POLITICAL SCIENCE (852)

Aims:
1. To enable students to gain an understanding of 4. To create awareness of rights and duties and to
basic concepts in Political Science. sensitise students towards social concerns.
2. To facilitate acquisition of knowledge and 5. To expose students to divergent views and
understanding of the practices of governance. encourage them to develop their own world
3. To develop logical reasoning, research and view.
application skills.
CLASS XI
There will be two papers in the subject Definition of State and elements of the State:
Paper I: Theory 3 hours ------ 80 marks (a) Population (b) Territory (c) Government
(d) Sovereignty. Definition of Society;
Paper II: Project Work --------20 marks
Association; Nation and nationality. Differences
PAPER I (THEORY) – 80 Marks between – State and Society; State and
Association; State and Government; State and
Part I (20 marks) will consist of compulsory short Nation.
answer questions, testing knowledge, application and
skills relating to elementary/ fundamental aspects of 2. The Origin of the State
the entire syllabus.
Divine Origin Theory; the Social Contract
Part II (60 marks) will be divided into two sections
Theory (Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau); the
A & B. Candidates will be required to answer three
questions out of five from Section A and two questions Evolutionary Theory.
out of three from Section B. Each question in this part Various theories of the origin of State:
shall carry 12 marks.
SECTION A Divine Theory: brief history of this theory, divine
rights of the kings - examples from modern
Political Theory
monarchical states like England and Bhutan.
1. Introduction to Political Science Critical evaluation of the theory.
(i) Meaning of Political Science; Scope of
contemporary Political Science: Political The Social Contract theory: Views of Hobbes,
Theory, Comparative Politics, International Locke and Rousseau; Critical evaluation of the
Relations, Public Administration and Political theory.
Economy. Nature of Political Science.
Evolutionary Theory: factors for the growth of this
Meaning of Political Science; Scope of theory such as kinship, religion, economic factors,
contemporary Political Science with reference
wars and conflicts and the need for political
to Political Theory, Comparative Politics,
International Relations, Public power.
Administration and Political Economy.
Nature of Political Science - Is Political 3. Political Ideologies
Science a Science? Liberalism, Socialism; Communism and Fascism.
(ii) Fundamental Concepts
Liberalism, Socialism; Communism and Fascism:
State and its elements; Difference between
Meaning, features with reference to the purpose of
State and Society, State and Association, State
and Government, State and Nation; the State. Critical evaluation of each ideology.
Nationality.

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4. Sovereignty SECTION B
Meaning, kinds and characteristics. A historical Contemporary International Relations
analysis and contemporary issues. 9. End of Cold War and its impact on the World
Meaning, definition and characteristics. Kinds: Order
Titular and Real, Legal and Political; de-jure and Disintegration of the Soviet Union and its impact
de-facto Sovereign, Popular Sovereignty. Is on the World Order.
Sovereignty absolute and indivisible? Brief study of A brief overview of the Cold War (for reference
Austin’s Theory and Pluralistic view of Sovereignty only). Impact of disintegration of the Soviet Union
with reference to Laski and MacIver. Sovereignty on the World Order – end of Cold War
in a globalised World: the role of non-state actors. confrontation, change of power equations in
world politics, emergence of new countries.
5. Law
10. Unipolar World
Meaning; Sources and Kinds of Law.
U.S. unilateralism: case studies of U.S.
Meaning, definition of law. Sources - Customs, intervention in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Usages, Religion, Judicial Decisions, Scientific
Meaning of unilateralism.
Commentaries, Equity, Legislation. Kinds of law –
definition and examples of Municipal, National, Case studies of the following:
Constitutional and International Law, Statute Law, Iraq - Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi
Ordinances. Freedom; Afghanistan - Operation Enduring
Freedom.
6. Liberty
11. Regional Cooperation
Meaning; Dimensions and kinds of Liberty;
ASEAN and the European Union,
Relationship between Liberty and Law; safeguards
of liberty. Aims, achievements and challenges.
Definition and meaning of Liberty; Dimensions - 12. The Non-Aligned Movement
negative and positive; kinds of Liberty - Civil, Relevance of Non-Aligned Movement
Political and Economic Liberty. Relationship
Relevance of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in
between Liberty and Law: Does Law help or hinder
the contemporary World.
Liberty? Safeguards of Liberty - fundamental
rights. Separation of judiciary from executive,
PAPER II (PROJECT WORK) – 20 MARKS
well-knit party system, economic justice for all, free
press and media, vigilance by the people. Candidates will be required to undertake one project
which may be any one of the following:
7. Equality
(i) A case study.
Meaning and kinds of Equality; Relationship
(ii) Survey study with a questionnaire.
between Equality and Liberty.
(iii) Research based project with in depth analysis.
Meaning and kinds of Equality– legal, social,
political and economic; relationship between (iv) Local/ national/ global political issue.
Equality and Liberty: How do they complement (v) Book review/ film review/ documentaries/
each other? posters/ newspapers/ advertisements/ cartoons
8. Justice and art.
Meaning, Kinds and Contemporary theories. The project must not be based primarily on the
syllabus; students must be encouraged to produce
Meaning of Justice; kinds: Legal, Social, Economic
original, creative and insightful perspectives on an
and Political. Theories of Justice – John Rawls and
allied aspect of the topic.
Amartya Sen.

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For example, if the theme is Fundamental Rights, the List of suggested topics for Project Work:
project could deal with violation, protection, court 1. “The Kingdom of Freedom begins where the
verdicts, Public Interest Litigations (PILs), etc. related Kingdom of Necessity ends”.
to socially relevant issues. 2. Right to Freedom and role of Media.
EVALUATION CRITERIA: 3. The Right to Information – ensuring political
accountability.
Mark allocation for the Project will be as follows:
4. Citing relevant examples, discuss the relative
S. Assessment Criteria Marks importance of negative and positive liberty in the
No. objective Indian context.
5. India’s response to ASEAN as a dialogue partner.
1. Process Candidate should be 5
able to: 6. Relevance of SAARC as a forum of regional
cooperation.
Identify the topic.
7. U.S. dominance in World politics in the Post Cold
Plan and detail a War era.
research project.
8. India’s role in Non-Aligned Movement.
Select and use 9. Civil Society Movements - Role and participation
appropriate research in India.
methods.
10. Relevance of the United Nations in a Unipolar
2. Understanding, Candidate should be 5 World.
application able to: GUIDELINES FOR TEACHERS:
of knowledge Explain issues and 1. It must be emphasized that the process of doing the
and Analysis themes clearly and project is as important as the final project.
in context. 2. Once the project/projects are chosen, there should
Interpret, analyse be a process of brainstorming to encourage students
to make out a draft/structure for the project before
and evaluate
embarking on research.
critically a range of
evidence to present 3. During the brainstorming/discussion, the teacher
reasoned, should discuss the assessment criteria with the
students.
substantiated
arguments/ 4. The teacher should discuss the draft with the
statement. student with regard to the central question and the
type of sources to be used.
3. Presentation Overall format, 5 5. The students should be guided on doing the
referencing research and looking at different types of evidence.
(footnotes &/or
6. Books and suitable reference material could be
bibliography), suggested by the teachers and made available to the
within word limit of students.
2000 words, title
7. Internet sites could be suggested, but care must be
page, header/footer,
taken in selecting, using and citing these sites.
etc.
8. Students must be cautioned against plagiarism and
4. Viva Range of questions 5 be penalized for the same.
based on the project 9. Marks must be awarded for content and originality
only. and not for decorative elements and
TOTAL 20 embellishments.
10. Projects must be the original work of the student.

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 CLASS XII
There will be two papers in the subject Amending procedures of the Constitutions of
Paper I: Theory 3 hours ------ 80 marks U.K., U.S.A and India.
Conventions: meaning and examples with
Paper II: Project Work ------ 20 marks reference to U.K., U.S.A. and India. The
PAPER I (THEORY) – 80 Marks importance of Conventions in U.K.
Part I (20 marks) will consist of compulsory short 3. Franchise and Representation
answer questions, testing knowledge, application and Universal Adult Franchise; Methods of Election;
skills relating to elementary/ fundamental aspects of Constituency; Minority Representation. Political
the entire syllabus. Parties; Party System.
Part II (60 marks) will be divided into two sections Universal Adult Franchise - meaning, reasons for
A & B. Candidates will be required to answer three widespread acceptance.
questions out of five from Section A and two questions Methods of Election: Direct and Indirect –
out of three from Section B. Each question in this part meaning with examples.
shall carry 12 marks. Meaning of Constituency, Single member and
Multi-member with examples.
SECTION A First Past the Post System – meaning, merits and
Constitution and Government demerits.
Minority Representation - meaning, rationale
1. Forms of Government
(Why is it important for minorities to be
Totalitarian and Authoritarian States, Liberal represented properly).
Democratic State, Unitary and Federal States, Methods of Minority Representation:
Parliamentary and Presidential forms of Proportional Representation (List system and
government. single transferable vote system), Cumulative Vote
Meaning and features of Totalitarian State, System, Nomination and Reservation.
Authoritarian State and Liberal Democratic State. Political Parties - meaning, definition and
Comparison between Totalitarian and functions. Kinds – Single party, Bi-party, Multi-
Authoritarian States. Historic and contemporary party system - meaning, merits and demerits.
examples of each.
Meaning and features of Unitary and Federal Organs of the Government
States with reference to U.K. as a Unitary state,
4. The Legislature
U.S.A. as a Federal State and India as a federal
state with subsidiary unitary features, comparison Functions of Legislature; Unicameral and
between unitary and federal state. Bicameral legislatures. The legislature in India
and U.S.A. - a comparative study.
Meaning and features of Parliamentary and
Presidential forms of government (U.K. and Meaning and functions of Legislature. Meaning of
U.S.A.). Comparison between Parliamentary and Unicameral and Bi-cameral legislature. The
Presidential forms of government. legislatures in India and U.S.A.- Composition
(strength, method of election and tenure) and
2. Constitution functions: legislative, constituent, executive (ways
Meaning; kinds of Constitutions: Written and in which the legislature controls the executive),
Unwritten, Rigid and Flexible, Enacted and judicial, electoral and financial.
Evolved: merits and demerits. Amending Composition and powers of the House of
procedures; Conventions. Representatives and the Senate, Lok Sabha and
Meaning; kinds: Written and Unwritten, Rigid Rajya Sabha (including special powers).
and Flexible, Enacted and Evolved: merits,
Unique powers of the Senate, why is the Senate
demerits of each. Is the difference between
considered the world’s most powerful second
Written and Unwritten, Rigid and Flexible a real
chamber?
one?

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 Comparison of the Rajya Sabha and the U.S. flexible; Fundamental Rights and Duties;
Senate; Lok Sabha with the U.S. House of Directive Principles of State Policy;
Representatives. Parliamentary form of Government; Single
Citizenship; Bi-cameral legislature; Universal
5. The Executive Adult Franchise; Single Integrated and
Functions; The Civil Services. Difference Independent Judiciary; Judicial Review;
between the Political Executive and the Emergency powers; Special provisions for
Permanent Executive. Political Executive in India Schedule castes and Schedule tribes.
and U.S.A. - a comparative study. 8. Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles
Meaning, and functions of the Executive. Meaning Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of
and role of Civil Services. State Policy.
Difference between the Political and Permanent Fundamental Rights: meaning and importance of
Executive in India. Political Executive in India Fundamental Rights; detailed study of all
and U.S.A. - a comparative study. Powers and Fundamental Rights in India.
functions of executive heads of India (President Directive Principles of State Policy: meaning and
and Prime Minister), and U.S.A. (President). purpose; classification, importance and
Constitutional limitations on the powers of the implementation.
President of the USA. Relationship between Fundamental Rights and
Changing role of the Indian Prime Minister with Directive Principles of State Policy.
reference to the past two decades.
6. The Judiciary 9. Local self-government
73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts.
Meaning and functions of Judiciary. Conditions of
Independence of Judiciary. Judiciary in India and Key features of the 73rd and 74th Amendments.
U.S.A. - a comparative study. Judicial Review. Three tier systems of Panchayati Raj: Rural and
Urban local bodies - their composition. Challenges
Meaning and functions of judiciary; conditions of and solutions.
independence of judiciary with reference to India
and U.S.A. The Judiciary in India and U.S.A. –
composition and powers of Indian Supreme Court 10. Democracy in India – a perspective of the
and American Supreme Court. Judicial Review – challenges faced.
meaning, principles (maxims) and critical (i) Challenges faced by the Indian Democracy:
evaluation with special reference to U.S.A. and Caste, Communalism, Regionalism and
India. Meaning of Judicial Activism and Judicial Political Violence. Strengthening Indian
Restraint. Comparative study of Indian and US Democracy.
Supreme Courts - Which is most powerful and Caste: meaning, role of caste in Indian
Why? Politics.
Communalism: meaning and effects on the
SECTION B functioning of Indian democracy.
Indian Democracy Regionalism: meaning and causes; kinds of
7. Indian Constitution regional aspirations (language issues, sons-
of-the-soil policies, river water disputes,
(i) Preamble demand for new states, secessionist
Preamble and its importance. Meaning of the demands); responding to regionalism;
key words contained in the Preamble. strengthening the federal structure.
Political Violence: meaning, forms, causes
(ii) Salient features of the Indian Constitution.
and effects.
Written and Comprehensive; a Constitution Strengthening Indian Democracy: measures
drawn from several sources; Federal structure to overcome the challenges faced by Indian
with Unitary spirit; Partly rigid and Partly Democracy.

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 PAPER II (PROJECT WORK) – 20 MARKS 2. Understanding Candidates should 4
Candidates will be required to undertake one project application of be able to:
which may be any one of the following: knowledge Explain issues and
(i) A case study. and Analysis themes clearly and
(ii) Survey study with a questionnaire. in context.
Interpret, analyse
(iii) Research based project with in-depth analysis. and evaluate
(iv) Local/ national/ global political issue. critically a range of
(v) Book review/ film review/ documentaries/ evidence to present
reasoned,
posters/ newspapers/ advertisements/ cartoons
substantiated
and art. arguments/
The project must not be based primarily on the statement.
syllabus; students must be encouraged to produce 3. Presentation Overall format, 3
original, creative and insightful perspectives on an referencing
allied aspect of the topic. (footnotes &/or
For example, if the theme is Fundamental Rights, the bibliography),
project could deal with violation, protection, court within word limit
verdicts, Public Interest Litigations (PILs), etc. related of 2000 words, title
to socially relevant issues. page,
header/footer, etc.
The project will be assessed by the teacher and a
TOTAL 10
Visiting Examiner appointed locally and approved
by the Council.
Evaluation by the Visiting Examiner
Assessment of Project Work will be done as
follows: S. Assessment Criteria Marks
No. objective
1. Internal Evaluation by Teacher 10 Marks 1. Choice of Overall format, 4
Evaluation by Visiting Technique/ referencing
10 Marks Detailed (footnotes &/or
2. Examiner
procedure & bibliography), title
TOTAL 20 Marks Presentation page, header/footer,
etc.
Internal Evaluation by Teacher 2. Analysis and Candidate should 3
evaluation be able to:
S. Assessment Criteria Marks
No. objective Interpret, analyze
and evaluate
1. Process Candidates should 3 critically a range of
be able to: evidence to present
Identify the topic. reasoned,
Plan and detail a substantiated
research project. arguments/
statement.
Select and use
3. Viva Range of questions 3
appropriate
based on the project
research methods.
only.

TOTAL 10

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List of suggested topics for Project Work: • Success and failure of various systems to be
Given below is a list of suggested topics for Project analysed with reference to the role of regional
work, along with guidelines. parties in coalition era.
• Few examples to be explained with the help of
1. Judicial Activism – two case studies in which the
Judiciary has safeguarded the environment or statistical information.
human rights. • Student’s vision of rapidly evolving Party
• Reason for selection of the topic. system in India.
• Framing the Research Question. 4. Examine one Supreme Court case dealing with
• Hypothesis. Fundamental Rights. Identify the issues of the
• Define Judicial Activism and the need for
case and analyse the final ruling.
Judiciary to intervene in the work of Legislature
• Reason for selection of the topic
and Executive and other matters of social
• Framing the Research Question.
concerns.
• Hypothesis.
• Positive role played by Judiciary in this
direction to be highlighted with the help of two • Nature and reasons of violation of Fundamental
case studies based on environmental protection Rights to be explained.
or safeguarding human rights. • A case study of violation and protection of
• Student’s perception of the concept. Fundamental Rights in the light of the ruling
• Valid suggestions for reforms in Judiciary. given by the apex court to be analysed.
• Remedial steps to be taken to prevent this
2. Public accountability of Civil Servants in India –
Is it a myth or a reality? problem to be suggested.
• Reason for selection of the topic. 5. Role of Local Self Government institutions in
• Framing the Research Question. women empowerment.
• Hypothesis. • Reason for selection of the topic.
• Meaning of Public accountability of Civil • Framing the Research Question.
Servants to be explained.
• Hypothesis.
• Positive and crucial role of public servants in a
• Need for women empowerment to be explained
democracy.
with reference to a few examples.
• Loopholes in the existing bureaucratic set up.
• Positive role played by local self-governments
• Inferences can be drawn about Public
accountability being a myth or reality from to be stated.
various sources like print/electronic media, film • Collection of data based on statistics and
review, documentaries. analysis.
• The project could be in the form of a case study
3. Party System in India – changing phases.
for example - a film review, book review,
• Reason for selection of the topic.
advertisements, T.V. serials, documentaries,
• Framing the Research Question.
• Hypothesis. newspaper articles, journals.
• A brief timeline of Party Systems since • Student’s suggestions for more active
independence to be prepared. participation of women in Indian electoral
• Strengths and limitations of different systems to politics.
be highlighted.

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6. Explore the controversies around the development • Gender as an identity.
of a Uniform Civil Code mentioned in the • Collection of data based on statistics and
Directive Principles. analysis.
• Reason for selection of the topic. • The project could be in the form of a case study
• Framing the Research Question for example a film review, book review,
• Hypothesis advertisements, T.V. serials, documentaries
• Clarification of the concept of Uniform Civil • Inferences drawn.
Code with instances from world constitutions.
9. Right to Education: To what extent has it
• Need for a Uniform Civil Code with reference
benefited the slum children?
to Constituent Assembly Debates, historical
• Reason for selection of the topic.
perspective (parliamentary debates and judicial
• Framing the Research Question.
pronouncements), the present socio-political
• Hypothesis.
scenario and the stand of various political
• Constitutional provisions.
parties.
• Parliamentary debates leading to the enactment
• Controversies and reasons for non-adoption.
of the right.
• Student’s view point and position on the issue.
• A case study of a slum area based on a survey.
Alternately this project could also be undertaken • Student’s inferences.
survey method or any other method.
10. Role of National Human Rights Commission in
7. Identify and explain the electoral reforms that are safeguarding the rights of the under-privileged.
urgently needed in India. • Reason for selection of the topic.
• Reason for selection of the topic. • Framing the Research Question.
• Framing the Research Question. • Hypothesis.
• Hypothesis. • United Nations Universal Declaration of Human
• Define electoral reforms. Rights (1948).
• Urgency for electoral reforms. • Constitutional provisions.
• Efforts made in the past. • Formation of National Human Rights
• Parliamentary debates on this issue. Commission.
• Role of the Election Commission. • Its composition and functions.
• Stand of various political parties. • Identifying the under-privileged and
• Judicial pronouncements. understanding their plight.
• Student’s observations. • Efforts made by the NHRC (a minimum of two
case studies).
8. Discrimination faced by a girl child.
• Student’s viewpoint.
• Reason for selection of the topic.
• Framing the Research Question.
• Hypothesis.

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GUIDELINES FOR TEACHERS:
1. It must be emphasized that the process of doing 6. Books and suitable reference material could be
the project is as important as the final project. suggested by the teachers and made available to
2. Once the project/projects are chosen, there should the students.
be a process of brainstorming to encourage 7. Internet sites could be suggested, but care must be
students to make out a draft/structure for the taken in selecting, using and citing these sites.
project before embarking on research.
8. Students must be cautioned against plagiarism and
3. During the brainstorming/discussion, the teacher be penalized for the same.
should discuss the assessment criteria with the
students. 9. Marks to be awarded for the content and
originality and not for decorative elements and
4. The teacher should discuss the draft with the
embellishments.
student with regard to the central question and the
type of sources to be used. 10. Projects must be the original work of the student.
5. The students should be guided on doing the
research and looking at different types of
evidence.

41