Faculty of Law
SYLLABUS
B.A.LL.B
SEMESTER I
Basics of Political Science
Course Code: 23BL102A Continuous Evaluation : 40Marks
Credits: 3 End Semester Examination: 60 Marks
L T P: 3 0 0
Prerequisite: General awareness about political
system
OBJECTIVE:
Basics of political science includes various basic concepts and terminologies that are necessary
for understanding political science as a discipline, meaning and nature of polity, governance,
state etc.
COURSE OBJECTIVES (COs):
CO1: To discuss meaning, nature, and significance of Political Science and approaches
CO2: To explain in depth knowledge about state, its origin, and concept of welfare state
CO3: To make the students understand basic concepts and Ideology in Political Science
CO4: To impart and explain forms, systems and organs of government as well as the theory of
separation of powers
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES (CLOs):
After the successful completion of the course, the students will have the ability to:
CLO1: Identify the nature, scope and approaches of Political Science
CLO2: Understand knowledge about the concept of state and society
CLO3: Comprehend various traditional and modern theories and Ideology of political science
CLO4: Examine the forms of government and their working pattern
COURSE CONTENTS
UNIT-I
CONCEPT AND ORIGIN OF STATE
POLITICAL SCIENCE: Meaning, Nature, Scope and Significance, Political Science
and other Social Sciences
STATE: Meaning, Evolution, and Elements of State, Distinction between state and
government, state and society
THEORIES REGARDING ORIGIN OF THE STATE: Divine Theory, Social
Contract Theory, Marxist Theory, Evolutionary Theory
UNIT-II
THE CONCEPT OF WELFARE STATE
WELFARE STATE: Meaning, Origin, Nature and Development of the Concept of
Welfare State, India as a Welfare State.
SOVEREIGNTY-Definition and Meaning, Types and characteristics of sovereignty,
Austin’s theory of sovereignty, Pluralist theory of sovereignty
POWER- Meaning and Definition & types of power
AUTHORITY-Meaning and Definition, Difference between Power and Authority
LEGITIMACY- Meaning and Definition, Legitimacy vs Authority
UNIT-III
POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES
LIBERALISM- Meaning and features of Classical and Contemporary liberalism
SOCIALISM- Meaning and features of Socialism vs. Communism
FASCISM
BEHAVIOURALISM
GANDHISM
FEMINISM
UNIT- IV
POLITICAL CONCEPTS
RIGHTS-Meaning, Definitions, Characteristics and Classification
EQUALITY-Meaning, Definition, Evolution of the Concept
LIBERTY-Meaning, Definition & Evolution of the Concept
THE DOCTRINE OF SEPARATION OF POWERS-Meaning and Nature of
separation of power, Montesquieu’s theory of separation of power.
UNIT-V
FORMS OF GOVERNMENT
MONARCHY: Meaning, Merits and Demerits
ARISTOCRACY: Meaning, Merits and Demerits
DEMOCRACY: Meaning, Kinds of Democracy, Merits and Demerits
UNIT-VI
TYPES OF GOVERNMENT
Unitary system of government- Meaning, Features, Merits and Demerits
Federal system of government- Meaning, Features, Merits and Demerits
Parliamentary system of government-Meaning, Features, Merits and Demerits
Presidential system of government- Meaning, Features, Merits and Demerits
D. EVALUATION & GRADING
Description Weight age Schedule
1. Internal Evaluation 40% Faculty Academic Calendar
2. End Term Exam 60% As per Academic Calendar
Continuous Assessment (Formative Assessment) Internal Marks
S.NO.
Components (40)
MST -1 (subjective pen-paper based exam to assess the
1 10
knowledge and understanding)
2 MST -2 (flexible mode including open-book examination 10
– Analytical and Critical). May also include a proctored
self-assessment feedback (will be communicated a week
before examination)
Role Play (evaluation of writing skills – critical thinking
3 and problem solving). Includes an assignment of 5 10 (5 + 5)
marks)
Role Play (evaluation of oral skills – critical thinking and
4 10
problem solving)
End-Sem examination shall be of three hours’ duration. The examination paper shall have
objective, short, analytical and problem based questions.
E. TEACHING AND LEARNING PLAN (September 12th to December …. 2023)
Date Pedagogy
SESSION and TOPIC READINGS/Activity
Time
SEP1 Discussion
0 Sharing of Course Plan Shared on LMS
2
1 Background of political science Discussion Course Plan
Gauba.O.P(eds.2014)
Chalk and talk An Introduction to
2 What is Political science?
with discussion Political Theory.New
Delhi:Macmillan
Sushila Ramaswamy,
Political science as a scientific
3 Group Activity Political theory and
subject
Ideas
Gauba.O.P(eds.2014)
An Introduction to
4 Political science as an art Chalk and talk
Political Theory.New
Delhi:Macmillan
Standard definitions of political Dictation and write
5 Write up
science up
Bhargava. R and
Acharya.A. (eds
Historical Evolution of the 2011.)Political
6 Discussion Theory: An
subject Introduction. New
Delhi: Pearson
Longman
Assignment (5 Marks)
Gauba.O.P(eds.2014)
Nature and scope of political An Introduction to
7 Chalk and talk
science Political Theory.New
Delhi:Macmillan
Bhargava. R and
Acharya.A. (eds
Interface of political science with Reflection and 2011.)Political
8 Theory: An
other sciences discussion
Introduction. New
Delhi: Pearson
Longman
VIVA VOCE– 15 Marks
3/10 Sushila Ramaswamy,
9 Background of the concept of state Chalk and talk Political theory and
Ideas
4/10 Reflection and J.C. Johari,
Elements of state,distinction between discussion
10 Contemporary
state and society
Political Theory
10/1
0 Gauba.O.P(eds.2014)
Theories of state-divine,social Chalk and talk An Introduction to
11
contract with discussion Political Theory.New
Delhi:Macmillan
12 Theories of state- Chalk and talk Sushila Ramaswamy,
Marxist,Evolutionary with discussion Political theory and
Ideas
13 Feedback on VIVA VOCE
Chalk and talk J.C. Johari,
POLITICAL IDEOLOGY-
14 Contemporary
Liberealism
Political Theory
Gauba.O.P(eds.2014)
An Introduction to
15 Evolution of the ideology Chalk and Talk
Political Theory.New
Delhi:Macmillan
MST I (10 Marks)
Sushila Ramaswamy,
16 Political ideology-Socialism Group Discussion Political theory and
Ideas
Bhargava. R and
Acharya.A. (eds
Socialism v/s Communism 2011.)Political
17 (contemporary relevance of Chalk and talk Theory: An
socialism),Fascism Introduction. New
Delhi: Pearson
Longman
Gauba.O.P(eds.2014)
Political ideologies- An Introduction to
18 Role Play
Behaviouralism,Feminism Political Theory.New
Delhi:Macmillan
Political ideology-Gandhism J.C. Johari,
19 Chalk and talk Contemporary
Political Theory
Reflection and
20 Feedback on MST I
Peer Review
Plan for Remedial Sessions
21 Ahimsa,satyagraha,swaraj Group Discussion www.mkgandhi.org
Gandhi’s ideas on
22 Chalk and talk www.mkgandhi.org
Modernity,State,Women
Gauba.O.P(eds.2014)
An Introduction to
23 CONCEPT OF WELFARE STATE Chalk and talk
Political Theory.New
Delhi:Macmillan
J.C. Johari,
SOVEREIGNITY-
24 discussion Contemporary
definition,meaning
Political Theory
J.C. Johari,
25 Theories of Sovereignity Role Play Contemporary
Political Theory
J.C. Johari,
26 Power,Authority and Legitimacy discussion Contemporary
Political Theory
Sushila Ramaswamy,
Political concept-
27 Chalk and talk Political theory and
Rights ,meaning,definitions
Ideas
Bhargava. R and
Acharya.A. (eds
2011.)Political
Chalk and talk Theory: An
28 Theories &generations of rights
with discussion Introduction. New
Delhi: Pearson
Longman
Gauba.O.P(eds.2014)
Political concept- Chalk and talk An Introduction to
29
Equality(evolution) with discussion Political Theory.New
Delhi:Macmillan
Sushila Ramaswamy,
Chalk and talk
30 Theories of equality-Dworkin,&Sen Political theory and
with discussion
Ideas
31 Political concept-liberty Chalk and talk J.C. Johari,
with discussion Contemporary
Political Theory
Bhargava. R and
Acharya.A. (eds
Reflection and 2011.)Political
32 Negative and positive liberty Theory: An
discussion
Introduction. New
Delhi: Pearson
Longman
Chalk and talk Dr. S. R. Myneni,
33 Doctrine of separation of power
with discussion Political Science
Dr. S. R. Myneni,
34 Theories of separation of power Chalk and talk
Political Science
Gauba.O.P(eds.2014)
An Introduction to
35 Fomrs of government-monarchy Discussion Political Theory.New
Delhi:Macmillan
Dr. S. R. Myneni,
36 Forms of government-aristocracy Group Discussion
Political Science
MST II (10 Marks)
Chalk and talk
with discussion Bhargava. R and
Acharya.A. (eds
2011.)Political
37 Democracy-background,definitions Theory: An
Introduction. New
Delhi: Pearson
Longman
J.C. Johari,
Kinds/Models of democracy,theories
38 Discussion Contemporary
of democracy
Political Theory
Group Discussion Sushila Ramaswamy,
39 Merits and demerits of democracy Political theory and
Ideas
40 Unitary system of government Role Play B.L.FADIA, Indian
government and
politics
Role Play
Gauba.O.P(eds.2014)
Federal system of government- An Introduction to
41
introduction Political Theory.New
Delhi:Macmillan
B.L.FADIA, Indian
Chalk and talk
42 Federal features of indian polity government and
with discussion
politics
B.L.FADIA, Indian
43 Parliamentary form of government Role Play government and
politics
Role Play B.L.FADIA, Indian
Features of parliamentary form of
44 government and
government,merits &demerits
politics
B.L.FADIA, Indian
45 Presidential form of government Discussion government and
politics
TEXT BOOKS:
Dr. S. R. Myneni, Political Science (Allahabad Law Agency, 2021)
J.C. Johari, Contemporary Political Theory, (Sterling Publishers’ Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi,
2019)
Dr. Vidya Dhār Mahajan, Political Theory (S. Chand, 2006)
REFERENCE BOOKS:
Amal Ray & Mohit Bhattacharya, Political Theory: Ideas and Institution (The World
Press Private Limited, 2013)
S.P. Verma, Modern Political Theory (S.Chand, 2018)
Subhas C. Kashyap, Our Constitution (National Book Trust, India, 2012)
William Nunes, Arun Kumar Malik, Ravi Saxena, Political Science-I (Lexis Nexis)
Rajeev Bhargav and Ashok Acharya, Political Theory: An Introduction (Pearson
Longman, Delhi, 2008)
Pedagogy: As noted above: Students may note that the cases/reading material referred to in the detailed
course plan is indicative and shall be supplemented with more case laws on the subject including the latest
developments by their own research and analysis.
Attendance
Students are required to have minimum attendance of 75% in the subject. Students with less
than said percentage shall NOT be allowed to appear in the end semester examination and
eventually would fail in the subject.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
“Academic Integrity” is the intellectual honesty in proposing, performing and reporting any activity,
which leads to the creation of intellectual property and it includes a student. While working on any
project or writing to publish papers in this subject, students are advised to kindly adhere the UGC
Academic Integrity Regulations 2018.
CONNECTING WITH YOUR INSTRUCTOR
For any doubt, connect with your Instructor through Learning Management System (LMS)
You can seek an appointment for meeting in person as well, through the LMS or also during the class hours.
Communications/Submissions on LMS will be reviewed every Wednesdays and Fridays
