Political Science

The main goal of the study of political science is to understand politics and issues connected to execution of power. The study puts emphasis on comprehension of basic political science concepts, acquisition of basic knowledge related to political systems and party systems of both European and some non-European countries, political philosophy and doctrines, theory and practice of democracies and non-democracies, modern political history, Czech and Czechoslovak politics from 1848 to present, functioning of the EU, methodology of political science.

During the study, students will acquire the ability to work with information – to evaluate information and to put information in contexts. They will learn to understand the world around them and to see related issues and problems from different perspective.

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

• explain the basic theories of political science and its main ideas and concepts, to be able to work with them and to apply them;
• understand important political doctrines and to comprehend the theories of major authors of political philosophy from antiquity to present;
• explain modern political development in the European countries, to comprehend the world history of the 20th and 21st century, to understand the process of the European integration, its origin and development;
• interpret the development of political and party systems of both European and non-European countries;
• comprehend Czech politics, its history and development;
• know methodology of political science.

Political science graduates can be employed in various professional fields, most importantly as political-analytical experts in both public and corporate institutions, as professionals in political service and consulting activities, political parties, and non-governmental organizations. The field of their possible employment is broadened by the possibility of study combinations with other fields of study. For example, graduates in the study combination political science-journalism can focus on processional activities in the field of political journalism in various types of media

Not required.

Standard length: bachelor thesis has 63.000 – 81.000 characters (including spaces). The text of the thesis as well as footnotes are included in this range; title, statutory declaration, acknowledgements, content, list of abbreviations, bibliography and appendices are not included in the above stated range of bachelor thesis.

Topics of theses may be set by students themselves, or they can be chosen from the topics offered in IS; the topic must be approved by the supervisor of the thesis; the topic can be further specified in the course of writing of the thesis after supervisor’s approval. Supervisors are teachers with at least Ph.D. titles. External experts can be supervisors of bachelor theses only after approval by the Head of the Department.

Students consult their supervisors on their theses continuously.

Bachelor theses should prove that students are able to demonstrate critical work with academic literature, to work with concepts and theories deployed by this literature, and to find relevant answers to the questions which their theses ask

Instructions for the final state examinations and for writing bachelor/master theses are arranged by the Directive FSS No. 6/2019 On Final State Examinations for Students of The Faculty of Social Studies of Masaryk University.

Graduates of the bachelor study program can (after meeting the requirements of admission) continue in any follow-up master degree at the Faculty. They profile is most suitable for the master degree in political science.