course_outline_govt_1001_2012-_2013

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THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES

ST. AUGUSTINE

DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCES

GOVT 1001 - INTRODUCTION TO POLITICS II

COURSE OUTLINE SEMESTER 2 2012/2013

Lecturer : Dr. Hamid GhanyContact : 1-868-662-2002 Ext. No. 82403

Email Address : [email protected]

Room Number : Faculty of Social Sciences Office

Office Hours : Monday 4pm – 6pm

Wednesday 3pm-5pm

Lecturer : Mr. Maukesh BasdeoContact : 1-868-662-2002 Ext. No. 83850

Email Address : [email protected]

Room Number : Faculty of Social Sciences Office

Office Hours : Wednesday 12noon-2pm

Monday 5pm – 7pm

This course is intended to introduce students to a basic understanding of the structure and

processes of modem politics. The course is mainly designed to provide students with an

awareness of political ideas and concepts based on the writings of a variety of thinkers and

philosophers. However, it also addresses important political issues related to electoral systems

and American, British and Commonwealth Caribbean systems of government.

As such students are expected to develop a basic knowledge of:

(a) Primary concepts and theories associated with the discipline of political science

(b) Some of the Political Systems in the world, their similarities and differences



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(c) Central issues of Politics in the Caribbean and globally

In addition this course aims at strengthening students’ ability to think out political and other

affairs for themselves. Students are encouraged to recognize and reject prejudices, blind

partisanship and dogma of all types. Hence, the lectures, tutorials and examinations are

designed to develop powers of analysis, evaluation and civic engagement in students.

Students will be expected to use their own initiative in getting their readings and they should

also be prepared to utilize other readings outside of the course outline where necessary. The

course is designed to elucidate and analyse the following areas:

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of the Semester students should:

A] Be conversant with concepts and theories in the study of Politics

B] Have a critical appreciation of the value of Political analysis

C] Have a conceptual grasp of the different types of ideologies that exist

D] Be able to apply concepts and theory to an empirical study of the Caribbean

METHOD OF TEACHING

Teaching will be by way of weekly three hours lectures utilising PowerPoint slides. The actual

slides used in the weekly lectures will not be made available. However, a summary of each

topic will be made available on the student portal. Therefore, students are advised to attend

classes.

EXAMANIATION

SECTION II

GENERAL EXAMINATION REGULATIONS

19. Any candidate who has been absent from the University for a prolonged period

during the teaching of a particular course for any reason other than illness or whose

attendance at prescribed lectures, classes, practical classes, tutorials, or clinical

instructions has been unsatisfactory or who has failed to submit essays or other

exercises set by his/her teachers, may be debarred by the relevant Academic Board, on

the recommendation of the relevant Faculty Board, from taking any University



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examinations. The procedures to be used shall be prescribed in Faculty Regulations.

PLEASE NOTE THAT STUDENTS WHO DO NOT ATTEND AT LEAST 75% OF THEIR

TUTORIAL SESSIONS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO WRITE THE FINAL EXAMINATION

MID –TERM EXAMINATION

There will be a mid-term examination based on the multiple-choice method that will be

conducted online. This mid-term examination will count for 25% of the final mark.

FINAL EXAMANIATION

Students will be evaluated via a final exam which will account for 75% of their final mark.

Students will be asked to answer two questions, one from Section A and one from Section B.

The final exam paper will include six questions and will be drawn from the overall course outline.

MARKING CRITERIA

The following criteria are for guidance only, and do not preclude the need for the application of

sensible discretion by examiners.

A+ Exceptional 86%-100%

An exceptional answer to the question

• Clear, sharply focused and incisive argument displaying outstanding skill in elucidating

concepts, conducting analysis and marshalling evidence.

• Shows outstanding knowledge of the topic and associated literature, a well expressed

and highly sophisticated understanding, and an ability to fully integrate one’s own

approach within the wider literature.

• Outstanding quality of analysis and approach is maintained consistently throughout the

entirety of the piece of assessed work.

• Displays originality in handling the problem, with an exceptional degree of insight and

independent thought.

• Excellent literary style and presentation, including economy of expression, and very

good grammar and punctuation.



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A 70%-85%

An outstanding answer to the question

• Clear, sharply focused and incisive argument displaying outstanding skill in elucidating


• Shows a comprehensive knowledge of the topic and associated literature, a well

expressed and highly sophisticated understanding, and an ability to integrate one’s own

approach within the wider literature.

• Excellent quality of analysis and approach is maintained consistently throughout the

piece of assessed work.

• Displays originality in handling the problem, with an outstanding degree of insight and

independent thought.

• Excellent literary style and presentation, including economy of expression, and very


A- 67%-69%

An excellent answer to the question

• Clear, sharply focused and incisive argument displaying impressive skill in elucidating


• Shows a very wide knowledge of the topic and associated literature, a well expressed

and sophisticated understanding, and negligible errors and omissions.

• Very high quality of analysis and approach is maintained consistently throughout the

majority of the piece of assessed work.

• Displays originality in handling the problem.

• Excellent literary style and presentation, including economy of expression, and good

grammar and punctuation.

B+ 63%-66%

A very good answer to the question

• Clear, well-focused and logical argument displaying skill in elucidating concepts,

conducting analysis and marshalling evidence.

• Shows evidence of reading in breadth and depth, sound understanding and minimal

errors and omissions.

• Adopts a thoughtful, non-standard approach in handling the problem.

• Effective literary style and presentation, including adequate economy of expression, and



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B 60%-62%

A good answer to the question

• Clear, well-focused and logical argument displaying skill in elucidating concepts,

conducting analysis and marshalling evidence.

• Shows evidence of reading in breadth and depth, with signs of sound understanding and

minimal errors and omissions.

• Adopts a thoughtful and appropriate approach in handling the problem.

• Effective literary style and presentation, including adequate economy of expression, and

acceptable grammar and punctuation.

B- 57%-59%

A solid answer to the question

• Reasonably clear, fairly well focused and generally coherent argument displaying some

skill in elucidating concepts, conducting analysis and marshalling evidence.

• Shows familiarity with the main sources, with signs of a satisfactory grasp of the main

points, few errors and omissions, and minimal padding.

• Adopts an acceptable but rather standard approach in handling the problem.

• Adequate literary style and presentation, including reasonable economy of expression,

and generally acceptable grammar and punctuation.

C+ 53%-56%

An adequate answer to the question

• Somewhat vague, ill-focused and/or inconsistent argument nevertheless displaying

some skill in elucidating concepts, conducting analysis and marshalling evidence.

• Shows evidence of reading of the main sources, but some of the main points poorly

understood, some significant errors and omissions, and/or some padding.

• Approach in handling the problem either quite routine or compromised by uneven

understanding.

• Weak literary style and/or presentation, possibly including clumsy expression, and some

unacceptable errors or grammar and punctuation.



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C 50%-52%

A poor answer to the question.

• Unclear, ill-focused and/or illogical argument nevertheless displaying some skill in

elucidating concepts, conducting analysis and marshalling evidence.

• Shows some evidence of reading or other learning but only limited understanding of the

issues raised, with some major errors and omissions, and/or significant padding.

• Approach in handling the problem not completely unsound but superficial and flawed by

limited understanding.

• Poor literary style and/or presentation, probably including clumsy expression, and many

unacceptable errors of grammar and punctuation.

C- 47%-49%)

A minimal answer to the question

• Unclear, unfocused and/or illogical argument displaying only minimal skill in elucidating


• Shows some evidence of reading or other learning but poor understanding of the issues

raised, with many errors and omissions, and/or significant padding.

• Approach in handling the problem largely unsound on account of carelessness or lack of

essential information.

• Poor literary style and/or presentation, including clumsy expression, and many


D+ 43%-46%

A poor answer to the question

• Very limited, unclear, unfocused and/or illogical argument displaying no skill in

elucidating concepts, conducting analysis or marshalling evidence.

• Shows some evidence of very limited reading or other learning but poor understanding

of the issues raised, with many errors and omissions, and/or significant padding.



• Very poor literary style and/or presentation, including clumsy expression, and many




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D 40% - 42%

A very poor answer to the question

• Very limited, unclear, unfocused and/or illogical argument displaying no skill in

elucidating concepts, conducting analysis or marshalling evidence.

• Shows some evidence of very limited reading or other learning but poor understanding

of the issues raised, with many errors and omissions, and/or significant padding.





Fail less than 40%

Poor fail 30%-39%

A mostly irrelevant answer to the question

• Almost total absence of argument and/or mostly irrelevant to the topic.

• Shows no evidence of reading or other learning displays very poor understanding of the

issues raised and consists mainly of errors and/or considerable padding.

• Approach in handling the problem unsound on account of carelessness or lack of



unacceptable errors of grammar and punctuation, and/or of very short length.

Extremely Poor Fail 0%-29%

A completely irrelevant answer to the question

• Absence of argument and/or irrelevant to the topic.

• Shows no evidence of reading or other learning, displays no understanding of the issues

raised and consists mainly of errors and/or considerable padding.

• Approach in handling the problem unsound on account of carelessness or lack of



unacceptable errors of grammar and punctuation, making it incomprehensible, and/or of

very short length.



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Students must attend examinations as scheduled by the University’s Examinations Office.

Exam timetables will be published prior to each examination period. You may access this via the

Student Portal. Exam timetables will also be posted on Faculty notice boards.

READING LIST

It is essential for those who wish to do well in this course to read widely and to use the

resources of the library creatively and extensively. A short reading list is suggested, with copies

of most of the volumes listed available in the bookstore and in the library. However, in case of

the unavailability of any of these books, it is strongly advised that the many alternatives, which

are available in the library be used for essay and exam preparation.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Ponton & Gill - Introduction to Politics

Terence Ball & Richard Dagger - Political Ideologies and the Democratic Ideal

Ebenstein & Ebenstein - Introduction to Political Thinkers


Ball and Dagger – Political Ideologies and the Democratic Ideal



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1. CLASSICAL THINKERS: Plato & Aristotle

(a) Plato's ideas on the construction and governance of a State.

(b) Aristotle's theories of systems of government.

Readings:Ebenstein & Ebenstein - Introduction to Political Thinkers

Sabine & Thorson - History of Political Theory

Plato - The Republic

Aristotle - The Politics

Geraint Williams - Political Theory in Retrospect

David Thomson (ed.) - Political Ideas


Tutorial Topic: What factors, for Plato and Aristotle, were critical in theconstruction of a state?

2. THEORIES OF THE STATE: Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Jean-Jacques

Rousseau

(a) Hobbes' Leviathan

(b) Locke's Fiduciary Trust

(c) Rousseau's General Will

Readings:



Thomas Hobbes - The Leviathan

John Locke - Two Treatises on Government

Jean-Jacques Rousseau - The Social Contract



Iain Hampsher-Monk - A History of Modern Political Thought


Tutorial Topic: Examine and discuss the views of Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau

on the subject of the state of nature and the civil state.



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3. EDMUND BURKE AND CONSERVATISM

(a) Counter- revolution

(b) History and Tradition

(c) Moral Values

(d) Status Quo vs. Change

Readings:

Edmund Burke - Reflections on the Revolution in France





John Plamenatz - Man and Society, Vol.1


Tutorial Topic: Examine and discuss the importance of history and tradition in

Burke's political thought.

4. KARL MARX, V.I. LENIN AND COMMUNISM

(a) Influences on Marx

(b) Class struggle and class consciousness

(c) Stages of history

(d) The Vanguard Party

(e) Marxism-Leninism

Readings:



Marx & Engels - The Communist Manifesto

Karl Marx - CapitalV.I. Lenin - Collected Works




T. Bottomore - Karl Marx: Selected Writings



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G.W.F. Hegel - The Philosophy of Right


Tutorial Topic: Compare and contrast the views of Marx and Lenin on the

dictatorship of the proletariat and how it would be achieved.

5. MAX WEBER AND BUREAUCRACY

(a) Bureaucracy and Authority

(b) Dictatorship of the Official

(c) The Protestant Ethic

Readings:

Gerth & Mills - From Max Weber: Essays in Sociology

Max Weber - The Theory of Social and Economic Organization

Max Weber - The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism

Brian Fry - Mastering Public Administration

Seymour Lipset - Political Man

Tutorial Topic: Discuss Weber's concepts of authority and the Protestant Ethic.

6. MONTESQUIEU AND THE SEPARATION OF POWERS

(a) Montesquieu's philosophy of the Separation of Powers

(b) Political Liberty of Man

(c) Constitutional Foundation for Democratic Government

(d) Montesquieu's Philosophical Influence

Readings:

Montesquieu - The Spirit of the Laws

Ponton & Gill - Introduction to Politics

Madison et al. - The Federalist Papers

Walter Bagehot - The English Constitution David Thomson - Political Ideas

Tutorial Topic: Discuss Montesquieu’s idea of political liberty and its relationship

to the separation of powers principle.



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7. JEREMY BENTHAM AND JOHN STUART MILL AND LIBERALISM

(a) Utilitarianism

(b) Laissez-faire

(c) Representative Government

Readings

Ebenstein and Ebenstein – Introduction to Political Thinkers




Ball and Dagger - Political Ideologies and the Democratic Ideal

Tutorial Topic: Examine and discuss the views of Jeremy Bentham on ‘the

greatest happiness for the greatest number’ and the views of John Stuart Mill on

representative democracy.

8. ELECTORAL SYSTEMS

(a) First-past-the-post

(b) Proportional Representation

(c) Second Ballot

(d) Mixed Systems

Readings

E. Lakeman - How Democracies Vote

S.E. Finer - Comparative Government Wooding et al. - Thinking Things Through

Wooding et al. - Report of the Constitution Commission

Hyatali et al. - Thinking Things Over

Blais & Massicotte - "Electoral Systems" in Comparing Democracies by Le Duc,

Niemi and Norris (eds.) pp. 49 - 81

Patrick Emmanuel - Elections and Party Systems in the Commonwealth CaribbeanRobert Richie - Reflecting All Of Us: The Case for Proportional Representation

Jack Vowles (ed.) - Voters Victory? New Zealand's First Election Under PR

Tutorial Topic: Critically examine the electoral formulae of plurality, majority and

proportionality.



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9. THE AMERICAN AND BRITISH SYSTEMS OF GOVERNMENT

(a) Presidential and Parliamentary Systems

(b) Rigid and Weak Separation of Powers

(c) Written and Unwritten Constitutions

Readings:

V. Bogdanor - The Monarchy and the Constitution

John P. Mackintosh- Government and Politics of Great Britain

Anthony Birch - The British System of Government

F.W. Benemy - The Elected Monarch

Ivor Jennings - British Constitution

F. Ogg - Introduction to American Government

A. Potter - American Government and Politics

R. Young - The American Congress

S.E. Finer - Comparative Government

Tutorial Topic: Compare and contrast the main features of the British and

American systems of government.

10. WEST INDIAN GOVERNMENT

(a) Crown Colony Government and Post-war constitutional reform

(b) Representative and Responsible Government

(c) Federation, the Jamaican Referendum and British Policy on Independence

(d) Sovereignty, Self-determination and Independence

(e) Westminster - Whitehall Model

Readings

Gordon Lewis - The Growth of the Modern West Indies

Lowenthal et al. - The Aftermath of Sovereignty

Hyatali et al. - The Report of the Constitution Commission, 1990S. Ryan - Race and Nationalism in Trinidad and Tobago

S. Ryan (ed.) - The Independence Experience

F. Phillips - Freedom in the Caribbean

H. Ghany - Kamal: A Lifetime of Politics, Religion and Culture

J. La Guerre (ed) -Issues in the Government and Politics of the West Indies



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Ann Spackman - Constitutional Development of the West Indies

Cynthia Barrow-Giles – Introduction to Caribbean Politics

Tutorial Topic: Examine and discuss the main features of the Westminster-

Whitehall model in the Commonwealth Caribbean.

POSTSCRIPT

The readings listed under each heading are merely basic and the lists are by no means

exhaustive. You may also consult the following journals:

Caribbean Affairs; Parliamentary Affairs; Political Studies; Caribbean Issues; The

Parliamentarian; World Politics; Caribbean Quarterly; The Round Table; The Journal of

Legislative Studies.

Essential texts may be drawn from Terence Ball and Richard Dagger – Political Ideologies

and the Democratic Ideal or Sabine and Thorson – A History of Political Theory or

Ebenstein and Ebenstein – Introduction to Political Thinkers or Iain Hampsher-Monk - A

History of Modern Political Thought.

January 17, 2013

course_outline_govt_1001_2012-_2013

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