(HONS)SYLLABUS SEM 1

SYLLABUS FOR SEMESTER 1 HONOURS

Discipline Core-1: Constitutional Government and Democracy in India

I. The Constituent Assembly and the Constitution (16 lectures)

a. Philosophy of the Constitution, the Preamble, and Features of the Constitution( 2 weeks or 8 lectures)

b. Fundamental Rights and duties, Directive Principles(2 weeks or 8 lectures)

II. Organs of Governments(20 lectures)

a. The Legislature: Parliament and State Legislature(1.5 weeks or 6 lectures)

b. The Executive: President, Prime Minister, Governor and Chief Minister( 2 weeks or 8 lectures)

c. The Judiciary: Supreme Court and High Courts, Judicial Activism and Public Interest Litigation (1.5 weeks or 6 lectures)

III. Federalism and Decentralization (12 lectures)

a. Federalism: Division of Powers, Centre- state Reactions, emergency Provisions, fifth and Sixth Schedules( 2 weeks or 8 lectures)

b. Panchayati Raj and Municipalities (1 week or 4 lectures)

Discipline Core- 2: Political Process in India

I. Political Parties and the Party System (1.5 weeks or 6 lectures)

Trends in the Party System; From the Congress System to Multi- Party Coalitions

II. Determinants of Voting Behavior (2 weeks or 8 lectures)

Caste, Class , Gender and religion

III. Regional Aspirations(2 weeks or 8 lectures)

The Politics of Secession and Accommodation

IV. Religion and Politics (2 weeks or 8 lectures)

Debates on secularism; Minority and Minority Communalism

V. Caste and Politics( 1.5 lectures or 6 lectures)

Caste in Politics and the Politicization of Caste, Issue of Reservation

VI. Affirmative Action Policies I1.5 weeks or 6 lectures)

Women, Caste and Class

VII. The Changing Nature of the Indian State (1.5 weeks or 6 lectures)

Developmental, Welfare and coercive Dimensions, electoral Process: Election Commission: Composition, functions and role- electoral reforms, Constitutional amendment