EHS 212 INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE
Course outline
Credit Hours 3Hours
Pre-requisites none
Purpose:
This course aims at introducing students to the basic concepts of political science. As a unit in the study of political science, mastering of key concepts of the discipline shall be emphasized. This course aims at making the students understand political science with a view of making sense of the chaotic world of politics.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
1. Explain in detail the nature and scope of political science
2. Study the role of politics in shaping the behavior of the society
3. Discuss the role of power and politics in relation to human behavior.
4. Explain the role of justice and freedom in relation to world politics
5. Define terms like bureaucracy, democracy, pressure groups and civil society.
Course content
· Nature, scope and range of political science
· Role of politics in the society
· Relation between politics and legitimacy
· Political functions and institutions
· Theory of the state; nation versus state system
· Political ideologies and issues of equality, justice and freedom
· Bureaucracy, democracy, pressure groups and civil society.
· Transnational citizenship and identity
Teaching/learning methodologies: lectures, tutorials and discussions
Instructional materials and equipments: hand outs, chalkboard
Course assessment
Examination-70%; continuous assessment (exercises and tests)-30%; total-100
Recommended texts
I. Wilkinson. (1986) terrorism and the modern state. Basingstoke, Macmillan Press
II. Arblaster. A. (1994) Democracy; University of Minnesota press
III. Crick. B. (1962:2007), in defence of politics. Harmondsworth: penguin , 1962
IV. Hoffman. (1995:1998). Beyond the state. Cambridge, polity press
V. Ball. A. (1993), Modern politics and governments. London; Macmillan
THEME ONE: POLITICS
Definition
Defining politics has not been easy and indeed there is no single definition of the term politics. Different scholars have come up with different definitions.
