BA (Hons) in Political Science and International Relations
SYLLABUS
First year – Semester One
PSC1101- Introduction to Political Studies
- Political Science
- Political Theory
- Political Philosophy
- Islamic Politics
PSC1102- Sri Lankan Politics
- Constitutional Changes
- State Reforms
- Power Sharing Processes
PSC1103- Iran & Persia
- The Political Thought and Political System in Iran
- Islamic & Persian Civilization
PSC1104- Religion
PSC1105- English – 1&II
First year – Semester Two
PSC1201- International Relations
- Introduction – Theories
- Issues in World Politics After 1945
- International and Regional Organizations
PSC1202- Developing Countries & Middle-East
- Political, Social & Economic Issues in the Developing Countries
- Geo-Politics and the Socio-Political Reforms in the Middle East
- Globalization and the Modern Political development in the Middle-East
PSC1203- Politics of Climate Change
PSC1204- Mysticism and Ethics
PSC1205- Arabic Grammar
- Primary
- Intermediate
- Advance
Second year – Semester One
PSC2101- Introduction to Political Psychology, Political Sociology and Political Anthropology
PSC2102- Introduction to Politics of South Asian Countries
PSC2103-Research Methodology in Political Science
PSC2104- International Law, Political Law & Legal System
PSC2105- Cultural and Academic Management
Second year – Semester Two
PSC2201-Introduction to Bio-Politics
PSC2202- War, Peace and Conflict Resolution
PSC2203- Philosophy & Logic
PSC2204- Principles of Jurisprudence
PSC2205- Exegesis of the Quran – 1 & II
Third Year – Semester One
PSC3101-Political Thought
- Political Thought in the 21st Century
- Religious Political Thought
PSC3102- Public Policy and Public Administration
PSC3103- Foreign Policy & Diplomacy
- Foreign Policy of Major Powers
- Foreign Policy of Sri Lanka
- Diplomacy and Contemporary Strategic Issues
- Diplomatic Relations in Islam
PSC3104– Hadith
PSC3105– Theology – I & II
Third year – Semester Two
PSC3201-Approaches to Comparative Politics
PSC3202-Contemporary Political and Social Movements
PSC3203- Political & Ideological Revolution
- Theories
- Marxism after Marx
PSC3204- Jurisprudence I & II
PSC3205- Thesis
PSC1101
Introduction to Political Studies
Course Code : PSC1101
Recommended Study Year : First Year
No. of Credits : 4
Mode of Tuition : Lecture/ Group work/ Tutorial Class
Discipline : Political Science
Aims:
This course is a general understanding of Political Science, Political Theory and Political Philosophy. Students are not required to have any background in the discipline and, in fact, the course is designed to introduce some basic concepts, approaches and theories in Political Science. This curse is important that it provides the foundation for future studies in the field. It intends to promote students’ appreciation of the role of politics in daily life and why it is important to get involved in exercising their responsibilities and duties as a global citizen.
Learning outcomes:
On completing this course, successful students will be able to:
- Understand political issues better with the concepts, theories and perspectives learned from the course; and
- Analyze critically political processes and evaluate events in local, national and international politics; and
- Compare and contrast various political ideologies and forms of government and governance; and
- Communicate political issues clearly and effectively in group work and individually, in oral as well as written forms.
Assessment of Learning Outcomes:
Assignments 50%
Final Exam 50%
Recommended Reading
- Agarwal, R.C., 1986. Political Theory – Principles of Political Science. New Delhi.
- Grigsby, Ellen. 2011. Analyzing Politics: An Introduction to Political Science, Fifth Edition. Wadsworth Publishing.
- Ishiyama, J. T., & Breuning, M. (2011). 21st century political science: A reference handbook. Thousand Oaks, Calif: SAGE Publications.
- J.C. 2014. Principles of Modern Political Science. New Delhi. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
- A.C. 2014. Principles of Political Science. New Delhi, S. Chand Company PVT. LTD.
- A., 2004. Political Theory, An Introduction. New York. Palgrave Macmillan
- Gerald F. Gaus &Chandran Kukathas., 2004. Handbook of Political Theory. Thousand Oaks, Calif: SAGE Publications.
- J, Honig. B & Phillips. A, 2008. The Oxford Handbook of Political Theory. Oxford Handbooks
- G, Turner, S 2011 Routledge International Handbook of Contemporary Social and Political Theory, , Routledge,
- L, 2002. Thinking Politics; Perspectives in ancient, modern and postmodern political theory. Second Edition New York Chatham House Publishers
- J, 1997. Political Philosophy. Boulder. Westview
- G, 1987, Political Philosophy. New Jersey. Prentice Hall
- Kavka, G, 1986, Hobbesian Moral and Political Theory. Princeton, Princeton University Press.
- J. 1992, Political Obligation. New Jersey, Humanities Press
- Barry, B. 1989, Theories of Justice. Berkeley, University of California Press
- D. 2002, Democracy. Massachusetts, Blackwell.
- Beitz, C. 1979, Political Theory and International Relations, Princeton, Princeton University Press.
- Abdul Rauf, M. 1988. The concept of Islamic State: With Particular Reference to Treatment of Non-Muslim Citizens. Kuala Lumpur. Islamic Affairs Division, Prime Minister’s Dept.
- Abu Sulayman. A. 1987. The Islamic Theory of International Relations: New Directions for Islamic Methodology and Thought. The International Institute of Islamic Thought.
- M. 1982. Islamic Political System in the Modern Age: Theory and Practice, Karachi. Saad
- T.W. 1965. The Caliphate, London. Routledge & Kegan Paul
- M. 1980. The Principles of State and Government in Islam, Gibraltar. Dar al- Andalus.
- W. T. 1978. Theories of Political System. New Jersey. Prentice Hall
PSC1101- Introduction to Political Studies
Sample Exam Paper
Political Science
- (i) Define briefly what is state and the elements of state?
- Is Political Science, a science?
- Discuss the relationship between Political Science and three other social Sciences?
- Briefly define four of the following concepts
Government, Civil Society, Power, Rule of Law, Citizenship, Nation
- Is Sri Lanka a Democratic Country? Discuss your views
Political Theory
- Compare and contrast Liberalism and Marxism
- Briefly discuss three of the following
i. Freedom
ii. Equality
iii. Rights
- Briefly explain how the following theories explain the origin and historical development of state
Devine Right Theory, Evolutionary Theory, Social Contract Theory, Marxist Theory, Liberalism
- What is theory and how is this helpful to understand your field of study?
Political Philosophy
- What is political philosophy? Briefly discuss the problems of political philosophy?
- Discuss what is political obligation and its problems
- Briefly explain justice in Political Philosophy
- How do you justify Democracy?
Islamic Politics
- Write a brief essay about the historical development of Islamic state
- Briefly explain two of the following
- The Islamic legal Order
- The Islamic Social Order
- The Islamic Political Order
- Accountability in Islam
- Compare and contrast the religious state and secular state
- Write an essay on the topic of Islam and Democracy