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PAD305Management Sciences3 Unitsintermediate

Elements of Government

This course introduces students to the fundamental elements of government, exploring its meaning, nature, and scope. It examines various political systems, organs of government, and their functions. The course also delves into the operations and regulations of government business, providing a comprehensive understanding of governmental structures and processes. Students will gain insights into the classifications and forms of government, as well as the theory of separation of powers.

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20h

Study Time

13

Weeks

2h

Per Week

none

Math Level

Course Keywords

GovernmentPolitical SystemsOrgans of GovernmentSeparation of PowersRule of Law

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level

Builds on foundational knowledge

65%

intermediate

📚

Math Level

No Math

📖

Learning Type

Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Meaning of Government

2

Organs of Government

3

Types of Political Systems

4

Presidential System

5

Parliamentary System

6

Federalism

7

Separation of Powers

8

Rule of Law

Total Topics8 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Tutor-Marked Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Final Examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Political Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Policy Advisor

Apply your skills in this growing field

Public Administrator

Apply your skills in this growing field

Civil Servant

Apply your skills in this growing field

Legislative Aide

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

GovernmentPublic SectorNon-Profit OrganizationsPolitical ConsultingLaw

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week

1

Module 1: Meaning, Nature and Scope of Government

2h

Unit 1: Meaning, Nature and Scope of Government

2 study hours

•Read the introduction to understand the purpose and objectives of the course.
•Define the concept of government from different perspectives.
•Discuss the functions of government and the differences between government and the State.

Week

2

Module 1: Meaning, Nature and Scope of Government

2h

Unit 2: Organs of Government

2 study hours

•Study the composition of the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary.
•Discuss the functions and distinctions between these bodies.
•Analyze how each organ acts as checks and balances on the others.

Week

3

Module 1: Meaning, Nature and Scope of Government

2h

Unit 3: Classifications of Government

2 study hours

•Explain various classifications of government.
•Discuss different types of government, such as monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy.
•Differentiate between different governments based on their characteristics.

Week

4

Module 1: Meaning, Nature and Scope of Government

2h

Unit 4: Forms/Types of Government

2 study hours

•Discuss different forms of government, including monarchy, aristocracy, theocracy, oligarchy, dictatorship, and democracy.
•Explain the merits and demerits of each type of government.
•Compare and contrast different types of government.

Week

5

Module 2: Types of Political Systems

2h

Unit 1: Types of Political Systems

2 study hours

•Analyze the characteristics of various forms of governments.
•Discuss how political organizations have evolved from one form to another.
•Explain which system of government best protects the rights of citizens.

Week

6

Module 2: Types of Political Systems

2h

Unit 2: Presidential System of Government

2 study hours

•Define the presidential system of government and its basic features.
•Identify the benefits and dangers of the presidential system.
•Use examples of countries to understand the practical application of this system.

Week

7

Module 2: Types of Political Systems

2h

Unit 3: The Parliamentary System of Government

2 study hours

•Define and explain the basic features of the parliamentary system of government.
•Understand the primacy of parliament and the role of the cabinet.
•Know the advantages and disadvantages of the parliamentary system.

Week

8

Module 2: Types of Political Systems

2h

Unit 4: Unitary Political System

2 study hours

•Define the unitary system of government and its major features.
•Use examples of countries to understand the unitary system.
•Explain the benefits and weaknesses of the unitary system.

Week

9

Module 2: Types of Political Systems

2h

Unit 5: Federal Political System

2 study hours

•Know the meaning and features of Federalism.
•Understand conditions necessary for a federal structure.
•Identify forms of federal systems and reasons for different variants.

Week

10

Module 3: Organs of Government and Their Functions

2h

Unit 1: The Legislature: Functions and Structure

2 study hours

•Know the origin and development of the legislative arm of government.
•Understand the functions it performs in the process of governance.
•Explain why countries operate different legislative structures.

Week

11

Module 3: Organs of Government and Their Functions

2h

Unit 2: Executive - Definition and Functions

2 study hours

•Discuss the concept and place of the executive as an arm of government.
•Explain the structure and types of the Executive organ of government.
•Mention the functions and responsibilities of the executive branch.

Week

12

Module 3: Organs of Government and Their Functions

2h

Unit 3: The Judiciary: Its Role and Independence

2 study hours

•Understand the functions of the Judiciary as an arm of government.
•Know the concept and ingredients of the independence of the Judiciary.
•Appreciate that judicial officers can sometimes perform legislative functions.

Week

13

Module 4: Operations and Regulation of Government Business

4h

Unit 1: The Theory of Separation of Powers

2 study hours

•Define the doctrine of separation of power and explain its objectives.
•Understand the limitations of the theory of separation of power.
•Know why some countries operate separation of powers while others prefer fusion of powers.

Unit 2: The Concept of Checks and Balances

2 study hours

•Define the mechanism of checks and balances.
•Explain its objectives and relevance to the organization of government.
•Understand its application, especially in countries practicing the presidential system.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Review the definitions and characteristics of different forms of government (Units 1-4 of Module 1).

2

Create a comparative table outlining the advantages and disadvantages of presidential and parliamentary systems (Units 2-3 of Module 2).

3

Focus on understanding the functions and interrelationships of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches (Module 3).

4

Practice applying the concepts of separation of powers and checks and balances to real-world scenarios (Units 1-2 of Module 4).

5

Pay close attention to the limitations of the rule of law and its application in different political contexts (Unit 3 of Module 4).

6

Use the self-assessment exercises at the end of each unit to test your knowledge and identify areas for further study.

7

Review all Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs) and their feedback to understand key concepts and improve your understanding.

8

Create flashcards for key terms and concepts to aid memorization and quick recall during the exam.

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