DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (PSPA)
6.1 Introduction
Political Science is the scientific study of government. It includes the study of political ideas and
values, political behavior, and the political institutions which are created by humans, or which
evolve, for the pursuit of collective societal goals. It yields theories about politics,
administration, international politics - three major dimensions of the study of government- and
seeks to test and improve them by empirical research. The Department offers courses, which
prepare students for professional careers in Politics, Public service, including Local Government
Administration, the private sector and the Foreign Service.
6.2 Structure of the Field/Area
First Year
Students will take six courses each semester, two (2) courses from Political Science and Public
Administration and four (4) from other fields of study.
Second and Third Year
Major:Two core courses plus two elective courses in Political Science and Public
Administration and one course in the minor in another Department per semester. Minor
fields/areas of study may be taken outside the Faculty.
Minor:One course in Political Science and Public Administration plus three (3) courses in the
field they are majoring in.
6.3 Curriculum: Political Science and Public Administration
Academic Workload and List of Courses
The academic workload will be three (3) contact hours per course for 1st year and four (4)
contact hours per course per week for 2nd and 3rd Years respectively for the core courses and
three (3) hours for the elective courses.
Students wishing to Major in the Political Science and Public Administration must have offered
Political Science in their First Year. These students will offer three (4) courses in Political Science
(2 cores and 2 elective) and one course from the Minor fields/ areas of study making a total of five
(5) courses per semester and ten courses per year. They select their courses in accordance with the
requirements of any of the following three Specialisations: Either Specialisation A – Political
Science (PS), Specialisation B - Public Administration and Management (PAM), or Specialisation
C - International Relations (IR).
6.4 Course Descriptions
Specialization A: Political Science
Summary of Semester Course Structure for Political Science
Sem
Code
Courses
YEAR ONE
POS1103
Introduction to Political Science
Sem I
POS1104
Government and Politics in East Africa
Sem 2
POS1205
POS1206
(CH)
CU)
45
45
3
3
Comparative Political Systems
Introduction to Political Thought
45
45
3
3
Classical and Modern Political Thought
Social Research Methods I
60
60
4
4
Ethics in Politics
Political Behavior
Politics of Developing Countries
Gender, Politics and the State
45
45
45
60
3
3
3
4
African Political Thought
Government and Politics in Uganda
Social Research Methods II
60
60
60
4
4
4
Government and Politics in Africa
Constitutionalism and Political Development
45
45
3
3
Contemporary Political and Social Thought
Theory and Practice of Democracy in Africa
60
60
4
4
Political Sociology
Globalization and Development
Technology and Social Change
45
45
45
3
3
3
Constitutional Law
Human Rights
60
60
4
4
The Politics of Environmental Management
45
3
YEAR II
Sem 1
CORE
PS2113
SOC2100
Electives
POS2115
POS2116
POS2117
GAD2105
SEMII
Core
POS2218
POS2219
SOC2201
Elective
POS2221
POS2222
YEAR III
SEM I
SEM II
Core
POS3117
POS3118
Electives
SOC3114
POS3120
SOC3117
Core
POS3221
POS3222
Elective
POS3223
SOC3206
POS3225
Collective Behavior and Social Movements
Dissertation
45
45
3
3