Political Science

BA(hons) and BA(programme)- Delhi University

B.A. Political Science Faculty

On this page, we are providing B.A. Political Science Syllabus 2024, covering important topics such as political theory, Indian government, international relations, and public administration. This syllabus offers a clear outline of the course structure, helping students prepare for careers in fields like public service, law, and research.

Syllabus of Political Science (Hons.)

Here we provide the syllabus for B.A. (Hons) Political Science, which covers key political theories, systems, and global political dynamics. Students will study political institutions, governance, international relations, and public policies. The curriculum encourages critical thinking and analytical skills, preparing students for careers in public service, law, research, and international affairs.

Political Science Semester 1 syllabus

Course	Units
(DSC-1): Understanding Political Theory	What is Politics: Theorizing the ‘Political’ Approaches to Political Theory: Normative, Historical and Empirical Traditions of Political Theory: Liberal, Marxist, Anarchist and Conservative Critical Perspectives in Political Theory: Feminist and Postmodern The Idea of Political Community: Political Obligation
(DSC-2): Ideas and Institutions in Indian Political Thought	Statecraft in Ancient India Dharma, Dhamma, Danda Nyaya, Nit Sabha, Samiti Rajya, Rashtra Varna, Jati
(DSC-3): Colonialism and Nationalism in India	Colonialism and Nationalism: Main perspectives on colonialism: Liberalism, Marxism, Postcolonialism Approaches to the study of nationalism in India: Nationalist, Imperialist, Marxist, and Subaltern Colonial Rule in India and its impact: Constitutional developments and the colonial state Colonial ideology of civilizing mission: Utilitarians and Missionaries Impact on agriculture, land relations, industry and ecology Reform and Resistance: The 1857 war of Independence Major social and religious movements Education and the rise of the new middle class Nationalist Politics and Expansion of its Social Base: Phases of the Nationalist Movement: Liberal constitutionalist, Swadeshi and the Radicals, Formation of the Muslim League Gandhi and mass mobilisation: Non-cooperation, Civil Disobedience, and Quit India Movements Item Revolutionaries, Socialists and Communists Communalism in Indian Politics Communalism in Indian Politics Social Movements: Peasants, Tribals, Workers, Women and anti-caste movements

Political Science Semester 2 syllabus

Course	Units
(DSC-4): Perspectives on Public Administration	Public Administration as a Discipline: Ancient Roots of Public Administration: Perspectives from India (Kautilya’s Arthashastra) Modern PA: An overview of the theoretical journey Principles of Public Administration Theorising Public Administration Mainstream/ Traditional Theoretical Perspectives: Scientific management (F.W.Taylor) Ideal-type bureaucracy (Max Weber) Human relations theory (Elton Mayo) Rational decision-making (Herbert Simon) Ecological approach (Fred Riggs) Contemporary Theoretical Perspectives: New Public Management, New Public Service subMultiple Perspectives on Governance: Good Governance, Collaborative Governance, Network Governance, Digital Governance Gender Perspectives on Public Administration: Gender and Governance Gender sensitivity and participation in administration
(DSC-5): Methods and Approaches in Comparative Political Analysis	Understanding Comparative Politics Nature and scope Why Compare Understanding Comparative Method: How to compare countries: large n, small n, single countries studies Going beyond Eurocentrism Approaches to Studying Comparative Politics: Political System, Structural functional analysis Approaches to Studying Comparative Politics: Traditional and Neo-Institutionalisms Historical Institutionalism Rational Choice Theory Sociological Institutionalism Approaches to Studying Comparative Politics: Political Culture Civic Culture (Sydney Verba) Subculture (Dennis Kavanagh) Hegemony (Antonio Gramsci) Post materialism (Ronald Inglehart) Social capital (R. Putnam) Approaches to Studying Comparative Politics: Political Economy Underdevelopment Dependency Modernisation World Systems Theory Gendering Comparative Politics The Gender Lacuna in Comparative Politics Political Representation: Women in Government and Politics
(DSC-6): Introduction to International Relations: Theories, Concepts and Debates	What is IR and, its Contested Origins What is IR Reading the Big Bangs Bringing in De-colonial Accounts Understanding the genealogy of IR discipline in India Theories of IR Introduction to IR Theories Realpolitik (Kautilya)/ Realism/ Neo-Realism Liberalism/ Neo-liberalism Marxism/ Neo-Marxism Feminism Constructivism Concepts Power Sovereignty Empire International Order Exploring the Future Trajectories Global IR A Relational Turn?

Political Science Semester 3 Syllabus

Course	Units
(DSC-7): Political Theory: Concepts and Debates	Freedom: Liberty: Negative and Positive Freedom, Emancipation, Swaraj Debate: Free speech, expression and dissent Equality: Equality of opportunity and Equality of Outcome Egalitarianism: Background inequalities and differential treatment Debate: Affirmative action Justice: Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rawls and his critics Debate: Scope of Justice – National vs Global Rights: Rights: Natural, Moral and Legal Rights and Obligations Debate: Human Rights - Universalism or Cultural Relativism Democracy: Democracy: Idea and Practice Liberal Democracy and its critics Multiculturalism and Toleration Debate: Representation vs participation
(DSC-8): Ancient and Medieval Indian Political Thought	Foundations of Indian Political Thought: An Overview on Sources of Indian Political Thought Cultural and Territorial conception of India Distinctive Features of Indian Political Thought Manu: Authenticity of Manu smriti (Talking Point) Social Laws and Conception of Justice Brihaspati: Statecraft, Justice, Inter-state Relations Shukra/Usana: Talking Point: Debate on the authenticity of Shukra-Niti The Concept of Kingship and Statecraft in Shukra-Niti Kautilya: Theory of State Aggannasutta (DighaNikaya): Theory of kingship Tiruvalluvar: Ethical Life and Politics Basavanna Adi Shankracharya: Advaita Kabir and Guru Nanak: Syncretism Abu’lFazl: Monarchy
(DSC-9): Constitutional Government and Democracy in India	The Constituent Assembly and the Constitution Philosophy of the Constitution, the Preamble, and features of the Constitution. Citizenship, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles and Fundamental Duties Organs of Government The Legislature: Power and Functions of Parliament, Debates on Representation in Parliament. The Executive: Election, Power, Functions and the changing role of President and Prime Minister. The Judiciary: Appointment of Judges in High Courts and the Supreme Court, Power and Functions of High Courts and the Supreme Court. Federalism and Decentralization Centre-State Relations, Asymmetrical Federalism The Panchayats and Municipalities Constitutional Provisions and National Security Laws Emergency Provisions Preventive Detention and National Security Laws

Political Science Semester 4 syllabus

Course	Units
(DSC-10): Public Administration in India	Indian Administration: Structure of the Civil Services: Evolution Historical Legacy Civil Service in the Constitutional Framework; appointment training, promotion PMO, Cabinet Secretariat Major Initiatives in Administrative Reforms Decentralization and Local Self Governance: Meaning and Types: Rural and Urban PRIs and implementation of public policies Budget: Concept of Budget and Budget Cycle in India Types of Budget: Line Budget, Performance Planning Budget, Zero Based Budget Budget making: role of the Finance Ministry Technology and Public Administration in India: E-Governance: The Journey of E-Governance in India Models of E-Governance: Case-Study of Digital India Mission Social Welfare Policies: Education: Right to Education Health: National Health Mission Food: Right to Food Security Employment: MGNREGA Issues and Debates in Indian Administration: Ethics in Administration: Integrity vs. Corruption Accountability: RTI, Lokpal, Citizens’ Charter Relationship between Political Executive and Permanent Executive Generalists and Specialists Gender sensitivity and gender participation
(DSC-11): Concepts in Comparative Political Analysis	Socio-Economic Structures: Capitalism, Socialism, Colonialism and Neo-liberalism Discourses on Nationalism: Civic and Ethnic nationalisms, Ideological basis of anti-colonial nationalism (Gandhi, Mao, Frantz Fanon and Amilcar Cabral) Constitutionalism: Evolution of the idea of constitutionalism, post-colonial constitutionalism Federalism: Historical context Federation and Confederation: debates around territorial division of power State and Regime types: Capitalist, Welfare, Populist and Security state Electoral System: Definition and procedures: Types of electoral systems (First Past the Post, Proportional Representation, Mixed Representation Party System: Civic and Ethnic nationalisms, Ideological basis of anti-colonial nationalism (Gandhi, Mao, Frantz Fanon and Amilcar Cabral)
(DSC-12): Global Politics	Locating Global Politics Changing Nature of Global Politics Globalization to de-globalization, and post-globalization Geo-politics, Geo-economics, and Geo-strategy Territorialisation and De-territorialisation Cultural Frames of Global Politics Contemporary Global Issues Ecological Issues: Climate Change, and International Environmental Agreements Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in Post- Cold War Era Global Terrorism and Its Impact Migration Human Security Global Social Movements Environment Movements Women Movements Peace Movements

Political Science Semester 5 syllabus

Course	Units
(DSC-13): Western Political Philosophy - I	Text and Interpretation Antiquity Plato: Philosophy and Politics, Virtues, Justice, Philosopher King/Queen, Communism, Plato on Democracy, Women and Guardianship, Philosophic Education and Good Aristotle: Man as zoon politikon, State and Household, Citizenship, Justice, Virtue, Regimes Interlude: Machiavelli: Vice and Virtue, Power, Political ethics, Religion and morality, Republicanism, statecraft Possessive Individualism: Hobbes: Human nature, State of Nature, Social Contract and the role of consent, State and sovereignty Locke: Laws of Nature, Natural Rights, Consent, Justification of Property, Right to Resist, Toleration
(DSC-14): Modern Indian Political Thought	Understanding Modern Indian Political Thought Nation and Nationalism: Swami Vivekananda, Rabindranath Tagore and Gandhi State and Democracy: Jawaharlal Nehru, Deendayal Upadhyay, Ram Manohar Lohia, and Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar Rights: Rammohan Roy, Tarabai Shinde Swaraj: Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi Hindutva and Hinduism: Savarkar
(DSC-15): Political Process in India	Political Parties and the Party System: Political Parties: National and State Parties; Trends in the Party System: From the Congress System to ascendancy of Bhartiya Janata Party Elections and Electoral Processes: Electoral Process, Representation and social determinants of voting behaviour; Election Commission and Electoral Reforms Religion and Politics: Debates on Secularism and Communalism Caste and Politics: Caste in Politics and the Politicization of Caste; Intersectionality of Caste, Class and Gender, reservation and affirmative action policies Tribes and Politics: Policies and Challenges: Fifth and Sixth Schedules; Forest Rights Act; Development and Issues of Displacement Dimensions of the State in India: Welfare, Regulatory and Coercive

Political Science Semester 6 syllabus

Course	Units
(DSC-16): Public Policy	Introduction Formulation, implementation and evaluation Theories of Public Policy: Elite Theory, Group Theory, Incremental Theory Political System Theory, Public Process Theory Public Policy Design and Implementation: Policy Design: What, Who, How and Why (Michael Howlett), Herbert Simon Policy Monitoring: Tools and Techniques Policy Implementation, Decentralization and Local Government in Public Policy implementation State Capacity Building (Francis Fukuyama) Public Policy Evaluation Principles for evaluation Methods and Techniques of Evaluation Politics of Policy Normative analysis of policy issues The interrelationship between Business and Government Policy, Corporate Social Responsibility The interrelationship between Nongovernmental Organisations and Government Policy
(DSC-17): Comparative Political Systems	United Kingdom United States of America Brazil Russia China South Africa Israel
(DSC-18): India’s Foreign Policy: Challenges and Strategies	India’s Foreign Policy: As a postcolonial state: Sources of India’s Foreign Policy Theorizing India’s Foreign Policy Dimensions of India’s Foreign Policy: Domestic and International From Non-Alignment to Strategic Engagements in a Multipolar World India and the Changing Global Power Equations: India and the USA India and Russia India and China India in South Asia: Issues and Challenges: Issues: Land and boundary, Migration, and Refugee crisis Debating Regional Strategies: SAARC and BIMSTEC Challenges of India’s Foreign Policy in the Global Domain: Negotiating Styles and Strategies: Trade, Security and Climate Change India’s Engagements in Multilateral Forums: BRICS India as an Emerging Power: India in the Changing International Order Soft power diplomacy

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