IGNOU MPSE-003 Assignment 2026-27New
Western Political Thought (From Plato to Marx)
Last updated by IGNOU: 05 Nov 2026. Guide written from the official PDF on 06 Nov 2026, 04:24 pm.
December 2026 term-end exam
Wed, 09 Dec 2026 · Morning (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM)
From IGNOU's official date sheet dated 30 Oct 2026. IGNOU can still revise it: check your hall ticket for the final date and your exam centre.
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Make the MPSE-003 assignment front page →| Course code | MPSE-003 |
|---|---|
| Course title | Western Political Thought (From Plato to Marx) |
| Programme | Master’s Degree Programme in Political Science (MPS)MAH, MAPS, MPS |
| School | School of Social Sciences |
| Assignment code | ASST/TMA/2026-27 |
| Session | July 2026 and January 2027 |
| Maximum marks | 100 |
| Weightage | 30% |
| Last date (June exam) | 31 Mar 2027 |
| Last date (December exam) | 30 Sept 2027 |
| Medium | English, Hindi |
| Term-end exam (December 2026) | Wed, 09 Dec 2026, Morning (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM) |
About the MPSE-003 assignment
The MPSE-003 assignment covers Western political thought from Plato to Marx. Topics include political philosophy, revolution, faith and reason, forms of government, social contract, natural rights, general will, citizenship, democracy, ethics and class struggle.
This tutor-marked assignment has two sections with five questions each. Answer five questions in total, choosing at least two from each section. Each selected question carries 20 marks and normally requires about 500 words. Questions 5 and 10 each contain two short-note topics requiring about 250 words apiece.
What the assignment asks
| Question | Marks | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 20 | Assess Plato’s political philosophy and his contribution to Western political thought. |
| Q2 | 20 | Examine Aristotle’s views on revolution in relation to the claim that he favoured the existing order. |
| Q3 | 20 | Discuss how St. Thomas Aquinas understood the relationship between faith and reason. |
| Q4 | 20 | Describe Machiavelli’s classification of different forms of government. |
| Q5 | 20 | Write two short notes on Hobbes’s social contract and Locke’s ideas about the state of nature and natural rights. |
| Q6 | 20 | Examine the nature and defining features of Rousseau’s concept of general will. |
| Q7 | 20 | Present a short account of Burke’s views on citizenship and democracy. |
| Q8 | 20 | Explain Kant’s categorical imperative using suitable examples. |
| Q9 | 20 | Discuss the claim that the history of society is shaped by class struggle. |
| Q10 | 20 | Write two short notes on Bentham’s views on democratic government and the welfare state, and on the proposition linking the state with God’s progress on Earth. |
This is a summary of each question. Download the official PDF above for the exact questions and word limits.
How to write and submit it
- Read the assignment instructions in the Programme Guide before beginning.
- Write answers in your own words and stay close to the prescribed word limits.
- Attempt five questions, including at least two from each section.
- Write about 500 words for each selected question; for Questions 5 and 10, write about 250 words for each short note.
- Submit all required assignments within the stipulated time to be eligible for the term-end examination.
- Submit the completed assignment to the Coordinator of your allotted Study Centre.
- Obtain and retain a submission receipt, and keep a photocopy of your work if possible.
- Ask the Study Centre to return your evaluated assignment.
Submission dates: 31 March 2027 (June term-end exam); 30 September 2027 (December term-end exam).
Frequently asked questions
Which sessions does the MPSE-003 assignment cover?
It is for the July 2026 and January 2027 sessions.
How many questions must I answer in MPSE-003?
Answer five questions out of ten, selecting at least two from each of the two sections.
What are the marks and weightage of this assignment?
The assignment is worth 100 marks, with 20 marks for each selected question. Its weightage is 30%.
What is the word limit for MPSE-003 answers?
Each selected question requires about 500 words. Questions 5 and 10 have two short notes each, with about 250 words required per note.
When and where should I submit the assignment?
Submit it to the Coordinator of your allotted Study Centre by 31 March 2027 for the June term-end exam or 30 September 2027 for the December term-end exam. Obtain and retain a receipt.
Which mediums are available for MPSE-003?
The official listing provides English and Hindi versions.
Other IGNOU MAH assignments
All MAH assignments →Assignment details and PDFs come from IGNOU's official website; the guide is a summary of the official PDF. Always check the latest instructions and last dates on ignou.ac.in or with your Regional Centre before submitting.