Program Outline

Politics can be understood as the process of distributing power and resources among members of a society while establishing rules and making decisions for the public good. It plays a fundamental role at all levels of human society—global, national, and local—by determining individuals' basic rights and life opportunities. As a field of study that examines political phenomena, political science is broadly divided into Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Thought/Philosophy.

Comparative Politics is a subfield of political science that studies and analyzes various political phenomena—including political systems, institutions, processes, and political economy—through a comparative lens and methodology. It focuses on identifying similarities and differences between political entities, whether across countries or within a single state, with the aim of uncovering causal relationships and applying them to broader political contexts. Major research topics in Comparative Politics include states, democracy, authoritarianism, central-local government relations, legislatures, executives, judiciaries, bureaucracy, elections, political parties, and interest groups.

International Relations is a field that deals with political interactions and power dynamics among international actors. Traditionally, the primary focus has been on relations between states. However, contemporary studies have expanded to include non-state actors. Key areas of research in International Relations include international political theory, diplomatic history, international organizations, war and peace, security, and international political economy. In recent years, new research fields have emerged, incorporating aspects of culture and information and communication technology.

Political communities are embedded with values and norms, but their content varies depending on historical and contextual factors. Political Thought examines which values and norms should be prioritized in specific community contexts, while Political Philosophy delves into fundamental questions about why and how humans should live together in communities. It seeks answers to questions about freedom and obedience, power and authority, oppression and liberation, and unity and diversity, in pursuit of truth within political life.