The Department offers modules in comparative politics, international relations, political theory, and public administration. The Department is particularly strong in the study of Asian politics. Students follow general introductory modules in political science, research methodology, and Singapore politics. Those interested in contemporary international relations can then opt for modules on international politics, regionalism and international organizations, the international political economy, and the foreign policies of regions as well as countries like China, Japan, and India. Those who wish to specialize in comparative politics might choose to read modules on the politics of both maritime and mainland Southeast Asia, South Asia, East Asia, Europe, and the United States. Some of these modules focus on topics like ethnic and racial politics, women in politics, and political parties. Students who want to specialize in political theory may choose modules on classical, modern, and postmodern political thought, through which they will encounter the great thinkers in both the ‘Western’ as well as ‘Eastern’ traditions. Students contemplating a career in public administration might opt for modules on organizational theory in public administration, public personnel administration, and comparative public administration of industrial states. Students can also choose from a growing number of advanced modules of a more interdisciplinary character that deal, for example, with topics like art, popular culture, international communications, and political humour.

Career Prospects Graduates from the Department of Political Science have good career opportunities both in the public and private sectors. Several government ministries (especially Defence; Education; Foreign Affairs; and Information, Communications and the Arts) and the local mass media (especially Mediacorp and The Straits Times) have traditionally been very interested in recruiting graduates from the Department. Political Science graduates can also be found in banks, public relations firms, and multinational corporations. Since the discipline offers wide-ranging knowledge on regional and international events and developments, a degree holder in Political Science is much sought after.