Course Catalogue

Modules

 

 

Module:                                  PS101 - Introduction to Political science I

 

 

Credit value:                         12

Programme:                          B.A. PS General objective:

 

This is a broad-based foundation course that  introduces students to the basic concepts of political science, prior to future specialisation. The course examines the main features of political organisation on national and supra-national level, for example the distribution of power, types of state, ideologies, and political systems. Many of the themes of this module will recur in a more detailed form at later stages of the course, and so the module provides an important and necessary introduction.

 

 

Learning outcomes:

 

On the successful completion of the module the students will be able to:

 

     Critically   examine   the   basic   differences   amongst   political   science,   political philosophy and political theory.

     Trace the origins of the state, and demonstrate an insight in to various theories about the origin and nature of the state.

     Explain the link between the concepts like liberty, equality and justice.

     Examine  the  evolution  and  nature  of  the  concept  of  democracy  with  a  special reference to third world countries.

     Evaluate the recent conceptual debates of the discipline.

     Understand the concept of sovereignty of states and challenges to sovereignty.

     Grasp the importance of political values in daily life.

 

 

 

Learning and teaching approach:

 

Lectures (60 hours) Tutorials (20 hours)

Assignments and self-study (40 hours)

 

This module counts for 12 credits and is divided over a period of 15 weeks. With a maximum of 8 hours per week, the number of teaching hours is four per week. There will be a one-hour tutorial, once per week, and three hours are being reserved for self-study and research.

 

 

Assessment:

End Semester Examination (40%) Mid Semester Examination (20%) Written assignment (25%)

 Assignment presentation (10%) Class participation (05%)

 

 

Subject matter:

 

 

Part 1: Introduction to Politics

1.   Defining politics and political concepts

2.   Defining political science

3.   Why we study politics?

4.   Evolution of Political Science as a discipline: differentiating between political science, political philosophy and political theory.

 

Part 2: State

 

1. Origin and Development

2. Theories of State

3. Elements of State

Part 3: Sovereignty

 

1.   Concept and its Evolution

2.   Theories of Sovereignty: Traditional, Pluralist.

3.   Globalization and challenges to Sovereignty

 

Part 4:  Political Concepts

 

1.   Liberty

2.   Equality

3.   Justice

4.   Rights and Duties

5.   Civil Society

6.   Multiculturalism

7.   Gender

8.   Citizenship

 

Part 5: Democracy

1.      Conceptual Understanding of Democracy

2.   Historical Evolution of Democracy

3.   Theories of Democracy

4.   Electoral Systems

5.   Critical  Evaluation

 

Part 6: Political Regimes

1. Liberal democracy

2. Monarchy

3. Authoritarianism

4. Theocracy

5. Communism

Reading list: Text Books

Ball, A and Guy Peters (2000) Modern Politics and Government, Palgrave, New york.

Ball, T., Dagger, R.(2003) Ideals and Ideologies: A Reader, Longman, London. Heywood, A. (2007). Politics, Palgrave Foundations Series, New York.

 

 

Haywood,A (2006), Political Theory : an introduction, Palgrave Foundations Series, New

York.

 

Kapur, A.C(2007) Principles of political science,OUP,Delhi.

 

 

Reference Books and Articles

 

Budge, I., Keman, H.(1993) Parties and Democracy Coalition Formation and Government Functioning in Twenty States. (Comparative European Politics)   Oxford University Press, London.

 

Dahl, Robert(1984) Modern political analysis, OUP, London.

Gaus, G.F., Kukathas, C. (eds.), (2004), Handbook of political theory. Sage Publications Ltd, London.

 

Mclean, I., Mcmillan, A.(2003) The Oxford Concise Dictionary of Politics. Oxford

University Press, London.

Siaroff, A., (2005), Comparing Political Regimes: A Thematic Introduction to Comparative

Politics, Broadview Press, New York.