Political Science

The main goal of the master degree in political science is to teach students how to understand politics and application of power. The study of political science is intended for the students to learn advanced concepts of political science and to develop expert knowledge of political phenomena. The study further develops students’ knowledge and skills in different sub-fields: electoral studies, political marketing, studies of democracy, democratization, and human rights, research on Czech political history, actors, and Czech political thought as such.

After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:

• understand the development of political and philosophical concepts, important political and social phenomena, and the key institutions of modern times – especially in the Western world;
• understand the development of the Czech political system, including its actors and system outputs;
• design original research in political science focused on a particular political phenomenon and to conduct said research;
• apply both qualitative and quantitative methods and research techniques of social science;
• apply theoretical concepts of social science on real world phenomena.

Graduates of the master degree can be employed in professional fields corresponding with the fields of employment of the bachelor degree graduates. The important difference is completion of the university education level which significantly improves their possibilities. Graduates can be employed as analysts in both public and private spheres, in education, in public administration and governance, in various civil society bodies, or as managers of political campaigns.

Practical training is a compulsory component of the specialization Electoral studies and political marketing, in case of one-field study of political science, practical training is an optional part of the study.

Standard length of master thesis is 126.000 – 198.000 characters, including spaces (70-110 pages). The text of the thesis as well as footnotes are included in this range; title, statutory declaration, acknowledgements, content, list of abbreviations, bibliography, and appendices are not included in the above stated range of Master thesis. Students chose their own topics or they chose from topics published in the IS. The topic must be accepted by the thesis supervisor. I the course of writing, the topic can be specified by the supervisor. In terms of qualification, supervisors have to hold at least a Ph.D. Except for the staff of the department, the thesis can be also supervised by external experts after approval by the head of the department.

Students consult their supervisors on their thesis continuously.

The master thesis must prove that students are able to critically evaluate relevant academic literature, work with concepts and theories, and to conduct their own original research and to contribute to the scientific knowledge with their own findings. Instructions considering the master/bachelor theses are arranged by the Directive FSS No. 5/2024 State Final Examinations, Final Theses and their Defences.

Graduates of the master degree can continue to study any doctoral study program at the Faculty of Social Studies of Masaryk, especially the doctoral study program of political science.