COURSE OUTLINE AND READING LIST - POLI 344: POLITICAL RESEARCH METHODS

                                                           University of Ghana

 Department of Political Science

Second Semester, 2015/2016 Academic Year

Lecturer: Dr. Isaac Owusu-Mensah

Course Title	Political Research Methods
Course Code	Poli 344
Purpose and Objectives	The Course is a continuation of Poli 343- Introduction to Political Research. The course is intended to continue to introduce students to research process in social science. The purpose of this course is to give students a firm grounding in the fundamentals of political research and to familiarize students with a range of typical data collection and analysis methods and processes in political science. Consequently, students will be provided with the core skills in data collections and analysis that can be applied in an academic setting or work environment. OBJECTIVES: ·         To provide students with options and different methods of data collection and analysis available in social research with specific emphasis on political research methodology. ·         To understand the philosophy and logic underlying social science research. ·         To appreciate the principles that guides the design and evaluation social science research. ·         To be confident in applying appropriate research methods to answer social and political issues. Please Note: The date and venue for Interim Assessment (30%) shall be determined during the semester.
Week No.	Date	Lecture Course	Tutorials	Venue	Assessment
1	1st and 2nd February 2016	Statement of the Problem in Research Designing and defining a research question		Lecture: CC and JQB 14
2	15th and 16th February, 2016	Hypotheses The significance and use of hypothesis in various research designs: a.       Quantitative b.      Qualitative a.       Mixed Methods		Lecture: CC and JQB 14
3	22nd and 23rd February, 2016	Theory The significance and use of theory in various research designs: a.       Quantitative b.      Qualitative c.       Mixed Methods Types of theories Levels of theory		Lecture: CC and JQB 14
4	29 February and 1st March 2016	Literature Review- The Role in Research, Types		Lecture: CC and JQB 14
5	7th and 8th March, 2016	Literature Review- How to conduct review		Lecture: CC and JQB 14
6	14th and 15th March 2016	Citation and Plagiarism		Lecture: CC and JQB 14
7	21st and 22nd March 2016	Sampling and Samples- Types, importance and appropriate application		Lecture: CC and JQB 14
8	28th and 29th March, 2016	Methods of Data collections- Quantitative techniques-Surveys		Lecture: CC and JQB 14
9	4th and 5th April 2016	Methods of Data Collection- Quantitative techniques –questionnaire design		Lecture: CC and JQB 14
10	11th   and 12th April, 2016	Methods of Data Collection- Qualitative techniques-observations		Lecture: CC and JQB 14
11	18th and 19th April, 2016	Methods of Data Collection- Qualitative techniques-Interviews-face to face and focus groups		Lecture: CC and JQB 14
12	25th  and 26th April 2016	Methods of Data Analysis –Quantitative techniques		Lecture: CC and JQB 14
13	2nd and 3rd   May, 2016	Methods of Data Analysis –Qualitative techniques		Lecture: CC and JQB 14
14	9th  and 10th   May 2016	Revision	Revision	Lecture: CC and JQB 14
14 - 16	Exam (70%)

KEY Reference Texts: 

1.       Blaikie, Norman (2010).  Designing Social Research: The Logic of Anticipation. Second Edition.  Cambridge: Polity Press. pp. 124-147

2.       Creswell, J.W (2009).  Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches. Third Edition.  London: Sage Publishing Inc. Chapter One: The Selection of Research Design pp 1-20

3.       Dawson, C (2011).  Introduction to Research Methods: A practical guide to anyone undertaking a research project.  Oxford: How To Books Ltd pp. 1-8

4.       Kreuger L. W and Lawrence Neuman, W (2003).  Social Work Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Applications.  Boston: Pearson Education Inc. pp. 11-16 (Steps of the Research Process)

5.       Leedy, P.D and Ormrod, J. E. (2010).  Practical Research: Planning and Design. Ninth Edition.  New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc. pp: 1-7.

6.       May, T (2010).  Social Research: Issues, Methods and Process.  New York: Open University Press. Chapter One: Perspective on Social scientific research pp. 7-27.

7.       Punch, K.F (2005).  Introduction to Social Research: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches.  Second Edition.  London: Sage Publications Ltd.   pp. 37-39

8.       Wolfer, L (2007).  Real Research: Conducting and Evaluating Research in the Social Sciences.  Boston: Pearson Education Inc.  pp 13-18.

IMPORTANT NOTICE- LEVEL 400

All students of POLI 444 can access the course materials for the preliminary lectures on the yahoo mail platform with the following login details

Email Address: ugpoli444@yahoo.com

Password: bliss1234

Note: Do not attempt to change the password.

COURSE OUTLINE AND READING LIST - POLI 452: POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC REFORM AND DEMOCRACY IN AFRICA

University of Ghana

Department of Political Science

Second Semester, 2015/2016 Academic Year

Lecturers: Dr. Gyekye-Jandoh and Dr. Seidu Alidu

Office:  Room 12 and 6, Political Science Dept.

E-mail: smalidu@ug.edu.gh; mgyekyej@yahoo.com

Course Title	Political and Economic Reform and Democracy in Africa
Course Code	POLI 452
Purpose and Objectives	Course Description and Objectives: The course is designed to help upper level undergraduate students understand and appreciate the various political and economic reforms that have characterized politics and public management in Africa south of the Sahara (sub-Saharan Africa). It also explores and examines democratization against the backdrop of the differences in the democratization experiences of the various countries across time and space. This course requires quality participation by all registered students since most class discussions will expect students to give examples of some of the reforms they have heard, read or seen in sub-Saharan Africa. In essence, students are required to be widely read in order to make meaningful contributions in class. Course Expectations:     Students are expected to complete all assigned readings before class and also participate in class discussions. It is expected that at the end of the semester, students of this course should be able to: discuss the characteristics of democratization in sub-Saharan Africa; understand and analyze elections and electoral systems in the continent; appreciate the role of political institutions in Africa’s democratic process, and be able to critique the various political and economic reforms that the continent has experimented over time.                 Grading System:             Interim Assessment (IA) — 30%             Final Exam — 70%             Total Mark/Grade — 100% Students should note that academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in this class.  (See University Handbook for penalties).
Week No.	Date	Lecture Course	Tutorials	Venue	Assessment
1	Friday 5th   February 2016	a)      Introductions b)      Course overview		Lecture:  NNB1
2	12th February, 2016	Democracy in Global and African Perspectives		Lecture:  NNB 1
3	19th February 2016	Transitions to Democracy in Africa I		Lecture:  NNB 1
4	26thFebruary 2016	Transitions to Democracy in Africa II		Lecture:  NNB 1
5	4th  March  2016	Elections, electoral systems and reforms in Africa I		Lecture:  NNB 1
6	11th  March, 2016	Elections, electoral systems and reforms in Africa II		Lecture:  NNB 1
7	18th March 2016	Political Institutions and Democratization in Africa I		Lecture:  NNB 1	Interim Assessment (30%)
8	1st April, 2016	Political Institutions and Democratization in Africa II		Lecture:  NNB 1
9	8th  April 2016	Improving Governance, Managing Conflicts and Rebuilding States I		Lecture:  NNB 1
10	15th  April, 2016	Economic Reforms: addressing poverty,  inequality and regionalism in Africa I		Lecture:  NNB 1
11	22nd April, 2016	Economic Reforms: addressing poverty,  inequality and regionalism in Africa II		Lecture:  NNB 1
12	29th April, 2016	Economic Reforms: addressing poverty,  inequality and regionalism in Africa III		Lecture:  NNB 1
13	27th and 28th April 2016	a)      Revision b)     Discussion on the effects of reforms in Africa	Revision	Lecture:  NNB 1
15 - 16	Final Exam (70%)

                                                      

REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDED READINGS

The World Bank (2000). Can Africa claim the 21^st century? The World Bank: Washington, D.C.

Gyimah-Boadi, E. (Editor) (2004). Democratic reform in Africa: the quality of progress. Lynne Reinner. 

Lindberg, S. (2006). Democracy and elections in Africa. The Johns Hopkins University Press   

Seitz, J.L. (2008). Global Issues: an introduction, 3^rd edition. Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing.

Rose, R. (2005). Learning from comparative public policy: a practical guide. New York: Routledge.       

 Payne, R.J. (2007). Global Issues: politics, economics, and culture. New York: Pearson Longman.  

 Handelman, H. (2000). The challenge of third world development, 2^nd edition. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. 

 Matthew Lockwood (2006) The state they’re in: an agenda for international action on poverty in Africa, second edition.UK: Practical Action Publishing.  

 Asare Bossman (2009) The African Union, Multi-level Governance and Accountability in Africa, Legon Journal of International Affairs, 6 (2), 121-137

Asare, Bossman (2012) Unitarism and Presidentialism: Political Institutions and Corruption in Public Management in Ghana, Journal of Public Administration and Policy Research, 4(2) pp.32-41.
Gyekye-Jandoh, A. (2013).Electoral Reforms and Gradual Democratization in Africa: The Case of Ghana. Africa Journal of Social Sciences, Vol. 2, pp. 74-92.
 Gyekye-Jandoh, A. (2014). Elections and Democracy in Africa since 2000: An Update on the Pertinent Issues. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science. Vol.4 (10). pp185-193.