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UNIVERSITY OF GHANA

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

FIRST SEMESTER, 2021/2022

 

LECTURERS: PROF RANSFORD GYAMPO (revgyampo@ug.edu.gh) &

DR. LLOYD AMOAH (lgamoah@ug.edu.gh)

 

 

 

COURSE OUTLINE AND READINGS

COURSE TITLE	ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL POLITICAL THOUGHT
COURSE CODE	POLI 341
TIME & VENUE	MONDAYS 11.30AM-1.30PM JQB 14 (GROUP A)   TUESDAYS 7.30AM – 9.30AM JQB 22 (GROUP B)
CREDITS	3
DESCRIPTION OF COURSE	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.
OBJECTIVES	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
LEARNING OUTCOMES	·         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.
COURSE REQUIREMENT	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
WEEK	DATE	LECTURE TOPIC	TUTORIALS	VENUE	ASSESSMENT
1		General Overview		JQB 14/ NNB 3
2		The Nature and Scope of Political Theory		JQB 14/ NNB 3
3		Greek Political Institutions		JQB 14/ NNB 3
4		Plato		JQB 14/ NNB 3
5		Plato		JQB 14/ NNB 3
6		Aristotle		JQB 14/ NNB 3
7		Aristotle		JQB 14/ NNB 3	Interim Assessment (30%)
8		Cicero		JQB 14/ NNB 3
9		St. Augustine		JQB 14/ NNB 3
10		St. Augustine		JQB 14/ NNB 3
11		St. Aquinas		JQB 14/ NNB 3
12		Machiavelli		JQB 14/ NNB 3
13		Machiavelli		JQB 14/ NNB 3
14	REVISION
15-17	EXAMINATION (70%)

 

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, 4^th 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%