MPS
MASTER’S DEGREE PROGRAMME IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
Assignments
(For M.A. Ist year courses)
For July 2009 and January 2010 Sessions
School of Social Sciences
Indira Gandhi National Open University
Maidan Garhi, New Delhi-110068
CORE COURSES: M.A. (Political Science)
Dear Learner,
As we explained in the Programme Guide for Master’s Degree in Political Science, you will have to do one Tutor Marked Assignment (TMAs) for each course in the Political Science. Each assignment has descriptive category questions. Descriptive Category Questions (DCQs) are meant for writing essay type answers, with an introduction and a conclusion. These are intended to test your ability to describe your understanding/knowledge about the topic in a systematic, to-the-point and coherent manner. They are meant to test your ability to distinguish, compare and contrast, or clear understanding of concepts and processes. You need to write all the assignments within the stipulated time for being eligible to appear in the term-end examination. Before you attempt the assignments, please read the instructions carefully provided in the Programme Guide.
It is important that you write the answers to all TMA questions in your own words. Your answers should be within the approximate range of the word-limit set for a particular section. Remember, writing answers to assignment questions will improve your writing skills and prepare you for the term-end examination.
The assignment should be submitted to the Coordinator of your Study Centre. You must obtain a receipt from the Study Centre for the assignments submitted and retain it. If possible, keep a xerox copy of the assignments with you.
The Study Centre will have to return the assignments to you after they are evaluated. Please insist on this. The Study Centre has to send the marks to the SR&E Division at IGNOU, New Delhi.
Submission:
The completed assignments should be sent as per the following schedule.
Date of Submission / Whom to sendMarch 31, 2010 for July 2009 Batch
September 30, 2010 for January 2010 Batch / To
The Coordinator of the Study Centre allotted to you
GUIDELINES FOR DOING ASSIGNMENTS
We expect you to answer each question as per guidelines for each category as mentioned in the assignment. You will find it useful to keep the following points in mind:
1) Planning: Read the assignments carefully, go through the Units on which they are based. Make some points regarding each question and then rearrange them in a logical order.
2) Organisation: Be a little selective and analytic before drawing up a rough outline of your answer. Give adequate attention to your introduction and conclusion.
Make sure that your answer:
a) is logical and coherent;
b) has clear connections between sentences and paragraphs, and
c) is written correctly giving adequate consideration to your expression, style and presentation.
3) Presentation: Once you are satisfied with your answer, you can write down the final version for submission, writing each answer neatly and underlining the points you wish to emphasize. Make sure that the answer is within the stipulated word limit.
Wishing you all the best,
COURSE: POLITICAL THEORY (MPS-001)
TUTOR MARKED ASSIGNMENT
TMA
Course Code: MPS-001
Assignment Code:Asst/TMA/2009-10
Marks: 100
Answer any five questions in about 500 words each. Attempt at least five questions from each section. Each question carries 20 marks.
SECTION I
1 Explain in your own words the meaning of political theory.
2. Discuss the nature of citizenship.
3. a) Examine the inter-relationship between state and civil society.
b) Describe the Liberal -Individual tradition of civil society.
4. a) What do you understand by Legitimation?
b) Write a brief note on obligation Crises.
5. Trace the history of the concept of Civil Disobedience.
SECTION II
6. Write an essay on the Liberal Democratic Welfare State.
7. a) What do you understand by Historical Materialism?
b) Discuss Lenin's views on Imperialism.
8. Explain the meaning of Multiculturalism in your own words.
9. a) What is Communitarianism?
b) Describe the idea of Republican Freedom.
10. a) Write a note on Globalization and Identity Politics.
b) State the new dimensions in the Theory of Federalism.
COURSE: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: THEORY AND PROBLEMS (MPS-002)
TUTOR MARKED ASSIGNMENT
TMA
Course Code: MPS-002
Assignment Code: Asst./TMA/2009-10
Marks: 100
Answer any five questions in about 500 words each. Attempt at least two questions from each section. Each question carries 20 marks.
SECTION I
1. What are the basic assumptions underlying the Realist Approach to International Relations? Is the neo-realist approach suitable for analysing International Relations after the Cold War?
2. Critically examine the post-positivist approach to International Relations.
3. Examine the North-South Divide in the context of the global environmental crisis.
4. Briefly explain some theories of Regionalism.
5. Examine the prospects of South-South cooperation in the contemporary economic
order.
SECTION II
1. Explain the concept of self-determination and critically examine its application to multi-ethnic societies.
2. Trace the evolution of the Non-Proliferation policy bringing out the main features of the non-proliferation regime.
3. Discuss the impact of science and technology on International Politics.
4. Analyse the role of international non-governmental organisations in the contemporary
global order
5. Explain the concept of justice in International Relations.
COURSE: INDIA: DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT (MPS-003)
TUTOR MARKED ASSIGNMENT
TMA
Course Code: MPS-003
Assignment Code: Asst./TMA/2009-10
Marks: 100
Answer any five questions in about 500 words each. Attempt at least two questions from each section. Each question carries 20 marks.
SECTION-I
1. Critically examine the nature of local self-government in India.
2. Critically examine the following in about 250 words each:
a) Relationship between police and public
b) The main features of PRIs in India.
3. Analyse the functioning of the Indian federal system.
4. Discuss the contribution of civil society organizations to democracy in India.
5. Discuss the role of media in shaping public opinion and public policies.
SECTION II
6. Comment on the following in about 250 words each:
a) Relationship between interest groups and democracy
b) Caste in Indian politics
7. Comment on the following in about 250 words each:
a) Substantive democracy
b) Relationship between gender and development
8. Discuss the nature of response of the state to the challenge of ethnicity in India.
9. Comment on the following in about 250 words each:
a) Economic consequences of migration
b) Basic Minimum Need Approach to development
10. Critically evaluate the growth and consequences of regionalism in India.
COURSE: COMPARATIVE POLITICS: ISSUES AND TRENDS (MPS-004)
TUTOR MARKED ASSIGNMENT
TMA
Course Code: MPS-004
Assignment Code: Asst./TMA/2009-10
Marks: 100
Answer any five questions in about 500 words each. Attempt at least two questions from each section. Each question carries 20 marks.
SECTION I
1. What is Comparative Method? Describe its contemporary significance.
2. Define and critically evaluate Dependency Theory as used in comparative analysis of third world political systems.
3. How is the Social Democratic Perspective of state different from the Marxist Perspective?
4. Analyse the different perspectives about the impact of international organisations on nation states.
5. Comment on the following in about 250 words each:
a) Nationalism
b) Social impact of Colonialism
SECTION II
6. Analyse the arguments given by the supporters of the policy of assimilation in multinational states.
7. What functions are political parties expected to perform in democratic regimes? Discuss.
8. Explain the basic characteristics of military regimes.
9. Critically examine Vandana Shiva’s eco-feminist critique.
10. Comment on any two of the following in about 250 words each.
a) Poverty and Social Exclusion
b) Human Rights
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