Skip to main content
NounStudy
Back to Course Catalog
POL123Social Sciences3 Unitsintermediate

Introduction To Public Administration

This course examines the origin of public administration and the character of bureaucracy in Nigeria. Government is setting up large and complex organizations for the management of public sector undertakings. The course will examine the basic concepts and general aspects of public administration, the varying perspectives which form the environments of public administration would also be emphasized. The politics-administrative dichotomy will be discussed especially the New Public Administration which has continued to endure as witnessed.

Generate AI Study Notes

Transform this course into personalized study materials with AI

40h
Study Time
13
Weeks
3h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
Public AdministrationBureaucracyPolicy FormationAdministrative ControlLeadership

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

Basic Concepts of Public Administration

2

Public vs. Private Administration

3

Environment of Public Administration

4

Bureaucracy in Africa

5

Policy Formation and Decision-Making

6

Administrative Controls

Total Topics6 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

Computer Based Test

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Civil Servant

Apply your skills in this growing field

Policy Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Public Sector Manager

Apply your skills in this growing field

Government Administrator

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

GovernmentPublic SectorNon-Profit OrganizationsInternational Development

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: The Meaning of Public Administration

3h

Unit 1: Basic Concept of Public Administration

3 study hours
  • •Define Public Administration.
  • •Explain Woodrow Wilson's contribution to the study of Public Administration.
  • •Discuss the importance of understanding the basic concepts of Public Administration.
Week
2

Module 1: The Meaning of Public Administration

3h

Unit 2: Public and Private Administration

3 study hours
  • •Differentiate between Public and Private Administration.
  • •Explain the concepts of agency, interest, and access in Public Administration.
  • •Discuss the importance of service motive in Public Administration.
Week
3

Module 1: The Meaning of Public Administration

3h

Unit 3: General Aspects of Administration

3 study hours
  • •Explain the functional and geographical bases of Public Administration.
  • •Discuss the principles of specialization, integration, and hierarchy.
  • •Differentiate between centralization and decentralization.
Week
4

Module 1: The Meaning of Public Administration

3h

Unit 4: Environment of Public Administration

3 study hours
  • •Explain the relationship between environment and Public Administration.
  • •Discuss the impact of political, constitutional, economic, cultural, and social environments on Public Administration.
  • •Analyze how these environments influence administrative systems.
Week
5

Module 1: The Meaning of Public Administration

3h

Unit 5: Public Administration and Bureaucracy

3 study hours
  • •Explain the historical development of bureaucracy.
  • •Discuss the need for bridging the gap between people and bureaucracy.
  • •Analyze the relationship between bureaucracy and political development.
Week
6

Module 2: The Controversy about The Nature, Contexts And Ends Of Public Administration

3h

Unit 1: New Dimensions of Public Administration

3 study hours
  • •Explain the concept of New Public Administration.
  • •Discuss the influence of social problems on the study of Public Administration.
  • •Evaluate the criticisms and contributions of New Public Administration.
Week
7

Module 2: The Controversy about The Nature, Contexts And Ends Of Public Administration

3h

Unit 2: Approaches to the Study of Public Administration

3 study hours
  • •Discuss the various approaches to the study of Public Administration.
  • •Explain the philosophical, structural, case method, and historical approaches.
  • •Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each approach.
Week
8

Module 2: The Controversy about The Nature, Contexts And Ends Of Public Administration

3h

Unit 3: The Scope of Public Administration

3 study hours
  • •Explain the integral and managerial views of Public Administration.
  • •Discuss the importance of POSDCORB techniques.
  • •Analyze the scope of Public Administration in relation to people's expectations from the government.
Week
9

Module 2: The Controversy about The Nature, Contexts And Ends Of Public Administration

3h

Unit 4: Public Administration as an Art and as a Science

3 study hours
  • •Discuss the arguments for and against Public Administration as a science.
  • •Explain the role of principles, exactness, and predictability.
  • •Analyze the practical application of Public Administration as an art.
Week
10

Module 2: The Controversy about The Nature, Contexts And Ends Of Public Administration

3h

Unit 5: Public Administration and Other Social Sciences

3 study hours
  • •Describe the relationship between Public Administration and Political Science.
  • •Explain the influence of science and technology on Public Administration.
  • •Discuss the importance of ethics and law in Public Administration.
Week
11

Module 3 Public Administration in Africa.

6h

Unit 1: The Problem and Failure of Bureaucracy in Africa

3 study hours
  • •Discuss the problems and failures of bureaucracy in Africa.
  • •Explain the lack of development administration and violations of administrative responsibility in Nigeria.
  • •Analyze the importance of bureaucracy despite its challenges.

Unit 2: Chief Executive and Legislature as a Board of Directors

3 study hours
  • •Explain the types and features of the chief executive.
  • •Describe the administrative functions of the chief executive.
  • •Discuss the functions of the legislature.
Week
12

Module 3 Public Administration in Africa.

6h

Unit 3: Management A Conceptual Analysis

3 study hours
  • •Explain the meaning and value of management.
  • •Discuss the tests of good management.
  • •Analyze the different types of management.

Unit 4: Policy Formation and Decision-Making

3 study hours
  • •Explain the meaning of policy and its attributes.
  • •Discuss the relationship between administration and policy-making.
  • •Analyze the bases of decision-making.
Week
13

Module 3 Public Administration in Africa.

3h

Unit 5: Administration and Nigeria Experience

3 study hours
  • •Describe the organization of the civil service in Nigeria.
  • •Explain the concept of the social welfare state.
  • •Discuss the role of the military regime in Nigeria and its impact on administration.

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

Review all module introductions and summaries to consolidate understanding.

2

Create concept maps linking key concepts from different units within each module.

3

Practice applying theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios and case studies.

4

Focus on understanding the Nigerian context and examples provided in the course material.

5

Allocate study time proportionally based on the weight of each module in the final examination.

Related Courses

Other courses in Social Sciences that complement your learning

POL111

Elements Of Political Science

3 Units
JLS111

Introduction to Journalism

3 Units
MAC116

African Communication Systems II

2 Units
View All Social Sciences Courses