1.          General objective

The aim of the module is to provide students with a historical grounding in the main political trends, personalities, and ideologies since 8th century. The module examines the Bhutanese politics from a historical perspective, beginning with the Theocracy, Monarchy and extending to the present day Democracy. Using the political developments from the eighth to the twenty-first centuries as guiding lines, the module will examine some of the main political, social, and religious institutions and their role in shaping state and society in Bhutan.  It will also explore the foundation and working of democracy, the formation of the party system, and the relationship of politics to broader transformations in society.

2.    Learning outcomes

On completion of the module, the learners will be able to:

• Examine the knowledge on the founding of Monarchy and Bhutan´s status as an independent Kingdom
• Evaluate the present position of Bhutan with regional organization
• Review the development of Bhutan as a modern nation state
• Critically analyze the introduction of democracy in Bhutan
• Explain Bhutan’s Political relation with region and international community.
• Evaluate the role of religion in Bhutanese politics and processes in both a historical and contemporary context
• Assess the treaties with British India and India.

3.    Learning and teaching approach:

4.    Assessment Approach

Assessments will be carried out on a continuous basis through the following assignments: 

A: Assignment: Portion of Final Marks: (30%)

There will be two assignments. First assignment will be during the first half of the semester and 2nd during the second half the semester with weightage of 15 percent (15X2=30%).

Students will write a 1000 word essay on, which will be assessed on the following criteria:

                             8% - Content (understanding of the subject, relevance of information)

           5% - Critical evaluation and discussion of evidence with examples

           1% - Use of proper academic style

           1% - Grammar and syntax

B: Mid-Semester Examination: Portion of Final Marks: (20%)

Mid-term exam will be conducted in the middle of the semester (after covering half of the syllabus). The questions will be cumulative coverage of the syllabus. The idea is to test the understanding of the subject.

C: Presentation: Portion of Final Marks: (10%)

Students have to make one presentation based on the topic distributed by the module tutor for 20 minutes. Following criteria will be used to assess the written assignments:

1. Content and organization – 5 marks
2. Delivery/Preparedness – 3 marks
3. Audience engagement/Use of visual aids – 2 marks

D: Semester-end Examination: Portion of Final Marks: (40%)

Semester end Examination for the duration of three hours.

Overview of the assessment approaches and weighting

5.    Subject matter

5.1.Unit I-Ancient and medieval Bhutan: Theocratic form of Government.

• Clan and Lineage base system in Bhutan – “Lam KhaNga”, PhajoDrugomZhigpoGya(rgya) clan and tortenPemaLingpa (Nyö clan).
• Unification of Bhutan-Role of Zhabdrung, Drukpa identity, secularism, Tibetan Invasions,
• Establishment of Dual system-The Dharma and Desids, administration and codification of Laws,
• Challenges of nation–building in the 16^th century, foreign policy in the 16^th century,
• Political development under first four Desi-Reforms and challenge

5.2.Unit II-Modern Bhutan: Monarchy

• British India and Bhutan-Historical background, Political relations with British India, Implication in the post-colonial days. Duar wars and treaties-
• JigmeNamgyel as the statesman, nation builder-Importance of TrongsaPenlop( Defacto leader), Political Missions in Bhutan.
• Establishment of monarchy-Basic concept, political identity, origin of monarchical system in Bhutan, Culture and language, political system under the monarchy.
• Political reforms in the 20^th century, welfare state, planning in Bhutan, Citizenship Acts-The Bhutanese Citizenship Act of 1958, Citizenship Act of 1985, isolation policies ,Foreign Policy in the 20^th century

5.3.Unit III-Bhutan at present : Democracy

• Democracy in Bhutan-Concept, nature and challenges, Political Parties in Bhutan- their ideologies.
• Transition from absolute monarchy to democracy. Drafting of the Constitution and enactment.
• Role of Monarchy in transition.
• Bhutan in SAARC: regional and international relations. Indo-Bhutan Relations. Membership of the country.

6.    Reading List

6.1.Essential reading

Aris, M. (2005). The Raven Crown: The Origins of Buddhist Monarchy in Bhutan. Chicago: Serindia Publications.

Kinga, S. (2009), Polity, Kingship and Democracy; A biography of the Bhutanese States

Phuntsho, K. (2013). The History of Bhutan (1 edition.). Vintage Books/Random House India.

The Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan, 2005

Ura, K. (2010). Leadership of the Wise: Kings of Bhutan. Centre for Bhutan Studies, Thimphu.

6.2.Additional reading

Berthold, J. (2005). Bhutan: Land of the Thunder Dragon. Wisdom Publications.

Chhibber, B. (2004). Regional Security and Regional Cooperation: A Comparative Study of ASEAN and SAARC. New Delhi: New Century Publications

Denman, B. D., & Namgyel, S. (2008). Convergence of monastic and modern education. International Review of Education , 475–491.

Givel, M., & Figueroa, L. (2014). Early Happiness Policy as a Government Mission of Bhutan: A survey of the Bhutanese unwritten consititution from 1619 to 1729. Journal of Bhutan Studies, Vol.31, Winter , 1-18.

Jamtsho, T., Chophel, D., & Thinley, S. (2014). Visions, Prophecies and Leadership: Oral Accounts. Journal of Bhutan Studies, Vol 30 , 22-41.

Date December 2015.