolution of the EU and its current status;
  • categorize political and party systems of European and various non-European countries;
  • understand Czech politics and its history and development;
  • use the methodology of political science;
  • analyze data from a variety of sources.
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Graduates of Political Science can find jobs in a whole range of areas, mainly in political-analytical work for public as well as private employers, in political science service and counseling activities, in political management, in state administration, in political parties, in non-governmental organizations, or in the diplomatic service, as well as in scientific and educational activities at universities and secondary schools. This range is naturally broadened when combined with a second study field (major).

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Single-major political science study:

The standard duration of studies is six semesters. For admittance to the Final State Examination, students must obtain a total of 180 ECTS credits for required, elective, and optional courses. Required courses constitute the basis of the program and total 61 credits (including credits for courses focused on the preparation of a Bachelor's thesis). Elective and optional courses make 119 credits out of the total, in which students choose according to their interests and intended professional specialization. Out of these 119 credits, no more than 10 credits can be obtained from optional courses offered to the whole university. All students must complete at least one course taught in English. Furthermore, each student must complete 4 credits for minimal language ability and 2 credits of physical education.

Political science in combination with another study field:

The standard duration of studies is six semesters. For admittance to the Final State Examination, students must earn 90 ECTS credits for required, optional, and elective courses in the field of political science. Required courses constitute the basis of the program and total 61 credits (including credits for courses focused on the preparation of a Bachelor's thesis) or 55 credits (if the student is writing a Bachelor's thesis in second study major). From elective courses, which total 29 (resp. 35) credits out of the total, students choose according to their interests and intended professional specialization. Out of these 29 (35) credits, no more than 5 credits may be obtained from optional courses offered for the whole university. All students are required to complete at least one course taught in English from the department. Furthermore, each student must complete 2 credits per major for minimal English language ability and 1 credit of physical education (for a total of 4 credits of English language ability and 2 credits of PE).

Students with a Political Science - European Studies double-major program may not attend the course POL359 (Contemporary EU) for the Political Science degree, and instead must replace these 5 credits with another elective course.

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The Final State Examination consists of two written exams: 1) Political philosophy and theory; 2) Comparison of political systems. Questions correspond with the program's required courses and the recommended literature. The exam will consist of five questions from each course area; students must answer four according to their own preference.

One portion of the Final State Examination also includes a defense of a Bachelor's thesis having a length of 63,000-81,000 characters (provided the student has not submitted a Bachelor's thesis in the second major).

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After completion of the bachelor's study, it is possible to continue further studies in any Master's study. At the Faculty of Social Studies of Masaryk University, the student may directly apply for admission to the subsequent Master's program in Political Science.

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Field of study specifications

Field of Study: Political Science
Abbreviation: PL
Code: 6701R008
Type: Bachelor's degree programme
Degree: Bc.
Accreditation: to 31/12/2024
Programme: B7202 B-KS Media and Communication Studies
Faculty of Social Studies
Field of study guaranteed by:
Faculty of Social Studies