Political Science

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Department of Political Science

The Political Science Department offers courses which provide an insight into Political Theory and Ideas, International Relations, Comparative Politics and Political Systems along with Indian Politics and Administration. The Department has a dynamic faculty comprising teachers who have excelled in their respective fields of specialization. The Department has an active society which organizes seminars and lectures through out the academic session.

Courses: B.A. (Hons.) POLITICAL SCIENCE

Political Science Society (Avaam)

Department of Political Science Avaam, Zakir Husain Delhi College strives for the holistic development of their students by fostering a political consciousness and a critical analysis. To curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic the university opted for an online teaching format, forgoing the traditional classroom model of teaching. The department smoothened this transition, by organising ICT workshops for students through digital platforms such as MS Teams, Google Meet, Zoom etc. In the academic year 2020-21, the department has actively worked towards creating an engaging environment for the students. This feat was achieved through numerous interactive sessions with eminent speakers and panel discussions about varied topics of interest, which ensured learning beyond the classrooms. We attempted to connect the student community, by broadening the scope of opportunities available to them and by making learning an inclusive experience for every member.

Department Activities

• Special Lecture on Political Theory : The first lecture of the academic session 2020-21, was an orientation lecture by Prof. Ashok Acharya, Department of Political Science, University of Delhi on ‘Contemporary Political Theory: Issues and Challenges’ held on December 4, 2020. It primarily sought to acquaint the first-year students with the constantly evolving and ever-challenging nature of political theory, a sub-discipline of Political Science. He deliberated upon the theme with rudimentary and fundamental approaches which helped the audience, especially the first-year students understand the complexities of the political world we inhabit.
• Ist Ramashray Roy Memorial Lecture: To commemorate the contribution of late Prof. Ramashray Roy (founding member and former Director of Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) to the discourse of Social Sciences and Politics of India, the department in collaboration with Ramashray Roy Foundation, New Delhi, organised the 1st Ramashray Roy Memorial lecture on the topic ‘Social Science in India: Major trends and Possibilities’ on 20 January 2021. The speaker for the session was Prof. Girishwar Misra, former VC, Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya, retired Professor of Psychology, DU
• On January 28, 2020, a session on ‘A Critical Understanding of the Law-Making Process of the Parliament’ was organised. The speaker for the session was Maansi Verma, a lawyer and founder of Madhyam. Madhyam is a digital participatory policy making initiative.
• In collaboration with Gandhi Study Circle, a session on ‘Farmers Movement and Reconstruction of Rural India – The Gandhi Way’ was held on February 15, 2021. The speaker of the webinar was Prof. Anand Kumar, an eminent academician and social activist. Prof. Kumar underlined that a collectively organised protest of any nature in a liberal democracy not only questions the ruling dispensation on account of its majority but also raises a new hope for the deepening of democracy in India.
• On February 24, 2021, a lecture on ‘Right to Privacy and Diversity in the Constitution’ was organised. The speaker for the session was Amber Rana, a lawyer by training. The session attempted to understand the complexities of the privacy rights of citizens.
• On March 5, 2021, a session was organised on the topic, ‘History of the Right to Property in Independent India’ by Namita Wahi, Fellow, Centre for Policy Research and founding director, Land Rights Initiative. The session attempted to explore the linkages between the histories and present felt need of land reform laws in India.
• Book Discussion on UN Day: On October 24, 2021, on the occasion of the United Nations Day, a panel discussion was held on a recently published book ‘India in United Nations: Interplay of Interests and Principles’, authored by Prof. CSR Murthy, retired faculty at School of International Studies Jawaharlal Nehru University. Prof. Rumki Basu, Dept. of Political Science, Jamia Millia Islamia and Prof. Yeshi Cheoden, Jawaharlal Nehru University. Dr Uma Shankar, senior faculty member of the department, joined the discussion.
• Freshers Welcome Programme: On 28th November 2020, the department organised a Retro Revival themed virtual Fresher’s Welcome. There was overwhelming participation with more than a hundred attendees. The event was followed by a host of performances, such as dance, singing, poetry recitation and mimicry. It introduced the freshers to the department and made them an integral part of Avaam.
• Poetry Recitation Competition on Parakram Diwas: In memory of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s indomitable spirit and selfless service to the nation, the department celebrated Parakram Diwas by organising a Poetry Recitation Competition on the occasion of his 125th Birth Anniversary. The poems were recited both in Hindi and English.
• International Women’s Day Talk: March 8, 2021, International Women’s Day Celebration was marked by conducting a webinar on ‘ Me-too Movement: Struggles and Achievements’. The speaker for the event was, Rituparna Chatterjee, a journalist, gender activist and curator of the India #MeToo. The talk was encircled around the very objective of identifying patriarchy within the private and public spheres.
• Ambedkar Jayanti Special Address: In association with the Embassy of India, Seoul, Republic of South Korea and Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, Seoul, the department on April 14 celebrated Ambedkar Jayanti on the occasion of the 130th birth anniversary of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar . A special address on ‘Dr Ambedkar’s Multifaceted Contribution to Modern India’ was delivered by Dr Narendra Jadhav, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha and author of the book ‘Untouchables’.
• A discussion on “Secularism, Cow-Slaughter and Communalism in modern India “was organised on 9th July 2021. Dr. Shabnum Tejani, from SOAS, University of London was the key discussant on this occasion.
• From the new academic session 2021-22, the Department of Political Science has instituted a Lecture Series onthe theme ‘Changing dynamics of International Politics’. The inaugural lecture of this series was organised on August 25, on the theme ‘Afghanistan at Crossroads: Challenges and Prospects’. Suhasini Swamy Haidar, eminent journalist and Diplomatic Affair Editor, The Hindu delivered the key note address.
• The second lectureof this series on the theme ‘The Rise and Rise of the Quad: Theory and Praxis’ was delivered Prof. Harsh V. Pant, Professor of International Relations, King’s College London on September 22.
• A special Lecture on ‘Ambedkar and the making of the constitution of India’ was delivered by eminent political philosopher, Aakash Singh Rathore on September ,27.
• The department celebrated the constitution day on November 26 by organising a preamble reading session and a special lecture on ‘working of Indian constitution ‘was organised on November 27 in collaboration with Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre and the institute of Indian studies, Hankuk University. Prof. Bidyut Chakrabarty, Vice Chancellor, Visva-Bharati University and Prof. Chanwahn Kim, the key invited panellists deliberated on the historical importance of constitution on this occasion.

Teacher- In -Charge

Dr. Sanjeev Kumar

Department of Political Science

Teacher In-Charge

Dr. Manshi Misra
Assistant Professor