History of political Theory- From Plato to Marx

Paper Code: 
Pol 124
Credits: 
04
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This paper aims at providing insights into the dominant features of western political thought processes and theory making in the West. This course introduces the student to the richness and variations in the political perceptions of Western Thinkers. It provides a foundation to students of Political Science in familiarizing themselves to the thought & theory of Western Philosophy

The objectives of this course are to:

1. Make learners familiarise with the various schools of political thoughts

 

2. Acquaint the students with knowledge advocated by various political philosophers on state and politics

3. Provide a framework to enable critical thinking and analysis of the state-society relations

Course

Learning outcomes (at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Paper Code

Paper Title

POL 124

 

 

 

 

History  of Political Theory –From Plato to Marx

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

CO13:   Demonstrate knowledge and  able to analyze the political and social thought of various prominent Western thinkers

CO14: Understand the various schools of political thought of Western Political Philosophy

CO15: Understand existing, contemporary and emerging trends in Politics with reference to how thinkers viewed them in the context of their times

CO16:  Acquaint them with the relevance of these thoughts in contemporary times

Approach in teaching:

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

 

Learning activities for the students:

Self-learning assignments, Effective questions, Seminar presentation, Giving tasks.

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

                                                Course Objectives (CO)

 

 

12.00
Unit I: 
Unit 1

Greek Political Philosophy- The fundamentals of Greek Political Philosophy, Philosophical ideas of Socrates, Plato-Justice, Education, Communism of Wives and Property, Philosopher King, Theory of Best state, Second Ideal State

 

12.00
Unit II: 
Unit 2

Greek Political Philosophy- The fundamentals of Greek Political Philosophy, Philosophical ideas of Socrates, Plato-Justice, Education, Communism of Wives and Property, Philosopher King, Theory of Best state, Second Ideal State

 

12.00
Unit III: 
Unit 3

St. Thomas Aquinas- Political Theory, Views about Laws and Justice, Nature of State, The Church and the State; Machiavelli- Views about human nature, Child of Renaissance, Nation State and power Politics, Religion , Morality and Politics

 

12.00
Unit IV: 
Unit 4

Jean Bodin- Political Ideas and Concept of Sovereignty, Thomas Hobbes- Development of Social Contract Theory, Human Nature, State of Nature, Social Contract, Sovereignty, Resistance of Individual against State

 

12.00
Unit V: 
Unit 5

John Locke- Human nature, State of Nature, Theory of Social Contract, Private Property, Theory of Revolution, Natural rights and Natural Law, Rousseau and his views about Social Contract, Doctrine of General Will

 

Essential Readings: 
  • Sharma, U., & Sharma, S.K.,(2020), Western Political Thought: From Plato to Burke, New Delhi , Atlantic Publishers
  • Wayper, C.L.,(2018), Political Thought, India, Aitbs Publishers
  • Gauba, O.P., (2017), Western Political Thought, New Delhi, Mayur Paperbacks
  • Boucher, D.,&  Kelly, P.,(2017) Political Thinkers, London,Oxford University Press
  • Suda, J.P., ( 2016), History of Political Thought: (Vol. I&II), Merrut, K. Nath & Co
  • Mukherjee S. (2015), History of Political Thought: Plato to Marx, New Delhi,Prentice Hall of India

 

References: 
  • Sabine,G.H.,(2019), History of Political Theory,New Delhi, Oxford and IBH Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd.
  • Nelson B.R.,(2017),Western Political Thought, Second Edition, New Delhi, Pearson Education
  • Skoble,A. & Machan,T., (2007), Political Philosophy: Essential Selections, New Delhi, Pearson Education
  • Adam, I., & Dyson, R.W.,(2004),Fifty Great Political Thinkers, London, Routledge
  • Coleman,J., (2000), A History of Political Thought: From Ancient Greece to Early Christianity, London, Blackwell
  • Berki,R.N., (1977),The History of Political Thought: A Short Introduction, United States,  Rowman and Littlefield
  • Parekh ,B., & Pantham, T., (1987), Political Discourse: Explorations in Indian and Western Political Thought, New Delhi, Sage Publications
  • Barker, E.,The Political Thought of Plato and Aristotle, Dover Publications, New Delhi, 1964.
  • Hallowell, J.H., Main Currents in Modern Political Thought, Holt, New York, 1960.

 

Academic Year: 
2020-21
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