This course is designed to familiarize the students with the evolution of Western Political Thought from Machiavelli to the modern period, with a focus on the political thought of most representative thinkers of major political movements. The course is an examination of the debate about human nature, governance, justice, equality, liberty, and human rights. The focus of the course will also be to see how such political ideas as “liberty”, “autonomy”, “authority” “contract”, “obligation”, “democracy”, “power” and “natural law” have received different interpretations. The main objective of the course is to see how political philosophy is both a response to historical events and a function of the philosophical ideas of a given epoch.

Course Prerequisites: None

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Examine political thought through the Renaissance, and Enlightenment periods based on the works of Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Tocqueville, and Marx
2. Compare and contrast the concepts of justice, freedom, equality, citizenship, and sovereignty in the works of Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau
3. Explain the different versions and importance of the state of nature to political thought
4. Explain democracy and the modern, politically liberal state; how it came to be; and its fundamental link to capitalism

Assessment Criteria:

1. Attendance and Class Participation: 10 % (75% of attendance would be mandatory to take the final term exams.)
2. Presentation and Assignments: 8%
3. Quiz: 2%
4. Mid Term Examination: 30%
5. Final Term Examination: 50%

Class Days and Timings: 

• Wednesday (11:00 - 12:30)
• Thursday     (11:00 - 12:30)

Recommended Textbook:

1. McClelland, J.S., A History of Western Political Thought (Routledge, 1996).