Political Theory: Concepts & Debates

This course within the broad domain of Political Science is based on Core Course of the UGC CBCS syllabus of B.A (HONS./GENERAL) - POLITICAL SCIENCE.This course focuses in detail on the political discourse and the actual functioning of the POLITICAL SCIENCE & DIFFERENT POLITICAL THEORY. It simultaneously studies in detail the political function of STATE & philosophy behind SOVEREIGNTY, CITIZENSHIP, RIGHTS, and LIBERTY etc.…The course, to be covered in 50/55 modules, will be delivered over a period of 12 WEEKS. 4 to 5 lectures will be released every week.Objectives:• The course will develop a critical understanding of the different structures and functions of political science.• This course deals in detail the philosophy & the principles as mentioned in the different ideas of different ideologue.• The course will help students to understand the important issues affecting political thought process in the changing time frame.

WEEK 1
1. POLITICS & POLITICAL SCIENCE2. THEORY & POLITICAL THEORY3. TRADITIONAL POLITICAL THEORIES4. NON-TRADITIONAL ALTERNATIVES

WEEK 2
5. POWER: Notion of Power & Agents of Power6. POWER: Bases of Power & Authority7. POWER: Theories of Power - PART-18. POWER: Theorizing Power – PART-2

WEEK 3
9. STATE: Origin of State – PART-110. STATE: Origin of State – PART-211. STATE: Development of State- PART-112. STATE: Development of State- PART-213. STATE: Liberal Perspective- PART-1

WEEK 4
14. STATE: Liberal Perspective- PART-215. STATE: Marxist Perspective- PART-116. STATE: Marxist Perspective- PART-217. STATE: Feminist Perspective18. STATE: Ecological Perspective

WEEK 5
19. SOVEREIGNTY: Concept & Evolution - PART-120. SOVEREIGNTY: Concept & Evolution - PART-221. SOVEREIGNTY: Pluralist Theory22. SOVEREIGNTY: Globalization23. CITIZENSHIP: Concept & Evolution- PART-1

WEEK 6
24. CITIZENSHIP: Concept & Evolution- PART-225. RIGHTS: Concept26. RIGHTS: Evolution27. LIBERTY: Evolution28. LIBERTY: Development


WEEK 7
29. EQUALITY: Concept30. EQUALITY: Approaches & Forms31. EQUALITY: Recent Aspects32. EQUALITY: Evolution of the Idea33. EQUALITY: Rawls Theory34. EQUALITY: Rawls & His Critics

WEEK 8
35. DEMOCRACY: Concept, Theory, System36. DEMOCRACY: Development37. DEMOCRACY: Modern Approach38. DEVELOPMENT & WELFARE STATE (PART-1)39. DEVELOPMENT & WELFARE STATE (PART-2)

WEEK 9
40. SOCIAL CHANGE: The Idea of Social Change41. SOCIAL CHANGE: Theories of Social Change42. SOCIAL CHANGE: Marxist Theory of Social Change43. SOCIAL CHANGE: Cyclical Theory of Social Change


WEEK 10
44. CONCEPT OF FREEDOM: NEGATIVE VS. POSITIVE FREEDOM45. CONCEPT OF NATURAL RIGHTS & LEGAL RIGHTS46. JUSTICE: PROCEDURAL JUSTICE & DISTRIBUTIVE JUSTICE47. JUSTICE: GLOBAL JUSTICE


WEEK 11
48. Debates 1: Are Human Rights Universal? Issue Of Cultural Relativism.49. Debates 2: Why should we obey the state? Issues of political obligation and civil disobedience.50. Debates 3: How do we accommodate diversity in plural society? Issues of multiculturalism and toleration.51. Freedom Of Belief & Freedom Of Expression


WEEK 12
52. Egalitarianism: Concept, Differential Treatment & Affirmative Action53. Rights And Obligations54. Rights Of The Girl Child55. Capital Punishment