Login Create Account

Back to Course Catalog

PCR712Social Sciences3 Unitsintermediate

Democracy And Good Governance

This course introduces students to the core concepts of democracy and good governance, emphasizing their crucial role in building peaceful societies. It explores the institutional dimensions of democracy, including constitutionalism, separation of powers, and multi-party systems. The course also examines attitudinal and behavioral ingredients, such as tolerance and pluralism, and addresses key barriers to democracy in African states, offering strategies for overcoming these challenges and promoting good governance in Nigeria.

Take a Practice Test Generate AI Study Notes

Take a practice test or generate AI study notes to help you excel in this course.

200h

Study Time

13

Weeks

15h

Per Week

none

Math Level

Course Keywords

DemocracyGood GovernanceRule of LawAccountabilityPeaceful Society

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

Democracy

2

Good Governance

3

Rule of Law

4

Accountability

5

Peaceful Society

6

Constitutionalism

7

Separation of Powers

8

Checks and Balances

9

Multi-Party System

10

Tolerance

11

Pluralism

12

Economic Development

13

Corruption

14

Due Process

Total Topics14 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 Assessments

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

Policy Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Governance Expert

Apply your skills in this growing field

Conflict Resolution Specialist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Political Advisor

Apply your skills in this growing field

Civil Society Leader

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

GovernmentNon-Governmental OrganizationsInternational DevelopmentCivil ServicePolitical Consulting

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week

1

Module 1: Conceptual Foundations of Democracy and good governance

9h

Unit 1: Defining democracy and good governance

5 study hours

•Define democracy and good governance, exploring their interconnectedness.
•Discuss the historical and contemporary relevance of these concepts.
•Analyze different definitions and interpretations of democracy.

Unit 2: Democracy and Good Governance: The Rule of Law

4 study hours

•Examine the rule of law as a cornerstone of democracy and good governance.
•Discuss its importance in ensuring justice and equality.
•Analyze case studies where the rule of law has been upheld or violated.

Week

2

Module 1: Conceptual Foundations of Democracy and good governance

9h

Unit 3: Democracy, good governance: economic development

5 study hours

•Explore the relationship between democracy, good governance, and economic development.
•Discuss how democratic principles can foster economic growth.
•Analyze the role of government in promoting economic opportunities.

Unit 4: Democracy, good governance: building a peaceful society

4 study hours

•Discuss how democracy and good governance contribute to building a peaceful society.
•Analyze the role of inclusive governance in preventing conflict.
•Explore strategies for promoting peace and reconciliation.

Week

3

Module 2: The Institutional Dimensions of Democracy and good Governance

9h

Unit 1: Constitutionalism as the foundation

5 study hours

•Examine constitutionalism as the foundation of democracy and good governance.
•Discuss the importance of a written constitution.
•Analyze the key elements of a modern constitution.

Unit 2: The separation of powers

4 study hours

•Explore the principle of separation of powers.
•Discuss its role in preventing tyranny and abuse of power.
•Analyze the different branches of government and their respective functions.

Week

4

Module 2: The Institutional Dimensions of Democracy and good Governance

9h

Unit 3: The principle of checks and balances

5 study hours

•Examine the principle of checks and balances.
•Discuss its importance in ensuring accountability and preventing abuse of power.
•Analyze examples of checks and balances in action.

Unit 4: The multi party system

4 study hours

•Explore the multi-party system as a key element of democracy.
•Discuss its role in promoting political competition and representation.
•Analyze the different types of party systems and their impact on governance.

Week

5

Module 3: The Attitudinal and Behavioural Ingredients of Democracy and Good Governance

9h

Unit 1: Tolerance for divergent and opposing views liberalism

5 study hours

•Discuss the importance of tolerance for divergent and opposing views in a democracy.
•Analyze the concept of liberalism and its role in promoting tolerance.
•Explore strategies for fostering a culture of tolerance.

Unit 2: A pluralistic concept of society

4 study hours

•Examine the concept of a pluralistic society.
•Discuss its role in promoting diversity and inclusion.
•Analyze the challenges and opportunities of governing a pluralistic society.

Week

6

Module 3: The Attitudinal and Behavioural Ingredients of Democracy and Good Governance

9h

Unit 3: Popular and majority opinions

5 study hours

•Explore the role of popular and majority opinions in a democracy.
•Discuss the importance of public participation in decision-making.
•Analyze the challenges of balancing majority rule with minority rights.

Unit 4: Peaceful resolution of disputes

4 study hours

•Discuss the importance of peaceful resolution of disputes in a democracy.
•Analyze different mechanisms for resolving conflicts peacefully.
•Explore strategies for promoting dialogue and reconciliation.

Week

7

Module 4: Key barriers to Democracy and good Governance in African states

9h

Unit 1: Economic underdevelopment and mass poverty.

5 study hours

•Examine economic underdevelopment and mass poverty as barriers to democracy.
•Discuss the impact of poverty on political participation.
•Analyze strategies for promoting economic development and reducing poverty.

Unit 2: Centralisation of economic and political power

4 study hours

•Discuss the impact of centralized economic and political power on democracy.
•Analyze the challenges of decentralizing power.
•Explore strategies for promoting greater local autonomy.

Week

8

Module 4: Key barriers to Democracy and good Governance in African states

9h

Unit 3: Corruption in its various ramifications

5 study hours

•Examine corruption in its various forms as a barrier to democracy.
•Discuss the impact of corruption on governance and development.
•Analyze strategies for combating corruption.

Unit 4: Negative historical antecedents.

4 study hours

•Discuss the impact of negative historical antecedents on democracy.
•Analyze how past events can shape present-day challenges.
•Explore strategies for overcoming negative legacies.

Week

9

Module 5: Building Democracy and good Governance in Nigeria

9h

Unit 1: A focus on the people

5 study hours

•Discuss the importance of focusing on the people in building democracy.
•Analyze how to empower citizens and promote their participation.
•Explore strategies for ensuring that government is responsive to the needs of the people.

Unit 2: Decentralisation of economic and political power

4 study hours

•Examine the importance of decentralizing economic and political power.
•Discuss the benefits of local autonomy and self-governance.
•Analyze strategies for promoting decentralization.

Week

10

Module 5: Building Democracy and good Governance in Nigeria

9h

Unit 3: Ensuring accountability

5 study hours

•Discuss the importance of ensuring accountability in government.
•Analyze different mechanisms for promoting accountability.
•Explore strategies for holding public officials responsible for their actions.

Unit 4: The application of due process.

4 study hours

•Examine the importance of applying due process in government.
•Discuss the benefits of transparency and fairness.
•Analyze strategies for ensuring that government follows established procedures.

Week

11

Module 1: Conceptual Foundations of Democracy and good governance

9h

Unit 1-4: Review of Conceptual Foundations

9 study hours

•Review Module 1 units 1-4
•Complete assignment 1

Week

12

Module 2: The Institutional Dimensions of Democracy and good Governance

9h

Unit 1-4: Review of Institutional Dimensions

9 study hours

•Review Module 2 units 1-4
•Complete assignment 2

Week

13

Modules 3, 4 and 5: Review

9h

Unit 1-4: Review of Attitudinal, Barriers and Building Blocks

9 study hours

•Review Modules 3, 4 and 5 units 1-4
•Complete assignments 3 and 4

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.

Access PDF Material

Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create detailed outlines for each module, focusing on key concepts and definitions.

2

Develop flashcards for important terms and principles, such as 'separation of powers' and 'rule of law'.

3

Practice essay questions on topics like 'barriers to democracy in Africa' and 'building good governance in Nigeria'.

4

Review case studies from the course materials to understand real-world applications of democratic principles.

5

Form a study group to discuss challenging concepts and share insights.

6

Allocate specific time slots for each module, ensuring comprehensive coverage of all units.

7

Prioritize understanding the interconnectedness of concepts across modules, such as the relationship between economic development and democracy.

8

Focus on the Nigerian context, paying attention to specific examples and challenges discussed in the course.

9

Practice time management during mock exams to simulate the actual exam environment.

10

Review all Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs) and feedback provided by the tutor.

Related Courses

Other courses in Social Sciences that complement your learning

Criminal Justice Administration In Nigeria

Applied Quantitative Analysis

Security Planning, Development And Organization

View All Social Sciences Courses