Classical Political Philosophy

Paper Code: 
CPOL511
Credits: 
06
Contact Hours: 
90.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This course goes back to Greek antiquity and familiarizes students with the way the political questions were first posed. Machiavelli comes as an interlude inaugurating modern politics followed by Hobbes and Locke. This is a basic foundation course for students to acquaint the students with the philosophy and theory making in Western political philosophy.This course apply strategies to develop understanding about the development of concepts of state, citizenship, government etc

Course Outcomes: 

Course

Learning outcomes

(at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course Title

25CPOL 511

Classical Political Philosophy

(Theory)

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

CO49:  critically analyze Plato’s political philosophy, including his theory of justice, concept of the ideal state, and critique of democracy, while evaluating his contributions to political thought

CO50: gain an in-depth understanding of Aristotle’s views on citizenship, justice, and government, enabling them to compare his ideas with Plato’s and assess his impact on the development of political science.

CO51: examine the political ideas of Machiavelli and Hobbes, particularly their perspectives on human nature, sovereignty, and statecraft, and evaluate their influence on modern political thought.

CO52: develop an understanding of Locke and Rousseau’s theories on social contract, sovereignty, and democracy, allowing them to analyze their role in shaping modern constitutional governance

CO53: interpret the political philosophies of Hegel and Green, particularly their theories on the state, liberal democracy, and internationalism, while assessing their relevance to contemporary political thought

CO54: contribute effectively in Course specific interaction

Approach in teaching:

Interactive Lectures, Discussion, Tutorials, Reading assignments, Power Point Presentation

 

Learning activities for the students:

Self-learning assignments, Seminar presentation.

Class test, Semester end examinations, Quiz, Solving problems in tutorials, Assignments, Presentation, Individual and group projects

 

18.00
Unit I: 
Plato

                                                                                                                       

Plato’s Philosophy in Politics and Stateman, Theory of Justice, Philosopher King, Communism of family and property, Plato concept of education, Plato view on Democracy, Women and Guardianship, Plato’s concept of Ideal state, Plato’s contribution to political philosophy

18.00
Unit II: 
Aristotle

 

Aristotle’s view on Citizenship, Justice, slavery, Classification of governments, nature and function of state, theory of revolution, Best State, Aristotle criticized Plato, contribution of Aristotle in development of political science

18.00
Unit III: 
Machiavelli & Hobbes

                                                              

Machiavelli-human nature, religion, National sovereignty; Statecraft, Church vs. State, morality and statecraft, as a modern thinker

Hobbes-Human, State of Nature, Social Contract, State; Leviathan, Absolute Sovereignty.

 

18.00
Unit IV: 
John Locke & Rousseau

                                                                

John Locke (Ideas on natural rights with reference to property, Social Contract, Constitutional Democracy, Theory of Consent, Limited Sovereignty)

Jean Jacques Rousseau (State of nature, Popular Sovereignty, Social Contract and General Will)

18.00
Unit V: 
Hegal & Green

                                                                                 

George Wilhelm Fredrick Hegel -Dialectics, Theory of State & Political Philosophy

Thomas Hill Green -Theory of State & Resistance to State, Internationalism & Liberal Democracy

 

Essential Readings: 

Ø  Gauba, O.P., (2023), Western Political Thought, New Delhi, Mayur Paperbacks

Ø  Sharma, U., & Sharma, S.K.,(2023), Western Political Thought: From Plato to Burke, New Delhi , Atlantic Publishers

Ø  Wayper, C.L.,(2021), Political Thought, India, Aitbs Publishers

Ø  Suda, J.P.,( 2020), History of Political Thought: (Vol. I&II), Merrut, K. Nath & Co

Ø  Mukherjee S. (2015), History of Political Thought: Plato to Marx, New Delhi,Prentice Hall of India

Ø  Boucher, D.,&  Kelly, P.,(2017)Political Thinkers, London,Oxford University Press

References: 

Ø  Adam, I., & Dyson, R.W.,(2004),Fifty Great Political Thinkers, London, Routledge

Ø  Nelson B.R.,(2006),Western Political Thought, Second Edition, New Delhi, Pearson Education

Ø  Sabine,G.H.,(2019), History of Political Theory,New Delhi, Oxford and IBH Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd.

Ø  Skoble,A. & Machan,T., (2007), Political Philosophy: Essential Selections, New Delhi, Pearson Education

Academic Year: