Modern Political Thought Syllabus

We are playing catch-up and I have chosen to use this blog for purposes of our HPOL 211 Modern Political Thought

Below is out syllabus:

Department of Political Studies and International Relations

Course: HPOL 211 Modern Political Thought/Theory
Instructor: Dr. Ridwan Laher
Office: G06
Telephone: 018 389-2463
Email: Ridwan.Laher@nwu.ac.za

Course Description

This course is an introduction to the study of modern political theory. Students will be exposed to a comprehensive selection of contemporary issues in modern political theory. A significant section of the course is focused on the application of political theory to the African context in what is often referred to as the post-colonial moment.

Course Outcomes

Students will become familiar with the body of literature used in political theory
Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the purpose of theory and the various theoretical approaches
Students will be equipped to apply political theories to the critical analysis of contemporary issues in global and regional politics

Delivery Modes

• Contact through class lectures
• Selected presentations of case studies
• Peer learning through group activities

Assessment

• 2 take-home assignments 40%
• Mandatory attendance 10%
• Final Examination 50%

Course Outline

• Introduction to the study of Political Theory. What is political theory?
• Political authority and obligation. The Social Contract and consent.
• Situating the Nation-State. Legitimacy and Sovereignty.
• Democracy. Liberty and rights.
• Freedom, toleration and equality.
• Human rights.
• Race, Gender, Class, and multiculturalism
• The Postcolonial Critique
• Frantz Fanon: The Wretched of the Earth.
• Steve Biko: I Write What I Like.
• Conclusion: Political theory and the post-apartheid moment.

Required Core Texts

Fanon, Frantz. Wretched of the Earth. Grove Press: USA and Canada, 1963
Biko, Steve and A. Stubbs (editor). I Write What I Like University of Chicago Press: Chicago, 2001.

Related Reading

Desai, Gaurav and Supriya Nair. Postcolonialisms: An Anthology of Cultural Theory and Criticism. Rutgers University Press: New Jersey, 2005.
Satre, Jean Paul. Colonialism and Neocolonialism. Routledge: London and New York, 2001.

Please Note

You are expected to attend all classes. Students who miss more than a week (2 classes) will automatically lose 10% of their semester mark. Absences due to medical emergencies/illness or death of a relative require official documentation. Please arrive on time for all classes, turn off your cell phone, and take detailed notes during lectures. You are expected to keep current with all readings and assignment dates. The content of the 2 assignments and their due dates will be discussed in class.

Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Please do not take the chance of merely copying material from the Internet or elsewhere for your class assignments. Plagiarism will result in the allocation of zero points for the assignment(s) concerned.