Department of Political Science

About Us:

The Department of Political Science was established in the year 1963 and offers 6 papers as integral part of the study. The department has two full time NET qualified lecturers. The department endeavours to orient the minds of the students to understand the expanse of the subject and inculcate political values on which the edifice of democracy stands. The subject being highly interdisciplinary, cutting across the realm of science, economics, geography, history, sociology etc, efforts are being made to make a holistic understanding of the subject through interactive teaching, projects, field trips, educational movies, debates, elocution competitions and ICT.

Faculty Profile:

Progressive change is the reflective characteristic of the department. The former Head of the Department Dr. Bindu Chowdary has joined another college as a Principal in 2004. The department is now run by two new entrants Mr. Bhushan Arekar and Mr. Steven Lobo.

Dr. Bindu Chowdary, former Head of the Department, Political Science,1985-2004 (M.A in Political Science and Sociology Higher Education, Diploma in Journalism and Public Relations, Diploma in German Language, PhD in International Relations).She was a Research Scholar and has done her PhD in the topic ‘Global Security through Strategic Nuclear Disarmament.

Mr.Bhushan Arekar, Lecturer, 2004 (M.A in Political Science, NET, 2004, SET, 2004).  Excellent academic record and was awarded Merit Scholarship by the Department of Civics and Politics. Mr. Arekar has been very active in academic activities and has attended various National level seminars. He is actively involved in the cultural activities of Mumbai University and has been invited as judge for several competitions. Mr. Arekar has been invited by the Nehru Centre and American Resource Centre as Panel member on discussion of topics related to international politics. He has also delivered a lecture on preparation for NET exam to the students of Mumbai University.

Mr. Steven Lobo, Lecturer, 2007 (MA in Political Science, Bachelor of Philosophy {Urbaniana University, Italy}, ( NET- 2006).Excellent academic record and University rank holder at M.A. Mr. Lobo had been part of a Seminary which has helped him to evolve value education, secularist ideals and reachout to the weaker sections of society. He has worked for a year in a BPO which has helped him to gain experience in the corporate world. Mr. Lobo has been with a college as the Coordinator of BMM wherein he has arranged visiting faculty, guest lectures, organized events & co-curricular activities, prepared the entire schedule for the BMM course, organized field trips, has done all the administrative work involved for the smooth running of the course, organized entrance tests for entry level students, and liaised with the corporate world for campus recruitment for students.  He has also planned and organized workshops for Paper setters, was a Syllabus Revision Committee member for ‘History’.  Currently, Mr. Lobo is involved in training students of the college in Personality Development, and job related skills.  He also liaises with the industry and organizes campus recruitment for the students of the college.

Student Profile:

Entry level competencies, socio-economic status, language, proficiency

Most of the students come from the vernacular medium, belonging to lower socio-economic backgrounds. Participation in field trips, inter-collegiate competitions, and workshops, National and International seminars has helped them in gaining insight on the subject. The faculty has developed differential teaching methods for students showing below average performance by providing easy learning tools and techniques. Owing to the mentioned teaching methods, the students have shown considerable improvement in their academic performance. The success rate of the students has been 95%.

Learning Resources of the Department -Library, computers, Life membership of CED, magazines, VCDs / DVDs:

The department has employed modern teaching methods to impart knowledge & values to the students on the subject of Political Science. There is a well furnished departmental library which is fully equipped with the latest books. This facility is available to the students for all the 6 days of the week.  Keeping pace with the latest in learning methodology, the department has taken membership of the Centre for Education and Documentation, which enables the students to have access to articles in newspapers and magazines, and also the periodicals of CED, which are related to current affairs, human rights, social problems, problems of women and children, etc.  Further, the department has established regular contact with the American Resource Centre. Every year the students visit the centre where they are shown documentaries on the burning issues of International Politics. Students are given access to a plethora of research materials including books, journals, government reports and e-resources for their projects.  Other than this, the students are encouraged to undertake research work in collaboration with NGOs wherein they are able to work at the grass root level. The audio-visual medium is a very powerful instrument in bringing about awareness among students about current affairs, societal problems, national and global issues.  On Saturdays, after lectures, the students watch the news on one of the National News Channels.  An analysis of the news is done through discussions and debates.  Sometimes the students are made to write articles on the basis of what they have seen in the news. Funds provided were utilized by the department to purchase books.  Optimum use of the same was made to enrich the library with books ranging in Political Theory, Public Administration, International Relations, Globalization, etc.

Modern Teaching methods practiced:

In order to make the students active participants, Interactive Lecture sessions are conducted wherein students deliberate on a topic taught by the teacher.  Regular Paper presentations are made by the students with the material available in the departmental library, e-resources and lecture notes.  The notes are simple, lucid in style and comprehensive, so that the students get a holistic understanding of the topic.  Since a majority of the students are from vernacular backgrounds, and a number of them are First Generation Learners, they are made to read news papers regularly in the presence of the teacher, in order to have a grasp over the language, current affairs, and general awareness.  To make learning a holistic experience, lectures are complemented by screening of films, especially documentary films.  The department conducts Seminars exclusively for the students in order to deepen their knowledge of Political Science, improve their presentation skills, and give them a first hand experience of facing an audience.    The projects that the students undertake are made practical wherein they have to meet NGOs, take questionnaires, do a field study that gives them an insight of the actual working of the NGOs.

Participation of teachers in academic and personal counselling of students:

Apart from engaging lectures for the students, notes are provided on every topic.  This enables both the slow learners and advanced learners to gain insight on the subject. Every year a few students opt for Marathi as their language of answer for their University Examinations. The department makes arrangements for books and notes in this language.  The students are given weekly tests which help them to assess their progress, develop their writing skills, and update their knowledge and time management.  Special attention is given to slow learners by counselling them, personally explaining topics that they have not understood and giving them additional tests. The faculty members are also involved in training and counselling students of the University of Mumbai wherein Mr. Bhushan Arekar gave a talk on ‘Careers in Political Science’, and guidance on ‘How to prepare for NET/SET Examinations’, and, Mr. Steven Lobo gave a talk on ‘Personality Development and Interview Techniques’, organized by the Student Empowerment Unit of the University of Mumbai, on March 9 & 8, 2008, respectively.

Participation/contribution of teachers to the academic activities including teaching and research:

Knowing fully well that knowledge has become inter and cross disciplinary, the faculty members participate in various national seminars and workshops. Mr. Bhushan Arekar is involved in research activities by presenting papers.  He presented a research paper titled ‘Globalization and Dalits in the Twenty First Century’ at Shankar Narayan College of Arts & Commerce, on February 15, 2008.  Mr. Steven Lobo is also actively involved in career counselling and training of students in Communication Skills and Personality Development of the college.  The department had the privilege of holding a workshop jointly with the Board of Studies on Framing of the syllabus. It is to be noted that the department invites eminent luminaries to deliver talks and enlighten the students on important issues.

Details of Faculty Development Programmes and teachers who have benefited in last two years:

The faculty members are keen on sharpening their ideas and concepts about various issues in politics in order to enhance their intellectual growth. In 2006 & 2007 both the faculty members participated in the workshops conducted by the Department of Civics and Politics, in collaboration with the Cincinnati University, on Human Rights Online. Mr. Bhushan Arekar participated in a 2-Day National Seminar on ‘Debates in Intellectual Property Rights’ organized by the UGC sponsored Special Assistance Programme, Phase III, Department of Civics and Politics in association with Indian Institute of Public Administration (Maharashtra Regional Branch), on March 18 & 19, 2005.  He also participated in a 2-Day Seminar on ‘Teaching Human Rights Online’ by the UGC Sponsored Special Assistance Programme, Phase III, Department of Civics and Politics, University of Mumbai, on March 23 & 24, 2006.  He participated in a Round Table Discussion on various Developments in South Asia & US Policy in the region, organized by the Nehru Centre on February 8, 2007.  He was invited by the Consul General of USA and the Commander of USS Dubuque Capt. William Hamilton, to interact with US naval officers on the naval ship.  This was a part of cultural diplomacy to develop understanding between academicians and naval officers. Mr. Steven Lobo represented the college at a 5 day workshop on  e-learning for teachers, jointly organized by C-DAC & Ministry of Information Technology.  Both the faculty members attended a One Day workshop on Revised Syllabus for FYBA & SYBA, Papers I, II& III, at Jai Hind College, on June 24, 2007.