BACHELOR OF ARTS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

Course Structure

Research has shown that the teaching of political science and public administration can be irrelevant to the needs of development if care is not taken to incorporate all the aspects in this field, namely political science theory, international political economy, public administration, comparative politics and international relations. Moreover these four must relate to contemporary practice.

This programme is therefore expected to train graduates in the understanding of the political science and public administration discipline.. It takes cognisance of the comprehensive and relevant to the needs of development in Kenya and beyond. It is designed to provide theoretical, methodological and practical knowledge about man and governance.

Students graduating with specialization in Political Science and Public Administration are well equipped to work in government including; foreign service, state enterprises, managerial position in the private sector, non-governmental organizations, research institutions and policy think tanks, in which their knowledge of international organizations and relations will have an added advantage.

EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES OF THE PROGRAMME:

At the completion of the course students majoring in Political Science and Public Administration should be able to:

  1. Manage public and private sector organizations.
  2. Handle matters relating to international relations.
  3. Formulate and analyze public policy.
  4. Analyze different political and administrative situations using different theories.

DEGREE COURSES

The courses offered are shown below.

N/B: University-wide common courses are italicized; Programme core courses and required courses are in normal font; Elective courses are in bold font.

Total credit hours

 Commission for University Education requirement of between 168 and 192 credit hours for a Bachelor’s degree programme.

FIRST YEAR

First Semester

  1. CMJ 1100: Communication Skills, 3 Credit Hours
  2. ZOO 1100: HIV & Aids & Lifestyle Diseases, 3 Credit Hours
  3. SAS 1103: The Art of Writing, 3 Credit Hours
  4. PSA 1103: Introduction to Political Science, 3 Credit Hours
  5. PSA 1104:  Introduction to Public Administration, 3 Credit Hours
  6. PSA 1105: Introduction to International Relations, 3 Credit Hours
  7. PSA 1106: Introd. to International Political Economy, 3 Credit Hours
  8. HIS 1103:  Ethnography of African Society, 3 Credit Hours 

Second Semester

  1. COM 1200: Computer & Information Literacy, 3 Credit Hours
  2. MAT 1200: Quantitative Skills, 3 Credit Hours
  3. SAS 1204: Deviation and Rehabilitation, 3 Credit Hours
  4. PSA 1207: Intro to Research Methods in Political Science & Public Administration, 3 Credit Hours
  5. PSA 1208: Principles of Management, 3 Credit Hours
  6. PSA 1209:  Comparative Constitutional Process, 3 Credit Hours
  7. PSA 1210: Political Parties and Interest Groups, 3 Credit Hours
  8. PSA 1211: Politics and Government in Kenya, 3 Credit Hours

SECOND YEAR

First Semester

  1. ENS 2100: Environmental Skills, 3 Credit Hours
  2. REL 2100: Philosophy & Critical Thinking, 3 Credit Hours
  3. SAS 2105: Principles of Communication, 3 Credit Hours
  4. PSA 2112: Introduction to Political Philosophy, 3 Credit Hours
  5. PSA 2113: Introduction to Comparative Politics, 3 Credit Hours
  6. PSA 2114: Africa in International Relations, 3 Credit Hours
  7. PSA 2115: Strategic and National Security Studies, 3 Credit Hours
  8. PSA 2116: International Migration, 3 Credit Hours 
    Electives (Choose at least 1 elective)
  9. PSA 2117: Introduction to Conflict Management, 3 Credit Hours
  10. HIS2109: Kenya in World History, 3 Credit Hours

Second Semester

  1. SAS 2206: Ethnicity, Peace Relations and Nation Building in Kenya, 3 Credit Hours
  2. PSA 2218: Theory and Methods of Political Inquiry, 3 Credit Hours
  3. PSA 2219: Administrative Law, 3 Credit Hours
  4. PSA 2220: Social Statistics in Political Science & Public administration, 3 Credit Hours
  5. PSA 2221: Government and Politics in East Africa, 3 Credit Hours
  6. PSA 2222: Labour Movements in Transitional Societies, 3 Credit Hours
    Electives (Choose at least 1 elective)
  7. PSA 2223: Politics of Land & Agrarian Reform in Kenya, 3 Credit Hours
  8. PSA 2224: Public Finance Management, 3 Credit Hours

Course Structure

Third Year

First Semester                                     

  1. SAS 3107:      Contemporary Gender Issues, 3 Credit Hours
  2. PSA 3125:      Nationalism and the African States, 3 Credit Hours
  3. PSA 3126:      Research Methodology, 3 Credit Hours
  4. PSA 3127:      Theories of International Relations, 3 Credit Hours
  5. PSA 3128:      Field Course, 3 Credit Hours
  6. PSA 3129:      Human Rights and Refugee Problems, 3 Credit Hours
    Electives (Choose at least 1 elective)
  7. PSA 3130:      Public Personnel Management, 3 Credit Hours
  8. PSA 3131:      Politics of Economic Co-operation in Africa, 3 Credit Hours

Second Semester

  1. BBM 3200:      Entrepreneurial & Work Skills, 3 Credit Hours
  2. SAS 3208:      Communication and Culture, 3 Credit Hours
  3. PSA 3232:      Kenya’s Foreign Policy, 3 Credit Hours
  4. PSA 3233:      Public Policy Analysis, 3 Credit Hours
  5. SA 3234:      Politics and Government in Africa, 3 Credit Hours
  6. PSA 3235:      Peace and Conflict in Middle-East, 3 Credit Hours
  7. PSA 3236:      International Organizations, 3 Credit Hours
    Electives (Choose at least 1 elective)
  8. PSA 3237: Comparative Local Government, 3 Credit Hours
  9. PSA 3238: Political Systems of Developing Nations (Excluding Africa), 3 Credit Hours
  10. PSA 3239: Politics of Industrialization and Agriculture in Africa, 3 Credit Hours
  11. PSA 3240: Politics of Gender and Development, 3 Credit Hours

Fourth Year

First Semester

  1. SAS 4109: English for Specific Purposes, Credit Hours 3
  2. PSA 4141: International Law, 3 Credit Hours
  3. PSA 4142: African Political Thought, 3 Credit Hours
  4. PSA 4143: Field Attachment &Project, 6 Credit Hours
  5. PSA 4144:  Political Economy of Developing Countries, 3 Credit Hours
  6. PSA 4145: Politics of Multi-national Corporations, 3 Credit Hours
    Electives (Choose at least 1 elective)
  7. PSA 4146: Developing Countries in International Relations, 3 Credit Hours
  8. PSA 4147: Refugees in Global Transformation,3 Credit Hours
  9. PSA 4148: Policy Analysis and Project Management ,3 Credit Hours
  10. PSA 4149: Development Administration ,3 Credit Hours

Second Semester

  1. SAS 4210:      Disaster & Conflict Management, 3 Credit Hours
  2. PSA 4250: Human Resource Management, 3 Credit Hours
  3. PSA 4251: Contemporary Political Theory, 3 Credit Hours
  4. PSA 4252: Cooperation & Conflict in International Relations, 3 Credit Hours
  5. PSA 4253: Politics of Environment and Development, 3 Credit Hours
    Electives (Choose at least 2 electives)
  6. PSA 4254: Comparative Foreign Policies of Developing Countries, 3 Credit Hours
  7. PSA 4255: The Politics of Genocide, 3 Credit Hours
  8. PSA 4256: International Law and African States, 3 Credit Hours

Admission Requirements

MINIMUM ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROGRAMME

To be admitted in the degree programme the applicant must fulfill the common academic requirements as prescribed by Maasai Mara University which are:

  1. Mean grade of C+ in KCSE or
  2. Two principal passes and subsidiary pass at KACE – “A” Level or
  • two year diploma in a related discipline from a recognized/accredited institution at the grade of credit and above.
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