PAD 120 : COURSE SYLLABUS

The Course syllabus for PAD 120 : Introduction to Political Science covers the following topics. To obtain better marks in your final examination, you should prepare your reading materials, notes and answers to past examination questions, according to the outline/framework suggested below. Please take note that in your final examination questions will be set on most of the topics covered in the syllabus. Therefore please do not be selective in your reading, research and revision

TOPICS/OUTLINE

CONCEPT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

Definition of political science Scope of political science: public administration; political theory; comparative politics; international relations. Political science and its relationship with economics; history; geography; sociology and psychology. Political science methods (case study; survey research; comparative study; historical study) Is political science really a science? Arguments for and against the statement. THE STATE Meaning /definition Characteristics/Features/ Essential elements of a state Functions (purposes) of the state/ government Theories concerning the origin of the state: characteristics/elements/features of all the seven (7) theories : theory of Divine origin; theory of Force; theory of Social Contract; Matriarchal & Patriarchal theories; Historical / Evolutionary theory. AUTHORITY & POWER Definition Differences between the two concepts Sources and types / kinds How does a leader obtain authority? Ways to safeguard sovereignty LEGITIMACY Definition How does a government gain legitimacy? (Methods to gain legitimacy)

LAW Definition Sources Types: National & International law CONSTITUTION Definition Types: Written, Unwritten, Fexible & Rigid Advantages & disadvantages of the 4 types of constitutions Characteristics / features of a good constitution Difference between constitutionandconstitutionalism THEORY OF SEPARATION OF POWERS Meaning and explanation of the theory Rationale (reason/why) of the theory Criticisms against the theory of separation of powers SOVEREIGNTY Meaning/definition Characteristics : absolute; permanent; indivisible; exclusiveness; inalienable Types of sovereignty : popular sovereignty; ; political sovereignty; legal sovereignty; De jure and De facto; Nominal and Real sovereignty. FORMS OF GOVERNMENT Definition of Government. Presidential government; Parliamentary government; Federal government; Unitary government (characteristics; differences between these forms of government; advantages and disadvantages of these systems of government). Republic versus Monarchy Democracy: definition; characteristics; types of democracy : Direct and Indirect/Representative democracy; advantages & disadvantages of democracy. Autocarcy: definition; characteristics; differences between autocracy and democracy; forms (types) of autocracy : authoritarian; absolute monarchy; military rule; oligarchy; totalitarian

Peter Johnson 2011