Pol 214 Course Title: Introduction to Political
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NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES COURSE CODE: POL 214 COURSE TITLE: INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL ANALYSIS POL 214 COURSE GUIDE COURSE GUIDE POL 214 INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL ANALYSIS Course Team Eyene Okpanachi (Developer/Writer) – UI Abdulrahoof Bello(Coordinator) – NOUN NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA iii POL 214 COURSE GUIDE National Open University of Nigeria Headquarters 14/16 Ahmadu Bello Way Victoria Island, Lagos Abuja Office No. 5 Dar es Salaam Street Off Aminu Kano Crescent Wuse II, Abuja e-mail: [email protected] URL: www.nou.edu.ng Published by National Open University of Nigeria Printed 2013 Reprinted 2014 ISBN: 978-058-227-4 All Rights Reserved iv POL 214 COURSE GUIDE CONTENTS PAGE Introduction…………………………………………… iv Course Aim…………………………………………… iv Course Objectives…………………………………….. iv Working through this Course………………………… v Course Materials……………………………………… v Study Units…………………………………………… v Textbooks and References……………………………. vii Assesment……………………………………………... viii Tutor-MarkedAssignment…………………………….. viii Final Examination and Grading ……………………… ix Course Marking Scheme……………………………… ix Course Overview/Presentation……………………….. ix What you will Learn in this Course…………………… x Facilitators/Tutors and Tutorials……………………… xi Conclusion……………………………………………. xi Summary………………………………………………. xi v POL 214 INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL ANALYSIS INTRODUCTION POL 214: Introduction to Political Analysis which is a three- credit unit course offered for students of the undergraduate degree programme in Political Science. There are 21 Study Units in this course. The prerequisite for studying this course is POL 111: Introduction to Political Science. It has been developed with appropriate local and international examples suitable for a student of politics. This course guide is for distance learners enrolled in the B.Sc Political Science programme of the National Open University of Nigeria. This guide is one of the several resource tools available to help you successfully complete this course and ultimately your programme. In this guide you will find very useful information about the course aims and objectives, what the course is about, what course materials you will be using; available services to support your learning; information on assignments and examination. It also offers you guidelines on how to plan your time for study; the amount of time you are likely to spend on each study unit; your tutor-marked assignment. I strongly recommend that you go through this course guide and complete the feedback form at the end before you begin your study of the course. The feedback form must be submitted to your tutorial facilitator along with your first assignment. This guide also provides answers to several of your questions. However, do not hesitate to contact your study centre if you have further questions. I wish you all the best in your learning experience and successful completion of this course. COURSE AIM The major purpose of this seminar is to provide a broad overview of the nature of inquiry and explanation in political science The aim of this course is to provide students with an introduction to some of the key approaches and theories currently popular in the study of politics, and in particular those approaches which form the foundation for political analysis. COURSE OBJECTIVES There are objectives to be achieved in each study unit of the course. You should read them before studying each unit. Generally, on completion of this course you should be able to: 208 POL 214 MODULE 4 explain the nature of politics identify the approaches of political analysis explain the history and development of political science describe the scientific quest in political science explain the nature of the political science discipline as an intellectual enterprise identify main activities and issues of a political system evaluate the goals, methods, and problems of government and politics, and become critically alert to bias and to simplified panaceas. identify political systems and structure of government describe some of the key processes and activities in a political system. acquire competence and skills in analysing various political systems and structure, and functions of modern government identify the range of analytic procedures or approaches that can be employed in the search for knowledge about politics. The course ends with a look at the special features of contemporary politics at the international arena. WORKING THROUGH THIS COURSE I would advise you to carefully study each unit, beginning with this Study Guide, especially since this course provides an opportunity for you to understand the major approaches in political analysis. Also, make a habit of noting down any questions you have for tutorials. In addition, please try your hand at formulating or identifying theories relevant to, and that can be applied to political inquiry. COURSE MATERIALS 1. Course Guide 2. Study Units 3. Textbooks 4. Assignment file 5. Presentation schedule. STUDY UNITS POL 211: Introduction to Political Analysis is a 200 level course for undergarduate Political science studnets. Teher are four modules in this course, each module is made up of five units, apart from the third module which is made up of six unit. Thus, you will find twenty one units in the whole text. Some units may be longer and/or more in-depth 209 POL 214 INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL ANALYSIS than othres, dependnung on the scope of the course that is in focus. The four modules in the course are as follows: Module 1 The Essence of Politics Unit 1 Conceptions of Politics Unit 2 The Importance and Nature of Political Analysis Unit 3 The Language of Inquiry in Political Science Analysis Unit 4 Is Political Science a Science? Unit 5 The Evolution of Political Science as a Discipline Module 2 Approaches to the Study of Politics Unit 1 Traditional Approaches Unit 2 The Behavioral Approach Unit 3 Approaches to the Study of Political Systems: Systems approach and Structural-Functionalist approach Unit 4 Political Processes Approaches: Class Approach, Pluralism (Groups Approach), and Elite Approach. Unit 5 Rational Choice Institutionalism Module 3 Political Systems, Political Process and Political Action. Unit 1 Power, Authority and Legitimacy Unit 2 Political Culture Unit 3 Political Socialisation Unit 4 Political Participation Unit 5 Political Representation Unit 6 Political Parties and Interest Groups Module 4 Typology of Political Systems Unit 1 Form of Rule Unit2 Political System and Organs of Government Unit 3 Political Systems and Distribution of Power Unit 4 The Federal System of Government in Nigeria Unit 5 The International Political System and Globalisation Each module is preceded with a listing of the units contained in it, and a table of contents, introduction, objectives and the main content in turn precedes each unit, including Self-Assesment Exercises (SAEs). At the end of each unit, you will find one or more Tutor-marked Assignment (TMA) which you are expected to work on and submit for marking. 210 POL 214 MODULE 4 TEXTBOOKS AND REFERENCES At the end of each unit, you will find a list of relevant materials which you may wish to consult as the need arises, even though I have made efforts to provide you with the most important information you need to pass this course. However, I would encourage you to cultivate the habit of consulting as many relevant materials as you are able to within the time available to you. In particular, be sure to consult whatever material you are advised to consult before attempting any exercise. Your course material is the main text for this course. However, you are encouraged to consult other sources as provided for you in the list of references and further reading below: Annsell, C. (2006). “Network Institutionalism.” In Rhodes, Binder and Rockman (Eds). The Oxford Handbook of Political Institutions. Oxford. Oxford University Press. 23-38. Boix, C. (2007). “The Emergence of Political Parties and Party Systems.” In Boix and Stokes. (Eds). The Oxford Handbook of Comparative Politics. Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp.499- 522. Dubois, H. & Fattore, G. (2009). “Definitions and Typologies in Public Administration Research: The Case of Decentralization” in International Journal of Public Administration: (328): pp. 704- 727. Farr, J. (2003). “Political Science.” In The Cambridge History of Science: The Modern Social Sciences. (7th ed.). Porter , T. and Ross, D. (Eds.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. March, J. & Olsen, J. (2006) “Elaborating the “New Institutionalism” In Rhodes, Binder and Rockman (Eds). The Oxford Handbook of Political Institutions. Oxford. Oxford University Press. 3-21. Geddes, B. (2007). “What Cause Democratization?” In Boix and Stokes. (Eds). The Oxford Handbook of Comparative Politics. Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 317-339. Hagopian, F. (2007). Parties and Voters and Emerging Democracies.” In Boix & Stokes. (Eds). The Oxford Handbook of Comparative Politics. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 582-603. 211 POL 214 INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL ANALYSIS Laitin, D. (2002). “Comparative Politics: The State of the Sub discipline.” In Katsnelson & Milner, ed. Political Science: State of the Discipline III . New York and London: W.W. Norton. Munck, G. (2007). Rejoinder: Visions of Comparative Politics: A Reply to Mahoney & Wibbels. Comparative Political Studies. 40(1) 45- 47. Przeworski, A. (2007). “Is the Science of Comparative Politics Possible?” In Boix & Stokes. Eds. The Oxford Handbook of Comparative Politics.