ORIGIN OF THE SCHOOL

The School of Politics and Public Administration (SOPPA) of Tamil Nadu Open University was created w.e.f. 13th Dec.2008, under the letter no. 6299/U2/2010 that stated the deletion of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration under the School of Social Sciences by amending the Statute no. 53 under Chapter VIII. From there on the School of Politics and Public Administration seperated as Independent School.

The School of Politics and Public Administration of Tamil Nadu Open University is one among the youngest Schools. The school is a hub of knowledge, bringing together the study of political science and public administration. Our dedication for teaching is also apparent using both disciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches; the school offers a strong training in the theoretical bases of political analysis. It emphasizes the importance of theoretical thinking, the role of ideas and critical analysis. Our courses provide students with the necessary skills to better understand and evaluate the central questions of power, authority, legitimacy, governance, contestation, and resistance that emerge in all political contexts. Through the courses, research and readings, students can acquaint themselves with the operation of public organizations, the development of public policy, the management of public finance, the principles of general management and the principles of governance.

VISION

The Vision of the School of Politics and Public Administration at Tamil Nadu Open University focuses on establishing excellence in learning, discovery, and engagement, consistent with the requirements of the TNOU motto “education for all”. The school seeks to enable its undergraduate and graduate students to become familiar with theories of public values and patterns of political systems at the national, regional, and international levels.

MISSION

Our School offers courses on Political Science, Public Administration and Human Rights UG, PG, M.Phil., and Doctoral levels. These initiatives enlarge the scope and nature of learning and knowledge decimation that eventually helps the student community particularly from the weaker sections of the society.  The school also seeks to instill the ability to think and analyze social phenomena in a critical way. The Part Time and Full-Time research Programs offers under with University fellowship is good opportunities for the student community to research modern Political, social, and Economic issues, Human Resources Management and Human rights in India. In this regard, regular interaction with the stake holders from academic, administrative, and political background to get hold of recent developments in policy making, implementation and other developments in the concerned field is necessary and fulfilled by the school.

OBJECTIVES

The following objectives are formulated with the vision of attaining wholesome benefit and progress of the Students, Faculty, School and the University.

• Teaching and Learning:

• To improve on our already high standards in teaching by placing greater emphasis on teaching ability and knowledge decimation
• To provide students from regular mode with opportunities for internships to expand their knowledge of the practice and diversity of politics, administration and government.
• To modernize the curriculum to account for changes in the discipline of political science, Public Administration, human rights and changing conditions in politics and administration in India and also at the global level.
• To increase student enrollments and recruit students to the major by frequently offering introductory courses and topical courses with broad appeal and by providing an educational atmosphere where diversity is valued.
• To initiate an engaging atmosphere for the students. Therefore,several national seminars as well as international seminars has been planned to be organised by the school in the coming years.
• To enhance the quality of instruction by assessing our program regularly with cutting-edge outcomes assessment instruments.
• To expose the students and also to provide them an opportunity to interact with the scholars and experts about the various aspects of political science, international relations and research methodology, a number of visiting faculty and scholars from various universities/organizations would be invited by the school for delivering lectures.

Research and Discovery:

• To Recruit outstanding and diverse faculty for the needs of the school.
• To Develop hiring, mentoring, and support practices that facilitate faculty retention.
• To Assist faculty in applying for and obtaining external funding for research. This forms one of the core agenda that helps in realizing the mission of the school in terms of quality research output.
• To Encourage quality disciplinary and cross-disciplinary research among faculty and students.
• To Engage both graduate and undergraduate students in departmental research.
• To Publish articles in top-tier journals in national and international level.
• The school is looking forward for a number of major research projects financed by the ICSSR, UGC and other agencies and it shall become a reality only with the assistance and guidance of the UGC and its expertise.
• Improving research quality by focusing research on contemporary issues which are related to Society, Political System, Human Rights, Foreign Policy, International Politics, Administration, Regional development and Environment.

Engagement and Outreach:

• Provide state and local government officials, both elected and appointed, with courses and workshops designed to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to govern effectively.
• Seek avenues, such as lectures, conferences, colloquia, and media interviews, to teach and inform public officials and citizens on national, state, and local issues.
• Work with Extension and the other Universities to provide training to public officials, thus engaging directly with the stake holders in Politics and Administration.
• Encourage faculty in the Public Policy and Administration program to conduct research in areas that will help practitioners in public service and the non-profit sectors to aid the State of Tamil Nadu and the nation.
• Promote faculty and student participation in regional, national, and international disciplinary and subfield conferences, Seminars and workshops.
• Support faculty involvement with professional organizations as referees, editorial board members, and editors.
• To organise awareness campaign for students for educating them about Human Rights and duties as well as about their Constitutional Rights.
• To provide counseling facility to students for preparing various Competitive Examinations, as Political Science, Public Administration and Geography are the all time favorite subjects among the civil/Public services aspirants.

Departments and the Programmes offered

• Political Science
• Public Administration
• Human Rights