Representative Western Political Thinkers

Paper Code: 
Pol 511
Credits: 
03
Contact Hours: 
45.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This paper studies the classical tradition in Political Theory from Plato to Green with the view to understand how the Great Masters explained and analyzed political events and problems of their times and prescribed solutions. The course intends to generate a critical awareness about the traditions of political thought in the West.

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 Objectives (CO)

 

Course

Learning outcomes (at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Paper Code

Paper Title

 

 

POL 511

 

 

Representative Western Political Thinkers

CO82: Identify the rudimentary context and central arguments and aims of the concerned thinker.

CO83: Understand political thought processes and theory making in the West.

CO84: Acquire knowledge about western political thinkers and theirs view on state craft.

CO85: 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

 

 

9.00
Unit I: 
Unit 1

Plato (Concept of Justice& Ideal State, Views on Education, Communism of Wives and Property, Plato’s second best state)

 

9.00
Unit II: 
Unit 2

Aristotle (Criticism of Plato;Slavery, Citizenship, Concept of BestState; Theory of Revolution)

 

9.00
Unit III: 
Unit 3

Niccollo Machiavelli (Human Nature, Political ideas : Monarchy; National sovereignty; Statecraft, Church vs. State, as a modern thinker)

Thomas Hobbes( Natural Laws,  Social Contract , State)

 

9.00
Unit IV: 
Unit 4

John Locke (Ideas on Natural rights with reference to property, Social Contract, limited State, Theory of Consent)

Jean Jacques Rousseau (State of Nature, Social Contract, General Will)

 

 

9.00
Unit V: 
Unit 5

George Wilhelm Fredrick Hegel (Dialectics & Theory of State)

Thomas Hill Green (Theory of State, Resistance to State & War)

 

 

 

 

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., ( 2016), 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.
  • Skoble,A. J., (2007), Political Philosophy: Essential Selections, New Delhi, Pearson Education
  • Adam, I., & Dyson, R.W.,(2007), Fifty Great Political Thinkers, London, Routledge
  • Nelson B.R.,(2006), Western Political Thought, , New Delhi, Pearson Education
  •  Boucher, D.,&  Kelly, P., (2003), Political Thinkers:From Socrates to the Present, London,Oxford University Press
  • Parekh ,B., & Pantham, T., (1987), Political Discourse: Explorations in Indian and Western Political Thought, New Delhi, Sage Publications
  • Jones, W.T.,( 1961), Masters of Political Thought, (Vol.1), London, George Harrap & Co

 

Academic Year: 
2020-21
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