BSc (Hons) Political Science (Specialisation: International Relations/Media
& Communication/Public Administration) - SH345 (Under Review)
1.
Objectives
The degree programme in Political Science is designed to provide knowledge and competence
in the field of Politics at local, regional and international level, to sharpen critical outlook and to
promote analytical skills in the study of the discipline. It is expected that graduates in Political
Science would pursue their career in regional and international organisations, central and local
government, parastatals and journalism.
The programme offers three fields of specialisation, namely (i) International Relations, (ii)
Media and Communication and (iii) Public Administration.
Students specialising in Media and Communication should take at least two communication
electives in Year 1 and 2 totalling no less than 6 credits.
2.
General Entry Requirements
In accordance with the University General Entry Requirements for admission to undergraduate
degree Programmes.
3.
4.
Programme Requirements

A Credit in English Language at Cambridge School Certificate/‘O’ Level or equivalent;

2 GCE ‘A’ Level passes in relevant subjects. Relevant fields include the following: Social
Sciences, Languages and/or any other subject acceptable to the Department.
Programme Duration
Normal
3 years
Degree:
5.
Maximum
5 years
Minimum Credits Required for Degree Award – 105
Breakdown as follows:
Core Modules
Electives
84
12
Degree
6.
Dissertation
Mini Project+ 1
Elective
9
Credits per Year
As per University Regulation.
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7.
Assessment
Each module will be assessed over 100 marks with details as follows (unless otherwise
specified):
The continuous assessment will count for 20-30% of the overall percentage mark of the
module(s), except for a Programme where the structure makes for other specific provision(s).
Continuous assessment may be based on laboratory work, seminars and/or assignments and
should include at least two (2) assignments/tests per module. There will be a compulsory class
test for all modules taught in semester 1 at the end of semester 1 of the given academic year
unless stated otherwise in the Programme Structure.
An overall total of 40% for combined continuous assessment and written examination
components would be required to pass the module, without minimum thresholds within the
individual continuous assessment and written examination. The same criterion will apply for
modules being assessed jointly. Note that all overall mark for the two modules will be
considered and not the individual marks for each of the two modules.
8.
Submission Deadline for Dissertation / Mini project.
Final copy: Last week day of March of the Academic Year by 4.00 p.m. at latest.
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9.
Programme Plan
YEAR 1
(33 Credits For Core Modules+6 Credits Electives = 39 Credits)
Code
CORE
POLI 1001Y(1)
Module Name
Hrs/Wk
L+P
3+0
Credits
Introduction to Political Theory
IREL 1001Y(1)
Theories and Concepts of International Relations
3+0
6
HIST 1005Y(1)
20 Century World Affairs
3+0
6
ECON 1006Y(1)
Introduction to International Economy & Trade
3+0
6
POLI 1002Y(1)
Colonial and Post-Independence Political History of Mauritius
3+0
6
CSE 1010e(1)
Introduction to Information Technology
OE
3
th
6
Electives - Choose two modules or any other elective offered by the Department amounting to 6 credits
SOCI 1005(1)
Introduction to Sociological Analysis1
POLI 1103(1)
Core Concepts in Political Science1
1½+0
3
3+0
3
COMS 1005(1)
Introduction to Media and Communication1
3+0
3
POLI 1104(1)
Heritage and Politics2
3+0
3
COMS 1007(1)
Principles of Journalism2
3+0
3
COMS 2007(3)
Media and Ethics2
3+0
3
1½+0
3
Foreign Language2:
GERMFL 1001(1)
GERMFL 1002(1)
PORTFL 1001(1)
PORTFL 1002(1)
PORTFL 1003(1)
German I
German II
Portuguese I
Portuguese II
Portuguese III
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YEAR 2
(30 Credits For Core Modules+ 6 Credits for Electives =36 Credits)
Code
CORE
IREL 2001Y(3)
Module Name
Hrs/Wk
L+P
3+0
Credits
Public International Law
POLI 2002Y(3)
Political Thought
3+0
6
POLI 2005Y(3)
Public Policy Making
3+0
6
POLI 2007Y(3)
Comparative Government & Politics
3+0
6
POLI 2008Y(3)
Mauritian Government Society and Economy
3+0
6
6
Electives - Choose two modules or any other elective offered by the Department amounting to 6 credits
COMS 2105 (3)
Media: A Critical Approach1
3+0
3
COMS 2104(3)
Reporting and Writing 1
3+0
3
IREL 2003 (3)
Contemporary Indian Ocean1
3+0
3
POLI 2204 (3)
Democracy and Democratisation1
3+0
3
POLI 2106(3)
Introduction to Kinship and Political Anthropology2
3+0
3
COMS 2201(3)
Development Communication2
3+0
3
COMS 3211(5)
Law relating to the Media2
3+0
3
POLI 2104(3)
Government and Politics in South Africa1
3+0
3
CIVE 2214(3)
Introduction to GIS2
3+0
3
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YEAR 3
(30 Credits for Core Modules + Dissertation or Mini-Project + 1 Elective)
Code
Module Name
Hrs/Wk
Credits
CORE
L+P
Specialisation: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
IREL 3001Y(5)
Civil Society and Human Rights in International Relations
3+0
6
IREL 3002Y(5)
International Institutions
3+0
6
IREL 3003(5)
Contemporary Issues in World Politics
3+0
3
POLI 3002Y(5)
African Politics
3+0
6
TO CHOOSE EITHER DISSERTATION OR MINI-PROJECT + ONE ELECTIVE FROM THE LIST
POLI 3000(5)
Dissertation (To be carried out in the area of specialisation)*
9
OR
MP 3000
6
Mini-Project(To be carried out in the area of specialisation)
3
and one Elective
Specialisation: MEDIA / COMMUNICATION
IREL 3003(5)
COMS 3004(5)
COMS 3102(5)
COMS 4101(5)
COMS 3202(5)R
Contemporary Issues in World Politics
Research Methods for Communication
Intercultural Communication
New Forms of Media
Communication and Media: A Historical Perspective2
3+0
3+0
3+0
3+0
3+0
3
3
3
3
3
COMS 3007(5)
COMS 4201(5)
Comparative International Media**
Political Communication
3+0
3+0
3
3
TO CHOOSE EITHER DISSERTATION OR MINI-PROJECT + ONE ELECTIVE FROM THE LIST
POLI 3000(5)
Dissertation (To be carried out in the area of specialisation) * MP 3000
OR
Mini-Project (To be carried out in the area of specialisation) and one Elective.
9
6
3
Specialisation: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
IREL 3003(5)
Contemporary Issues in World Politics
POLI 3001Y(5)
Political Sociology
POLI 3003Y(5)
Comparative Public Policy Making
3+0
3+0
3+0
3
6
6
POLI 3004Y(5)
3+0
6
Public Administration
TO CHOOSE EITHER DISSERTATION OR MINI-PROJECT + ONE ELECTIVE FROM THE LIST
POLI 3000(5)
Dissertation(To be carried out in the area of specialisation)*
MP 3000
OR
Mini-Project(To be carried out in the area of specialisation)
and one Elective
-
9
6
3
LIST OF ELECTIVES OFFERED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY AND POLITICAL SCIENCE
ELECTIVE
WBL 3000(5)
POLI 3105(5)
IREL 3202(5)
IREL3106(5)
GEO 3201(5)
Work Based Learning
Fundamentals of Research Methods in Political Science1
Electoral Systems and Democracy
2
International Commercial Arbitration
Issues in Political Geography2
1
3+0
3
3+0
3
3+0
3+0
3
3
Notes:
1
To be offered in Semester 1
2
To be offered in Semester 2
* Students are required to earn a CPA of 60 before they are eligible to register on Dissertation, except with special dispensation from the Department.
** Modules assessed 50% by continuous assessment and 50% on examination.
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