IGNOU MA Political Science (MPS) 2025 Syllabus: Free Course Structure and Credit System Explained

IGNOU MA Political Science (MPS) 2025 Syllabus

IGNOU MA Political Science (MPS) 2025 Syllabus For those who are enthusiastic about political studies, Indira Gandhi National Open University's (IGNOU) Master of Arts in Political Science (MPS) program offers a thorough and adaptable curriculum. 

This course provides a strong foundation in political science, regardless of your goals: to get a deeper grasp of social movements, international relations, governance, or political theories. Students from all over the world can obtain a prestigious political science degree thanks to IGNOU's internationally recognized MPS curriculum.

The MPS program at IGNOU is a great option for anyone who want to work in academics, politics, policymaking, or government.

IGNOU MA Political Science (MPS) 2025 Syllabus

IGNOU MPS Syllabus 2025: Key Highlights

Before we explore the MPS syllabus in detail, here is a quick overview of the key aspects of the IGNOU MPS program.

Program Code	IGNOU MPS
Program Name	Master of Arts in Political Science
Program Duration	2 years
Medium of Instruction	English & Hindi
Number of Courses	12 Courses
Total Credits	64 Credits
Total Study Hours	1920 hours
Course Type	Theory

The MPS program is designed to provide students with a 2-year duration to complete their studies. The university conducts term-end exams twice a year, in June and December, giving students the flexibility to appear for exams at their convenience. The program consists of 12 courses, including core courses, electives, and specialized subjects that provide students with both broad and in-depth knowledge of political science.

Program Structure and Syllabus Breakdown

The IGNOU MPS syllabus is structured in a way that allows students to develop a comprehensive understanding of political theory, international relations, Indian democracy, and comparative politics. The program is divided into two years, with the first year focusing on foundational subjects and the second year providing opportunities to specialize in specific areas of political science.

Year 1: Core Courses and Political Foundations

In the first year, students will be introduced to essential political science concepts, such as political theory, international relations, and comparative politics. These core courses help students build the theoretical and practical knowledge required to understand global and national political dynamics.

Course Code	Course Title	Credits
MPS 1	Political Theory	8
MPS 2	International Relations: Theory and Problems	8
MPS 3	India: Democracy and Development	8
MPS 4	Comparative Politics: Issues and Trends	8

In this year, the focus is on providing a broad foundation in political science. Students will gain insights into classic and contemporary political thought, explore the global political order, and examine India's democratic structure and development. The comparative politics course helps students analyze political systems across countries and understand the differences and similarities in governance worldwide.

Year 2: Specialization and Electives

In the second year, students can choose from a variety of elective courses and delve deeper into areas such as international relations, peace and conflict studies, political thought, and regional political issues in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. These electives allow students to specialize in areas of their interest and expertise, further enhancing their career prospects.

Course Code	Course Title	Credits
MPSE 1	India and the World	4
MPSE 2	State and Society in Latin America	4
MPSE 3	Western Political Thought	4
MPSE 4	Social and Political Thought in Modern India	4
MPSE 5	State and Society in Africa	4
MPSE 6	Peace and Conflict Studies	4
MPSE 7	Social Movements and Politics in India	4
MPSE 8	State Politics in India	4
MPSE 9	Canada: Politics and Society	4
MPSE 11	The European Union in World Affairs	4
MPSE 12	State and Society in Australia	4
MPSE 13	Australia's Foreign Policy	4
MED 2	Sustainable Development: Issues and Challenges	4
MED 8	Globalisation and Environment	4
MGP 4	Gandhi’s Political Thought	4
MGPE 7	Non-Violent Movements after Gandhi	4
MGPE 8	Gandhian Approach to Peace and Conflict Resolution	4
MGPE 10	Conflict Management, Transformation & Peace Building	4
MGPE 11	Human Security	4
MGPE 13	Civil Society, Political Regimes and Conflict	4

The elective courses in the second year allow students to specialize in key aspects of political science, with options to study topics ranging from Gandhian political thought to peacebuilding and conflict resolution. Students can also choose region-specific courses like Latin American politics, African political structures, and European Union affairs. These courses not only enhance students’ knowledge of global politics but also enable them to contribute to policy-making, international diplomacy, and social development.

Total Credits and Hours

The MPS program comprises a total of 64 credits, distributed across 12 courses. The credit system at IGNOU ensures that students are well-prepared for their future careers by emphasizing not only academic learning but also practical application. Each course in the MPS program has its own credit value, with the credit system designed as follows:

Total Credits	64 Credits
Total Study Hours	1920 hours (calculated at 30 hours per credit)

For instance, a course worth 4 credits will require students to spend approximately 120 hours on studying that particular subject. The total time commitment for completing the program is 1920 hours, which includes attending tutorials, studying theory, working on assignments, and preparing for term-end exams.

IGNOU MPS Credit System

The credit system at IGNOU is designed to guide students in planning their study schedules. According to this system, each credit represents 30 hours of study. For example, a course with 4 credits will require the student to invest 120 hours (4 credits x 30 hours). This allows students to gauge the time commitment required for each course and organize their studies accordingly.

Students must successfully complete the required number of credits, pass the assignments, and appear for the term-end exams to be eligible for the MPS degree. It is important to note that simply completing the credits does not guarantee the degree—students must pass the exams and submit assignments on time.

Conclusion

The IGNOU MPS syllabus 2025 offers a thorough and well-organized approach to studying political science. Students will gain both fundamental knowledge and specific skills in political theory, international relations, comparative politics, and Indian politics over the course of two years. With a variety of elective courses, the program's flexibility allows students to focus on subjects that complement their academic and professional objectives.

With the aid of the credit system, students may efficiently plan their study time and make sure they give each topic enough time. Students are prepared for a variety of career options in political analysis, public policy, international relations, and social movements through the mix of theory classes, homework, and term-end exams.

Students will graduate from the program with the knowledge and analytical abilities needed to tackle today's political concerns and make a significant contribution to political evolution and conversation. The IGNOU MPS program is a great starting point for anyone who wants to work as a political analyst, policy advisor, academic, or activist.

 

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