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Political Theory

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Course Type Course Code No. Of Credits
Discipline Core NSUS1PO601 4

Course Coordinator and Team:                   SES Faculty

Email of course coordinator:                       pcbabed@aud.ac.in 

Pre-requisites: No

Course Description:

The course has been designed to introduce key concepts in politics and Political Theory to the students to sharpen their understanding of political discourses and the ability to make scientific inquiry into political phenomenon and political questions. Contemporary debates on key concepts like freedom, equality, justice, rights and power allow the students to understand the expanding horizons of discourses in the discipline.

Course Objectives:

  • Understand the foundational concepts and categories used in political theory, such as power, freedom, equality, justice, and rights.
  • Critically engage with philosophical and normative debates surrounding these concepts.
  • Analyze the relevance of political theory in understanding contemporary political issues and real-world political practices.
  • Develop the ability to interpret and critique political arguments using both classical and contemporary sources.
  • Cultivate skills in academic reading, discussion, and writing specific to political theory.

Course Outcomes:

  • Explain what constitutes political theory and distinguish it from other approaches to politics.
  • Demonstrate a nuanced understanding of key concepts such as power, freedom, justice, rights, and equality.
  • Critically engage with major theoretical debates and competing perspectives on these concepts.
  • Analyze how political ideas shape institutions, practices, and policies.
  • Interpret primary texts in political theory and apply theoretical tools to real-life political issues.

Brief Description of the Modules

Module 1: Understanding Political Theory

This module introduces students to the field of political theory by exploring what makes a question 'political' and how theorists have historically conceptualized politics. It distinguishes political theory from political science and emphasizes the normative and conceptual nature of political inquiry. Students will learn to ask foundational political questions and understand the philosophical underpinnings of the discipline.

Module 2: Power

In this module, students will explore the various dimensions and definitions of power as articulated by key thinkers like Michel Foucault and Max Weber. The module covers how power is exercised, legitimized, and contested within societies. The "three dimensions of power" debate helps students understand both overt and subtle forms of power, including ideological control and agenda-setting.

Module 3: Freedom

This module delves into one of the most contested ideas in political theory—freedom. Students will examine the classical distinction between negative and positive freedom and explore real-world debates, such as the limits of free speech. The module encourages critical thinking on how freedom can be both an ideal and a site of political struggle.

Module 4: Equality

Students will investigate different notions of equality—welfare, resources, opportunity, and luck egalitarianism. This module examines how societies aim to achieve fairness and reduce disadvantage. Debates around affirmative action serve as a practical lens to understand how equality is pursued in policy and practice, and the challenges involved in balancing justice with diversity.

Module 5: Justice

This module focuses on the philosophical foundations of justice, distinguishing between procedural and substantive justice. Students will engage deeply with John Rawls’ theory and its critics, and extend the discussion to global justice—exploring whether principles of justice should apply across national borders in a world of inequality.

Assessment Plan:

Assessment

Weightage

Assignment 1: engagement with the educational resources. This involves in-class quizzes and short response notes.

30%

Assignment 2:  Assignments and/or presentations

30%

Assignment 3: End-term assessment

40%

References:

  • Bhargava, R. (2008) ‘What is Political Theory’, in Bhargava, R. and Acharya, A. (eds), Political Theory: An Introduction. New Delhi: Pearson Longman, pp. 2-16.
  • Bellamy, R. (1993). Introduction: The Demise and Rise of Political Theory. In Bellamy, R. (Ed.), Theories and Concepts of Politics. New York: Manchester University Press, pp. 1-14.
  • McKinnon, C. (2008) ‘Introduction’. In McKinnon, C. Issues in Political Theory. New York: Oxford University Press, pp. 1-8
  • Menon, Nivedita (2008). ‘Power’, in Bhargava, R. and Acharya, A. (eds), Political Theory: An Introduction. New Delhi: Pearson Longman, pp. 148-157.
  • Dowding, Keith (2006). ‘Three-Dimensional Power: A Discussion of Steven Lukes’ Power: A Radical View’, Political Studies Review: Vol 4, pp. 136–145.
  • Carter, I. (2003) ‘Liberty’, in Bellamy, Richard and Mason, Andrew (eds), Political Concepts. Manchester: Manchester University Press, pp. 4-15.
  • Riley, J. (2008) ‘Liberty’, in McKinnon, C. (ed), Issues in Political Theory. New York: Oxford University Press, pp. 103-125.
  • Sethi, A. (2008) ‘Freedom of Speech and the Question of Censorship’, in Bhargava, R. and Acharya, A. (eds), Political Theory: An Introduction. New Delhi: Pearson Longman, pp. 308- 319.
  • Smits, K. (2009). ‘Should Offensive Speech be Regulated?’, In Applying Political Theory: Issues and Debates. Palgrave Macmillan, PP. 152-170.
  • Casal, P. and William, A. (2008) ‘Equality’, in McKinnon, C. (ed), Issues in Political Theory. New York: Oxford University Press, pp. 149-165.
  • Acharya, A. (2008) ‘Affirmative Action’, in Bhargava, R. and Acharya, A. (eds), Political Theory: An Introduction. New Delhi: Pearson Longman, pp. 298-307. Smits, K. (2009). ‘Is Affirmative Action Fair?’, in Applying Political Theory: Issues and Debates. Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 65-85.
  • Swift, Adam. (2001) Political Philosophy: A Beginner’s Guide for Students and Politicians. Cambridge: Polity Press, pp. 9-48.
  • Wolf, J. (2008) ‘Social Justice’, in McKinnon, C. (ed), Issues in Political Theory. New York: Oxford University Press, pp. 172-193.
  • Brock, G. (2008) ‘Global Justice’, in McKinnon, C. (ed), Issues in Political Theory. New York: Oxford University Press, pp. 289-312.
  • McKinnon, C. (2003), ‘Rights’, in Bellamy, Richard and Mason, Andrew (eds), Political Concepts. Manchester: Manchester University Press, pp. 16-27.
  • Talukdar, P.S. (2008) ‘Rights’, in Bhargava, R. and Acharya, A. (eds), Political Theory: An Introduction. New Delhi: Pearson Longman, pp. 88-104.
  • Heywood, Andrew (2021), ‘Multiculturalism’, in Heywood, Andrew Political Ideologies: An Introduction (7th Edition), Red Globe Press (Macmillan International), pp. 225-244.
  • Upendra Baxi (2007), The Future of Human Rights, OUP, pp. 1-32
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