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course outline
Topics
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
This syllabus aims at assessing the candidates' ability to understand and analyze the principles, institutions, and processes of government, with a focus on national development, West African contexts, and international relations.
PAPER 1: Objective Test
Fifty multiple-choice objective questions drawn from the entire syllabus. Answered in 1 hour for 40 marks.
Section B: Political and Constitutional Developments in West Africa and International Relations
Shall contain sets of five questions each for one member country. Candidates answer two questions from the set on their country. Carries 60 marks.
1. MEANING AND SCOPE OF THE SUBJECT MATTER – GOVERNMENT
Covers government as an institution of the state, an art of governing, and an academic field of study.
2. BASIC CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENT
Explores fundamental concepts like state, nation, power, authority, sovereignty, and principles such as Rule of Law, Human Rights, and Constitutionalism.
3. CONSTITUTIONS
Defines constitutions, their sources, functions, and types (written/unwritten, rigid/flexible).
4. ORGANS OF GOVERNMENT
Details the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary, including their types, structures, functions, powers, and limitations, with emphasis on Judicial Independence.
5. STATE STRUCTURE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF GOVERNMENT
Examines different state structures and government types, including Unitary, Federal, Confederal, Presidential, Parliamentary, Monarchical, and Republican systems, with their merits and demerits.
6. CITIZENSHIP
Covers the meaning of citizenship, acquisition, rights, duties, obligations, and means of safeguarding citizens' rights.
7. POLITICAL PARTIES AND PARTY SYSTEMS
Defines political parties, their organization and functions, and discusses party systems, types, merits, and demerits.
8. PRESSURE GROUPS, PUBLIC OPINION AND MASS MEDIA
Explores pressure groups (definition, types, operations, functions), public opinion (formation, measurement, importance), and mass media (roles, impact).
9. THE ELECTORAL SYSTEMS, PROCESSES AND ELECTORAL MANAGEMENT BODY
Covers electoral systems and processes, including elections, franchise, types of electoral systems, and the role and challenges of Electoral Management Bodies.
10. PUBLIC/CIVIL SERVICE ADMINISTRATION
Details the public/civil service (meaning, structure, functions), Public Service Commissions, Public Corporations, and Local Governments (structure, functions, finances, challenges).
11. PRE-COLONIAL POLITICAL SYSTEM OF CANDIDATES' RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES
Examines the structural organization of pre-colonial political systems in Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Liberia.
12. COLONIAL ADMINISTRATION
Details British and French colonial administration policies (Crown Colony, Protectorate, Indirect Rule, Assimilation, Association) and the impact of colonial rule.
13. NATIONALISM IN CANDIDATES' RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES
Defines nationalism, identifies contributing factors and effects, and highlights key leaders and movements.
14. CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTS IN CANDIDATES' RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES
Covers pre-independence and post-independence constitutions of Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Liberia, including their features, merits, and demerits.
15. DEVELOPMENT OF MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES IN THE CANDIDATES' RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES
Analyzes the formation, objectives, finance, achievements, and failures of major political parties in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Liberia.
16. MILITARY RULE IN THE CANDIDATES' RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES
Examines the causes, effects, and various military regimes in Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Liberia.
17. FEDERAL/UNITARY SYSTEMS OF GOVERNMENT IN WEST AFRICA
Discusses the origin, factors, structure, features, and problems of federal and unitary systems in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Liberia.
18. FOREIGN POLICIES OF THE CANDIDATES' RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES
Defines foreign policies, identifies objectives, and discusses advantages and disadvantages for Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Liberia.
19. INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Covers the origin, aims, achievements, and problems of the United Nations Organizations (UNO), The Commonwealth of Nations, African Union (AU) - NEPAD, and The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
