POL101: Introduction to Political Science

The course introduces basic theories and concepts designed to equip students with the essential tools for understanding the study of Political Science. The focus is on the organization of politics, the different political institutions and structures and their role in the modern political system.  The concepts to be covered include power, political culture, democracy, class, civil society and political parties.

POL201: Modern Political Theory

The course is an introduction to the study of Modern Political Theory and is designed to familiarise students with the great works of political thought.  We will study how many great political thinkers have shaped the development of the state as well as their contribution to the enduring debate over the meaning of justice, equality, freedom, liberty, tolerance, and the goals of political life.  The course is important for developing a deeper understanding of the early formations of the concepts and vocabulary that comprise the dominant political ideologies of the modern era- including liberalism, conservatism, socialism, and feminism.

POL202: POLITICS AND ADMINISTRATION IN ESWATINI

Course Description

This course examines the interaction between politics and administration in Eswatini, and places administration within a political framework. This is accomplished through studying the key structures of public administration and their functions, as well as the political structures that provide the setting for public administration.

The course considers the historical evolution of Swazi society, politics, and public administration from the pre-colonial period to the present. It also analyses the country’s major constitutional developments and highlights the key political structures that shape the environment for public administration in the country.

POL203: CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN POLITICS

The course provides a thorough understanding of contemporary political issues in Africa. Significantly, it looks at the challenges in the social, political, and economic domains of the African state from the immediate post-colonial period to the present. It examines the nature of these problems and critically assesses the various strategies for addressing them.

Some of the issues the course deals with are the centralization of state power, conflict and security in Africa, military rule, democratization, African debt crisis and its effects, and the new African agenda.

POL204: POLITICS AND DEVELOPMENT

The course examines the issue of how political processes and outcomes inform development. It begins by introducing students to the main theoretical approaches to development with the aim of highlighting the conceptual and theoretical link between politics and development. This is accomplished through relating these theories to selected development issues such as poverty, debt, inequality, the environment and global governance. The course further examines how the political issues of democratization, good governance and human rights are critical for meaningful and sustainable development.

 POL205: GENDER AND PUBLIC POLICY

The course begins with a conceptual and theoretical introduction to gender. It focuses on the nature of governmental structures and political processes and the effects of public policy outcomes on male and female gender groups and individuals. The foregoing is accomplished by examining the roles men and women play in politics, policy formulation, and implementation. The course examines some key public policy concerns, including poverty, health, and the environment, and analyzes how public policy is shaped both by internal processes of government and also by interest group dynamics. Finally, the course explores some key elements of a Gender Policy Machinery necessary for fostering gender equality.

POL206: POLITICS OF LABOUR IN SOUTHERN AFRICA

The course examines the role of labour in the industrial, social, political, and economic processes in southern Africa. It discusses the evolutionary trajectory of labour from its emergence in the modern capitalist economy to the present. Some of the themes explored in this course are the proletarianisation of the peasantry, radicalization of labour, labour and nationalism, state/labour relations, labour and society, labour and the economy and trans-national labour solidarities.

POL 207: STATE AND CIVIL SOCIETY

The course examines the character and level of development of the state and its interaction with civil society at different junctures in its evolution. Civil society has become more prominent in modern society as a consequence of the advancement towards a more democratic dispensation. The course interrogates the role of civil society and how it could impact on the social and political environment. The institutionalization of democracy through an interactive relationship between the state and civil society will also be considered.

POL208: MEDIA AND POLITICS

The course focuses on the centrality of the media in modern society to facilitate democratic processes at all levels of development. The aspects of public interest relating to accountability of public officials and representation of the public views are some of the themes to be canvassed and interrogated. The control and independence of the press and the impact of this on the different participants in society are some of the issues that are addressed.

POL209: MEDIA AND POLITICS

The course focuses on the centrality of the media in modern society to facilitate democratic processes at all levels of development. The aspects of public interest relating to accountability of public officials and representation of the public views are some of the themes to be canvassed and interrogated. The control and independence of the press and the impact of this on the different participants in society are some of the issues that are addressed.

POL 301: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS THEORY

The course introduces students to the study of International Relations.  It covers the different perspectives in the study of the subject, including approaches to international politics and theories of international politics. An introduction to international law and diplomacy is also covered.

POL302: AFRICAN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

The course centres on African states’ international politics since independence. It adopts a theoretically integrative approach to the study of African International Relations. This choice is grounded in the view that no one perspective can reflect the nuances and complexities of international life. The course uses this organizing principle to examine African states’ behaviour, preferences, actions, and interests in their interactions with each other, and with the rest of the world. There have been some criticisms of International Relations discourses and practices since the turn of the century. This criticism is partly based on the assumption that IR theory and practice are biased towards Western values, history, and experiences, and that the dominant characterizations and perspectives on Africa misrepresent, for example, the African socio-political condition. The course therefore, also critically examines, inter alia, Africa’s challenge to conventional views about states, markets, sovereignty, power, and agency.

POL303 COMPARATIVE POLITICS

The course begins with a survey of the approaches and scope of comparative politics. Thereafter, it focuses on comparing and contrasting key aspects of the different political systems and regions. The foregoing is accomplished through an examination of the three major classifications of political/economic systems: (industrialized capitalist nations); former socialist systems (transitional economies); and Third World nations (a generic term covering a variety of nations still in the process of economic development. A case study will be drawn from each, focusing on themes including political history, political parties, interest groups, key institutions, as well as major challenges facing these systems.

POL304: INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

This course offers a comprehensive study of International Organizations (IOs), focusing on their emergence, evolution, and multifaceted roles in global affairs. Students will explore the historical foundations of IOs and analyze their growing influence in shaping international cooperation, diplomacy, and governance.

The course emphasizes diverse perspectives on how IOs operate within modern society and examines their contributions to a wide spectrum of global governance activities. Special attention is given to the role of IOs in promoting world security and addressing socio-political challenges such as conflict resolution, human rights, development, and crisis management.

POL305   POLITICAL ECONOMY OF SOUTHERN AFRICA

This course departs from the traditional notion of a region as a natural construct and draws on a current of ideas. It takes the constructivist position that a regional order is a political act:  there are ideational, agential and identity influences behind any regional construct. The region is always in a state of flux, continuously made and unmade, constructed and reconstructed, defined and redefined. Each regional order empowers and disempowers, which gives rise to contestation. Therefore, there is, at one level, a dual notion of region: hegemonic and counter-hegemonic. The course thus focuses on how social, political, and economic actors perceive and interpret the idea of a region; it sets out to discover, the identity, ideas and actors behind a particular regional construct, examining how it came into being, who benefits and who is marginalized and steps needed to build an order based on universal or mutual gains in southern Africa.

 POL306   CONTEMPORARY CHINA AND SOUTH EAST ASIA

The course aims at broadening the students’ understanding and appreciation of regions outside Africa with a view to drawing lessons that could inform current perspectives regarding the major challenges faced by regions that share certain basic characteristics.

Using the case study approach, the course explores contemporary themes and issues in China and one other East Asian country, and analyses their relevance for other countries facing similar challenges. The course focuses on themes including hegemony, economic development, democracy and human rights. It draws broad conclusions regarding what might emerge as best practice that could be adapted for tackling common problems and challenges across regions.

POL307: DIPLOMACY

This course introduces students to the theory and practice of diplomacy as a central instrument of international relations and political negotiation. It explores the historical evolution of diplomatic traditions, the institutional frameworks that support diplomatic engagement, and the strategic roles diplomats play in shaping global affairs.

Students will examine the principles, protocols, and tools of diplomacy, including bilateral and multilateral negotiations, conflict resolution, public diplomacy, and the use of soft power. The course also analyzes how diplomacy adapts to contemporary challenges such as globalization, digital communication, climate change, and shifting geopolitical dynamics.

POL310: PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE AND PRACTICE

This course provides a foundational understanding of parliamentary procedure as a vital framework for democratic decision-making and legislative governance. Students will explore the rules, conventions, and practical applications that guide formal meetings, debates, and lawmaking processes within parliamentary systems.

The course covers the structure and functions of parliaments, the roles of key actors (such as the Speaker, Whips, and Committee Chairs), and the procedural tools used to introduce, debate, amend, and pass legislation. Through simulations and case studies, students will gain hands-on experience in drafting motions, managing agendas, and applying procedural rules in real-world scenarios.

P0L401: ADVANCED POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY

The main thrust of the course is to acquaint students with some of the central philosophers covering the ancient, medieval and contemporary periods.  The student should be able to understand and interpret the different philosophies as well as appreciate their significance in shaping the political institutions that have evolved over time. The course will cover Early Classical Philosophy of Plato & Aristotle, Liberal Philosophy, and Marxist Philosophy.

POL402: AFRICAN POLITICAL THOUGHT

The course will focus on the human condition of the African people by analysing African Political Thinkers, beginning with indigenous political thought, extending to the nationalist struggle for liberation and culminating with the analysis of the new millennium. The course interrogates the issue of Pan Africanism and the process of institution-building flowing from this idea. It will give special attention to democratisation discourses and the African renaissance.

POL403: INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY

The course covers the nature of the world political system; the problems of the world economic system in the globalization process.  The role of international economic institutions, such as the World Bank, IMF and other UN economic agencies, and regional economic organizations, are examined.

POL404: DEMOCRACY, POLITICAL PARTIES, AND ELECTIONS

The course considers the relationship between democracy, political parties and elections. Democracy as an evolving phenomenon will be given special attention as a framework within which the main political institutions can develop and elections conducted. It will provide a critical analysis of political parties and their function in society. It deals with the impact that elections and different electoral systems have on the development of political culture, as well as the type of democracy that evolves.

POL406: FOREIGN POLICY ANALYSIS

The course reviews the analytical framework for the study of foreign policy. A state’s action, reaction, interaction or attitude toward the environment beyond the national boundary is shaped by an ever changing confluence of influences, factors and actors. These include psychological elements (for example, values, perceptions, beliefs, ideology and personality) domestic influences (such as political parties, pressure and interest groups, public opinion, bureaucratic and organizational processes) and the impact of the external environment. This framework is utilized in the analysis of what is called ‘low’ and ‘high’ politics like diplomacy and trade respectively.

POL407: WOMEN AND POLITICS IN AFRICA

The course examines some of the major concepts and theories that help to explain the position of women in society, thereby unravelling the issue of women subordination and male dominance in decision-making structures at the socio-economic and political levels. The course focuses on concepts and theories including gender, feminist theory, sexual division of labour as well as patriarchy and analyses their contribution towards our understanding of social inequality and the marginalisation of women.

POL409: SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT

This course focuses on the need for both internal and international security of states and society; that security is essential for political and economic stability. Stability is a prerequisite for development and welfare of society. Discussion in the course reveals that security is provided not only by the security forces but equally by adherence to democratic practice and good governance in states, and the pursuit of good relations among states.  Therefore, the security and stability of states is primarily in the hands of the governments themselves.

POL405: INDEPENDENT RESEARCH PROJECT IN POLITICAL SCIENCE

This course requires students to undertake research in an area of their interest in the discipline of Political Science.  At the beginning of the fourth year, students identify research areas and come up with a title of their Project.  This is done under the guidance of the lecturer who has been assigned by the Department to supervise the student. During the first semester, the students present their research proposals in a seminar that is conducted by the Department.  After the seminar, the students proceed to write the Project Reports which are examined at the end of the academic year.