Introduction To Political Analysis
- Social Sciences
- 200 level
- 3 credit units
- 238 pages
- 32 units
This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts and theories of political analysis. It explores the nature of political systems, processes, and actions, examining various approaches and tools used in political science. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of power, authority, legitimacy, and the dynamics of political behavior, both domestically and internationally. The course aims to equip students with the analytical skills necessary to critically evaluate political phenomena and contribute to informed policy discussions.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 65 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 POL214, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
- UNIT 1 POLITICAL SYSTEMS’ LEGITIMACY: POWER, AUTHORITY AND IDEOLOGYPage 98
- MODULE 3Page 99
- MODULE 3Page 101
- MODULE 3Page 105
- UNIT 2: POLITICAL CULTUREPage 109
- MODULE 3Page 111
- MODULE 3Page 113
- MODULE 3Page 115
- MODULE 3Page 117
- UNIT 3 POLITICAL SOCIALISATIONPage 123
- MODULE 3Page 125
- MODULE 3Page 127
- MODULE 3Page 129
- UNIT 4: POLITICAL PARTICIPATION AND REPRESENTATIONPage 131
- MODULE 3Page 133
- MODULE 3Page 135
- MODULE 3Page 139
- UNIT 5: POLITICAL PARTY AND PRESSURE GROUPPage 141
- UNIT 1 CONCEPTION OF POLITICAL AND ANALYSIS: WHAT IS POLITICAL ANALYSIS?Page vii
- UNIT 2 WHY STUDY POLITICAL ANALYSIS: REASON, NATURE, IMPORTANCE, AND TYPESPage 15
- UNIT 3: CONCEPT AND TOOLS FOR POLITICAL ANALYSISPage 29
- UNIT 4 SCOPE AND LIMITS OF POLITICAL ANALYSISPage 36
- UNIT 1: FORM OF RULE OR POLITICAL REGIMESPage 157
- UNIT 2: POLITICAL SYSTEM AND ORGANS OF GOVERNMENTPage 169
- UNIT 3 POLITICAL SYSTEMS AND DISTRIBUTION OF POWERPage 182
- UNIT 4 THE FEDERAL SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT IN NIGERIAPage 191
- UNIT 5: THE INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL SYSTEM AND GLOBALISATIONPage 207
- UNIT 1 TRADITIONAL APPROACHESPage 41
- UNIT 2: BEHAVIOURAL APPROACHESPage 51
- UNIT 3 APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF POLITICAL SYSTEMS: SYSTEMS APPROACH AND STRUCTURAL-UNCTIONALIST APPROACHPage 61
- UNIT 4: POLITICAL PROCESS APPROACHES: CLASS, ELITE, AND PLURALISMPage 72
- UNIT 5: RATIONAL CHOICE INSTITUTIONALISMPage 88
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
POL214 · UNIT 1 CONCEPTION OF POLITICAL AND ANALYSIS: WHAT IS POLITICAL ANALYSIS?
The main body of the unit guides you through the required reading from other sources. This will usually be either from your reference or from a reading section.
What you should be able to do
- Explain the concept of political analysis and its key components
- Identify the different approaches to political analysis
- Understand the nature of political systems and processes
- Analyze the role of power, authority, and legitimacy in political systems
- Evaluate the impact of globalization on developing countries
What it prepares you for
- Political Analyst
- Policy Advisor
- Government Official
- Diplomat
- Lobbyist
- Government
- Non-profit Organizations
- International Relations
- Political Consulting
- Research
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- MODULE 2 Approaches to Political Analysis
Unit 3: Approaches to the Study of Political Systems: Systems Approach and Structural – Functionalist Approach
The unit requires understanding of complex theoretical frameworks and their application to real-world political scenarios, demanding critical thinking and analytical skills.
- MODULE 2 Approaches to Political Analysis
Unit 5: Rational Choice Approach
This unit involves grasping abstract concepts of rational choice theory and applying them to political decision-making, requiring a strong foundation in logic and game theory.
- MODULE 4 Typologies of Political System
Unit 1: Form of Rule or Political Regimes
The unit requires students to understand the historical context and philosophical underpinnings of different forms of government, demanding a broad knowledge base.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 65 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1MODULE 1 What Is Political Analysis: An Introductory Conception
Unit 1: Conception of Political and Analysis: What is Political Analysis? · 5 hours
Read Unit 1: Conception of Political and Analysis: What is Political Analysis?. Define political analysis and its key components.. Identify the relationship between political science and political analysis..
- Week 2MODULE 1 What Is Political Analysis: An Introductory Conception
Unit 2: Why Study Political Analysis: Reason, Nature, Types, and Importance · 5 hours
Read Unit 2: Why Study Political Analysis: Reason, Nature, Types, and Importance. Examine the reasons for studying political analysis.. Identify the different types of political analysis..
- Week 3MODULE 1 What Is Political Analysis: An Introductory Conception
Unit 3: Concept and Tools of Political Science Analysis · 5 hours
Read Unit 3: Concept and Tools of Political Science Analysis. Understand the key concepts used in political science analysis.. Explore the tools available for conducting political analysis..
- Week 4MODULE 1 What Is Political Analysis: An Introductory Conception
Unit 4: Scope and Limits of Political Analysis · 5 hours
Read Unit 4: Scope and Limits of Political Analysis. Discuss the scope of political analysis.. Examine the limitations of political analysis..
- Week 5MODULE 2 Approaches to Political Analysis
Unit 1: Traditional Approaches · 5 hours
Read Unit 1: Traditional Approaches. Explore the traditional approaches to political analysis.. Understand the normative and institutional approaches..
- Week 6MODULE 2 Approaches to Political Analysis
Unit 2: The Behatioural Approach · 5 hours
Read Unit 2: The Behavioural Approach. Examine the behavioral approach to political analysis.. Understand the key concepts and criticisms of the behavioral approach..
- Week 7MODULE 2 Approaches to Political Analysis
Unit 3: Approaches to the Study of Political Systems: Systems Approach and Structural – Functionalist Approach · 5 hours
Read Unit 3: Approaches to the Study of Political Systems: Systems Approach and Structural – Functionalist Approach. Explore the systems approach to political analysis.. Understand the structural-functionalist approach..
- Week 8MODULE 2 Approaches to Political Analysis
Unit 4: Political Processes Approaches: Class Approach, Pluralism (Groups Approach), and Elite Approach · 5 hours
Read Unit 4: Political Processes Approaches: Class Approach, Pluralism (Groups Approach), and Elite Approach. Examine the class approach to political analysis.. Understand the pluralist and elite approaches..
- Week 9MODULE 2 Approaches to Political Analysis
Unit 5: Rational Choice Approach · 5 hours
Read Unit 5: Rational Choice Approach. Explore the rational choice approach to political analysis.. Understand the key concepts and criticisms of the rational choice approach..
- Week 10MODULE 3 Political Systems, Political Processes and Political Action
Unit 1: Political Systems' Legitimacy: Power, Authority and Legitimacy · 5 hours
Read Unit 1: Political Systems' Legitimacy: Power, Authority and Legitimacy. Define power, authority, and legitimacy.. Understand the relationship between these concepts..
- Week 11MODULE 3 Political Systems, Political Processes and Political Action
Unit 2: Political Culture · 5 hours
Read Unit 2: Political Culture. Define political culture.. Explore the different types of political culture..
- Week 12MODULE 3 Political Systems, Political Processes and Political Action
Unit 3: Political Socialisation · 5 hours
Read Unit 3: Political Socialisation. Define political socialization.. Examine the agents of political socialization..
- Week 13MODULE 3 Political Systems, Political Processes and Political Action
Unit 4: Political Participation and Representation · 5 hours
Read Unit 4: Political Participation and Representation. Define political participation and representation.. Explore the different forms of political participation..
Preparing for the exam
- Review all key concepts and definitions from each unit
- Create summaries of the main approaches to political analysis
- Practice applying theoretical frameworks to real-world political events
- Focus on understanding the relationship between power, authority, and legitimacy
- Prepare examples of how globalization impacts developing countries
- Create concept maps linking Units 3-5 to understand political systems, processes, and actions
- Practice applying the different approaches to political analysis (traditional, behavioral, systems, etc.) to case studies
- Review all Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs) and self-assessment exercises
- Allocate sufficient time for revision and practice exam questions
- Focus on understanding the key differences between unitary, federal, and confederal systems (Module 4)
Questions students ask about this course
What is POL214 about?
This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts and theories of political analysis. It explores the nature of political systems, processes, and actions, examining various approaches and tools used in political science. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of power, authority, legitimacy, and the dynamics of political behavior, both domestically and internationally. The course aims to equip students with the analytical skills necessary to critically evaluate political phenomena and contribute to informed policy discussions.
How many units does POL214 have?
POL214, Introduction To Political Analysis, has 32 units across 3 modules, over 238 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is POL214?
POL214 carries 3 credit units, at 200 level in Social Sciences.
Is POL214 hard?
POL214 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical work.
How long does POL214 take to study?
About 65 hours of study, spread across its 32 units.
How is POL214 assessed?
POL214 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assessments and Final Examination.
What can I do with POL214?
Political Analyst, Policy Advisor, Government Official, Diplomat and Lobbyist.