This course offers the student a comprehensive introduction to democracy, political institutions, and their theoretical perspective. The course has four main objectives for the student to understand what is meant by politics, explore competing concepts and approaches, learn about how political institutions and processes work, and discuss contemporary political issues in an informed manner.

Course prerequisites: None

Course Contents:

1. Theoretical and practical dimensions of democracy
2. Self-rule
3. Rule of law
4. Direct and Representative democracy
5. Liberal democracy
6. Pluralist democracy
7. Participatory democracy
8. Protective democracy
9. Performance democracy

Recommended Books:

1. Robert Dahl, On democracy, New Haven: Yale University, 1998.
2. Frank Cunningham, Theories of Democracy: A Critical Introduction, Theories of Democracy: A Critical Introduction, New York: Routledge, 2002.

Suggested Books:

1. Carole Pateman, Participation and Democratic Theory, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1970.
2. Ronald J. Terchek and Thomas C. Conte, Theories of Democracy: A Reader, Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, 2001

Lectures Timings:

BS Political Science 3rd semester

(Regular):  Tuesdays (09:30-11:00 am) & Thursdays (08:00-09:30 am)

(Self-Support): Tuesdays (02:00-03:30) & Tuesdays (12:30-02:00 pm)