COURSE OUTLINE AND READING LIST FOR POLI 112: POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS 2018

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, LEGON

POLI 112: POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS

COURSE OUTLINE AND READING LIST: SECOND SEMESTER, 2017/2018

LECTURERS: DR. KWAME ASAH-ASANTE, DR. ROSINA FOLI  

COURSE OUTLINE AND READINGS

COURSE TITLE	POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS
COURSE CODE	POLI 112
PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES	No human society can exist without rules, regulations, conventions, norms and so on. These are regulatory mechanisms that shape the conduct of people in society which constitute the basis of political institutions, and they are necessary for the administration of the state. For institutions to play the needed roles as required of them, it is important that they continue to exist for a long time. This can be achieved when people are educated about such institutions so that they will accept and internalise the knowledge. It is on the basis of this that, this course introduces beginners of the study of Political Science to the various political institutions in the state and how they function. Topics that will be considered for discussion are the concepts and theories of political institutions. Others are the legislature, executive, judiciary, political parties, electoral processes and electoral systems.
WEEK NO.	DATE	LECTURE TOPIC	TUTORIALS	VENUE	ASSESSMENT
1	February 5, 9, 2018	The Concepts and Theories of Political Institutions		NNB2/JQB22/CC
2	February 12, 16, 2018	Legislature		NNB2/JQB22/CC
3	February  19, 23 2018	Legislature		NNB2/JQB22/CC
4	February 26 and March 2, 2018	Executive		NNB2/JQB22/CC
5	March 5, 9,  2018	Executive		NNB2/JQB22/CC
6	March 12, 16, 2018	Judiciary		NNB2/JQB22/CC
7	March 19, 23, 2018	Judiciary		NNB2/JQB22/CC	Continuous Assessment
8	March 26, 30 2018	Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balance		NNB2/JQB22/CC
9	April 2, 6, 2018	Political Parties/ Electoral Process		NNB2/JQB22/CC	RKF
10	April 9, 13, 2018	Political Parties/ Electoral Process		NNB2/JQB22/CC	RKF
11	April 16, 20, 2018	Electoral Systems		NNB2/JQB22/CC	RKF
12	April 17, 21, 2018	Constitution		NNB1/JQB22/CC
13	April 23, 27, 2018	Constitution		NNB2/JQB22/CC
14	REVISION
15-17	EXAMINATION (70%)
READINGS

1.      Asah-Asante, K. & Brako, I. (2015). Understanding Political Institutions. (Accra: Black Mask Ltd.).

2.      Hague, R. & Harrop, M. (2010). Comparative Government and Politics: An Introduction, 8^th ed. (New York: Palgrave Macmillan).

3.      Heywood, A. (2007). Politics, 3^rd ed. (New York: Palgrave Macmillan).

4.      Guy Peters, B. (2005). Institutional Theory in Political Science: The New Institutionalism, 2^nd ed. (London: Continuum).

5.      Magstadt, T. M. (2006). Understanding Politics: Ideas, Institutions and Issues. (Wadsworth Cengage Learning).

6.      Miller, R. L. (1999). NTC’s American Government, 2^nd ed. (Lincolnwood: National Textbook Co.).

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

1.      The course will last for thirteen weeks.

2.      Each class will have a two-hour lecture in addition to a one-hour tutorial per week.

3.      To ensure effective teaching and learning, lectures will be organized in an interactive manner. Students will be allowed to ask and answer questions in class.

4.      There will be a Continuous Assessment (CA) test and end of semester examination. The CA test will take place at the Seventh Week. The CA test will carry 30 per cent of the final examination mark. The end of semester examination will carry 70 per cent. During this examination, students will be required to answer some multiple choice, short response and essay questions.

ALLOCATION OF EXAMINATION MARKS

Continuous Assessment                                  30%

Main Examination                                           70%

Total Marks                                                     100%