Following the implementation of Semesterisation under the Choice-based Credit System (CBCS) by the University, the curriculum and syllabus of the UG-level courses in Political Science were revised on UGC guidelines from 2017 academic year, onwards. So far, three academic years (comprising six semesters) have been successfully completed, while parallel carrying on with the old curriculum for sake of the learners of old batches.
As per the old pattern, the Three-Year BA Programme is offered in Telugu, English and Urdu medium. Political Science courses are offered in BA Second Year and Third (Final) Year. The BA Second Year courses comprise: Course-I: Political Theory & Concepts and Course-II: Indian Government & Politics and the Third year courses comprise: Course-III: Political Thought and Course -IV: International Studies.
The syllabi of the courses are being revised and restructured regularly once in ten years [with inputs provided by subject experts] so as to update the ever-changing socio-political contexts and processes. The UG courses Self-learning materials (SLMs) were first printed and published in 1984, and the second edition was published in 2004.
The revised versions of SLMs of Discipline-Specific Core courses, Discipline-Specific Elective course and Skill Enhancement Courses, in English, Telugu and Urdu medium, under the CBCS pattern have been published since 2017. Till date, the list of revised SLMs of UG courses published is as given under:
UG – I Year
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Semester-I: Discipline Specific Core – Political Theory and Concepts
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Semester-II: Discipline Specific Core – Political Ideas and Institutions
UG –II Year
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Semester-III: Discipline Specific Core - Indian Government and Politics
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Semester- IV: Discipline Specific Core – Indian Political Processes
UG –III Year
5.Semester –V: Discipline Specific Core – Western Political Thought
Discipline Specific Elective- A] Indian Political Thought
B] Government and Politics of Telangana
6.Semester –VI: Discipline Specific Core- International Relations
Discipline Specific Elective - C] Contemporary International Relations
D] Public Policy
Skill Enhancement Courses – 1. Political Reporting
2. Survey Research Methods
In this discipline, focus is on the core subject areas that are expected to provide students with a solid grounding in the study of Political Science.
II - Postgraduate level
The department launched its 2-year MA programme in 1992 in Telugu medium. The students, however, are given the option to write the course examinations in English medium as well.
The MA programme comprising altogether 10 courses in two years, were structured to include hard core essentials of Political Science and related inter-disciplinary fields of social relevance as well. Two courses with new perspectives, alongside the traditional courses, courses such as ‘Governance’ and ‘Social Movements in India’, were started during the revision year in 2010.
The MA First year comprises of 5 courses: Course-I: Western Political Thought, Course-II: Indian Political System, Course-III: Public policy, Course-IV: Indian Political Thought, Course-V: International Relations.
The MA Final year courses include: Course-VI: Comparative Politics; Course-VII: Political Sociology, Course-VIII: State Politics in India, Course-IX: Social Movements in India, Course-X: Governance. The Self-learning materials (SLMs of PG courses, are offered in Telugu medium only. The courses were restructured and revised during 2009-10.
III - Research Programmes
The research programmes leading to M.Phil/Ph.D degrees were launched in 2008 with 12 scholars some of whom are working professionals. Research scholars’ enrollment for PhD and M.Phil were undertaken during 2010, 2019, and presently 2020 batch. Till date, two scholars have been awarded Ph.D degrees. The research studies by scholars enrolled in the department include varied segments of enquiry related to Indian politics and society.
IV- PG Diploma Programme
The Department also undertakes the PG Diploma in Human Rights (in Telugu medium) offered by the University. Dr. Gunti Ravinder, Head, Department of Political Science is currently Coordinator of the Programme.
Teaching – Learning Process
The Department uses multi-media approach in course delivery, that is, through print (SLMs), audio (radio lessons broadcasted on AIR Hyderabad ’A’), video (tele-lessons telecast on DD - Yadagiri, T-Sat and Gyan Darshan) and live teleconferencing programmes in DD-Yadagiri exclusively on Sundays. The Department uses modern educational technologies as well as ICTs in devising the learning programmes. The Audio-Video lessons are available on the BRAOU YouTube channel.
The teacher-learners interactions happen through the face-to-face counseling classes at study centers and through the use of assignments, at PG level.