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POL412Social Sciences Unitsintermediate

Political Sociology

This course introduces undergraduate students to Political Sociology. It explores the concept of power and its relevance in political affairs, examining its use and variants across different societies. The course covers theoretical perspectives, methodological issues, and the interconnectedness of political behaviors. It also examines socio-cultural dynamics such as ethnicity, communal conflicts, nationalism, and political extremism, while highlighting conflict resolution mechanisms and the importance of understanding political sociology in improving the human condition.

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120h
Study Time
13
Weeks
9h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
Political SociologyPowerSocietyCitizenshipNationalism

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

Politics

2

Power

3

Political Sociology

4

Citizenship

5

Nationalism

6

Globalization

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

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Political Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Policy Advisor

Apply your skills in this growing field

Diplomat

Apply your skills in this growing field

Researcher

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

GovernmentNon-profit OrganizationsInternational RelationsResearch InstitutionsPolitical Campaigns

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module I: INTRODUCTION TO POLITICS, POWER AND SOCIETY

4h

Unit 1: Understanding the concept of politics, Political Science and Sociology

4 study hours
  • •Understand the various conceptions of politics.
  • •Explore the nexus between political science and sociology.
  • •Define politics from different perspectives.
Week
2

Module I: INTRODUCTION TO POLITICS, POWER AND SOCIETY

4h

Unit 2: The meaning of political sociology, scope of political sociology

4 study hours
  • •Define political sociology.
  • •Appraise different definitions of political sociology.
  • •Understand the scope of political sociology.
Week
3

Module I: INTRODUCTION TO POLITICS, POWER AND SOCIETY

4h

Unit 3: Evolution of Political Sociology: the Classical Period; the Great Debate; the Role of Elites in Society; and the Contemporary Period

4 study hours
  • •Understand the contributions of classical writers.
  • •Know the contributions of fathers of social sciences.
  • •Understand the role of elite theorists.
  • •Understand the emergence of empirical and analytical political sociology.
Week
4

Module I: INTRODUCTION TO POLITICS, POWER AND SOCIETY

4h

Unit IV: The Concept of Power and its Dimensions; Political Sociology and Social Transformation

4 study hours
  • •Have an in-depth understanding of the concept of power.
  • •Grasp reasons why rulers use power in different forms.
  • •Understand the nexus between political sociology and social transformation.
Week
5

Module 2: APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY

4h

Unit 1: Behavioural approach

4 study hours
  • •Understand the importance of research in understanding political behaviour.
  • •See the different quantitative and qualitative approaches.
  • •Be exposed to the contribution of scholars to Political Sociology.
  • •Understand the thesis of behaviouralism in Political Sociology.
Week
6

Module 2: APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY

4h

Unit 11: Post-behaviouralism

4 study hours
  • •Understand how weakness in every school of thought brings about emergence of another.
  • •Understand the contribution of post-behaviouralism to socio-political change.
  • •Grasp the two concepts of relevance and action in political arena.
Week
7

Module 2: APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY

4h

Unit III: Input-output analysis

4 study hours
  • •Understand the perennial, unwritten agreement between the state and the citizenry.
  • •See how records of deficit from one end may lead to refusal of the other end to contribute its own quota.
Week
8

Module 2: APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY

4h

Unit IV: Systems approach

4 study hours
  • •Understand the interconnectedness among the different parts of the society.
  • •Understand Parsons' contribution to systems approach.
Week
9

Module 3: THEORIES OF POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY

4h

Unit I: Theories of Political Sociology

4 study hours
  • •Understand the importance of theories in social and political analyses.
  • •Be exposed to the different ideas of Plato on social and political issues.
  • •Understand Thomas Hobbes' state of nature and its problematics.
  • •Be grounded in the analyses of Machiavelli's political thought.
Week
10

Module 3: THEORIES OF POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY

4h

Unit II: John Locke and Social Contract; Marxist Approach to Political Power; Types of Marxism

4 study hours
  • •Understand Karl Marx position on political power.
  • •Grasp conception of capitalism and how it influence the political state.
  • •Understand the concepts of freedom, liberty and social contract as opined by John Locke.
Week
11

Module 3: THEORIES OF POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY

4h

Unit III: Weber and Political Sociology; and the Durkheimian Tradition of Political Sociology

4 study hours
  • •Memorize Weber's definition of power and his views of authority.
  • •Know who Durkheim is, and understand his view on political matters.
Week
12

Module 3: THEORIES OF POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY

4h

Unit IV: Focauldian Perspective of Power and Politics; Elitists and Political Sociology

4 study hours
  • •Understand elite theory and its tenets.
  • •Itemize different elite theorists.
  • •Explain the points of convergence and divergence of the different elite theorists.
Week
13

Course Revision

4h

Final Revision

4 study hours
  • •Review all modules and units.
  • •Work on assignments.
  • •Prepare for final examinations.

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

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

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

2

Focus on understanding the different dimensions of power discussed in Module 1.

3

Practice applying theoretical frameworks to real-world political events.

4

Review case studies on citizenship and nationalism from Modules 4-5.

5

Prepare concise summaries of each unit's main points for quick recall.

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