Ashoka Scholars Programme in Political Science

For obtaining an Advanced Diploma in Political Science, students need to submit an initial statement of interest in April in their 3rd year, with the name of the preferred advisor(s). This statement of interest should approximately be of two pages, highlighting preliminary details about the project. By the beginning of the ensuing summer break, students will be matched to an advisor, who may assist in structuring a thesis project over the summer. In the first week of courses in the Monsoon semester of the 4th year, students will be expected to submit a thesis proposal that is 3000-5000 words. These proposals will be assessed by the appointed advisor and a department-selected second reader (who is not an advisor) for quality, feasibility and clarity.

Students will be given feedback on the proposal by the second week of courses, with one of three decisions: (i) reject, (ii) revise and resubmit, or (iii) pass. If the student is given a pass, then she or he may continue to the thesis program without qualification. If the student is given a revise and resubmit, then she or he may continue to the thesis program conditional on completing the requested revisions within one week. If the student is given a reject, then she or he may not continue into the thesis program.

Upon gaining entry into the thesis program, there are four requirements for the year:
• Attendance at a Year-Long Thesis Seminar
• End of Monsoon Semester Presentation
• Final Thesis Presentation (End of Spring Semester)
• Final Thesis Submission
The grading scheme across these requirements and relevant schedules will be shared with students before course enrollment commences for the Monsoon Semester. The final thesis will be graded by the advisor(s) and a department-selected second reader (who is not an advisor). The thesis will be for 8 credits overall (4 in each semester). Students are expected to take at least three courses (12 credits) in Political Science during their advanced major. They can also choose to TA for Political Science courses instead of an elective and gain credits. The minimum credits required to complete the advanced major with the department are 32 credits.

As you already know that the 100 level courses are entry-level or introductory courses, while the 300 level courses are advanced. The department doesn’t impose a sequence of course as per the level but strongly recommends that a student clear entry-level courses before taking advanced-level courses. Some advanced electives will require you to take Quantitative Research Methods as a prerequisite.

For example (non-exhaustive list):

1. Quantitative Research Methods 2: Students must have completed Quantitative Research Methods 1.

2. Political Islam: Students must have completed Concepts in Islam.

In the event that a course apart from these has some pre-requisites, it is communicated at the starting of the semester.