Political science and international relations
Political scientists are interested in developing general principles or theories about the way the world of politics works. They do this by examining political behaviour and institutions within a certain definable system. International relations investigates the relations between systems, i.e. nation states and the activities of international organisations, as well as international actors such as terrorists, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and multi-national corporations (MNCs).
If you’re taking the MHSc (Political Science), you have the chance to specialise in one of four disciplines: comparative politics, international relations, public administration and public policy, and political theory.
Among the areas covered under these four disciplines are:
- Islamisation in politics and issues in contemporary Islamic movements
- Methods of political inquiry
- Comparative political systems
- Issues in political development
- Theories of modernisation and development
- Ethnic politics in Malaysia
- Politics of economic development
- Transnational organisations
- Geopolitics of the Muslim world
- International law, human rights and diplomacy
- Public administration and public policy
- Local government
- Nationalism and internationalism
- Political theory of justice
A Master’s in political science and international relations would be a fantastic asset if you were thinking of joining the government service, whether in the Foreign Service, diplomatic corps or in policy-making. An understanding of a particular country would be an immense stepping stone in your career. You may also wish to lend your talents to inter-governmental organisations, non-governmental organisations, and think tanks.
