Political Sociology
- Social Sciences
- 400 level
- 197 pages
- 24 units
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.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 120 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of POL412, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
- Unit 4: Forms of democracy in practice across African states
- UNIT 1: UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF POLITICS, POLITICAL SCIENCE AND SOCIOLOGY
- UNIT 111: EVOLUTION OF POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY: THE CLASSICAL PERIOD; THE GREAT DEBATE; THE ROLE OF ELITES IN SOCIETY; AND THE CONTEMPORARY PERIOD
- UNIT IV:THE CONCEPT OF POWER AND ITS DIMENSIONS; POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION
- UNIT I: THEORIES OF POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY
- UNIT II: JOHN LOCKE AND SOCIAL CONTRACT; MARXIST APPROACH TO POLITICAL POWER; TYPES OF MARXISM
- UNIT III: WEBER AND POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY; AND THE DURKHEIMIAN TRADITION OF POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY
- UNIT IV: FOCAULDIAN PERSPECTIVE OF POWER AND POLITICS; ELITISTS AND POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
POL412 · Unit 4: Forms of democracy in practice across African states
The course is written in study units within Modules. You are also provided with related reading materials for each topic examined. At the end of each unit, you will be required to attempt Self- Assessment Exercises (SAEs) for assessment purposes. And at the end of the course, you will write a final examination.
What you should be able to do
- Understand the concept of power and its relevance in political affairs.
- Analyze the theoretical perspectives and methodological issues in political sociology.
- Explore the interconnectedness of political behaviors.
- Examine socio-cultural dynamics such as ethnicity and communal conflicts.
- Highlight conflict resolution mechanisms.
- Improve the human condition through understanding political sociology.
What it prepares you for
- Political Analyst
- Policy Advisor
- Diplomat
- Researcher
- Civil Servant
- Government
- Non-profit Organizations
- International Relations
- Research Institutions
- Political Campaigns
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 3: THEORIES OF POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY
Unit II: John Locke and Social Contract; Marxist Approach to Political Power; Types of Marxism
Understanding the nuances of Marxist theory and its application to contemporary political systems requires critical thinking and analytical skills.
- Module 5: NATIONS AND NATIONALISM
Unit I: On Clarification and Nexus between Nation, State and Society
The abstract nature of national identity and its construction through shared values, symbols, and traditions can be challenging to grasp.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 52 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module I: INTRODUCTION TO POLITICS, POWER AND SOCIETY
Unit 1: Understanding the concept of politics, Political Science and Sociology · 4 hours
Understand the various conceptions of politics.. Explore the nexus between political science and sociology.. Define politics from different perspectives..
- Week 2Module I: INTRODUCTION TO POLITICS, POWER AND SOCIETY
Unit 2: The meaning of political sociology, scope of political sociology · 4 hours
Define political sociology.. Appraise different definitions of political sociology.. Understand the scope of political sociology..
- Week 3Module I: INTRODUCTION TO POLITICS, POWER AND SOCIETY
Unit 3: Evolution of Political Sociology: the Classical Period; the Great Debate; the Role of Elites in Society; and the Contemporary Period · 4 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 4Module I: INTRODUCTION TO POLITICS, POWER AND SOCIETY
Unit IV: The Concept of Power and its Dimensions; Political Sociology and Social Transformation · 4 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 5Module 2: APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY
Unit 1: Behavioural approach · 4 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 6Module 2: APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY
Unit 11: Post-behaviouralism · 4 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 7Module 2: APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY
Unit III: Input-output analysis · 4 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 8Module 2: APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY
Unit IV: Systems approach · 4 hours
Understand the interconnectedness among the different parts of the society.. Understand Parsons' contribution to systems approach..
- Week 9Module 3: THEORIES OF POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY
Unit I: Theories of Political Sociology · 4 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 10Module 3: THEORIES OF POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY
Unit II: John Locke and Social Contract; Marxist Approach to Political Power; Types of Marxism · 4 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 11Module 3: THEORIES OF POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY
Unit III: Weber and Political Sociology; and the Durkheimian Tradition of Political Sociology · 4 hours
Memorize Weber's definition of power and his views of authority.. Know who Durkheim is, and understand his view on political matters..
- Week 12Module 3: THEORIES OF POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY
Unit IV: Focauldian Perspective of Power and Politics; Elitists and Political Sociology · 4 hours
Understand elite theory and its tenets.. Itemize different elite theorists.. Explain the points of convergence and divergence of the different elite theorists..
- Week 13Course Revision
Final Revision · 4 hours
Review all modules and units.. Work on assignments.. Prepare for final examinations..
Preparing for the exam
- Create concept maps linking key theories from Modules 1-3.
- Focus on understanding the different dimensions of power discussed in Module 1.
- Practice applying theoretical frameworks to real-world political events.
- Review case studies on citizenship and nationalism from Modules 4-5.
- Prepare concise summaries of each unit's main points for quick recall.
Questions students ask about this course
What is POL412 about?
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.
How many units does POL412 have?
POL412, Political Sociology, has 24 units across 6 modules, over 197 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
Is POL412 hard?
POL412 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.
How long does POL412 take to study?
About 120 hours of study, spread across its 24 units.
How is POL412 assessed?
POL412 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What can I do with POL412?
Political Analyst, Policy Advisor, Diplomat, Researcher and Civil Servant.