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
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 constitution and constitutionalism
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
