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The course is divided into six chapters. The first chapter is concerned with classical political
thought. It focuses on the origin and nature of Greek political thought; the concept of
philosophy and political philosophy; the origin and evolution of Greek political philosophy;
political ideas of Sophists, Socrates political thought, Plato’s political thought, and Aristotle’s
political thought. The second chapter is about medieval political thought. This chapter
incorporates the rise of Christianity and the fall of the Roman Empire; the essence of Christian
political thought; the fall of the Roman Empire; the Christian political ideas of St. Augustine,
and the political ideas of St. Thomas Aquinas. Chapter three- is concerned with modern
political thought. Machiavelli’s political realism, Thomas Hobbes’ political thought, the
political thought of John Lock, Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s political thought, Utilitarianism and
Socialism and Marxism-Communism are the main contents of this chapter. The fourth chapter
deals with the concept of Fascism and Anarchism. The origin and features of fascism, national
socialism, major principles of fascism, Giovanni Gentile and his fascist philosophy, anarchism,
anarchist views on authority and anarchist philosophers are also part of this chapter. Chapter
five is about contemporary political thoughts. Among others, this chapter contains political
thought of John Rawls and Mohandas Gandhi. The last chapter deals with Feminism focusing
on liberal feminist and radical feminists.
3. Course Objectives
By the end of the course student will be able to:
Realize the contribution of different political thinkers to the development of modern
political theories and practices
Explain the different philosophical bases and justifications of various political thinkers
Analyze the significance and legitimacy of various political systems to different stages of
human history
Critically examine various ideas that philosophers proposed to redress socio-economic,
political, legal and moral problems that mankind has experienced over centuries
Analyze the character and relationships between the state, society and the individual.
4. Syllabus Components
Schedule Instructors’ Students’ Reading
Content Lecture Task Task Materials/
Resource
Week 1 Unit one Classical Political Brainstormi Attend Leo Strauss’ and
( Lecture Thought ng the Joseph Cropsey’s
4hrs, 1.1. The Origin and Gaped lesson History Political
Home Nature of Greek Lecture, and Philosophy
study Political Thought Group take Colin Bird’s An
6hrs) 1.1.1. The Concept of Discussion, short Introduction to
Philosophy and Pair notes, Political
Political Philosophy Discussion, Askin Philosophy
1.1.2. The Origin and Peer- g and Aristotle,
Evolution of Greek Learning answer Nicomachean
Political Philosophy Self- ing Ethics, W.D
Thales, Reading. questi Ross (trans.),
Anaximander Debate ons, From
Anaximines Doing The Works of
1.1.3. Evolution of Western class Aristotle,
Political Thought works Oxford,
1.1.4. Characteristics of Partici Clarendon
Greek Philosophy pating Press, 1925.
1.2. Classical Political in Weber, Max
Thought group (2005) The
1.2.1. Political Ideas of discus Protestant
Sophists sions. Ethic and
Art of Rhetoric the Spirit of
Skepticism and Capitalism
Empiricism Routledge,
- Taylor and
Francis Group,
London
and New York (
2005) The
Theory of Moral
Sent ment.1st
ed.
MetaLibri, Sao
Paulo
- Smith, Adam
(1790) The
Wealth of
Nations
Week 2 1.2.2. Socrates Political Brainstormi Attend Cohen, Martin,
(Lecture Thought ng the Political
4hrs, The quest for wisdom Gaped lesson Philosophy:
Home Dialectical method Lecture, and From Plato to
study Socrates and the Greek Group take Mao, Pluto
6hrs) Leaders Discussion, short press,
1.2.3. Plato’s Political Pair notes, London, 2001.
Thought Discussion, Askin -M.L. Clarke,
Human Nature Peer- g and The Roman
Justice Learning answer Mind:
Virtue Self- ing Studies in the
Truth Reading. questi History of
The City-State Debate ons, Thought
The best political order Preparing Doing from Cicero to
Private Property and Assignment class Marcus
Family works
Political System Partici
Plato and Democracy pating
in
group
discus
sions.
Worki
ng
Assign
ment
Week 3 1.2.4. Aristotle’s Political Brainstormi Attend J.G. Dawson
(Lecture Thought ng the (trans.), Thomas
4hrs, Human Nature Gaped lesson Aquinas:
Home The Polis Lecture, and Selected Political
study Political System Group take Writing,
6hrs) Citizenship Discussion, short Oxford, 1948.
Private Property Pair notes, John Neville
Discussion, Askin Figgis, The
Peer- g and Political
Learning answer Aspects of St.
Self- ing Augustine’s City
Reading. questi of
Debate ons, God, London,
Doing 1921.
class
works
Partici
pating
in
group
discus
sions.
Week 4 Chapter Two-Medieval Brainstormi Attend Ewart Lewis,
(Lecture Political Thought ng the Medieval
4hrs, 2.1. The Rise of Christianity Gaped lesson Political
Home and the Fall of the Roman Lecture, and Ideas, Second
study Empire Group take Vol., New York,
6hrs) 2.1.1. The Essence of Discussion, short 1951.
Christian Political Pair notes,
Thought Discussion, Askin
2.1.2. The Fall of the Roman Peer- g and
Empire Learning answer
2.2. The Christian Political Self- ing
Ideas of St. Augustine Reading. questi
Augustine’s Idea of the Debate ons,
Two Cities Doing
Authority class
War and Peace works
2.3. The Political Ideas of St. Partici
Thomas Aquinas pating
Aquinas’ Religious in
Doctrine group
Forms of Government discus
and Opposition to sions.
Tyranny
Aquinas’s Theory of
Law
Week 5 Chapter Three- Modern Brainstormi Attend Ewart Lewis,
(Lecture Political Thought ng the Medieval
4hrs, 3.1. Machiavelli’s Political Gaped lesson Political
Home Realism Lecture, and Ideas, Second
study The Prince and the Art of Group take Vol., New York,
6hrs) Politics Discussion, short 1951.
The Art of Politics Pair notes, Strauss, Leo and
Morality, Religion, Virtue Discussion, Joseph Cropsey
and Political Power Peer- Askin (1972) History
Unique Qualities of a Learning g and of Political
Prince Self- answer Philosophy
The Analogy of the Fox Reading. ing University of
and Lion Debate questi Chicago
The Issue of Keeping ons, Press, Chicago.
Faith with the People Doing - Smith, Paul
To be Loved or Feared? class (2008) Moral and
The Issue of Becoming works Political
Cruel or Merciful Partici Philosophy: Key
pating Issues, Concepts
in and Theories.
group Palgrave
discus Macmillan, New
sions. York.
Samuel Richard
(2007), (ed.)
Lectures on the
History of
Political
Philosophy,
Harvard
University Press;
the President and
Fellows of
Harvard College.
Features of a Marxist-
Leninist State
Week 12 Chapter Four – Fascism and Brainstormi Attend Kenny, Anthony
(Lecture Anarchism ng the (2006) The Rise
4hrs, 4.1. The Origin and Features Gaped lesson of Modern
Home of Fascism Lecture, and Philosophy: A
study 4.1.1. Origin and Evolution Group take New History of
6hrs) 4.1.2. Features of Fascism Discussion, short Western
Hypernationalism Pair notes, - Bird, Colin, An
Racism Discussion, Askin Introduction to
Totalitarianism Peer- g and Political
4.1.3. National Socialism Learning answer Philosophy,
4.1.4. Major Principles of Self- ing Cambridge
Fascism Reading. questi University Inc.,
4.1.5. Giovanni Gentile and Debate ons, New York,2006.
His Fascist Philosophy Doing
class
works
Partici
pating
in
group
discus
sions.
Week 13 4.3. Anarchism Brainstormi Attend Kenny, Anthony
(Lecture 4.3.1. Meaning and Features ng the (2006) The Rise
4hrs, of Anarchism Gaped lesson of Modern
Home 4.3.2. Anarchist Views on Lecture, and Philosophy: A
study authority Group take New History of
6hrs) 4.3.3. Anarchist Discussion, short Western
Philosophers Pair notes, - Bird, Colin, An
Pierre-Joseph Proudhon Discussion, Askin Introduction to
(1809-1865) Peer- g and Political
Peter Kropotkin (1842- Learning answer Philosophy,
1921) Self- ing Cambridge
Reading. questi University Inc.,
Debate ons, New York,2006.
Doing
class
works
Partici
pating
in
group
discus
sions.
Week 14 Chapter Five - Contemporary Brainstormi Attend - Rawls, John
(Lecture Political Thought ng the (1972),
4hrs, Gaped lesson A Theory of
Home 5.1. John Rawls’ Theory of Lecture, and Justice. Harvard
study Justice Group take University
6hrs) 5.1.1. The Essence of the Discussion, short Press,
Theory of Justice Pair notes, Cambridge, MA.
5.1.2. Rawls’ Conception of Discussion, Askin - (2001) Justice
Justice Peer- g and as Fairness.
5.1.3. Principles of Justice Learning answer ARestatement.
5.3.4. The Original Position Self- ing Belknap Press.
and Just Institutions Reading. questi Kenny, Anthony
The Basic Structure of Debate ons, (2006) The Rise
Society Doing of Modern
The Original Position class Philosophy: A
Just Institutions works New History of
Partici Western
pating - Bird, Colin, An
in Introduction to
group Political
discus Philosophy,
sions. Cambridge
University Inc.,
New York,2006.
Week 15 5.2. Mohandas Gandhi’s Brainstormi Attend Kenny, Anthony
(Lecture Civil Disobedience Theory ng the (2006) The Rise
4hrs, 5.2.1. Civil Disobedience Gaped lesson of Modern
Home Theory Lecture, and Philosophy: A
study The Origins and Essence Group New History of
6hrs) of Civil Disobedience Discussion, take Western
The Nature and Role of Pair short - Bird, Colin, An
the State Discussion, notes, Introduction to
Peer- Askin Political
Learning g and Philosophy,
Self- answer Cambridge
Reading. ing University Inc.,
Debate questi New York, 2006.
ons,
Doing
class
works
Partici
pating
in
group
discus
sions.
Week 16 Chapter Six - Feminism Brainstormi Attend
(Lecture 6.1. The Meaning of ng the
4hrs, Feminism Gaped lesson
Home 6.2. Strands of Feminism Lecture, and
study 6.2.1. Liberal Feminist Group take
6hrs) 6.2.2. Radical Feminists Discussion, short
Pair notes,
Discussion, Askin
Peer- g and
Learning answer
Self- ing
Reading. questi
Debate ons,
Doing
class
works
Partici
pating
in
group
discus
sions.
5. Assessment Strategies & Techniques and Course Policy
Assessme Group / Individual Assignments/Quizzes /Tests………………………...25%
nt Mid………………………………………………………….…..……… .
25%.
Final Exam ……………………………………………………...……….50%
Total………………………………………………..…………….….……
100%
Course A student has to:
policy - Attend at least 85% of the classes.
- Take all continuous assessments and mid Exam.
- Take final examination.
- Respect all rules & regulations of the university.
6. References
- Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, W.D Ross (trans.), From the Works of Aristotle, Oxford,
Clarendon Press, 1925.
- Bird, Colin, An Introduction to Political Philosophy, Cambridge University Inc., New York,
l 2006.
- Cohen, Martin, Political Philosophy: From Plato to Mao, Pluto press, London, 2001.
- Ernest Barker, Greek Political Theory: Plato and His Predecessors, Fourth edition,
London, 1951.
- Ewart Lewis, Medieval Political Ideas, Second Vol., New York, 1951.
- J.G. Dawson (trans.), Thomas Aquinas: Selected Political Writing, Oxford, 1948.
- Ernest Barker (trans.), The Politics of Aristotle, Oxford, 1946.
- John Neville Figgis, The Political Aspects of St. Augustine’s City of God, London, 1921.
- Knowles, Dudley, Political Philosophy, Rutledge, London, 2001.
- M.L. Clarke, The Roman Mind: Studies in the History of Thought from Cicero to Marcus
Aurelus, Cambridge, Mass Publish, 1956.
- N.R. Murphy, The Interpretation of Plato’s “Republic”, Oxford, 1951.
- Strauss, Leo and Joseph Cropsey, History of Political Philosophy, University of Chicago
Press,Chicago,1972.
- William L. Newman, The Politics of Aristotle, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1948.
- Balibar, Etienne (2007) The Philosophy of Marx. Courier Stoughton Inc., New York.
- Bird, Colin (2006) An Introduction to Political Philosophy. Cambridge University Inc.,
New York.
- Cohen, Martin (2001) Political Philosophy: From Plato to Mao. Pluto press, London.
- Jain, Ashok (1995) Landmarks in Political Thought. Sheth Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
- Kenny, Anthony (2006) The Rise of Modern Philosophy: A New History of Western
Philosophy, Vol.3, Oxford University Press Inc., New York.
- Knowles, Dudley (2001) Political Philosophy. Rutledge, London.
- Lerch, Hubert(2011) An Introduction to Political Philosophy.Createspace.com
- Miller, David (2003) Political Philosophy: A very short Introduction. Oxford University Press
Inc., New York.
- Rawls, John (1972), A Theory of Justice. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA.
- _____________(2001) Justice as Fairness. ARestatement. Belknap Press.
- _____________ (2007), Samuel Richard (ed.) Lectures on the History of Political Philosophy,
Harvard University Press; the President and Fellows of Harvard College.
- Smith, Paul (2008) Moral and Political Philosophy: Key Issues, Concepts and Theories. Palgrave
Macmillan, New York.
- Strauss, Leo and Joseph Cropsey (1972) History of Political Philosophy. University of
Chicago Press, Chicago.
- Smith, Adam (1790) The Wealth of Nations
- ____________( 2005) The Theory of Moral Sentiment.1st ed. MetaLibri, Sao Paulo
- Weber, Max (2005) The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism. Routledge, Taylor
andFrancis Group, London and New York.