M.A. Political Science

RATIONALE

Politics in the era of globalization continues to stimulate our curiosity and challenge the mind. Ethnic cleansing in Kosovo, Clinton’s impeachment trial and the launching of a single European currency have all been integrated into political discourse in the Philippines. In this context, greater intellectual demands are being made on political scientists by students, administrators, government officials and political leaders. Political scientists themselves feel the need to broaden their horizons in order to make sense of the exciting but sometimes frustrating activity that is politics. The case for graduate education in Political Science can hardly be doubted.

The rationale for a Master’s program at DLSU may be derived from the fact that most universities in Metro Manila offer, in addition to the compulsory course on Philippine politics, an undergraduate degree in Political Science, as a preparation for law school. At present faculty members interested in graduate education see their choice restricted to the University of the Philippines and the University of Santo Tomas, both of which offer Master’s and Doctor’s degrees. The Department of Political Science at DLSU, which for several years now has offered a Master’s program in Development Policy and a Ph.D. program in Development Studies, is now ready to compete with these two institutions: an informal evaluation by a Technical Committee of the Commission on Higher Education ranked the Department second in the Philippines in terms of the percentage of faculty members with Ph.D. degrees.

OBJECTIVES

The M.A. in Political science aims to

1. Equip students with the analytical tools that will enable them to teach political science at the secondary and tertiary levels;
2. Carry out research in their area of interest; and
3. Prepare them for further graduate education in the Philippines or abroad.

CURRICULUM

The 36-unit program has two distinct features. First, all courses will be taught exclusively by faculty with doctorates in their respective specializations. No other Department of Political Science in the country can give students this guarantee. Second, the coursework will allow them to specialize in a clearly defined sub field and choose electives from other sub fields or disciplines. Thanks to this structure students will be able to design a program that corresponds to their personal interests and career goals.

Coursework (30 units)

  1. Core Courses (12 units)
    • Research Methods (POL521M) (3 units)
    • Philosophy of the Social Sciences (POL525M) (3 units)
    • Theories of the State (POL760M) (3 units)
    • Political Economy (POL755M) (3 units)
  2. Specialization (12 units)The two fields of specialization are based on the areas of competence of faculty members.

Specialization: Comparative Politics

Through a comparative perspective students can gain insights into the workings of the Philippine political system and acquire an understanding of the politics of some of our closest neighbors.

    • Theories of Comparative Politics (POL540M) (3 units)
    • Government and Politics of Japan (POL801M) (3 units)
    • Government and Politics of Southeast Asia (POL802M) (3 units)
    • One course in Philippine Politics, to be chosen from:
      • Social Movements in the Philippines (POL570M) (3 units)
      • Contemporary Problems in Philippine Government and Politics (POL804M) (3 units)
      • The Philippine Legislature and Its Development Roles (POL560M) (3 units)
      • Advanced Course on the Philippine Executive System (POL561M) (3 units)
      • Political Parties in the Philippines (POL562M) (3 units)
      • Seminar on Constitutional and Political Ideals during Significant Political Conjunctures

Specialization: International Relations

As the boundaries begin to blur between the national and the international, the need for political scientists who are wellgrounded in International Relations is keenly felt.

    • Theories of International Relations (POL541M) (3 units)
    • International Political Economy (POL754M) (3 units)
    • International Relations of East and Southeast Asia (POL542M) (3 units)
    • Contemporary Issues in International Relations (POL544M) (3 units)

Elective courses (6 units)

Elective courses may be taken in other graduate programs taught at La Salle. The following list is by no means exhaustive. Students should consult with the Graduate Coordinator before they make their choices.

International Studies, Major in European Studies

    • International Law
    • The Politics of European Integration (POL780M) (3 units)
    • The Economics of European Integration (POL781M) (3 units)

Asian Studies, Major in Japanese Studies

    • Japanese and Philippine Relations (POL770M) (3 units)
    • Japanese Politics and Foreign Policy (POL771M) (3 units)
    • Japanese Public Policy (POL772M) (3 units)

Development Studies

    • Theories of Development (POL530M) (3 units)
    • Participation and Development (POL532M) (3 units)
    • Sustainable Development (POL533M) (3 units)
    • Development Administration (POL531M) (3 units)
    • Economy, Culture and Society (POL585M) (3 units)

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Core Courses

Research Methods (POL521M) (3 units)

Introduction to the major methodological approaches in the social sciences and corresponding research methods.

Philosophy of the Social Sciences (POL525M) (3 units)

Survey of positivist, structural and post-structural philosophies of the social sciences.

Theories of the State (POL760M) (3 units)

Survey of liberal, class-based, patrimonial and contemporary theories of the state.

Political Economy (POL755M) (3 units)

Survey of major approaches to Political Economy, including classical/neo-classical, Keynesian, Marxian/neo-Marxian and institutional approaches.

Specialization: Comparative Politics

Theories of Comparative Politics (POL540M) (3 units)

Introduction to major theories of comparative politics.

Government and Politics of Japan (POL801M) (3 units)

Introduction to the Government and Politics of Japan.

Government and Politics of Southeast Asia (POL802M) (3 units)

Introduction to the Government and Politics of Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Laos, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam.

Specialization: International Relations

Theories of International Relations (POL541M) (3 units)

Survey of methodological approaches (e.g., traditional, scientific or behavioral, structural) and analytical approaches to substantive issues (e.g., conflict and cooperation, foreign policy analysis, decision-making).

International Political Economy (POL754M) (3 units)

Survey of major theories of international political economy: realist and neo-realist; liberal; structural, including Marxian, dependency and modern world-system theories. Application to the evolution of the world economy and to contemporary issues (e.g. trade, finance, debt, globalization).

International Relations of East and Southeast Asia (POL542M) (3 units)

International Relations of the East Asian region (China, Taiwan, Japan, North and South Korea, and the 10 ASEAN member states), including their relations with extra-regional powers (United States, Russia, and Europe)

Contemporary Issues and Trends in International Relations (POL544M) (3 units)

Examination of major issues in international relations since the end of the Cold War; contemporary theoretical approaches.