UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI
FACULTY OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE & PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
CPS 3103- BASIC CONCEPTS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
DAYS: THURSDAY, 11.00 A.M. –2.00 P.M.
SEMESTER – MARCH –JUNE, 2024.
VENUE: MPH
LECTURER: DR. GEORGE KATETE (gkatete@uonbi.ac.ke)
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course introduces learners to Basic Concepts in Political science.
Concepts are vital in linking the abstract world of theory to the world of
practice. Engaging in proper political science study is thus made clearer by
using concepts in order to develop coherence in verbal and written
communication. Because the discipline has developed many concepts, it is not
possible in a course of this duration to discuss all the concepts used in the
discipline. We shall therefore select those concepts that are critical to an
understanding of the discipline. and uses ; Politics and Political Science; the
State; Government Political System; Society, : Nation; Nationalism; Constitution
and Constitutionalism; Elections; and Political Representation: Governance;
Power; Authority; Political Ideology; Freedom, Liberty; Justice; Equality; Rights,
obligations and Duties, Justice.
Course Objectives
This is a first year undergraduate course in political science that seeks to enable
students learn about:
The meaning and functions of political science concepts.
The application of the concepts to real political situations.
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EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the course, students should be able to:
(i) Define political science concepts.
(ii) Explain the evolution and development of concepts
(iii) Explain the functions of political science concepts
(iv) Apply political science concepts in everyday situations
Mode of Delivery:
Lecture-led Sessions that may take the form of
Face to Face interaction and
On line teaching
LECTURE SCHEDULE
Period Concept Description/Content Remarks
Week 1 Concepts - Definition Explain what the
- Development course is about
- Role
Week 2 Politics, & Political - Politics: meaning, Contextualize
System and impact
- Political system:
typology, role
Week 3 Society, Nation & - Society: definition Give examples
Nationalism - Nation: as cultural from Africa
and political
communities
- Nationalism:
origins, types
Week 4 The State - Meaning, theories Classification of
& origins, role States
Week 5 Government - Meaning, types, Functions and
role context
Week 6 Constitution, - Meaning, Focus:
Constitutionalism& development , Constitution of
Law types, role Kenya 2010
7 CAT - CAT CAT
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Week 8 Governance - Meaning and Explain the
dimensions meaning of
governance and
its significance in
the Kenyan
context.
Week 9 Power and Authority - Power: meaning, Give relevant
types, sources contemporary
- Authority: meaning, Examples
types, sources
- Political legitimacy
Week - Meaning and types Give relevant
10 Political Ideology - Freedom: meaning Examples
as a concept
- Liberty: Meaning,
types, sources,
historical context,
liberalism,
Freedom & Liberty individual liberty vs
state liberty
Week Justice Meaning of each of these
11 concepts, types,
challenges
Week Equality, Meaning and role in Give
12 Rights & Duties management of public contemporary
affairs examples
Week Revision
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UNIVERSITY
EXAMINATIONS
SUGGESTED READING MATERIALS
Heywood Andrew. 2006. Politics. Palgrave Foundations
Das Hari Hara and Choudhury B,C. 2002. Introduction to Political
Sociology. Vikas Publishing House PVT LTD
Leach Robert. (2008).The Politics Companion. New York Palgrave
A.C. Kapur. 2006. Principles of Political Science. S. Chand & Company
Ltd. New Delhi, India.
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Apparadorai. A. The Substance of Politics
Vernon Bodarnor.(edited) 1991. The Blackwell Encyclopedia of Political
Science. Blackwell Reference
Bellamy R. (1993). Theories And Concepts of Politics. An Introduction.
Manchester and New York Manchester University Press
O. Nnoli. 1986. Introduction to Politics. Longman
C.J. Friedrich. 1967. An introduction to Political Theory. Harper Row,
Publishers, New York
V.D. Mahajan. 2005. Political Theory. S. Chand & company Ltd. New
Delhi, India
P. Anyan’g Nyon’go .(2002). The Study of African Politics: A Critical
Appreciation of a Heritage. Henrich Boll Foundation, Nairobi, Kenya.
Skoble A,J. & Tibor R. Mechan. 1999. Political Philosophy. Essential
selections. Pearson, Education Publishers.
Robert Dahl. Bruce Stinbrickner. 2003. Modern Political Analysis.
Pearson.
COURSE ADMINISTRATION
The course will be taught over a thirteen week period. The fourteenth and
fifteenth weeks will be for examinations
Each lecture lasts three hours every week.
Students are reminded that class attendance is compulsory in line with relevant
university regulations. In this regard a student who fails to attend 2/3 of the
lectures will not be allowed to sit university examinations at the end of the
semester.
Students are encouraged to read beyond the suggested reading materials and to
consult regularly with the course instructor(s).
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