  We present a study of geometric phases in classical wave and polarisation
optics using the basic mathematical framework of quantum mechanics. Important
physical situations taken from scalar wave optics, pure polarisation optics,
and the behaviour of polarisation in the eikonal or ray limit of Maxwell's
equations in a transparent medium are considered. The case of a beam of light
whose propagation direction and polarisation state are both subject to change
is dealt with, attention being paid to the validity of Maxwell's equations at
all stages. Global topological aspects of the space of all propagation
directions are discussed using elementary group theoretical ideas, and the
effects on geometric phases are elucidated.
