Operations Of The Legislature
- Management Sciences
- 800 level
- 2 credit units
- 61 pages
- 12 units
This course introduces students to the operations of the legislature, focusing on its role within democratic governance. It explores the constituents of the legislature, the evolution of parliamentary systems, and the functions and powers of this governmental branch. The course also examines the operational machinery, legislative processes, and the relationship between the legislature and the bureaucracy. It aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the legislature's contributions to accountable governance.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 78 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical
- Practical work
- No
- Tutor marked assignments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of PSM804, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
PSM804 · UNIT 2 THE CONSTITUENTS OF THE LEGISLATURE
5.0 SUMMARY In this unit, you learnt what the legislature is all about. We examined unicameral and bicameral legislature. You were also exposed to the workings of the British legislature, the American legislature and the Nigerian legislature. It is hoped that this introductory aspect of legislature will aid your understanding as we go further in the course.
What you should be able to do
- Describe the operations of the legislature in a democratic state.
- Explain the relationship between the three tiers of government.
- Analyze the functions and powers of the legislature.
- Discuss the role of bureaucracy in the legislative process.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the legislature in representing the people.
- Compare and contrast different parliamentary systems.
What it prepares you for
- Legislative Aide
- Policy Analyst
- Public Administrator
- Government Relations Officer
- Government
- Public Sector Management
- Law
- Policy Making
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 3:
Unit 1: Operational Machinery of the American Government
Understanding the intricacies of the U.S. Congress structure and the specific roles of officials like the Sergeant-at-Arms and the Clerk requires careful attention to detail and comprehension of the American political system.
- Module 3:
Unit 3: Legislative Side in Appropriation Bills
Grasping the complexities of the budgetary process and the legislature's role in shaping appropriation bills demands a solid understanding of financial concepts and legislative procedures.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 49 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1:
Unit 1: Conceptual Issues · 3 hours
Define legislature and differentiate between unicameral and bicameral systems.. Compare the British Parliament, American Congress, and Nigerian Legislature.. Discuss the roles of the Senate and House of Representatives..
Unit 2: The Constituents of The Legislature · 2 hours
Identify the constituents of the legislature and their roles.. Explain the relationship between the legislature, executive, and electorate.. Discuss how the legislature shapes political agendas and policies..
- Week 2Module 1:
Unit 3: Evolution of the Parliamentary System · 3 hours
Trace the evolution of the parliamentary system.. Compare the development of the British Parliament and the American Congress.. Discuss the influence of the Magna Carta on parliamentary development..
- Week 3Module 2:
Unit 1: Functions and Importance of the Legislature · 3 hours
State the legislative functions of the legislature.. Explain the oversight functions of the legislature.. Describe the elective, investigative, and judicial functions of the legislature..
- Week 4Module 2:
Unit 2: Powers of the Legislature · 3 hours
Describe the powers of the legislature in parliamentary and presidential systems.. Explain the limitations of the legislature's powers.. Discuss the legislature's control over government spending and treaty approvals..
- Week 5Module 2:
Unit 3: Evolution of the Parliamentary System · 3 hours
Describe the evolution of the parliamentary system of government.. Compare and contrast the British parliamentary system and the American Congress.. Discuss the need for taxes to have the consent of the taxed (the Magna Carta, 1215)..
- Week 6Module 3:
Unit 1: Operational Machinery of the American Government · 4 hours
Discuss the structure and internal operations of the U.S. Congress.. Explain the roles of the Sergeant-at-Arms and the Clerk of the House.. Analyze the functions of congressional committees..
- Week 7Module 3:
Unit 2: Role of Bureaucracy in the Legislative Process · 3 hours
Explain the roles and importance of bureaucracy in legislative proceedings.. Discuss how bureaucracies support legislative activities and provide administrative back-up.. Analyze the impact of bureaucratic processes on policy implementation..
- Week 8Module 3:
Unit 3: Legislative Side in Appropriation Bills · 4 hours
Explain the legislative process for appropriation bills.. State the stages for passing appropriation bills.. Discuss the presentation of estimates to the legislature by the executive..
- Week 9Module 4:
Unit 1: The Constitutional Provision of the Legislature · 4 hours
Discuss the constitutional provisions of the legislature.. Explain the oversight or surveillance functions it performs.. Analyze the legislature's role in checking executive power..
- Week 10Module 4:
Unit 2: The Legislature as Representative of The People · 3 hours
Describe the roles of the legislatures as the representative of the people.. Discuss the legislature's responsibility to address citizens' problems and challenges.. Explain the concept of oversight functions..
- Week 11Module 4:
Unit 3: Committee System in the Legislature · 4 hours
State the reasons for the appointment of committees in the parliament.. Discuss the structures and functions of the committees.. Analyze the operations of committees in the legislative process..
- Week 12Module 4:
Unit 4: The Legislature In Nigeria · 4 hours
Describe the legislature as it is practiced in Nigeria.. State the powers and functions of the legislature.. Analyze the features of the Nigerian legislature..
- Week 13Final Revision
Final Revision · 6 hours
Review all course materials and key concepts.. Complete all outstanding assignments and TMAs.. Prepare for the final examination..
Preparing for the exam
- Create detailed summaries of each unit, focusing on key concepts and definitions.
- Develop comparative charts outlining the differences between parliamentary systems (e.g., British vs. American).
- Practice analyzing hypothetical scenarios involving legislative processes and decision-making.
- Review and understand the constitutional provisions related to the legislature in Nigeria.
- Focus on the functions and powers of the legislature, particularly in relation to the executive and judicial branches.
- Prepare by reviewing all Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs) and their feedback.
Questions students ask about this course
What is PSM804 about?
This course introduces students to the operations of the legislature, focusing on its role within democratic governance. It explores the constituents of the legislature, the evolution of parliamentary systems, and the functions and powers of this governmental branch. The course also examines the operational machinery, legislative processes, and the relationship between the legislature and the bureaucracy. It aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the legislature's contributions to accountable governance.
How many units does PSM804 have?
PSM804, Operations Of The Legislature, has 12 units across 4 modules, over 61 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is PSM804?
PSM804 carries 2 credit units, at 800 level in Management Sciences.
Is PSM804 hard?
PSM804 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical work.
How long does PSM804 take to study?
About 78 hours of study, spread across its 12 units.
How is PSM804 assessed?
PSM804 is assessed by tutor marked assignments and final examination.
What can I do with PSM804?
Legislative Aide, Policy Analyst, Public Administrator and Government Relations Officer.