Political Science Methods

1. Define key concepts in Political Science.
2. Apply various teaching methods effectively.
3. Design comprehensive course and lesson plans.
4. Utilize learning resources appropriately.
5. Construct and analyze objective and essay tests.
6. Evaluate students' learning using diverse tools.

13 weeks, about 53 hours in total. Yours will differ.

1. Week 1Module One: Nature and Purpose of Political Science

   • Unit 1: Definitions of Government and Political Science · 2 hours

     Read Unit 1: Definitions of Government and Political Science. Define government, politics, and political science.. Discuss the arguments for and against the scientific status of political science..

   • Unit 2: Origin and Development of Government and Political Science · 2 hours

     Read Unit 2: Origin and Development of Government and Political Science. Describe the origin of political ideas in ancient Greece.. Identify the roles of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.. Trace the four main stages of the development of Political Science..

2. Week 2Module One: Nature and Purpose of Political Science

   • Unit 3: Branches and Major Concepts of Political Science · 3 hours

     Read Unit 3: Branches and Major Concepts of Political Science. Describe major branches of Political Science.. Explain key concepts such as social control, state, nation, government, power, and legitimacy..

3. Week 3Module One: Nature and Purpose of Political Science

   • Unit 4: Putting the Subject Matter in Government or Political Science in the Curriculum · 3 hours

     Read Unit 4: Putting the Subject Matter in Government or Political Science in the Curriculum. List the elements of a subject curriculum.. Identify branches of Government in the NECO curriculum and Political Science in the NCCE curriculum..

4. Week 4Module One: Nature and Purpose of Political Science

   • Unit 5: Importance of Political Science · 3 hours

     Read Unit 5: Importance of Political Science. Mention the goals of the four major approaches in Political Science.. Discuss the reasons for studying Political Science.. Understand the role of a citizen as a rational decision-maker and social actor..

5. Week 5Module Two: Methods for Teaching Political Science

   • Unit 1: Planning to Teach Political Science · 4 hours

     Read Unit 1: Planning to Teach Political Science. Describe the basic steps for preparing a course plan.. Discuss how a unit is built up.. Describe how to write a lesson plan.. Consider the five conditions for learning: readiness, motivation, organization, practice, and transfer..

6. Week 6Module Two: Methods for Teaching Political Science

   • Unit 2: Teacher- Centered Methods of Teaching Political Science · 4 hours

     Read Unit 2: Teacher- Centered Methods of Teaching Political Science. Describe the advantages of teacher-centered methods such as lecture, storytelling, repetition, review, note-giving, and controlled question-answer.. Practice using these methods effectively..

7. Week 7Module Two: Methods for Teaching Political Science

   • Unit 3: Learner- Centered Methods of Teaching Political Science · 4 hours

     Read Unit 3: Learner-Centered Methods of Teaching Political Science. Describe the characteristics of learner-centered methods such as inquiry, discovery, problem-solving, springboard, case study, role-playing, small group discussion, homework, supervised study, and fieldwork.. Use these methods judiciously..

8. Week 8Module 3: Materials and Resources of Teaching Political Science

   • Unit 1: Learning Materials for Teaching Political Science · 4 hours

     Read Unit 1: Learning Materials for Teaching Political Science. Classify learning materials into print and non-print categories.. Select learning materials using proper criteria.. Use print materials like textbooks, magazines, and newspapers profitably.. Use non-print materials like pictures profitably..

9. Week 9Module 3: Materials and Resources of Teaching Political Science

   • Unit 2: Learning Human Resources for Teaching Political Science · 4 hours

     Read Unit 2: Learning Human Resources for Teaching Political Science. Recognize teachers, learners, guest speakers, and interviewed political actors as learning resources.. Make use of these resources effectively..

10. Week 10Module Four: Evaluating Students' Learning

    • Unit 1: Classifying the Tools of Measuring and Evaluating Students' Performance · 4 hours

      Read Unit 1: Classifying the Tools of Measuring and Evaluating Students' Performance. Define and explain the term evaluation.. Classify teacher-made tests according to item format.. Group tests based on stimulus material.. Categorize tests based on the purpose and use of tests..

11. Week 11Module Four: Evaluating Students' Learning

    • Unit 2: Constructing Objective Test Items in Political Science · 4 hours

      Read Unit 2: Constructing Objective Test Items in Political Science. Design a test plan to ensure fair distribution of test items.. List the steps involved in writing objective test items.. Write examples of alternative response, multiple choice, matching, completion, and arrangement test items..

12. Week 12Module Four: Evaluating Students' Learning

    • Unit 3: Developing Essay Tests in Political Science · 4 hours

      Read Unit 3: Developing Essay Tests in Political Science. Identify guidelines for the development of essay test items.. Construct different types of essay test items.. Score essay test items properly..

13. Week 13Module Four: Evaluating Students' Learning

    • Unit 4: Test Analysis in Political Science Tests · 4 hours

      Read Unit 4: Test Analysis in Political Science Tests. Measure the difficulty level and discriminatory power of test items.. Estimate the validity and reliability of the test.. Provide feedback of test results to the students..

    • Unit 5: Tools of Evaluation Supplementary to Tests · 4 hours

      Read Unit 5: Tools of Evaluation Supplementary to Tests. Describe the characteristics of observation, checklist, rating scale, records of behavior, interview, and questionnaire as evaluation tools.. Construct these evaluation tools..