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POL226Social Sciences3 Unitsintermediate

Organization And Administrative Theories

This course introduces undergraduate students to the fundamental theories and principles of organization and administration. It explores the meaning and characteristics of organizations, examining both mechanistic and humanistic conceptions. Key topics include personnel organization, bureaucracy, public relations, administrative law, and financial management within the Nigerian context. The course aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of organizational structures and administrative processes.

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150h

Study Time

13

Weeks

12h

Per Week

basic

Math Level

Course Keywords

Organization TheoryAdministrative TheoriesPublic AdministrationBureaucracyPersonnel Management

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level

Builds on foundational knowledge

65%

intermediate

➕

Math Level

Basic Math

📖

Learning Type

Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Organization Theory

2

Bureaucracy

3

Personnel Management

4

Public Relations

5

Administrative Law

6

Financial Administration

7

Budgeting

8

Ethics in Public Service

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 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

Public Administrator

Apply your skills in this growing field

Policy Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Government Official

Apply your skills in this growing field

Non-profit Manager

Apply your skills in this growing field

Civil Servant

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 Organisation

2h

Unit 1: The Meaning of Organisation

2 study hours

•Read the unit introduction to understand the scope and objectives.
•Define organization and identify its key characteristics.
•Explain why organizations are considered social entities.
•Discuss the relationship between staff and the work of the organization.

Week

2

Module 1: The Meaning of Organisation

4h

Unit 2: Conceptions of Organisation

2 study hours

•Compare and contrast mechanistic and humanistic conceptions of organization.
•Discuss the views of different writers on these conceptions.
•Explain the goals of individuals and groups within an organization.
•Analyze organizations as needs and responses.

Unit 3: Theories of Organisation

2 study hours

•Differentiate between mechanistic and behavioral theories.
•Explain the interdisciplinary nature of administrative organization studies.
•Discuss the emphasis on people, motivation, and informal group functioning in humanistic theory.
•Understand the structural or functional theory.

Week

3

Module 1: The Meaning of Organisation

3h

Unit 4: Bases and Principles of Organisation

3 study hours

•Explain the different bases of organization: function, process, clientele, and geography.
•List the principles of organization: hierarchy, unity of command, span of control.
•Discuss the importance of these principles for effective administration.
•Explain why no single basis of organization is adequate.

Week

4

Module 1: The Meaning of Organisation

3h

Unit 5: Staff, Line and Auxiliary Agencies

3 study hours

•Differentiate between staff, line, and auxiliary agencies.
•Explain the functions of each type of agency.
•Discuss the importance of efficiency and economy in these agencies.
•Identify the characteristic features of each agency type.

Week

5

Module 2: Organization of Departments

2h

Unit 1: Organisation of Department

2 study hours

•State the reasons for departmental organization.
•List the chief characteristics of departmental organization.
•Specify the processes and principles to be followed.
•Discuss the need for organization of departments.

Week

6

Module 2: Organization of Departments

2h

Unit 2: The Bureau and Board/Commission

2 study hours

•Differentiate between bureau and board/commission.
•List the types of boards.
•Identify the merits and demerits of bureau and board types.
•Explain the underlying causes of bureaucracy.

Week

7

Module 2: Organization of Departments

3h

Unit 3: Field Establishments and Max Weber's Theory of Bureaucracy

3 study hours

•Define headquarters and field establishments.
•Discuss the reasons for creating field stations.
•Highlight the problems of centralization vs. decentralization.
•Understand Max Weber's Theory of Bureaucracy.

Week

8

Module 2: Organization of Departments

2h

Unit 4: Public Enterprises

2 study hours

•Define what a public enterprise stands for.
•List the types of public enterprises.
•Describe government companies and their main characteristics.
•Discuss the reasons for establishing public enterprises.

Week

9

Module 2: Organization of Departments

2h

Unit 5: Public Corporations

2 study hours

•Identify the need for public corporations.
•List the main characteristics of public corporations.
•Discuss what differentiates public corporations from other departmental enterprises.
•State the kinds and features of public corporations.

Week

10

Module 3: Problems of Personnel Organization

2h

Unit 1: Problems of Personnel Organisation

2 study hours

•Identify types of personnel systems.
•List their respective characteristics.
•State the merits and demerits of the respective types of personnel systems.
•Understand the problems of personnel organization.

Week

11

Module 3: Problems of Personnel Organization

3h

Unit 2: Max Weber's Theory of Bureaucracy

3 study hours

•Explain Weber's conception of bureaucracy.
•List the essential characteristics of Weber's theory.
•Evaluate Weber's theory.
•State the meaning of classification and its importance in the public service.

Week

12

Module 3: Problems of Personnel Organization

4h

Unit 3: Recruitment of Personnel

2 study hours

•Define the concepts of Negative and Positive Recruitment.
•Discuss the problems of recruitment.
•State the merits and defects of recruitment from within (promotions).
•State the merits and defects of recruitment from without (direct recruitment).

Unit 4: Training

2 study hours

•Differentiate between education and training.
•State the need for training.
•List the types of training.
•Discuss training practices in Nigeria.

Week

13

Module 3: Problems of Personnel Organization

2h

Unit 5: Promotion

2 study hours

•Discuss the meaning and importance of promotion.
•State the difference between promotion, advancement, and transfer.
•Explain the principles of promotion.
•Highlight the promotion system in Nigeria.

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 all unit objectives and ensure you can address each one.

2

Create concept maps linking key theories from Modules 1-3.

3

Practice applying administrative law principles from Module 5 to hypothetical scenarios.

4

Study past exam papers to familiarize yourself with question formats.

5

Allocate specific study time for each module based on its weight in the final grade.

6

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

7

Prepare concise summaries of key concepts and definitions for quick revision.

8

Practice time management during mock exams to improve speed and accuracy.

9

Review all TMAs and tutor feedback to identify areas for improvement.

10

Create flashcards for key terms and concepts to aid memorization.

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