Political Theory: Concepts & Debates

By DR. SIBAJI PRATIM BASU | VIDYASAGAR UNIVERSITY

Learners enrolled: 248

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 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.

Summary

Course Status :	Upcoming
Course Type :	Core
Language for course content :	English
Duration :	12 weeks
Category :	Political Science
Credit Points :	5
Level :	Undergraduate
Start Date :	06 Jan 2025
End Date :	30 Apr 2025
Enrollment Ends :	28 Feb 2025
Exam Date :	24 May 2025 IST
NCrF Level	4.5
Exam Shift :	2nd Shift

Note: This exam date is subject to change based on seat availability. You can check final exam date on your hall ticket.

Page Visits

Course layout

WEEK 1

1. POLITICS & POLITICAL SCIENCE

2. THEORY & POLITICAL THEORY

3. TRADITIONAL POLITICAL THEORIES

4. NON-TRADITIONAL ALTERNATIVES

WEEK 2

5. POWER: Notion of Power & Agents of Power

6. POWER: Bases of Power & Authority

7. POWER: Theories of Power - PART-1

8. POWER: Theorizing Power – PART-2

WEEK 3

9. STATE: Origin of State – PART-1

10. STATE: Origin of State – PART-2

11. STATE: Development of State- PART-1

12. STATE: Development of State- PART-2

13. STATE: Liberal Perspective- PART-1

WEEK 4

14. STATE: Liberal Perspective- PART-2

15. STATE: Marxist Perspective- PART-1

16. STATE: Marxist Perspective- PART-2

17. STATE: Feminist Perspective

18. STATE: Ecological Perspective

WEEK 5

19. SOVEREIGNTY: Concept & Evolution - PART-1

20. SOVEREIGNTY: Concept & Evolution - PART-2

21. SOVEREIGNTY: Pluralist Theory

22. SOVEREIGNTY: Globalization

23. CITIZENSHIP: Concept & Evolution- PART-1

WEEK 6

24. CITIZENSHIP: Concept & Evolution- PART-2

25. RIGHTS: Concept

26. RIGHTS: Evolution

27. LIBERTY: Evolution

28. LIBERTY: Development

WEEK 7

29. EQUALITY: Concept

30. EQUALITY: Approaches & Forms

31. EQUALITY: Recent Aspects

32. EQUALITY: Evolution of the Idea

33. EQUALITY: Rawls Theory

34. EQUALITY: Rawls & His Critics

WEEK 8

35. DEMOCRACY: Concept, Theory, System

36. DEMOCRACY: Development

37. DEMOCRACY: Modern Approach

38. DEVELOPMENT & WELFARE STATE (PART-1)

39. DEVELOPMENT & WELFARE STATE (PART-2)

WEEK 9

40. SOCIAL CHANGE: The Idea of Social Change

41. SOCIAL CHANGE: Theories of Social Change

42. SOCIAL CHANGE: Marxist Theory of Social Change

43. SOCIAL CHANGE: Cyclical Theory of Social Change

WEEK 10

44. CONCEPT OF FREEDOM: NEGATIVE VS. POSITIVE FREEDOM

45. CONCEPT OF NATURAL RIGHTS & LEGAL RIGHTS

46. JUSTICE: PROCEDURAL JUSTICE & DISTRIBUTIVE JUSTICE

47. 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 Action

53. Rights And Obligations

54. Rights Of The Girl Child

55. Capital Punishment

Books and references

1. J.D.B. Miller; ‘The Nature of Politics’ (1962); London: G. Duckworth.

2. Sushila Ramaswamy and Subrata Mukherji; ‘Political Theory: Ideas and Concepts’; Delhi, MacMillan Publishers India Ltd, 2003.

3. S.L. Verma; ‘Advanced Modern Political Theory: Analysis and Technologies’; Jaipur, Rawat Publication, 2008.

4. S.P. Verma; ‘Modern Political Theory’; Vikas Publishing House, New Delhi, 4th edition, 1984.

Instructor bio

DR. SIBAJI PRATIM BASU

VIDYASAGAR UNIVERSITY

Professor Sibaji Pratim Basu, a well-known political scientist and political commentator from West Bengal, teaches Political Science at Vidyasagar University, Midnapore. Graduated from Presidency College (1981) and post-graduated from University of Calcutta (1983), he obtained his Ph.D. also from Calcutta University, working on the thesis: “The Concepts of Nationalism and Internationalism: Tagore and Gandhi”. With a teaching and research career spanning more than three decades, he has taught, written books and articles, conducted and guided research in the areas like Modern Indian Political Thought & Politics; Socialist Thought; Forced Migration in South Asia; Popular Movements and People’s ‘Sustainable Rights’ in India.

Some of his publications include: The Poet and Mahatma: Engagement with Nationalism and Internationalism; an edited volume called The Fleeing People of South Asia: Selections from Refugee Watch; a co-edited volume called Politics in Hunger Regime: Essays on the Right to Food in West Bengal and also an edited book, Forced Migration and Media-Mirrors. He has also contributed articles to edited volumes published by Macmillan Publishers, Oxford University Press, Sage Publishers, Routledge/Social Science Press etc. He is a member of the editorial board of Vidyasagar Rachanasamagra (The Complete Writings of Paandit Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar) published by Vidyasagar University.

He is a board member, and presently the Secretary of Mahanirban Calcutta Research Group and also holds membership of Institute for Development Studies Kolkata (IDSK – as a nominated member); West Bengal State Book Board (Member, Political Science); besides being the life member of West Bengal Political Science Association.

Course certificate

If you complete the course and submit all the assignments in time and participate in the Proctored Examination you will be rewarded with 5 credit points and a “CERTIFICATE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT”.

Marks Distribution

30% of Internal Assessment & 70% from Term End Final Proctored Exam

Securing 40% in both separately is mandatory to pass the course and get the certificate