Political Science was taught as a part of the combined M.A. Course in more than one social science discipline right from 1950 in the University. A full-fledged Department of Political Science was established in 1959, with late Professor. G.S. Hallappa and K. Raghavendra Rao. The first batch of M.A. students from the Department came out in 1961. Subsequently, Dr.A.M Rajasekhariah Dr. K.V Vishwanathaiah, Dr. R.T Jangam, Dr. Mallappa Amaravati and Shri Shivaiah joined the department and worked during the initial years. After 1967 the Department steadily grew, despite a few of those who laid the academic foundation to the department left in search of better prospects.
After fifty years of its fruitful existence the department today is having seven faculty members with diversified specialization in Party Politics, Foreign Policies, Decentralisation studies, Political Theory, Federalism, Caste Politics, Ancient Indian Polity, Parliamentary Procedure, Regional Disparities and Public Administration to guide the students. With their scholarly Publications, research projects and fellowships to their credit the Department has continued the legacy of the founders and has earned the recognition of a living department with regular academic activities involving scholars from various other universities, institutes, professionals and practicing politicians. It is also known for its social commitment and social engagements in the region. Political Education to the masses, Human Rights awareness, Visits to the villages, Public lectures, University to Villages are some of its well known programmes in this direction. Student’s Journal, Group Project Presentations on issues of social relevance, in house Group Discussions, Personality Development programmes are some of the additional curricular activities that the department undertakes.
2009 being the Golden Jubilee Year of this well known seat of learning in political science having an alumni-networking of a large family of political scientists around the world has had many academic programmes spreading for almost two years since the inauguration of the activities marking the Golden Jubilee Year began. 2011 March concludes these long drawn celebrations with the hosting of an International Conference for the second time (first in 1967). As a commemoration of this the department has brought out this journal viz, CHANAKYA, wholly supported by the Chanakya Alumni Association of our department and released it on the inaugural day of the conference (March25, 2011). This infact enlarges the reach of the department and is a milestone in the history of the department. Thus today, the department is gearing up to stand tall amidst the challenges it is facing and preparing itself and its students for tomorrow by constantly working towards excellence, inclusiveness and IT enabled learning in political science not being shy of scrutiny from any corner of the society and living up to the legacy it has inherited.
Our vision is to create in the young minds scientific orientation towards public affairs, so as to develop character, commitment and concern for each other in the society and service orientation with which they will blossom as citizens to guide civil society and strengthen democracy in India.
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Having grown from strength to strength over the years, the department of Political Science has been contributing to knowledge, through curriculum and research. taking note of the contemporary issues in the society, culture and politics. To inculcate democratic and secular values, leadership qualities so that the young minds blossom in to good citizens capable of accepting the responbility of contributing to nation building and overall development of the society. The department of political science has been striving to create good citizens with commitment for promoting the well being of the society as a whole in globalized world.