Representative Western Political Thinkers

Paper Code: 
Pol 501
Credits: 
03
Contact Hours: 
45.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This paper studies the classical tradition in Political Theory from Plato to Hegel 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.  Acquaint the students with the philosophy and theory making in  Western political philosophy

2. Develop understanding about the development of concepts of state, citizenship, government etc.

                                           Course Objectives (CO)

 

 

 

 

Course

Learning outcomes (at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Paper Code

Paper Title

POL 501

Representative Western Political Thinkers

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

CO49:  Identify the rudimentary context and central arguments and aims of the concerned thinker.

CO50: Understand   Political Thought processes and theory making along with it drawbacks and contribution in the West.

CO51: Acquire knowledge about western  political thinkers and theirs view on state craftand their relevance in contemporary times

CO52: Understand different perspectives and approaches to state, politics, government, sovereignty, citizenship and so on

.

 

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

 

 

 

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, Citizenship, Views on Slavery, Concept of BestState, Theory of Revolution)

 

9.00
Unit III: 
Unit 3

St. Thomas Aquinas (Relationship between state and church, Theory of Law and Justice)

Jean Bodin (Theory of Sovereignty & State)

 

9.00
Unit IV: 
Unit 4

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

Thomas Hobbes (State of Nature,Natural Laws, Sovereignty, Social Contract and State)

 

9.00
Unit V: 
Unit 5

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 and General Will)

 

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

 

References: 
  • Adam, I., & Dyson, R.W.,(2004),Fifty Great Political Thinkers, London, Routledge
  • Nelson B.R.,(2006),Western Political Thought, Second Edition, New Delhi, Pearson Education
  • Sabine,G.H.,(2019), History of Political Theory,New Delhi, Oxford and IBH Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd.
  • Skoble,A. & Machan,T., (2007), Political Philosophy: Essential Selections, New Delhi, Pearson Education

 

Academic Year: 
2020-21
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