(All rights reserved)
UNIVERSITY OF GHANA
DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
FIRST SEMESTER, 2019/2020
COURSE
OUTLINE AND READINGS
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COURSE
TITLE
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ANCIENT
AND MEDIEVAL POLITICAL THOUGHT
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COURSE
CODE
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POLI
341
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TIME
& VENUE
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MONDAYS
11.30AM-1.30PM JQB 14 (GROUP A)
FRIDAYS
7.30AM – 9.30AM NNB 3 (GROUP B)
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CREDITS
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3
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DESCRIPTION
OF COURSE
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The
course introduces students to the historical traditions of political theory
as they relate to contemporary political theory. It specifically provides a
historical and analytical study of political thought among the Ancient
Greeks, the Roman Empire and within the established church- the Holy Catholic
Church up to the Reformation. It ends with the rise of the modern
nation-state with Machiavelli as the prime thinker. At the end of the course,
students should have critical understanding of the main texts and ideas of
classical and medieval political theory, and the controversies surrounding
them. Though some historical context is provided, this is not a course in
history, but in political theory.
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OBJECTIVES
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The
Course will attempt to expose students to the long provenance of
contestations over political ideas, values, concepts and institutions. It
will so examine the centrality of place, history, society and context to the
articulation of political ideas, values, concepts and institutions
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LEARNING
OUTCOMES
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·
Improved critical and independent thinking among students via reading, reflection, critique, analysis and
synthesis and exercising the ability to contemplate from multiple and even
disparate lenses and frameworks.
·
Developed strong
communication skills, both verbal and written, through constant engagement
with assigned texts, participating vigorously in class discussions and self
-directed research, and class presentations either by individuals or groups.
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COURSE
REQUIREMENT
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There would be
13 weeks of Lectures (infused with multimedia if and when the technology in
the class effectively allows this).Students must endeavor to attend lectures
regularly. Course Preparation
Assignments (CPAs) are directed at ensuring that students read and
reflect (individually or in groups) on the texts and cases assigned for the
class and serve as preparation for class discussions. CPAs will involve write
ups on assigned texts and case reflections based on rubrics provided by the
instructor. These will be graded (in addition to other forms of assessments)
and be part of your 30% interim assessment. Pop Quizzes (unannounced in-class
tests) will be used as and when necessary. Sakai (the University of Ghana academic information portal) may
be used for posting reading materials, lists, announcements etc. There will
be extra curricula activities which students will be obliged to attend such
as conferences, seminars, workshops etc. This will be part of your grading.
These events will be duly announced and a record of attendance and participation
taken. Each student must
attend tutorials each week to be organized by tutorial assistants. Students
are advised to effectively participate in the discussions. It must be
emphasized that tutorials are not second lectures. Most of the reading
materials exist in the Department of Political Science Library and the Balme
Library. Some of the core readings are available in the General Office of the
Department of the Political Science, University of Ghana.
The Course will follow strictly the UG policy on support for students
with physical challenges and give them special attention and care as a matter
of priority. We expect students to help us in this undertaking.
COURSE DELIVERY SCHEDULE
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WEEK
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DATE
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LECTURE
TOPIC
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TUTORIALS
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VENUE
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ASSESSMENT
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1
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General
Overview
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JQB
14/ NNB 3
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2
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The
Nature and Scope of Political Theory
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JQB
14/ NNB 3
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3
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Greek
Political Institutions
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JQB
14/ NNB 3
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4
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Plato
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JQB
14/ NNB 3
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5
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Plato
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JQB
14/ NNB 3
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6
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Aristotle
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JQB
14/ NNB 3
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7
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Aristotle
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JQB
14/ NNB 3
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Interim
Assessment (30%)
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8
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Cicero
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JQB
14/ NNB 3
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9
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St.
Augustine
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JQB
14/ NNB 3
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10
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St.
Augustine
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JQB
14/ NNB 3
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11
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St.
Aquinas
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JQB
14/ NNB 3
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12
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Machiavelli
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JQB
14/ NNB 3
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13
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Machiavelli
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JQB
14/ NNB 3
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14
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REVISION
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15-17
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EXAMINATION
(70%)
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PLAGIARISM
POLICY
The integrity of the classes offered
by any academic institution solidifies the foundation of its mission and cannot
be sacrificed for expediency, ignorance, or blatant fraud. Therefore, rigorous
standards of academic integrity in all aspects and assignments of this course
will be enforced. For the detailed policy of the University of Ghana regarding
the definitions of acts considered to fall under academic dishonesty and
possible ensuing sanctions, please note that the University of Ghana has a Plagiarism Policy. In case you have any questions about possibly
improper research citations or references, or any other activity that may be
interpreted as an attempt at academic dishonesty, please see the lecturer before
the assignment is due to discuss the matter.
COURSE READINGS
J.S McClelland, A History of
Western Political Thought, (London: Routledge, 2002)
George H. Sabine, A History of
Political Theory, 4th edition, (New Delhi: Oxford& IBN
Publishing Co.PVT Ltd., 1973)
Mitchell Cohen and Nicole Fermon
(eds.), Princeton readings in political Thought: Essential Text since
Plato, (New Jersey: Princeton University press 1996)
Prangobinda Das, History of
Political Thought, (Calcutta: Central, 2001)
Thucydides, History of Peloponnesian
war, Translated by Rex Warner, (New York: Penguin Books Ltd, 1972), Book
II, sections 33-66, Books III, sections 36-50, 69-85; Book V, sections 48-116)
Plato, The Republic, A New
Translation Robin Waterfield,(New York: Oxford University Press, 1993)
McDonald L. Cameron, Western
Political Thought, Part 1 Ancient and Medieval, (New York: Harcourt Brace
Jovanovich Inc., 1968)
Forsters M.B, Masters of
Political Thought Plato to Machiavelli, (New York: the Riverside
Press 1941)
Aristotle, The Politics,
Translated by T. A Sinclair, (London Penguin Books, 1962)
Aristotle, The Politics,
Translated by Lord Carnes, (Chicago: The Chicago University Press, 1984)
Aquinas: Selected Political
Writings, edited with Introduction by A.P D’ entreves, (Oxford Basil
Blackwell Publishers Ltd, 1959)
Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince,
Translated by George Bull, (New York: Penguin Books, 2003
John Plamenatz, Man and Society,
(New York: Longman Group Ltd., 1963)
ASSESSMENT
5.
There will be mid-semester and final
examinations. The distribution of the marks is as follows:
Mid-term
Assessment = 30%
Final
Examination = 70%
Total
=100%
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