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
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COURSE TITLE
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POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS
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COURSE CODE
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POLI 112
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PURPOSE
AND
OBJECTIVES
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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.
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WEEK NO.
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DATE
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LECTURE TOPIC
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TUTORIALS
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VENUE
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ASSESSMENT
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1
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February 5, 9, 2018
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The
Concepts and Theories of Political Institutions
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NNB2/JQB22/CC
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2
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February 12, 16, 2018
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Legislature
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NNB2/JQB22/CC
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3
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February 19,
23 2018
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Legislature
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NNB2/JQB22/CC
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4
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February 26 and March 2, 2018
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Executive
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NNB2/JQB22/CC
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5
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March 5, 9, 2018
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Executive
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NNB2/JQB22/CC
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6
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March 12, 16, 2018
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Judiciary
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NNB2/JQB22/CC
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7
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March 19, 23, 2018
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Judiciary
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NNB2/JQB22/CC
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Continuous Assessment
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8
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March 26, 30 2018
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Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balance
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NNB2/JQB22/CC
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9
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April 2, 6, 2018
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Political
Parties/
Electoral
Process
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NNB2/JQB22/CC
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RKF
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10
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April 9, 13, 2018
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Political
Parties/
Electoral Process
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NNB2/JQB22/CC
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RKF
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11
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April 16, 20, 2018
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Electoral Systems
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NNB2/JQB22/CC
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RKF
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12
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April 17, 21, 2018
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Constitution
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NNB1/JQB22/CC
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13
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April 23, 27, 2018
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Constitution
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NNB2/JQB22/CC
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14
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REVISION
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15-17
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EXAMINATION (70%)
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READINGS
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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, 8th ed. (New York: Palgrave
Macmillan).
3.
Heywood,
A. (2007). Politics, 3rd ed. (New York: Palgrave Macmillan).
4.
Guy
Peters, B. (2005). Institutional Theory
in Political Science: The New Institutionalism, 2nd 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,
2nd 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%
