Head of Department: Prof Prashant Kelkar

Concept Note

Department of Political Science was established in the year 1968. In last four decades scholars of great repute like Prof H C Mehta, Prof K B Keswani and Prof Lalitha Sudhakar served the department with their dedication and imparted the knowledge to the students and community with distinction. Presently, the Department consists of Head of the Department Prof Prashant Kelkar and his colleague Prof Chandrasheel Tambe.

Main Activities

The Department offers the three years Bachelors Degree Course in the subject of Political Science. In the first year of the course, students are introduced to various approaches, values and ideologies in politics. In the second year, they are acquainted with Political Systems of India and the entire set up of Public Administration with one paper on each. In the third year, students are offered six papers of Political Science on Political Process in Maharashtra, Political Thought, Major Issues in Contemporary Politics, American Politics, International Politics and Human Rights with special reference to India.

The pedagogical practice of the department involves regular classroom teaching, assisted by group discussion, debates, screening of documentaries and regular class tests. Assignments, projects. Study trips and field visits are arranged regularly to broaden the horizons of their experiences.

Recently, the department has initiated a multi-skill development activity called ‘Drishti’ in which students of Political Science are introduced and trained with various professional skills e.g. presentation skills with training in computers.

Research Projects

Prof Prashant Kelkar along with Prof. Lalitha Sudhakar (ex-Head of Department) submitted a Minor Research Project Report on Empowerment of Women through 33% reservation in Urban Local Self Bodies- with special reference to Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation. Prof. Prashant Kelkar’s other research activities includes his research papers on Indian Federation: Changing relationship between Judiciary and Parliament, Women’s Empowerment through Political Participation, National Development through Panchayati Raj.

Prof. Chandrasheel Tambe has conducted a research on Social Strategy Planning for Brihan Mumbai Storm Water Drainage System BRIMSTOVAD for assessment of Social Impact of Floods in Mumbai, Study of Mumbai for Evaluation of implementation of VAMBAY scheme in city and was engaged in the project Widening Participation in Higher Education: United Kingdom India Education Research Initiative in Tata Institute of Social Sciences. His other research contribution includes his research paper on Increasing Ascendancy of Judiciary over Legislature. Prof Tambe has been currently pursuing his PhD from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai.

Participation of Faculties in the Course Development-
Prof Prashant Kelkar has coauthored a textbook titled Introduction to Political Science
For the students of FYBA Political Science

Community outreach activities by the department-
Students and the faculties of the Department actively participate in all community outreach activities organized by College from time to time, such as, awareness programmes, blood donation camps, adult education programmes etc.

Extra curricular Activities
Faculties in the department take special efforts to train students from the College for various extracurricular activities in various programmes and competitions like Youth Festival, Organization of Youth Parliament, and College Annual Day ‘Chandi Utsav’ etc.

Other Significant matters
Department has developed strong academic network with Political Science Departments of other colleges affiliated University of Mumbai as well as Department of Civics and Politics of University of Mumbai. Department arranges its students participation in various seminars and conferences related to the area of their academic interest.

Prof. Prashant Kelkar, Head, Department of Political Science has been invited as a Visiting Professor by Clayton State University, Georgia, USA for a two-week academic assignment in the month of March 2010, under the ongoing Faculty Exchange Programme between CSU and CHM College.