History vs. Political Science: Which is the Right Course for You?

History and political science are often perceived as two sides of the same coin. This perception stems from the fact that both of these disciplines cater to the philosophical and practical aspects of political decisions and cultural movements. Yet, they diverge in significant ways. A History course dives deep into the cultural and historical backdrop of political decisions, social movements, and cultural shifts across time. Conversely, a political science degree concentrates on analysing past and present events through a political lens. While History programmes aim to foster a profound understanding of past occurrences and their contemporary relevance, political science curricula typically prioritise government and policy studies. History majors tend to explore events within a broader context, while political science coursework is more narrowly focused. Both disciplines nurture communication skills and information-synthesis abilities in students. Despite their similarities, these two disciplines share their own set of differences. Let us understand the distinctions between them to make an informed career choice.

Courses in History

History programmes in India offer certification, degree, and doctorate, with the primary prerequisite being completion of 10+2 from a recognised institution. Extensive study is a prerequisite for history courses; hence, diploma options are currently not offered by Indian colleges and universities. Online certificate courses typically afford self-paced learning, with durations spanning from several hours to months. These courses provide an overview of ancient, mediaeval, and modern history, nurturing skills for subsequent academic pursuits. Bachelor's programmes often admit students based on their 10+2 marks or equivalent. On the other hand, postgraduate and doctoral levels require qualifying an entrance examination. Here are the programme highlights:

Courses in Political Science

Political Science courses entail the systematic examination of politics, encompassing the strategies, laws, and governance of state and national entities. Offered at various academic levels, including certification, undergraduate, and postgraduate, these courses cover the intricate workings of political systems. Admission prerequisites for undergraduate programmes require students to complete their 10+2 with a minimum aggregate score. Students may also need to clear entrance exams like the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT), the Central Universities Entrance Test (CUET), the Political Science University Department Entrance Test (PUB DET), and so on in some cases. Meanwhile, for postgraduate studies, applicants require a bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university with a minimum of 50% marks. Here are the programme highlights:

History Courses: Curriculum

Certificate courses in history offer both a brief and comprehensive study of significant historical eras. These courses furnish fundamental knowledge spanning ancient, mediaeval, modern, and contemporary history worldwide. A B.A. in History is an exhaustive learning journey encompassing important historical events, their timelines, archaeology, and their broader implications. A M.A. in History empowers students with a profound understanding of Indian history, global historical narratives, diverse ideological frameworks, atrocities perpetrated by leaders, detailed chronologies of key historical events, and more. Doctoral studies in History demand extensive research, necessitating scholars to dive deep into various historical documents and explore the social, cultural, political, and geographical dimensions of their specialised period. The common topics covered in the syllabus are as follows:

• Ancient civilisations and empires
• Mediaeval societies and cultures
• Early modern history
• Modern world history
• Colonialism and imperialism
• Revolutions and independence movements
• Global conflicts and wars
• Economic history
• Diplomatic history
• Gender & Religious history

Political Science: Curriculum

The Political Science degrees focus on the study of politics, governance, and the establishment of effective governmental systems. These degrees are suitable for students aspiring to pursue careers related to politics. The undergraduate and post-graduate programmes equip students with knowledge and understanding of governmental functions. The B.A. in Communication and Political Science integrates students into the field of media and political communication. The Political Science programme in Public Administration explores key areas of secularism, equity, legal frameworks, and justice methodologies. Meanwhile, the Political Science programme in International Relations encompasses conflict and security studies, political theory, international political economy, and contemporary research methodologies pertinent to political theory. This programme examines global politics, international relations literature, and the ramifications of global development on societal history. The common topics covered in the syllabus are as follows:

• Political theory and philosophy
• Comparative politics
• International relations
• Government institutions and systems
• Public policy analysis
• Political economy
• Political ideologies
• Human rights and social justice
• Political sociology
• Law and legal systems

Career Prospects in History

History offers diverse career opportunities, making it a captivating field to explore. Pursuing a degree in history enhances students’ transferable skills, enabling them to excel in various career paths where historical knowledge is valued. Students can explore a multitude of career opportunities in the fields of law, media, journalism, politics, and social activism. Here are some promising career options that students can pursue after graduation:

• Historian: Historians research, analyse, and interpret historical events, trends, and sources to understand the past.
• History Professor: History Professors educate students about various historical periods, events, and methodologies through lectures, seminars, and research.
• Archaeologist: Archaeologists conduct excavations and analyse artefacts to study past human societies, cultures, and civilisations.
• Museologist: Museologists curate and manage museum collections, develop exhibitions, and educate the public about historical artefacts and their significance.
• Civil Service Officer: Civil Service Officers implement government policies and regulations, often utilising historical knowledge to inform decision-making processes and address societal issues.

Career Prospects in Political Science

Political Science opens doors to a plethora of captivating career prospects for students. After graduation, students can pursue a career in civil services, Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), ministry, and others. This discipline, rich and varied, boasts numerous sub-disciplines and specialised study domains. Evolving continuously, Political Science has broadened its scope to include emerging research areas like international relations and comparative politics. Here are some promising career options that students can pursue after graduation:

• Policy Analyst: Policy Analysts analyse and evaluate public policies, providing recommendations to policymakers based on research and data analysis.
• Legislative Assistant: Legislative Assistants support legislators in drafting legislation, conducting research, and coordinating legislative activities.
• Diplomat: Diplomats represent their country's interests abroad, negotiate agreements, and foster diplomatic relations with foreign governments.
• Political Campaign Staff: Political Campaign Staff assist in organising and executing political campaigns, including tasks such as outreach, event planning, and communication strategy.
• Public Relations Specialist: Public Relations Specialists develop and implement communication strategies to shape public perception and manage relationships with the media and stakeholders.

Summing Up

History and Political Science are often perceived as complementary disciplines due to their shared focus on political decisions and cultural movements. However, they exhibit distinct differences in practice. History explores the cultural and historical context of political decisions over time, while Political Science focuses primarily on analysing events through a political lens. Both disciplines, however, nurture communication skills and information-synthesis abilities in students, preparing them for diverse career paths. History programmes typically offer courses covering a wide range of historical events, while Political Science programmes focus on the systematic examination of politics and governance. Students from these programmes have a multitude of career options available to them, ranging from historians and policy analysts to diplomats and public relations specialists. By understanding the key distinctions between these two disciplines, students can leverage their knowledge and skills to make meaningful contributions to society.