Course Information
SemesterCourse Unit CodeCourse Unit TitleT+P+LCreditNumber of ECTS CreditsLast Updated Date
3PSIR221History of Political Thought3+0+03508.01.2025
Course Details
Language of Instruction French
Level of Course Unit Bachelor's Degree
Department / Program Political Science and International Relations
Type of Program Formal Education
Type of Course Unit Compulsory
Course Delivery Method Face To Face
Objectives of the Course This course discusses key concepts in political philosophy by considering a thought of main political thinkers such as Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes,
Locke, along with Islamic Philosophers
Al Kindi, Nizam al-Mulk, Ibn Khaldun, and Ibn Rushd. The aim of the course is also to discuss key concepts of main Islamic political thinkers. The main concepts include the state of nature, social contract, and the emergence of government, justifying the state, tacit consent, hypothetical consent, general will, social change, public administration, and direct and representative democracy.
Course Content Thinkers like Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, along with Islamic Philosophers Al Kindi, Nizam al-Mulk, Ibn Khaldun, and Ibn Rushd The main concepts include the state of nature, social contract, and the emergence of government, justifying the state, tacit consent, hypothetical consent, general will, social change, public administration, and direct and representative democracy.
Course Methods and Techniques This course employs a range of teaching and learning methods such as lecturing, written assignments,essays, group debates and pop quiz.
Prerequisites and co-requisities None
Course Coordinator None
Name of Lecturers Prof.Dr. Emel TOPCU emel.topcu@hku.edu.tr
Assistants None
Work Placement(s) No

Recommended or Required Reading
Resources Morrow, John, History of Western Political Thought : A Thematic İntroduction, 2nd ed. NewYork:Palgrave Macmillan, 2005.
Course Notes J. S. McClelland . (1996). A History of Western Political Thought. Routledge;

Michael J. White. (2003). Political Philosophy: An Historical Introduction. Oxford: Oneword;
A. R. M. Murray. (2010). An Introduction to Political Philosophy. Routledge & Kegan Paul Ltd


Course Category
Social Sciences %100

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods
Activities are given in detail in the section of "Assessment Methods and Criteria" and "Workload Calculation"

Assessment Methods and Criteria
In-Term Studies Quantity Percentage
Mid-terms 1 % 25
Quizzes 2 % 20
Attendance 15 % 10
Final examination 1 % 45
Total
19
% 100

 
ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload
Activities Quantity Duration Total Work Load
Course Duration 15 3 45
Hours for off-the-c.r.stud 15 3 45
Assignments 2 10 20
Mid-terms 1 20 20
Final examination 1 20 20
Total Work Load   Number of ECTS Credits 5 150

 
Course Learning Outcomes: Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
NoLearning Outcomes
1 Analyze the thought of main political thinkers;
2 Identify key concepts related to the state of nature, social contract and the government;
3 Apply gained knowledge of political philosophy on the real politics of today;
4 Evaluate historical developments of political philosophy;
5 Use the critical and analythical skills in assessing main sources in political philosophy;
6 Assess the main works of the leading political thinkers.

 
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
WeekTopicsStudy MaterialsMaterials
1 Course Introduction
2 The Nature and Origin of Political Philosophy Chapter 1 of the textbook will be read. Chapter 1 of the textbook will be read.
3 Classical Greek Political Philosophy: Socrates and Plato Chapter 3 of the textbook will be read Chapter 3 of the textbook will be read
5 Politics as the Master Art: Aristotle's Politics Chapter 4 of the textbook will be read Chapter 4 of the textbook will be read
6 Al-Kindi Assigned reading Assigned reading
7 Book of Government:Nizam al-Mulk Assigned reading Assigned reading
8 Mid-Term Exam
9 The rise and fall of empires:Ibn Khaldun Assigned reading Assigned reading
10 Ibn Rushd Assigned reading Assigned reading
11 The Science of Government: Nicollo Machiavelli's The Prince Chapter 9 of the textbook will be read Chapter 9 of the textbook will be read
12 Theory of the Rational State and Social Contract: Thomas Hobbes's Leviathan Chapter 11 of the textbook will be read Chapter 11 of the textbook will be read
13 Theory of the Moral State and Social Contract: John Locke's Two Treatises Chapter 12 of the textbook will be read Chapter 12 of the textbook will be read
14 Government Through Law: Montesquieu Chapter 16 of the textbook will be read Chapter 16 of the textbook will be read
15 The rise and fall of empires:Ibn Khaldun Assigned reading Assigned reading
16 Final Exam

 
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 P8 P9 P10
C1 5 4 5 3 4 3 4 5 2 5
C2 5 5 5 5 4 4 3 5 2 5
C3 5 5 5 5 3 3 4 4 2 5
C4 5 5 5 5 4 3 4 5 2 5
C5 5 5 5 5 3 3 3 5 2 5
C6 5 5 5 5 3 3 4 5 2 5

  Contribution: 1: Very Slight 2:Slight 3:Moderate 4:Significant 5:Very Significant