List of Courses

Information
Description
Outcomes
Contents
Methodologies
Assessment
Books

Political Theory

Course Code :
PSC 300
Level :
Undergraduate
Course Hours :
3.00 Hours
Department :
Department of Political Science

Instructor information :

Area of Study :

This course relates political ideas to political realities through effective use of examples and cases studies making theory lively, contentious and relevant. A wide range of pedagogical features helps to clarify, extend and apply students’ understanding of the fundamental ideologies and concepts. This is comprised of: • Case studies demonstrate how political ideas, concepts and issues manifest in the real world. • Focus boxes encourage students to appreciate alternative viewpoints. • A range of thought provoking photographs challenge students to examine concepts from a different angle. Course Goals: • Define, compare and interpret the relevant political arguments and conceptual/thematic framework covered in the course. • Create, criticize, defend and communicate strong arguments both verbally and in written form. • Be Self-Reflective: Students should be able to continuously reflect and reassess the assumptions underlying their own positions and interpretations.

For further information :

Telephone: 16383 (16FUE)
E-mail: [email protected]

Political Theory

This course treats the evolution of the main political concepts such as power, state, nation, sovereignty, equality, freedom, democracy, justice and citizenship. It presents the most important trends of thought and debates which affect political theory and theories of international relations represented in many ideologies such as Liberalism, Marxism, Islamism, Utilitarianism, Functionalism, Behaviorism, Constructivism and Realism. It also analyzes many current issues such as multiculturalism, theories of development, integration and political fragmentation.

For further information :

Telephone: 16383 (16FUE)
E-mail: [email protected]

Political Theory

Course outcomes:

a. Knowledge and Understanding:

1-	Identify both theoretically and practically all values and their beneficial consequences.
2-	Recognize the intellectual and political traditions from which each author draws in his/her political theory and thereby develop a clearer perspective on contemporary political events occurring internationally.

b. Intellectual Skills:

1-	Demonstrate an understanding of political concepts, theories and empirical findings in Egyptian politics, comparative politics, and international relations.
2-	Develop a familiarity with the historical context in which each of theorists that we study wrote their works.

c. Professional and Practical Skills:

1-	Interpret the content and ambiguities of the political thought of the philosophers and thinkers we discuss, as expressed in the primary and secondary sources we read, as well as the contradictions, differences, and overlap between ideas expressed by each theorist.
2-	Illustrate the primary principles of capitalism, socialism, communism, egalitarianism, utilitarianism, social contract theory, liberalism, conservatism, neo-liberalism, neo-conservatism, libertarianism, fascism, anarchy, rational choice theory, and multiculturalism.

d. General and Transferable Skills:

1-	Describe the challenges that modern leaders face in framing political debate and public policy.
2-	Assess the impact that various political movements have had on law, economics, international relations, and society.

For further information :

Telephone: 16383 (16FUE)
E-mail: [email protected]

Political Theory

Course topics and contents:

Topic	No. of hours	Lecture	Tutorial/Practical
Introduction: Overview of the Course Requirements & Syllabus, Introduction to Political Theory, What is the difference between Political Theory, Political Thought and Political Philosophy?	5	1	1
How to write a theoretical research paper	5	1	1
Classical Ideas: The State- Freedom- Equality- Justice- Democracy- Citizenship	25	5	5
Mid Term Exam		1
Classical Ideologies: Liberalism- Fundamentalism	10	2	2
Contemporary Ideologies: Multiculturalism- Human Rights- Civil Disobedience- Global Justice	20	4	4
Papers Presentation	5	1	1
Final Exam		1

For further information :

Telephone: 16383 (16FUE)
E-mail: [email protected]

Political Theory

Teaching And Learning Methodologies:

Teaching and learning methods
Data show and computer in lectures
Demonstration videos
Group discussion
Research Paper

For further information :

Telephone: 16383 (16FUE)
E-mail: [email protected]

Political Theory

Course Assessment :

Methods of assessment	Relative weight %	Week No.	Assess What
Course Work (Attendance, Participation, Assignments, Quizzes, Research Paper…)	30.00		To assess understanding, and to assess theoretical background of the intellectual and practical skills.
Final Exam	40.00	15	To assess knowledge and intellectual skills.
Midterm Exam(s)	30.00	8	To assess professional skills.