History Of Political Thought 1
- Social Sciences
- 200 level
- 280 pages
- 37 units
This course provides a comprehensive overview of the history of political thought. It explores the contributions of major political philosophers from classical antiquity to contemporary times, examining their ideas on the state, governance, justice, and individual rights. The course aims to foster critical thinking about the nature and evolution of political ideas and their impact on contemporary political systems.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 208 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor Marked Assessments
- Final Examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of POL215, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
- UNIT 1 THE LIFE OF SOCRATES (469 - 399 BC)Page 39
- UNIT 2 PLATO AND THE IDEAL STATE (427-347 BC)Page 47
- MODULE 2Page 49
- MODULE 2Page 51
- MODULE 2Page 53
- UNIT 3: ARISTOTLE BIOGRAPHYPage 55
- MODULE 2Page 59
- MODULE 2Page 61
- MODULE 2Page 63
- UNIT 4: MARCUS TULIUS CICERO (43 – 106 BC)Page 65
- MODULE 2Page 67
- MODULE 2Page 69
- UNIT 5: BARON DE MONTESQUIEU (1689-1755)Page 71
- UNIT 1 JOHN LOCKEPage 77
- UNIT 2: THOMAS HOBBES’ SOCIAL CONTRACT AND ABSOLUTE GOVERNMENTPage 89
- UNIT 3 JEREMY BENTHAMPage 102
- UNIT 4: EDMUND BURKEPage 115
- UNIT 5: KARL MARX: THE SCIENTIFIC SOCIALISTPage 120
- UNIT 1 POLITICAL THOUGHTPage vii
- UNIT 2: POLITICAL THEORYPage 9
- UNIT 3 DISTINCTION BETWEEN POLITICAL THEORY AND POLITICAL THOUGHT, POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY AND POLITICAL SCIENCEPage 15
- UNIT 4: MAJOR SCHOOLS OF THOUGHTS ON POLITICAL THEORYPage 20
- UNIT 5 ORIGIN OF THE STATEPage 27
- UNIT 1 SPIRITUALITY AND GOVERNANCEPage 170
- UNIT 2: ST. AUGUSTINE’S PHILOSOPHY ON CHURCH AND THE STATEPage 175
- UNIT 3: USMAN DAN FODIO ON VIOLENCE AND THE STATEPage 183
- UNIT 4: ISAIAH BERLIN CONCEPTION OF PHILOSOPHYPage 192
- UNIT 5 IBN KHALDUN’S THESIS ON THE METAMORPHOSIS OF STATEPage 201
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
POL215 · UNIT 1 POLITICAL THOUGHT
There are two aspects to the assessment of this course. First is the Tutor- Marked Assignments; second is a written examination. In handling these assignments, you are expected to apply the information, knowledge and experience acquired during the course.
What you should be able to do
- Understand the nature and scope of political thought
- Analyze the ideas of major political philosophers
- Compare and contrast different political theories
- Apply political thought to contemporary political issues
- Evaluate the impact of political ideas on society
What it prepares you for
- Political Analyst
- Policy Advisor
- Public Administrator
- Journalist
- Educator
- Government
- Non-profit Organizations
- Education
- Media
- Research
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2: Classical Political Thinkers
Unit 2: Plato (427-347 BC)
Understanding the nuances of Plato's ideal state requires careful analysis of his philosophical arguments and assumptions.
- Module 3: The Empirical Political Thinkers
Unit 2: Thomas Hobbes
Hobbes's concept of the state of nature and the social contract can be challenging due to its pessimistic view of human nature.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 104 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Origin and Focus of Political Thought and Related Concepts
Unit 1: Political Thought · 8 hours
Read Unit 1: Understanding the definition, origin, and focus of political thought.. Complete Self-Assessment Exercise 1.. Identify key concepts related to politics, state, law, rights, and justice..
- Week 2Module 1: Origin and Focus of Political Thought and Related Concepts
Unit 2: Concept of Political Theory · 8 hours
Read Unit 2: Explore the concept of political theory and its significance.. Complete Self-Assessment Exercise 2.. Reflect on the evolution, nature, and purpose of governmental apparatus..
- Week 3Module 1: Origin and Focus of Political Thought and Related Concepts
Unit 3: Distinction between Political Theory and Political Thought, Political Philosophy and Political Science · 8 hours
Read Unit 3: Analyze the distinction between political theory, political thought, political philosophy, and political science.. Complete Self-Assessment Exercise 3.. Differentiate between normative and empirical approaches to political study..
- Week 4Module 1: Origin and Focus of Political Thought and Related Concepts
Unit 4: Major Schools of Thoughts on Political Theory · 8 hours
Read Unit 4: Study the major schools of thought on political theory.. Complete Self-Assessment Exercise 4.. Identify key thinkers and their contributions to each school of thought..
- Week 5Module 1: Origin and Focus of Political Thought and Related Concepts
Unit 5: Origin of the State · 8 hours
Read Unit 5: Examine the origin of the state and its purpose.. Complete Self-Assessment Exercise 5.. Explore theories related to the origin of the state..
- Week 6Module 2: Classical Political Thinkers
Unit 1: The Life of Socrates (469 399 BC) · 8 hours
Read Unit 1: Study the life of Socrates and his teachings.. Complete Self-Assessment Exercise 1.. Analyze Socrates' views on law and the state..
- Week 7Module 2: Classical Political Thinkers
Unit 2: Plato (427-347 BC) · 8 hours
Read Unit 2: Explore Plato's life and times.. Complete Self-Assessment Exercise 2.. Examine Plato's ideal state and best form of government..
- Week 8Module 2: Classical Political Thinkers
Unit 3: Aristotle Philosophy (322 384BC) · 8 hours
Read Unit 3: Study Aristotle's philosophy and his view of politics.. Complete Self-Assessment Exercise 3.. Analyze Aristotle's theory of constitutions and citizenship..
- Week 9Module 2: Classical Political Thinkers
Unit 4: Marcus Tullius Cicero (43 106 Bc) · 8 hours
Read Unit 4: Explore Marcus Tullius Cicero's life and work.. Complete Self-Assessment Exercise 4.. Examine Cicero's contribution to the concept of law and the state..
- Week 10Module 2: Classical Political Thinkers
Unit 5: Baron De Montesquieu (1689-1755) · 8 hours
Read Unit 5: Study Baron De Montesquieu's ideas on separation of power.. Complete Self-Assessment Exercise 5.. Relate Montesquieu's work to the working of democracy in modern times..
- Week 11Module 3: The Empirical Political Thinkers
Unit 1: John Locke · 8 hours
Read Unit 1: Study the biography of John Locke and his political philosophy.. Complete Self-Assessment Exercise 1.. Examine Locke's concept of human and state of nature..
- Week 12Module 3: The Empirical Political Thinkers
Unit 2: Thomas Hobbes · 8 hours
Read Unit 2: Study the biography of Thomas Hobbes and his political philosophy.. Complete Self-Assessment Exercise 2.. Examine Hobbes' state of nature and nature of man..
- Week 13Module 3: The Empirical Political Thinkers
Unit 3: Jeremy Bentham · 8 hours
Read Unit 3: Study the biography of Jeremy Bentham and his analysis of human nature.. Complete Self-Assessment Exercise 3.. Examine Bentham's moral and political philosophy..
Preparing for the exam
- Create timelines of key philosophers and their ideas
- Compare and contrast different schools of political thought
- Practice essay questions on major themes
- Review all self-assessment exercises
- Focus on understanding the historical context of each philosopher's work
Questions students ask about this course
What is POL215 about?
This course provides a comprehensive overview of the history of political thought. It explores the contributions of major political philosophers from classical antiquity to contemporary times, examining their ideas on the state, governance, justice, and individual rights. The course aims to foster critical thinking about the nature and evolution of political ideas and their impact on contemporary political systems.
How many units does POL215 have?
POL215, History Of Political Thought 1, has 37 units across 4 modules, over 280 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
Is POL215 hard?
POL215 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.
How long does POL215 take to study?
About 208 hours of study, spread across its 37 units.
How is POL215 assessed?
POL215 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assessments and Final Examination.
What can I do with POL215?
Political Analyst, Policy Advisor, Public Administrator, Journalist and Educator.