M.A. 1st Year (Political Science)
CORE COURSES
Dear Learner,
As we explained in the Programme Guide for Master’s Degree in Political Science, you will have to do a Tutor Marked Assignment for each course in the Political Science. This booklet contains the assignments of the first year courses of the Masters Programme in Political Science.
You need to submit 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 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.
All assignments, including these, have to be submittedto theCoordinator of your Study Centre. Remember to 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 will note down the marked awarded for each assignment and forward them to the Student Evaluation Division (SED) at IGNOU, New Delhi.
Submission:
You need to submit all the assignments within the stipulated time for being eligible to appear in the term-end examination. The completed assignments should be submitted as per the following schedule.
Session / Last Date of Submission / To be SentFor July, 2011 Session
For January, 2012 Session / March 31, 2012
September 30, 2012 / To
The Coordinator of the Study Centre allotted to you
Please 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 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.
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: MPS-001/ASST/TMA/2011-2012
Marks: 100
Answer five questions in all, selecting at least two questions from each section. Each question is to be answered in about 500 words. Each question carries 20 marks.
SECTION- I
- Explain in your own words as to why Political Theory should be studied.
- Examine some criticisms of the Rawlsian conception of justice.
- Write an essay on the nature of citizenship.
- Give an overview of the concept of civil society.
- Trace the development of the concept of authority.
SECTION- II
Write short notes on the following in about 250 words each.
- a) Justification of the welfare state
b)Concept of Surplus Value
- a) Antonio Gramsci’s notion of Historic Bloc
b)Core characteristics of fundamentalism
- a) Anti-colonial Nationalism
b)Critiques of multiculturalism
- a) Feminists on patriarchy
b)Believers vs Pacifists
- a) Globalization and Identity Politics
b)New dimensions in the theory of federalism
COURSE: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: THEORY AND PROBLEMS- (MPS002)
TUTOR MARKED ASSIGNMENT
(TMA)
Course Code: MPS-002
Assignment Code: MPS-002/ASST/TMA/2011-2012
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. Discuss the Neo-Radial approach in International Relations.
2. Examine the Marxist approach to International Relations.
3. Comment on the following in about 250 words each:
a)Globalisation
b)Gulf War and East-West Cooperation
4. Explain the following in about 250 words each:
a)Imperialism
b)Neo-colonialism
5. Critically examine the elements process of Economic International Relations.
SECTION-II
6. Discuss the salient features of the New World Order and its impact on India.
7. Critically examine the following in about 250 words each:
a)Self determination
b)Conflict Resolution
8. Explain the role of Science and Technology in International Relations.
9. Comment on the following in about 250 words each:
a)Indigenous Movements
b)Inter-State Displacements
10. 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: MPS-003/ASST/TMA/2011-2012
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. Discuss Ganhdi’s contribution to economic thinking during the Indian national movement.
2. Critically examine the following in about 250 words each:
a)The Directive Principles of State Policy
b)Meaning of poverty line
3. How are democracy and development related to each other?
4. Discuss the significance of the Public Interest Litigation (PIL).
5. Discuss the contribution of political parties to the success of India’s democracy.
SECTION-II
6. Comment on the following in about 250 words each:
a)Jurisdiction of the High Court
b)Inter-state cooperation
7. Comment on the following in about 250 words each:
a)Regionalism in Indian politics
b)Religious politics in India
8. Discuss various forms of manifestation of ethnicity.
9. Comment on the following in about 250 words each:
a)Internal migration in India
b)Concept of development
10. Analyse the role of the NGOs in Indian democracy.
COURSE: COMPARATIVE POLITICS: ISSUES AND TRENDS (MPS-004)
TUTOR MARKED ASSIGNMENT
(TMA)
Course Code: MPS-004
Assignment Code: MPS-004/ASST/TMA/2011-2012
Marks: 100
Answer any five questions in all, selecting at lease two questions from each section. Each question is to be answered in about 500 words. Questions carry 20 marks each. Answer in your own words.
SECTION-I
1. What do you understand by Comparative Method? What is its contemporary significance in study of Politics?
2. Critically examine the concept and assumptions of Dependency as a tool for understanding underdevelopment.
3. Describe the evolutionary theory of origin of State. How does it differ from Social Contract theory?
4. Examine the relationship between International organizations and the National State-System.
5. Write short notes on the following :
a)Lenin’s view of imperialism
b)Self determination
SECTION-II
6. Critically evaluate the idea of Multiculturalism as a means to manage plural societies.
7. Describe the main characteristics of Democratic regimes.
8. Describe the essential structural characteristics of federalism.
9.Analyse the merits and demerits of two-party system, with special reference to parliamentary democracies.
10. Write short notes on the following :
a)Growth poverty and inequality.
b)Gender and development `
1