BA Political Science & Public Administration

4 Years, Bachelor of Arts, System of Credits

This programme of study is registered with the Cyprus Ministry of Education and Culture.

The course is designed as a multidiscipline program to offer students the fundamental administrative
and political science disciplines. It encompasses skills essential for strategic planning, decision-
making, communicating and controlling in public administration and political science.

This degree course offers a general approach at the first two years of study (four semesters) and
specialization at the 3rd and 4th year of study (four further semesters) in one of two core disciplines:

• Public Administration
• Political Science

Furthermore, the engagement of students in research projects gives them the opportunity to
familiarize themselves with everyday social, public and political problems and behaviors and develop
their abilities to comprehend, approach and solve such problems.

Specializations:

Public Administration
The Public Administration discipline is designed to develop the student's ability to comprehend the
dynamics of administrative science as applied in the public sector. It consists of integrated qualitative
techniques in planning, forecasting, organization, motivation, coordination, communication and
control as well as an approach to the macroscopic public economics and labour relations in terms of
strategic thinking and planning as entrenched in our legal, economic and social systems.
The discipline also aims to provide students with a broad knowledge of the main features of public
administration together with a comprehensive analysis of current theories and applications of
systems, organization and practice.
A flexible yet competitive approach to human relations is encouraged to promote challenge in
development and motivation. Furthermore, essential qualities like: problem solving, computing,
quantitative analysis and team working skills, which are required at various levels both in the human
and technical sectors in the public administration are explored. The ultimate objective is thus to
strengthen the student's independent, innovative and critical thinking abilities.

Political Science
The Political Science discipline is designed to skilfully prepare students to confidently tackle a variety
of political situations by focusing on integrated qualitative techniques related to input - output
controlled systems.
The discipline aims to provide the student with a broad knowledge of the contemporary political
arena. Thereby encompassing aspects such as: organization, international relations, state status and
the political phenomenon in its unique reality, which distinguishes transparent Political Science in
relation to practical politics. Detailed analysis of various theories and applications in political systems
are applied, which cover the various branches of applied and comparative Political Science namely:
political psychology, political sociology, political institutions, comparative politics, international
relations, history of political life and political methodology.
Essential qualities like political problem solving backed by theoretical tools such as game theories and
systemic approach, computing, quantitative analysis and team working skills are developed. The
ultimate objective is to strengthen the student's independent, innovative and critical thinking abilities.

Advantages for the holders of the BA Degree in Political Science and Public Administration:

• Develop transferable skills, an innovative spirit, dynamism and ability to think critically and
independently, qualities required for responsible positions in the public and/ or diplomatic
sector and can secure rewarding administrative careers in these sectors.
• Continue for postgraduate studies at FIT and acquire the Master of Business Administration
Degree (MBA)
 • Continue for postgraduate studies (MA/MSc/MBA/PhD) at UK or USA Universities.

Students must complete a total of 134 credit hours

Required Subjects Hours Credits

APCL 111 Constitutional Law I 3 3

APCL 112 Principles of Cyprus Law 3 3
APPS 113 Introduction to Political Science 3 3
APEH 114 European History I 3 3
APIR 115 Introduction to International Relations
and the Organisation of the International
Community 3 3
APCO 116 Use of Computers 3 3
APCL 121 Constitutional Law II (Fundamental Rights) 3 3
APPL 122 Introduction to the Public International Law 3 3
APPS 123 Applied Political Science I
(Political socialisation and Political Behaviour) 3 2
APQM 124 Political Statistics and Quantitative Methods 3 3
APPS 125 Applied Political Science II (Political Comm.) 3 3
APEH 126 European History II 2 2
APAL 211 Principles of Administrative Law I 3 3
APAS 212 Administrative Science 3 3
APPE 213 Political Economy I (Microeconomics) 3 3
APPT 214 Political Thought I (Classical Political Thought) 3 3
APSO 215 Introduction to Sociology 2 2
APEO 216 The European Organisation 3 3
APPE 211 Political Economy II (Macroeconomics) 4 4
APAO 222 Administrative Organisation and State Institutions 3 3
APPT 223 Political Thought II (Western Political Thought) 2 2
APPS 224 Applied Political Science III
(Political Analysis and Methodology) 3 3
APPF 225 Public Finance 3 3

- Required subjects for students specializing

in Public Administration or Political Science 61 61
- Electives for students specializing
in Public Administration or Political Science 3 3
-General Electives 4 4

Required Subjects for students specializing in Public Administration

Hours Credits

APPF 311
Public Finance and Politics 3 3
APAL 312
Principles of Administrative Law II 3 3
APTO 313
Theory of Organisations 3 3
APPL 314
Public International Law 3 3
APIO 315
International Organisations 2 2
APIS 316
Information Systems I 3 3
APPA 321
Organisation and Function of the Public
Administration 3 3
APIL 322 Special Topics of Public International Law I 3 3
APSD 323 Social Demography 2 2
APJC 324 Institutions of Judicial and
 Extra-Judicial Control 3 3
APLR 325 Labour Relations and Institutions 3 3
APIS 326 Information Systems II 3 3
APPA 411 Social Policy and Administration 3 3
APTP 412 Institutions and Policy on Land Use
(Country Planning) and Town Planning 3 3
APLG 413 Institutions of Local Government 3 3
APHR 414 Human Resources Management 4 4
APEU 415 Cyprus and the European Union 3 3
APPS 416 Special Topics of Political Sociology 2 2
APEP 421 Comparative Analysis of European Political Systems 3 3
APAS 422 Comparative Analysis of Administrative Systems 3 3
APFP 423 Final Project 3 3

Electives for students specilizing in Public Administration

Students should choose one subject from the following list

Hours Credits

APAS 426 Special Topics of Administrative Science 3 3

APEI 427 The Theory of European Integration 3 3

General Electives
Students should choose one subject from Group A and one subject from Group B.

Hours Credits

Group A
AECH 101 Introduction to the History of Cyprus 2 2
AECH 111 Cyprus in the Twentieth Century 2 2

Group B
ASCC 103 Cyprus and Culture 2 2
AEGL 111 Modern Greek Literature 2 2

Required Subjects for students specializing in Political Science

Hours Credits

APIO 317 General Theory of International Organisation 3 3

APIR 318 International Relations I 3 3
APPT 319 History of Political Theories 3 3
APPL 314 Public International Law 3 3
APIO 315 International Organisations 2 2
APIS 316 Information Systems I 3 3
APIR 327 International Relations II 3 3
APIL 322 Special Topics of Public International Law I 3 3
APSD 323 Social Demography 2 2
APER 328 International Economic Relations 3 3
APFP 329 Foreign Policy I 3 3
APIS 326 Information Systems II 3 3
APEL 417 European Union Law 4 4
APPU 418 Policies of the European Union 3 3
APFP 419 Foreign Policy II 3 3
APPT 420 Political Theory of State and Society 3 3
APEU 415 Cyprus and the European Union 3 3
APPS 416 Special Topics of Political Sociology 2 2
APEP 421 Comparative Analysis of European Political Systems 3 3
APCP 428 Comparative Policy 3 3
APFP 423 Final Project 3 3

Electives for students specilizing in Political Science

Students should choose one subject from the following list

Hours Credits

APIL 429 Special Topics of Public International Law II 3 3

APEI 427 The Theory of European Integration 3 3

General Electives
Students should choose one subject from Group A and one subject from Group B.

Hours Credits

Group A - Cyprus Studies

AECH 101 Introduction to the History of Cyprus 2 2
AECH 111 Cyprus in the Twentieth Century 2 2

Group B - Greek Language and Literature

ASCC 103 Cyprus and Culture 2 2
AEGL 111 Modern Greek Literature 2 2

Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social

Sciences
LM022 - Bachelor of Arts in Politics and International Relations
Honours Bachelor Degree
CAO Minimum Entry Points 2006: New course commencing September 2008

Introduction
The BA in Politics and International Relations provides a firm background in the
fields of political science and international relations. The course gives students
an understanding of the basic principles of politics at the global, European,
national and local levels, as well as grounding in research methods. The degree
would be particularly attractive to students interested in current affairs and
modern world problems.

Entry Requirements
Applicants are required to hold at the time of enrolment the established Leaving
Certificate (or an approved equivalent) with at least Grade C3 in two Higher Level
subjects and Grade D3 in four Ordinary or Higher Level subjects (including
Mathematics; Irish or another language; and English).
We welcome applications from Mature Students. Application forms for mature
student entry are available from the UL Admissions Office.

Career Opportunities
Career opportunities include: the Public Service; European and International
Agencies; Business, Heritage and Tourism; Education and Teaching; Interest
Groups, Voluntary and Community Organisations; Media, Journalism and Public
Relations; Training and Equal Opportunities; Policy Evaluation Research; Urban
Planning and Rural Development; and Social and Market Research.
The BA also provides a path to further study in politics and international relations,
including Masters and PhD programmes.

Programme of Study
In the first year, the programme is divided into three parts:
1. an introduction to politics and international relations through four introductory
modules (PO4011, PA4021, PO4022 and PA4011);
2. subsidiary streams in history and sociology that give students a basic grasp of
the study of history and sociology and their relationship to politics and
international relations; and
3. a grounding in political science research and methods that will teach students
how to research topics, write essays, and make arguments.
Year two will introduce the major sub-fields of politics by way of core modules
taken by all students. These sub-fields are: international relations, comparative
politics, political theory, European Union politics, public administration and Irish
politics.
In year three, students go out on external placement and external academic
placement.
In year four, students are able to specialise in the areas of politics and
international relations that interest them most through their final year project and
a choice of elective modules.

Programme Outline
Year 1 Semester 1 Semester 2
Introduction to Government Modern European Political
PO4011 PO4022
and Politics Thought
Ideas and Concepts in Public
PA4021 PA4011 The Civil and Public Service
Administration
Methods and Research in Methods and Research in
PO40XX PO40XX
Political Science 1 Political Science 2
HIXXXX Diplomacy Government and HIXXXX Capitalism and Industrial
 the State 1560-1660 Society 1450-1900
SO4001 Introduction to Sociology 1 SO4012 Introduction to Sociology 2

Year 2 Semester 3 Semester 4

Comparative European Government and Politics of the
PO4023 PO4015
Politics European Union
PO4018 International Relations PA4018 Public Policy Process
Government and Politics of
PL4017 Regional Development PO4013
Ireland
PO40XX Political Theory PO40XX Global Political Economy
PO40XX Introduction to Irish Politics PA4013 Local Government

Year 3 Semester 5 Semester 6

External Placement External Academic Placement

Year 4 Semester 7 9Semester 8

Choose 4 electives from;
PO4028 Ethnic Conflict
PO4032 Russian Politics
International Organisation and
PO4027
Global Governance
PO4077 Nations and Nationalism
PA4017 Sub-National Government
Final Year Project
Choose 4 electives from;
PO4067 Studies in Political Thought
PO4048 Issues in World Politics
PO4058 Third World Politics
PO4016 Issues in European Integration
State and Society in
PO4078
Postmodern Europe
Public Administration in
PA4038
Democratic States
Final Year Project