NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY TRIPURA MASTER OF LAWS

(LL.B.)
COURSE OUTLINE: INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE
2023-24

NATIONALLAWUNIVERSITY TRIPURA

COURSE OUTLINE
SEMESTER II: BA LLB (H)

“Contemporary Ideas and Ideologies”

COURSE INSTRUCTOR: Dr Dipikanta Chakraborty

Course designed by: Dr Dipikanta Chakraborty, Assistant Professor, NLUT 1

 NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY TRIPURA MASTER OF LAWS
(LL.B.)
COURSE OUTLINE: INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE
2023-24

COURSE DISCREPTION

Political Science is the oldest discipline, having originated since the time immemorial. Though,
Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) the father of Political Science, gave birth to this vast subject but it had
been practiced even before that in different corner of the world. The subject had further been
flourished by the thinkers. Whereas Hegel contributed in the idealist formation of the state, Karl
Marx unfolded the materialist aspect of Political Science. The legal nature of the subject was
again honed by the thinkers like Jeremy Bentham, and TH Green. In addition to that, the
contemporary thinkers like David Easton, John Rawls, Robert Nozick, Michael Sandal, Noam
Chomsky have brought the empiricism and quantification in Political Science.

Political Science, being the mother subject in Social Science is embracing all the changes that
effect the political environment. Other than its core branches like International Relation, Public
Administration, Comparative Politics and Human Rights, it is also encouraging the
interdisciplinary fields without digressing its commitment towards finding legality of states and
Constitutionalism. Now a day, Political Theory expands its field of enquiry, dealing with
Psychology, Environment, Sociology, Geo-psychology and many more. The subject discusses
power relations, nature of authority and legitimacy and its influence in the dialectic triad of
individual, society and state. The Course discusses the origin and context of Law and its
interaction in political society.

Course Objective:

With the broader objective to understand the emerging ideas, especially in the field of
contemporary Social Science, the course focuses on the following objectives:

1. The objective of this course is to provide students a foundational understanding of politics

in relation the contemporary ideologies.
2. To understand the significance of theorizing and of applying theory into practice like-
Structuralism, post-Structuralism, Modernism, Feminism, Critical Theory,
Multiculturalism, Relativism, Ethnocentrism etc.
3. To apply interdisciplinary approaches for the cognition of power relations.
4. To develop leadership skills, encouraging students for critical debates on contemporary
social and political ideas.

Course Learning Outcomes:

Course designed by: Dr Dipikanta Chakraborty, Assistant Professor, NLUT 2

 NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY TRIPURA MASTER OF LAWS
(LL.B.)
COURSE OUTLINE: INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE
2023-24

After reading the course, the learner would -

 Understand the nature of politics, its practical dimensions
 Understand the various traditions and approaches of political ideology and appreciate how
they get reflected in organizing social living

 Articulate their own positions in a clear, coherent and logical manner concerning the theories,
concepts and debates covered in this course.

 Develop competence to use authentic e-resources academically and develop skills of

academic writing and presentation

TEACHING PEDAGODY:

 Lectures
 Discussions
 Random Questioning
 Case Study
 Viva Voce
 Presentations
 Random Examples

EXPECTATION FROM STUDENTS

Students should inevitably adhere to the followings:

 Read, study and think/write about the assigned materials thoroughly;
 Know the materials well enough that you can give a summary if called upon to do so;
 Be familiar with, and reflect on, the argument that the opinions give to justify;
 Their application to the practical social issues and
 Think critically and reflectively.
 Be attentive and opinionated but not argumentative regarding the topics taught
 Recognize, analyze, synthesize and evaluate information;
 Explore alternative arguments that better resolve the controversies in this area;
 Demonstrate effective communication in oral and written English language and visual
media
 Work on problems assigned to a small group with your group
 Be prepare for the mandatory class test after the completion of one module

READINGS
The students are expected to read, understand and keep up with the
reading assignments throughout the semester. The readings at this level
require in-depth reading and studying. The required materials cover the
basic material in the form of essential readings outlined in each module.
Course designed by: Dr Dipikanta Chakraborty, Assistant Professor, NLUT 3
 NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY TRIPURA MASTER OF LAWS
(LL.B.)
COURSE OUTLINE: INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE
2023-24

However, students may find themselves needing additional information

and therefore, we have identified recommended reference materials also.
Students are expected to read essential material prior to class.
EVALUATION SYSTEM
The examination system of the University promotes continuous review
and ensures transparent evaluation methods. To get good grades, you
will need to do well over a period of time and not once or twice. In
order to promote transparency and objectivity, detailed evaluation
report of project assignments and answer scripts will be given to
students for their perusal. The assessment strategy for this paper is
designed to assess knowledge, skills and understanding in a specialist
area of legal theory and to allow students to develop cognizance on
the origin, development, and application of law in the broader
political landscape.

S. No. Assessment Mode [Internal] Marks

1 Mid-Semester Exam 25

2 End Semester Exam 45

3 Project (includes 20 marks for the project and 10 marks 25 (15+10)

for presentation)

4 Attendance 5

ASSIGNMENT
Students will work collectively on a group assignment. Each student will
work on a particular topic assigned to him/her. The research paper would
consist of following segments:
• Ethnocentrism

Course designed by: Dr Dipikanta Chakraborty, Assistant Professor, NLUT 4

 NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY TRIPURA MASTER OF LAWS
(LL.B.)
COURSE OUTLINE: INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE
2023-24

• Religious Extremism
• Identity Politics
• Cultural Relativism
• Feminism

End semester examination (50 marks):

At the end of the semester student will appear (Subject to the rules of
attendance) in End-Term exam for two and half hours and of 50 marks. Students
are strongly advised to read the literature and leading cases from the report
which would enable them to understand the emerging ideologies in
contemporary era in the exams as most of the questions will be problem based.
Students are required to exhibit application and interpretation of knowledge; in
cognition with the present global scenario.

Course designed by: Dr Dipikanta Chakraborty, Assistant Professor, NLUT 5

 NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY TRIPURA MASTER OF LAWS
(LL.B.)
COURSE OUTLINE: INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE
2023-24

ACADEMIC HONESTY

Plagiarism and Cheating are strictly prohibited. Plagiarism is defined as taking or

using the thoughts, writings, or inventions of another without acknowledging
him/her. It also means using direct quotations without quotation marks, as well as
using the ideas of another without proper credit. Ask your instructor when in doubt.
Cheating is defined as any intent to deceive the instructor in his or her effort to
grade fairly. Anything that can possibly effect the fairness of grading is cheating,
which I interpret to include any collaborative, mischievous, or disruptive behaviour.
In this course, pay special attention to gleaning information off the Internet, and do
NOT pass it off as your own, or without proper citation. Learn to paraphrase ideas
in your own words. Do not purchases, borrow, or revise another student's work. Do
not "double dip" an assignment you did in another class to turn it in for this one.
Students, indulging in such activities shall be punished according to University
rules.

LECTURE PLAN

Modules Lecture Hours[65]

CONTEMPORARY IDEOLOGIES 10 HOURS

FEMINISM 12 HOURS

MODERNISM 10 HOURS

STURCTURALISM 10 HOURS

MULTICULTURALISM 12 HOURS

CRITICAL THEORY 11 HOURS

Course designed by: Dr Dipikanta Chakraborty, Assistant Professor, NLUT 6

 NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY TRIPURA MASTER OF LAWS
(LL.B.)
COURSE OUTLINE: INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE
2023-24

COURSE CONTENT
MODULE ONE: CONTEMPORARY IDEOLOGIES

1. Introduction to ideology
2. Difference between Ideology and Theory
3. Nature of Ideology
4. End of ideology debate
5. Ideological power and Totalitarianism
6. Ideologies at the age of Globalisation
7. Test

MODULE TWO: FEMINISM

1. General Overview
2. History of Feminism
3. Kinds of Feminism
4. Sexism
5. Subaltern studies of Feminism
6. How Media depicts Feminism
7. Feminism in India
8. Potrayal of Women in Indian Media
9. Test

MODULE THREE: MODERNISM

1. General Overview
2. Meaning of MODERNISM
3. Modernism, Modernity and Modernisation
4. Major Arguments of Modernism
5. From Modernism to post- Modernism
6. Post-modern State
7. Post- Modernism in Globalised World
8. Green Theory
9. Eco-modernisation

Course designed by: Dr Dipikanta Chakraborty, Assistant Professor, NLUT 7

 NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY TRIPURA MASTER OF LAWS
(LL.B.)
COURSE OUTLINE: INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE
2023-24

10. Group Discussion

MODULE FOUR: STURCTURALISM

1. Structuralism: Nature and Origin

2. Structuralism: Major arguments
3. Marxism and Structuralism
4. Theory of ‘core’ and ‘periphery'
5. Relevance of Structuralism
6. Post-structuralism as political philosophy
7. Post-structural interpretation of power
8. Test

MODULE FIVE: MULTICULTURALISM

1. Multiculturalism: overview
2. Evolution of Multiculturalism
3. Types of Multiculturalism
4. Challenges to Multiculturalism
5. Cultural relativism
6. Politics of identity
7. Nationalism under Multiculturalism
8. Multiculturalism in India
9. Religious Extremism
10. Test

MODULE SIX: CRITICAL THEORY

1. General Overview
2. Origin and Nature

Course designed by: Dr Dipikanta Chakraborty, Assistant Professor, NLUT 8

 NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY TRIPURA MASTER OF LAWS
(LL.B.)
COURSE OUTLINE: INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE
2023-24

3. Critical theory of Gramsci

4. Critical theory of Robert. Cox
5. Test

Course designed by: Dr Dipikanta Chakraborty, Assistant Professor, NLUT 9

 NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY TRIPURA MASTER OF LAWS
(LL.B.)
COURSE OUTLINE: INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE
2023-24

 Wolff, J. (2006). An Introduction to Political Philosophy. New York: Oxford University Press.

 Heywood, A. (2015). Political Theory: An Introduction. Palgrave Macmillan.

 Gauba, O. (2021). An Introduction to Political Theory. Macmillan.

 Paul Graham, J. H. (2022). Introduction to Political Theory. Routledge.

RECOMMENDED READINGS:

Althusser, L. (1971). Ideology and ideological state apparatuses. In L. Althusser, Lenin and philosophy and
other essays. New York: Monthly Review Press.

Beck, D. B. (1998). The "F" Word: How the Media Frame Feminism. NWSA Journal , 139-153.

Finlayson, A. (2003). Contemporary Political Thought. Edinburg University Press.

Gauba, O. (2021). An Introduction to Political Theory. Macmillan.

Gaus, G. (2000). Political Concepts and Political Theories. Avlon Publishing.

Ghosal, S. G. (2005). MAJOR TRENDS OF FEMINISM IN INDIA. The Indian Journal of Political Science , 793-
812.

Graham, J. H. (2021). Introduction to Political Theory. United Kingdom: Routledge.

Held, D. (1991). Political Theory Today. Stanford University Press.

Heywood, A. (2019). Politics. Red Globe , 3-22.

Heywood, A. (1994). Political Ideas and Concepts. Palgrave Macmillan.

Heywood, A. (2015). Political Theory: An Introduction. Palgrave Macmillan.

Kurth, J. (1992). The Post-Modern State. The National Interest , 26–35.

Course designed by: Dr Dipikanta Chakraborty, Assistant Professor, NLUT 10

 NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY TRIPURA MASTER OF LAWS
(LL.B.)
COURSE OUTLINE: INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE
2023-24

Steger, M. B. (2013). Political Ideologies in the Age of Globalization. In M. Freeden, & M. Stears, The
Oxford Handbook of Political Ideologies (pp. 214–231). Oxford Academic.

Susskind, J. (2018). Future Politics. UK: Oxford University Press.

Walzer, M. (2008). Spheres Of Justice: A Defense Of Pluralism And Equality. United States: Basic Books.

Wolff, J. (2006). An Introduction to Political Philosophy. New York: Oxford University Press.

Wish you a good luck!

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Course designed by: Dr Dipikanta Chakraborty, Assistant Professor, NLUT 11