Representative Political Thinkers

Paper Code: 
Pol 611
Credits: 
03
Contact Hours: 
45.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This paper studies the Political Thought from Bentham to Marx as well as Lenin and Mao. The course intends to generate a critical awareness about the traditions of political thought in the West as well as the East.

The objectives of this course are to:

  1. Introduce the student genre to the thoughts and ideas of thinkers from west.
  2. Facilitate a holistic and integrated comprehension of the important perspectives and approaches to state and politics.

Course

Learning outcomes (at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Paper Code

Paper Title

 

POL 611

 

Representative Political Thinkers

CO101: Identify the rudimentary context and central arguments and aims of the concerned thinker.

CO102: Understand political thought processes and theory making in the West.

CO103: Acquire knowledge about western political thinkers and theirs view on state craft.

CO104: Understand different perspectives and approaches to state, politics, government, sovereignty, citizenship and so on.

Approach in teaching:

Interactive Lectures, Discussion, Tutorials, Reading assignments, Demonstration, Team teaching

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

 

Online Quiz

 

9.00
Unit I: 
Unit 1

Jeremy Bentham (Utilitarianism; Theory of Punishment ,  Laws and Rights, Prison reforms)

J.S. Mill (Revision of Benthamite Utilitarianism, Concept of Liberty, Representative Democracy)

 

9.00
Unit II: 
Unit 2

Karl Marx (Concept of Dilectics, Historical Materialism, Economic interpretation of society and State, Revolution)

 

9.00
Unit III: 
Unit 3

V.I. Lenin (with reference to changes introduced into Marxism, theory of party organization and Theory of Imperialism)

Mao Zedong (Theory of communism & Cultural Revolution, )

 

9.00
Unit IV: 
Unit 4

John Rawls (Theory of Justice)

 

9.00
Unit V: 
Unit 5

Harold Laski (On state & sovereignty, Federalism, concept of rights, liberty & property)

 

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
  • Suda, J.P., ( 2017), History of Political Thought: (Vol. I&II), Merrut, K. Nath & Co
  • Mukherjee S. (2011), 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.
  • Adam, I., & Dyson, R.W.,(2007), Fifty Great Political Thinkers, London, Routledge
  • Skoble,A.J., (2007), Political Philosophy: Essential Selections, New Delhi, Pearson Education
  • Boucher, D.,&  Kelly, P., (2003), Political Thinkers: From Socrates to the Present,, London,Oxford University Press
  • Jones, W.T.,( 1963), Masters of Political Thought, (Vols.2 & 3), London, George Harrap & Co

 

Academic Year: 
2020-21
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