There are three major understandings one can have through an undergraduate political science program. First, it tells you about the operation and interaction of government. Second, it informs you about the impact of a country’s policies on economic stability and growth. Finally, it instructs about the effect law has on social and political changes. Politics influences every aspect of a citizen’s life including education, employment, healthcare and housing.
After getting a degree in political science, as a young politician, graduates will make decisions for the betterment of the society by participating in political debates and getting involved in the government. Other ways you can use a political science degree is to join NGOs and support causes to make a difference in the society or candid yourself individually and make your ideas and proposals be heard.
There are many fields of study offered in Political Science; such as, domestic politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory, public administration and public policy. Students at Kateb University study Political Science and Political Theory which are the study of contemporary theoretical perspectives such as constructivism, critical theory and postmodernism.
In the context of Afghan Politics, political science graduates either choose to become a career politician or a political advisor.
Career Politician: If you manage to gather enough support for your ideas, you can run for a seat in the parliaments of Afghanistan (Wolesi Jirga or the Mishrano Jirga). But, first you will have to prove yourself and convince the public that you deserve their votes.
Political Advisor to Ministers, Deputy Ministers and The President of Afghanistan: Government officials do not make decisions on their own. They need advice from experts to make strategies for implementing political projects while also taking into account the impact of public perception.
Students Study a total of 140 credits including the final thesis which is a 6 credits course. In the first year, students take courses that are introductory and deliver the foundation of the political science, political thoughts and international relations programs. Along these, over the course of 4 years students also study subjects such as introduction to economics, management and law.
Insecurity and instability has caused the peace building studies notion to be a most wanted one in the country. The Ministry of Higher Education also requires higher education institutions to include peace discussions in the Islamic Cultural Studies courses that shows the importance of peace studies in the country. After a thorough review of the curriculum, Kateb University has added a separate course named Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies in the elective courses.
Students have three options to choose their majors from at the Political Science Department; Political Science, Political Thoughts and International Relations.
In Political Science, students study subjects such as Politics and Governments in the Middle East, Indian Continent, Europe and America, Middle East and International Politics, Principles of Management, Introduction to Principles of Democracy, Diplomacy in Islam, General Philosophy, Administrative Law and et cetera.
In International Relations some of the subjects of study are History of International Relations, International Political Economics, Economic and Political Problems of the Third World, History of Afghanistan’s Foreign Relations, Classic Political Thoughts, Contemporary Political Thoughts, Foreign Policies of Afghanistan, International Relations Theories, Crisis Management and Political Sociology.
In Political Thoughts students study subjects, such as, the International Organizations, Political Innovation and Development, Contemporary Political Thoughts, Introduction to Political Thoughts in Islam, Diplomacy and Negotiation Techniques, Political Thoughts in Arab Continent and the Indian Continent, and Political Thoughts in the East.
