Democracy and Good Governance
- Social Sciences
- 100 level
- 3 credit units
- 212 pages
- 20 units
This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts of democracy and good governance, exploring their definitions, characteristics, and working rules. It examines the institutional dimensions, attitudinal ingredients, and key barriers to democracy, particularly in African states. The course also focuses on strategies for building democracy and good governance, with a specific emphasis on the Nigerian context, promoting active participation in building a democratic and peaceful society.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 60 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of PCR112, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
PCR112 · Unit 1 Defining Democracy and Good Governance
Each of these three definitions of democracy is correct to the extent to which we recognise the aspect of democracy it is highlighting. But to consider any of such definitions as good and complete for all purposes will be incorrect.
What you should be able to do
- Define democracy and good governance.
- Identify key elements of good governance.
- Analyze obstacles to democratic societies.
- Devise strategies for overcoming barriers to democracy.
- Encourage active participation in building a democratic and peaceful society.
What it prepares you for
- Policy Analyst
- Governance Advisor
- Conflict Resolution Specialist
- Diplomat
- Political Scientist
- Government
- Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
- International Relations
- Peace and Security
- Public Policy
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 4: Key barriers to Democracy and Good Governance in the African States
Unit 1: Economic Underdevelopment and Mass Poverty.
The intricate web of factors contributing to economic underdevelopment requires a deep understanding of global economics and historical contexts.
- Module 4: Key barriers to Democracy and Good Governance in the African States
Unit 2: Centralisation of Economic and Political Power
Grasping the nuances of power dynamics and their impact on democratic processes demands critical analysis and awareness of socio-political structures.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 13 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Conceptual Foundations of Democracy and Good Governance
Unit 1: Defining Democracy and Good Governance · 1 hour
Define democracy and good governance.. Identify key ingredients distinguishing democratic societies.. Articulate features promoting democracy in Nigeria.. Highlight contributions to building a peaceful society..
- Week 2Module 1: Conceptual Foundations of Democracy and Good Governance
Unit 2: Democracy, Good Governance: The Rule of Law · 1 hour
Define the rule of law.. Identify characteristics associated with the rule of law.. Promote the rule of law through personal choices.. Contribute to building a more peaceful society..
- Week 3Module 1: Conceptual Foundations of Democracy and Good Governance
Unit 3: Democracy, Good Governance: Economic Development · 1 hour
Define economic development.. Identify indicators of economic development.. Describe how democracy promotes economic development.. Identify ways citizens contribute to economic development..
- Week 4Module 1: Conceptual Foundations of Democracy and Good Governance
Unit 4: Democracy, Good Governance: Building a Peaceful Society · 1 hour
Identify characteristics of a peaceful society.. Explain contributions of democracy to building a peaceful society.. Identify citizen actions to help build a peaceful society.. Explain causes of violent events..
- Week 5Module 2: The Institutional Dimensions of Democracy and Good Governance
Unit 1: Constitutionalism as the Foundation · 1 hour
Define constitutionalism.. Examine the nature and structure of a modern constitution.. Identify types of constitutions and their relation to democracy.. Determine ways citizens contribute to constitutionalism..
- Week 6Module 2: The Institutional Dimensions of Democracy and Good Governance
Unit 2: The Separation of Powers · 1 hour
Describe how legislative, executive, and judicial powers are organized.. Explain how separation of powers assists in democracy.. Determine if a government can protect liberties based on power distribution..
- Week 7Module 2: The Institutional Dimensions of Democracy and Good Governance
Unit 3: The Principle of Checks and Balances · 1 hour
Explain how one institution checks another.. Explain clashes between legislature and executive.. Highlight how to establish good governance by assisting each branch..
- Week 8Module 2: The Institutional Dimensions of Democracy and Good Governance
Unit 4: The Multi-Party System · 1 hour
Define a party system.. Describe characteristics of party systems and their relation to democracy.. Explain why a multi-party system supports democracy.. Identify ways to contribute to building a peaceful society..
- Week 9Module 3: The Attitudinal and Behavioural Ingredients of Democracy and Good Governance
Unit 1: Tolerance for Divergent and Opposing views Liberalism · 1 hour
Define the nature of liberalism.. Distinguish liberalism from other political ideologies.. Distinguish features of a liberal society.. Highlight ways to build a liberal democratic society..
- Week 10Module 3: The Attitudinal and Behavioural Ingredients of Democracy and Good Governance
Unit 2: A Pluralistic Concept of Society · 1 hour
Explain a pluralist conception of society.. Describe mechanisms that operate in a pluralistic society to promote democracy.. Describe the relationship between the behavioral component to the other ingredients of democracy.. Identify what can you do to promote the development of a pluralistic society rather than a monolithic society..
- Week 11Module 3: The Attitudinal and Behavioural Ingredients of Democracy and Good Governance
Unit 3: Popular and Majority Opinions · 1 hour
Define the terms, popular opinion and majority rule.. Explain how two principles work together for the good of democracy and good governance in many countries.. Identify ways of contributing to the building of a democratic society in your own country..
- Week 12Module 3: The Attitudinal and Behavioural Ingredients of Democracy and Good Governance
Unit 4: Peaceful Resolution of Disputes · 1 hour
Explain peaceful settlement of disputes.. Identify the key mechanisms for the peaceful resolution of conflicts in a democratic society.. Describe how these mechanisms work in practice.. Highlight ways you can promote the peaceful settlement of disputes..
- Week 13Module 5: Building Democracy and Good Governance in Nigeria
Final Revision · 1 hour
Review key concepts and principles from all modules.. Complete assignments and prepare for final examination.. Focus on areas of weakness identified during self-assessment exercises..
Preparing for the exam
- Create concept maps linking Modules 1-3 concepts.
- Review case studies in Modules 4-5 for real-world examples.
- Practice essay questions on key barriers and solutions.
- Summarize each unit's main points in your own words.
- Allocate study time proportionally based on unit weightings.
Questions students ask about this course
What is PCR112 about?
This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts of democracy and good governance, exploring their definitions, characteristics, and working rules. It examines the institutional dimensions, attitudinal ingredients, and key barriers to democracy, particularly in African states. The course also focuses on strategies for building democracy and good governance, with a specific emphasis on the Nigerian context, promoting active participation in building a democratic and peaceful society.
How many units does PCR112 have?
PCR112, Democracy and Good Governance, has 20 units across 5 modules, over 212 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is PCR112?
PCR112 carries 3 credit units, at 100 level in Social Sciences.
Is PCR112 hard?
PCR112 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical work.
How long does PCR112 take to study?
About 60 hours of study, spread across its 20 units.
How is PCR112 assessed?
PCR112 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What can I do with PCR112?
Policy Analyst, Governance Advisor, Conflict Resolution Specialist, Diplomat and Political Scientist.