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POL424Social Sciences3 Unitsintermediate

Political Parties & Pressure Groups

This course introduces students to the dynamics of political parties and pressure groups within a political system. It explores the meaning, origin, and development of political parties, examining their structures and functions in a democratic context. The course also covers various party systems, major political crises in Nigeria, and the role of pressure groups in collective bargaining, providing a comprehensive understanding of political processes and their impact on governance.

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208h
Study Time
13
Weeks
16h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
Political PartiesPressure GroupsParty SystemsNigerian PoliticsCollective Bargaining

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

Political Parties

2

Party Systems

3

Pressure Groups

4

Political Ideologies

5

Political Socialization

6

Electoral Systems

7

Nigerian Political History

8

Collective Bargaining

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

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

Civil Servant

Apply your skills in this growing field

Lobbyist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Labor Relations Manager

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

GovernmentNon-profit OrganizationsLabor UnionsPolitical CampaignsConsulting Firms

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Political Parties and Pressure Groups

6h

Unit 1: Meaning of Political Parties

3 study hours
  • •Read the definition of political parties from various scholars.
  • •Identify the common attributes of these definitions.
  • •Understand the role of political parties in a democratic system.

Unit 2: Origin of Political Parties

3 study hours
  • •Examine the roles of Patricians and Plebeians in ancient Rome.
  • •Describe the changes in English politics after the Popish plot of 1678.
  • •Understand the origin and growth of political parties.
Week
2

Module 1: Political Parties and Pressure Groups

4h

Unit 3: Party Organisation

4 study hours
  • •Examine Maurice Duverger's party organization categories.
  • •Outline the characteristics of caucus party organization.
  • •Understand the structure of political parties.
Week
3

Module 1: Political Parties and Pressure Groups

6h

Unit 4: Political Ideologies

3 study hours
  • •Define the term ideology.
  • •Analyze the most comprehensive definitions of ideology.
  • •Understand the features and functions of political ideology.

Unit 5: The Franchise

3 study hours
  • •Enumerate the conditions necessary before enfranchisement.
  • •Explain the term disenfranchisement.
  • •Understand the importance of franchise.
Week
4

Module 1: Political Parties and Pressure Groups

4h

Unit 6: Political Socialisation

4 study hours
  • •Define political socialization.
  • •Describe the essential features of political socialization definitions.
  • •Understand the methods and agents of political socialization.
Week
5

Module 2: Classification of Party System

4h

Unit 1: Single-Party System

4 study hours
  • •Explain the term single-party system.
  • •Name and describe countries that practice single-party system.
  • •Understand the features of single-party systems.
Week
6

Module 2: Classification of Party System

4h

Unit 2: Merits and Demerits of Single-Party System

4 study hours
  • •Enumerate the advantages of a single-party system.
  • •Identify and discuss countries in West Africa that practiced one-party government.
  • •Understand the merits and demerits of single-party systems.
Week
7

Module 2: Classification of Party System

4h

Unit 3: Features of Two-Party System

4 study hours
  • •Explain the features of two-party system.
  • •Define two-party system.
  • •Understand the characteristics of a two-party system.
Week
8

Module 2: Classification of Party System

4h

Unit 4: Merits and Demerits of Two-Party System

4 study hours
  • •Describe the functions performed by opposition party.
  • •Enumerate the merits of a two-party system.
  • •Understand the merits and demerits of a two-party system.
Week
9

Module 2: Classification of Party System

4h

Unit 5: Multi-Party System Features, Merits and Demerits

4 study hours
  • •Explain the features of multi-party system.
  • •Discuss the most glaring features of multi-party system.
  • •Understand the characteristics of a multi-party system.
Week
10

Module 3: Major Political Crises in Nigeria

4h

Unit 1: Action Groups Crises of 1962

4 study hours
  • •Discuss the causes of Action Group crisis of 1962.
  • •Explain the role of the Prime Minister in the crisis.
  • •Understand the causes and consequences of the Action Group crisis.
Week
11

Module 3: Major Political Crises in Nigeria

4h

Unit 2: Census Crises of 1962/1963

4 study hours
  • •Examine the factors that led to the cancellation of the census of 1962.
  • •Explain the purpose of census.
  • •Understand the causes and consequences of the census crisis.
Week
12

Module 3: Major Political Crises in Nigeria

4h

Unit 3: Federal Election Crisis of 1964

4 study hours
  • •Explain some of the causes of 1964 political crisis.
  • •Discuss its consequences.
  • •Understand the causes and consequences of the Federal Election Crisis.
Week
13

Module 3: Major Political Crises in Nigeria

4h

Unit 4: Western Nigerian Election Crises of 1965

4 study hours
  • •Discuss immediate and remote causes of western region crisis in 1965.
  • •Briefly examine the roles played by NNDP and AG in the crisis in western region.
  • •Understand the causes and consequences of the Western Nigerian Election Crises.

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

Create detailed summaries of each unit, focusing on key definitions, concepts, and examples.

2

Develop comparative charts outlining the differences between party systems, pressure group types, and political ideologies.

3

Practice essay questions addressing the causes and consequences of major political crises in Nigeria, referencing specific events and actors.

4

Review all Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs) and incorporate feedback into your study notes.

5

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

6

Form study groups to discuss complex topics and share insights.

7

Create timelines of key events in Nigerian political history to aid memorization.

8

Analyze past exam papers to identify frequently tested topics and question formats.

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