Diploma in Political Strategy, Communications and Planning

Program Overview

The Diploma program in Political Strategy, Communications and Planning engages students in the practical issues of political delivery and real politik. The areas of political communication, political leadership, strategy, crisis management, political branding, and public relations are all the leading vocational aspects of a developed academic understanding of politics at both domestic and geo-political level. India is the largest democracy having over 1800 active registered political parties who constantly require policy-relevant, engaged thinkers in the political arena.

Politics is not merely about power play but sophisticated politics involves communication, strategy and shaping of the political agenda and public discourse. Whether it is a political leader motivating people to follow, a government seeking allies for a policy in the international arena, a campaigner mobilizing supporters, or a high-paid consultant explaining a client’s policy to legislators, all political ideas ultimately depend on them being communicated to an intended audience, with precision, efficiency and above all credibility.

Program Structure

Statesmen, scholars, and policy makers often define grand strategy as the combination of diplomatic, economic, military, and political factors used by leaders to defend their respective nation-states. As a nation with global ambitions, India needs a strong cadre of trained individuals in political strategy, planning and communications. The diploma program envisions offering a real world exposure to Politics & Government that has direct application in 21st Century India and the world beyond.

The curriculum of the program shall cover themes like electioneering and data analytics, political parties and their organization, media communications and branding, constituency management, communication skills and styles, leadership. The program shall also be having theoretical modules on political thought and ideologies, political history, social movements, political economy, democratic values and contemporary developments like E-governance, finance and administration, inclusive development, electoral system and reforms among other themes.

Graduates of the diploma program can go on to careers in academia, local, state and national government, public relations, policy think tanks, political parties, political and governance consulting firms, journalism, social work and activism.

Course Council:

The course has been conceptualized and designed under the leadership and mentorship of the stellar governing council with active support and cooperation from the Confederation of Indian Universities (CIU).

Program Delivery

The Program shall be completed over the course of 6 Months and divided into 4 papers. Each Paper is compulsory and submission shall be in form of an assignment. All papers shall have a predefined thematic area and subject specification which allow the students to track their learning progress throughout the duration of the program.

General Candidates

Below Poverty Line (BPL) Candidates

Students with one or more of the following qualifications shall be eligible to pursue the Diploma Programs from Indian Institute of Governance and Leadership (IIGL):

• Students who have completed their 10+2.
• Undergraduate Students pursuing any UG course from any university/deemed to be university/college/institute.
• Post Graduate Students.
• Working Professionals/Researchers.

Benefits:

Students completing the diploma program can go on to pursue careers in the areas of advocacy, consulting and communications through national and regional political parties, join government bodies, campaign committees, political consultancies and election management firm like the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) among others. Graduates having political ambitions can also go on to contest local, state or national elections putting the skills acquired through the course to effective use. Other graduates of the program can also take up journalism, become a political analyst, psephologist and also join the civil service. The program combines problem solving, structural analysis, project development and management with a comprehensive theoretical and critical examination of the political, cultural, legal, and socioeconomic practices that make up our increasingly complex political process.

Students shall not only develop quantitative and qualitative analytical skills but also receive exposure to the real world political processes and development which shall enhance their managerial skills.

The other benefits are:

• Level of studies is much higher than a regular diploma or certificate program.
• Programs contain subject based assignments and domain related webinars and optional workshops.
• The student gets an in-depth knowledge in the particular field to prepare them for entry level employment.
• The specialized knowledge and skills gained during the program equips students secure internships and various allied employment opportunities.
• During the course get an optional opportunity to meet and interact with noted practitioners and policy makers in the field.
• We shall be hosting lectures by political workers and politicians which shall connect the students with professionals in the field.