CBSE Board Syllabus (Political Science, Geography) Class XI-XII (2009-10)

  CBSE You are here

POLITICAL SCIENCE (Code No 028)


Rationale
At the senior secondary level students who opt Political Science are given an opportunity to get introduced to the diverse concerns of a Political Scientist. At this level there is a need to enable students to engage with political  processes that surround them and provide them with an understanding of the historical context that has shaped the present. The different courses introduce the students to the various streams of the discipline of political science: political theory, Indian politics and international politics. Concerns of the other two streams — comparative politics and public administration — are accommodated at different places in these courses. In introducing these streams, special care has been taken not to burden the students with the current jargon of the discipline. The basic idea here is to lay
the foundations for a serious engagement with the discipline at the undergraduation stage.


Objectives:
INDIAN CONSTITUTION AT WORK

Enable students to understand historical processes and circumstances in which the Constitution was drafted.
Provide opportunity for students to be familiar with the diverse visions that guided the makers of the Indian Constitution.
Enable students to identify the certain key features of the Constitution and compare these to other constitutions in the world.
Analyse the ways in which the provisions of the Constitution have worked in real political life.


POLITICAL THEORY
Develop the skills for logical reasoning and abstraction
Inculcate attention to and respect for viewpoints other than one’s own
Introduce students to the different political thinkers in relation to a concept and in everyday social life
Enable students to meaningfully participate in a concern of current political life that surrounds them
Encourage the students to analyse any unexamined prejudices that one may have inherited.


POLITICS IN INDIA AFTER INDEPENDENCE
Enable students to be familiar with some of the key political events and figures in the post-independence period.
Develop skills of political analysis through events and processes of recent history.
Develop their capacity to link macro processes with micro situations and their own life.

Encourage the students to take a historical perspective of making sense of the contemporary India.


CONTEMPORARY WORLD POLITICS
Enable the students to expand their horizon beyond India and make sense of the political map of contemporary world.
Familiarise the students with some of the key political events and processes in the post cold war era.
Equip students to be conscious of the way in which global events and processes shape our everyday lives.
Strengthen their capacity for political analysis by thinking of contemporary developments in a historical perspective.


                                                                     Class XI
        One Paper                                          Time 3hrs.                                     Marks 100

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Units                                                 Periods                                           Marks

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part A: Indian Constitution at work

1. Constitution : Why & How?                                 12                                          10
2. Rights in the Indian Constitution                        12
3. Election and Representation                               10                                         10
4. Legislature                                                           10
5. Executive                                                            10                                          10
6. Judiciary                                                             10
7. Federalism                                                           10                                          10
8. Local Governments                                              10
9. Constitution as a living document.                      10
10. The Philosophy of the                                        10                                         10
constitution
                                                                             104                                         50
Part B: Political Theory

11. Political Theory : An Introduction                     10                                         10
12. Freedom                                                            10
13. Equality                                                             10                                          10
14. Social Justice                                                    12
15. Rights                                                                10                                          10
16. Secularism                                                         10
17. Nationalism                                                       10                                           10
18. Citizenship                                                        10
19. Peace                                                                 10                                          10
20. Development                                                     10
                                                                               102                                         50

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Course Content:
Part A: Indian Constitution at work
1. The Constitution :                                                                                      12 Periods

Why and How? The authority of a Constitutions Why do we need a constitution?
2. Rights in the Indian Constitution                                                               12 Periods
The Importance of Rights, Fundamental Rights in the Indian Constitution, Directive Principles of State Policy, Relationship between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles
3. Election and Representation                                                                      10 Periods
Elections of Democracy, Election System in India, Reservation of Constituencies, Free and Fair Elections, Electoral Reforms
4. Legislature                                                                                                  10 Periods
What do we need a Parliament? Two Houses of Parliament. Functions and Power of the Parliament, Legistative functions, control over executive. Parliamentary comittees. Self-regulation.
5. Executive                                                                                                    10 Periods
What is an Executive? Different Types of Executives. Parliament ary Executive in India: Prime Ministers and Council of Ministers. Permanent Executive-Bureaucracy,
6. Judiciary                                                                                                      10 Periods
Why do we need an Independent Judiciary? Structure of the Judiciary, Judicial Activism, Judiciary and Rights, Judiciary and Parliament
7. Federalism                                                                                                    10 Periods
What is Federalism Federalism in the Indian Constitution, Federalism with a strong Central Government, conflicts in India's federal system, Special Provisions.
8. Local Governments                                                                                        10 Periods
Why do we need Local Governments? Growth of Local Government in India, 73rd and 74th Amendments, implementation of 73rd and 74th Amendments
9. Constitution as a Living Document                                                                 10 Periods
Are Constitutions static? The procedure to amend the Constitution. Why have there been so many amendments? Basic Structure and Evolution of the Constitution. Constitution as a Living Document
10. The Philosophy of the Constitution                                                             10 Periods
What is meant by Philosophy of the Constitution? The Political philosophy of our Constitution? Procedural Achievements, Criticisms
Part B: Political Theory
11. Political Theory: An Introduction 10 Periods

What is Politics? What do we study in Political Theory? Putting Political Theory to practice. Why should we study Politial Theory?

12. Freedom                                                                                                      10 Periods
The Ideal of Freedom. What is Freedom? Why do we need constraints? Harm principle. Negative and Positive Liberty
13. Equality                                                                                                        10 Periods
Significane of Equality. What is Equality? Various dimensions of Equality. How can we promote Equality?
14. Social Justice                                                                                               12 Periods
What is Justice? Just Distribution. Justice as fairness. Pursuing Social Justice
15. Rights                                                                                                           10 Periods
What are Rights? Where do Rights come from? Legal Rights and the State. Kinds of Rights. Rights and Responsibilities
16. Secularism                                                                                                   11 Periods
What is Secularism? What is Secular State? The Western and the Indian approach to Secularism. Criticisms and Rationale of Indian Secularism.
17. Nationalism                                                                                                   10 Periods
Nations and Nationalism, National Self-determination, Nationalism and Pluralism
18. Citizenship                                                                                                     11 Periods
What is citizenship? Citizen and N ation, Universal Citizenship, Global Citizenship
19. Peace                                                                                                            10 Periods
What is Peace? Can violence ever promote peace? Peace and the State. Different Approaches to the pursuit of peace. Contemporary challenges to peace.
20. Development                                                                                                10 Periods
What is development? Criticism of the dominant. Development Model. Alternative conceptions of development
Recommended text books :
            1. Indian Constitution at Work, Published by NCERT
            2. Political Theory - II, Published by NCERT

 

                                                               Class XII

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Conten                                                                                            Marks

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part A: Contemporary World-Politics
  Units
1. Cold War Era in World Politics
2. Disintegration of the 'Second World' and the Collapse of Bipolarity         14
3. US Dominance in World Politics
4. Alternative centres of Economic and Political Power                              16
5. South Asia in the Post-Cold War Era
6. International organizations in a unipolar world                                        10
7. Security in Contemporary World
8. Environment and Natural Resources                                                        10
9. Globalisation and its Critics
                                                                                                                    50
Part B: Politics in India since independence
10. Nation-Building and its Problems
11. Era of One-Party Dominance                                                                 16
12. Politics of Planned Development
13. India’s External relations                                                                        6
14. Challenges to and Restoration of Congress System                              12
15. Crisis of the Constitutional order
16. Regional aspirations and conflicts
17. Rise of New Social Movements                                                             16
18. Recent Developments in Indian Politics
                                                                                                                  50

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

COURSE CONTENTS                                                                               Periods
Part A: Contemporary world Politics

1. Cold War Era in World                                                                      Politics 14
Emergence of two power blocs after the second world war. Arenas of the cold war. Challenges to Bipolarity: Non Aligned Movement, quest for new international economic order. India and the cold war.
2. Disintegration of the ‘Second World’ and the Collapse of Bipolarity.           12
New entities in world politics: Russia, Balkan states and Central Asian states, Introduction of democratic politics and capitalism in post-communist regimes. India’s relations with Russia and other post-communist countries.
3. US Dominance in World                                                                    Politics: 12
Growth of unilateralism: Afghanistan, first Gulf War, response to 9/11 and attack on Iraq. Dominance and challenge to the US in economy and ideology. India’s renegotiation of its relationship with the USA.
4. Alternative Centres of Economic and Political Power:                                  10
Rise of China as an economic power in post-Mao era, creation and expansion of European Union, ASEAN. India’s changing relations with China.
5. South Asia in the Post-Cold War Era:                                                             12
Democratisation and its reversals in Pakistan and Nepal. Ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka, Impact of economic globalization on the region. Conflicts and efforts for peace in South Asia. India’s relations with its neighbours.
6. International Organizations in a unipolar World:                                          12
Restructuring and the future of the UN. India’s position in the restructured UN. Rise of new international actors: new international economic organisations, NGOs. How democratic and accountable are the new institutions of global governance?
7. Security in Contemporary World:
Traditional concerns of security and politics of disarmament. Non-traditional or human security: global poverty, health and education. Issues of human rights and migration.
8. Environment and Natural Resources in Global Politics:
Environment movement and evolution of global environmental norms. Conflicts over traditional and common property resources. Rights of indigenous people. India's stand in global environmental debates.
10. Globalisation and Its Critics.                                                                         12
Economic, cultural and political manifestations. Debates on the nature of consequences of globalisation. Anti-globalisation movements. India as an arena of globalization and struggle against it.

Part B: Politics of India Since Independence
10. Nation-Building and Its Problems:                                                                  12

Nehru’s approach to nation-building: Legacy of partition: challenge of ‘refugee’ resettlement, the Kashmir problem. Organisation and reorganization of states; Political conflicts over language.
11. Era of One-Party Dominance:                                                                         12
First three general elections, nature of Congress dominance at the national level, uneven dominance at the state level, coalitional nature of Congress. Major opposition parties.
12. Politics of Planned Development                                                                  10
Five year plans, expansion of state sector and the rise of new economic interests. Famine and suspension of five year plans. Green revolution and its political fallouts.
13. India’s External Relations                                                                            12
Nehru’s foreign policy. Sino-Indian war of 1962, Indo-Pak war of 1965 and 1971. India’s nuclear programme and shifting alliances in world politics.
14. Challenge to and Restoration of Congress System:                                    10
Political succession after Nehru. Non-Congressism and electoral upset of 1967, Congress split and reconstitution, Congress’ victory in 1971 elections, politics of ‘garibi hatao’.
15. Crisis of the Constitutional Order:
Search for ‘committed’ bureaucracy and judiciary. Navnirman movement in Gujarat and the Bihar movement. Emergency: context, constitutional and extra-constitutional dimensions, resistance to emergency. 1977 elections and the formation of Janata Party. Rise of civil liberties organisations.
16. Regional Aspirations and Conflicts                                                                10
Rise of regional parties. Punjab crisis and the anti-Sikh riots of 1984. The Kashmir situation. Challenges and responses in the North East.
17. Rise of New Social Movements:                                                                       12
Farmers’ movements, Women’s movement, Environment and Development-affected people’s movements. Implementation of Mandal Commission report and its aftermath.
18. Recent Developments in Indian politics:                                                        10
Participatory upsurge in 1990s. Rise of the JD and the BJP. Increasing role of regional parties and coalition politics. UF and NDA governments. Elections 2004 and UPA government.
Challenge of and responses to globalization: new economic policy and its opposition. Rise of OBCs in North Indian politics. Dalit politics in electoral and non-electoral arena.
Challenge of communalism: Ayodhya dispute, Gujarat riots.
Recommended text books:
          1. Indian Constitution at Work, Published by NCERT
          2. Political Theory Part-II, Published by NCERT

 

GEOGRAPHY (Code No. 029)


Rationale
Geography is introduced as an elective subject at the senior secondary stage. After ten years of general education, students branch out at the beginning of this stage and are exposed to the rigours of the discipline for the first time. Being an entry point for the higher education, students choose geography for pursuing their academic interest and, therefore, need a broader and deeper understanding of the subject. For others, geographical knowledge is useful in daily lives because it is a valuable medium for the education of young people. Its contribution lies in the content, cognitive processes, skills and values that geography promotes and thus helps the students explore, understand and evaluate the environmental and social dimensions of the world in a better manner.
Since geography explores the relationship between people and their environment, it includes studies of physical and human environments and their interactions at different scales-local, state/region, nation and the world. The fundamental principles responsible for the varieties in the distributional pattern of physical and human features and phenomena over the earth’s surface need to be understood properly. Application of these principles would be taken up through selected case studies from the world and India. Thus, the physical and human environment of India and study of some issues from a geographical point of view will be covered in greater detail. Students will be exposed to different methods used in geographical investigations.


Objectives
The course in geography will help learners:
Familiarise themselves with the terms, key concepts and basic principles of geography;
Search for, recognize and understand the processes and patterns of the spatial arrangement of the natural as well as human features and phenomena on the earth’s surface;
Understand and analyse the inter-relationship between physical and human environments and their impact;
Apply geographical knowledge and methods of inquiry to new situations or problems at different levels-local, regional, national and global;
Develop geographical skills, relating to collection, processing and analysis of data/ information and preparation of report including maps and graphs and use of computers whereas possible; and
Utilize geographical knowledge in understanding issues concerning the community such as environmental issues, socio-economic concerns, gender and become responsible and effective member of the community.

                                                                         Class XI

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              One Theory                                 Paper 3 Hours                           70 Marks

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part A. Fundamentals of Physical Geography                                           35 (Marks)
Unit-1: Geography as a discipline                                                                   3
Unit-2: The Earth                                                                                            5
Unit-3: Landforms                                                                                           8
Unit-4: Climate                                                                                              10
Unit-5: Water (Oceans)                                                                                   4
Unit-6: Life on the Earth                                                                                3
Unit-7: Map work                                                                                            2
Part B. India- Physical Environment                                                        35 (Marks)
Unit-8: Introduction                                                                                       3
Unit-9: Physiography                                                                                    10
Unit-10: Climate, vegetation and soil                                                           10
Unit-11: Natural hazards and Disasters                                                           9
Unit-12: Map Work                                                                                         3
Part C. Practical Work                                    3 Hours                          30 Marks
Unit-1: Fundamentals of Maps                                                                      10
Unit-2: Topographic and Weather Maps                                                       15
Unit-3 : Practical Record Book & Viva                                                            5

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part A: Fundamentals of Physical Geography                                       (Periods 75)
Unit-1: Geography as a Discipline                                                          (Periods 3)
Geography as an integrating discipline, as a science of spatial attributes;Branches of geography; importance of physical geography
Unit-2: The Earth                                                                                  (Periods 10)
Origin and evolution of the earth; Interior of the earth; Wegener’s continental drift theory and plate tectonics; earthquakes and volcanoes.
Unit-3: Landforms                                                                                  (Periods 18)
Rocks: major types of rocks and their characteristics; Landforms and their evolution Geomorphic processes-weathering, mass wasting, erosion and deposition; soil-formation

Unit 4: Climate                                                                                       (Periods 30)
Atmosphere- composition and structure; elements of weather and climate.
Insolation-angle of incidence and distribution; heat budget of the earth-heating and cooling of atmosphere (conduction, convection, terrestrial radiation and advection); temperaturefactors controlling temperature; distribution of temperature-horizontal and vertical; inversion of temperature.
Pressure-pressure belts; winds-planetary, seasonal and local; air masses and fronts; tropical and extratropical cyclones.
Precipitation-evaporation; condensation-dew, frost, fog, mist and cloud; rainfall-types and world distribution.
World climates-classification (Koeppen), greenhouse effect, global warming and climatic changes.


Unit 5: Water (Oceans)                                                                          (Periods 8)
Hydrological Cycle.
Oceans - distribution of temperature and salinity; movements of ocean water-waves, tides and currents; submarine reliefs.


Unit 6: Life on the Earth                                                                       (Periods 6)
Biosphere - importance of plants and other organisms; biodiversity and conservation; ecosystem and ecological balance.


Unit 7: Map work on identification of features based on the above units on the outline political map of the world.


Part B. India - Physical Environment                                                      65 Periods
Unit 8: Introduction                                                                              (Periods 3)

Location-space relations and India’s place in the world.                  (Periods 3)


Unit 9: Physiography                                                                             (Periods 24)
Structure and Relief;
Drainage systems: concept of watershed; the Himalayan and the Peninsular;
Physiographic divisions.


Unit 10: Climate, Vegetation and Soil                                                   (24 Periods)
Weather and climate — spatial and temporal distribution of temperature, pressure winds and rainfall, Indian monsoon: mechanism, onset and withdrawal, variability of rainfalls : spatial and temporal; Climatic types (koeppen)
Natural vegetation-forest types and distribution; wild life; conservation; biosphere reserves;

Soils - major types (ICAR’s classification) and their distribution, soil degradation and conservation.


Unit 11: Natural Hazards and Disasters: Causes, Consequences and Management (One case study to be introduced for each topic)                                                                                            (Periods 16)
Floods and droughts
Earthquakes and Tsunami
Cyclones
Landslides


Unit 12: Map Work of features based on above units for locating and labelling on the Outline Political map of India.


C. Practical Work                                                                                   (40 Periods)
Unit 1: Fundamentals of Maps                                                                (12 Periods)

Maps -types; scales-types; construction of simple linear scale, measuring distance; finding direction and use of symbols.
Latitude, longitude and time.
Map projection- typology, construction and properties of projections : Conical with one standard parallel and Mercator’s projection.


Unit 2: Topographic and Weather Maps                                                  (28 Periods)
Study of topographic maps (1 : 50,000 or 1 : 25,000 Survey of India maps); contour cross section and identification of landforms-slopes, hills, valleys, waterfall, cliffs; distribution of settlements.
Aerial Photographs: Types & Geometry-vertical aerial photographs; difference between maps & aerial photographs; photo scale determination.
Satellite imageries, stages in remote sensing data-acquisition, platform & sensors and data products, (photographic & digital).
Identification of physical & cultural features from aerial photographs & satellite imageries.
Use of weather instruments: thermometer, wet and dry-bulb thermometer, barometer, wind vane, raingauge.
Use of weather charts: describing pressure, wind and rainfall distribution.


Unit 3: Practical Record Book and Vivavoce'.
Recommended Books:
          1. Fundamentals of Physical Geography, Published by NCERT.
          2. India - Physical Environment, Published by NCERT.

                                                                         Class XII

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              One Theory                                 Paper 3 Hours                           70 Marks

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A. Fundamentals of Human Geography                                                       35 Marks
Unit 1: Human Geography                                                                                 3
Unit 2: People                                                                                                   5
Unit 3: Human Activities                                                                                 10
Unit 4: Transport, Communication & Trade                                                    10
Unit 5: Human settlements                                                                              5
Unit 6: Map Work                                                                                             2
B. India: People and Economy                                                                   35 Marks
Unit 7: People                                                                                                 5
Unit 8: Human Settlements                                                                            4
Unit 9: Resources and Development                                                             12
Unit 10: Transport, Communication and International Trade                         7
Unit 11: Geographical Perspective on selected issues and problems             4
Unit 12: Map Work                                                                                          3
C. Practical Work                                                                                     30 Marks
Unit 1: Processing of Data and Thematic Mapping                                       15
Unit 2: Field study or Spatial Information Technology                                 10
Unit 3: Practical Record Book and Viva Voce                                                 5

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                   CLASS XII
A. Fundamentals of Human Geography                             (70 Periods)     35 Marks

Unit 1: Human Geography: Nature and Scope Periods                                   3


Unit 2: People                                                                                  Periods:15
Population — distribution, density and growth
Population change-spatial patterns and structure; determinants of population change;
Age-sex ratio; rural-urban composition;
Human development - concept; selected indicators, international comparisons

Unit 3: Human Activities                                                                    Periods 25
Primary activities - concept and changing trends; gathering, pastoral, mining, subsistence agriculture, modern agriculture; people engaged in agricultural and allied activities – some examples from selected countries.
Secondary activities-concept; manufacturing: types – household, small scale, large scale; agro based and mineral based industries; people engaged in secondary activities – some examples from selected countries.
Tertiary activities-concept; trade, transport and communication; services; people engaged in tertiary activities - some examples from selected countries
Quaternary activities-concept; knowledge based industries; people engaged in quaternary activities - some examples from selected countries


Unit 4: Transport, Communication and Trade                                    Periods 19
Land transport - roads, railways; trans-continental railways.
Water transport- inland waterways; major ocean routes.
Air transport- Intercontinental air routes.
Oil and gas pipelines.
Satellite communication and cyber space.
International trade-Bases and changing patterns; ports as gateways of international trade, role of WTO in International trade.


Unit 5: Human Settlements                                                                Periods 8
Settlement types - rural and urban; morphology of cities (case study); distribution of mega cities; problems of human settlements in developing countries.


Unit 6: Map Work on identification of features based on above units on the outline Political map of World.


Part B. India: People and Economy                                                  70 Periods
Unit 7: People Periods                                                                        1
2
Population : distribution, density and growth; composition of population - linguistic, religious; sex, rural-urban and occupational– polulation change through time and regional variations;
Migration: international, national-causes and consequences;
Human development: selected indicators and regional patterns;
Population, environment and development.

Unit 8: Human Settlements                                                   Periods 8
Rural settlements - types and distribution;
Urban settlements - types, distribution and functional classification.


Unit 9: Resources and Development                                   Periods 28
Land resources- general land use; agricultural land use, Distribution of major crops (Wheat, Rice, Tea, Coffee, Cotton, Jute, Sugar cane and Rubber), agricultural development and problems.
Water resources-availability and utilization-irrigation, domestic, industrial and other uses; scarcity of water and conservation methods-rain water harvesting and watershed management (one case study related with participatory watershed management to be introduced).
Mineral and energy resources: distribution of metallic (Ironore, Copper, Bauxite, Manganese) non-metallic (Mica, Salt) minerals; conventional (Coal, Petroleum, Natural gas and Hydro electricity) and non-conventional energy sources (solar, wind, biogas).
Industries - types, industrial location and clustering; distribution and changing pattern of selected industries-iron and steel, cotton textiles, sugar, petrochemicals, and knowledge based industries; impact of liberalization, privatisation and globalisation on industrial location;
Planning in India- target area planning (case study); idea of sustainable development (case study)


Unit 10: Transport, Communication and International Trade       Periods 12
Transport and communication-roads, railways, waterways and airways: oil and gas pipelines; national electric grids; communication networkings - radio, television, satellite and internet;
International trade- changing pattern of India’s foreign trade; sea ports and their hinterland and airports,


Unit 11: Geographical Perspective on Selected Issues and Problems (One case study to be introduced for each topic) Periods 10
Environmental pollution; urban-waste disposal.
Urbanisation rural-urban migration; problem of slum.
Land Degradation.

Unit 12: Map work on locating and labelling of features based on above units on outline political map of India    3 Marks


C. Practical Work
Unit I : Processing of Data and Thematic Mapping             (Periods 20)
Sources of data.
Tabulating and processing of data; calculation of averages, measures of central tendency, deviation and rank correlation;
Representation of data- construction of diagrams: bars, circles and flowchart; thematic maps; construction of dot; choropleth and isopleth maps.
Use of computers in data processing and mapping.


Unit II: Field Study or Spatial Information Technology        (Periods 10)
Field visit and study: map orientation, observation and preparation of sketch; survey on any one of the local concerns; pollution, ground water changes, land use and land-use changes, poverty, energy issues, soil degradation, impact of floods and drought, catchment area of school, Market survey and Household survey (any one topic of local concern may be taken up for the study; observation and questionnaire survey may be adopted for the data collection; collected data may be tabulated and analysed with diagrams and maps).
                           OR
Spatial Information Technology
Introduction to GIS; hardware requirements and software modules; data formats; raster and vector data, data input, editing & topology building; data analysis; overlay & buffer.
Recommended text books:
            1. Fundamentals of Human Geogrphy, Published by NCERT
            2. India - Poeple and Economy, Published by NCERT
            3. Practical Work in Geography, Published by NCERT