Political Theory

Second year, second semester course, four lectures per week and at least eight tutorials.

All political activities depend on ideas, assumptions and arguments. Often these are taken over uncritically from the conventions of our time and place. Political theory begins when these ideas and assumptions are critically examined and made to fit together into a consistent whole. This course introduces students to the process through which political ideas and assumptions are formed, and how they come to be challenged and replaced by others, beginning with the invention of politics in the ancient Greek city-state, continuing through the emergence of the modern nation-state and into the present. It deals with classical theorists from the Western tradition and major figures in Third World resistance to European domination. It aims to enable students to analyse original texts for themselves, and to locate their own ideas within a larger historical process.

DP requirements: Completion of all written assignments and essays is a requirement for a DP. Should students fail to hand in written assignments by due date, they will be penalised according to the grading formula of the Department. All required work for DP purposes MUST be submitted by the last day of the course.

Assessment: Coursework counts 50%; final two-hour examination counts 50%.