FIRST SEMESTER COURSE
Course Title: The Social Sciences
Course Code: GSP 201
Units: 2
Course Objectives: This course is aimed at introducing the students to the disciplines in the Social Sciences and this helps in bringing out their anthropocentric nature. Students are taught the application of the principles of the various disciplines in the Social Sciences to the problems in Nigeria and the world. It is aimed at equipping the students with the ability to apply basic analytical tools and methodologies in the analysis of social structures, relationships and social processes. It also exposes students to the relationship between social sciences as academic disciplines and the General Studies programme as pioneered and sustained by the University of Nigeria.
Students majoring in any of the Social Sciences and who have offered related courses in their base Departments may be exempted from this course, GSP 201.
Course Outline
- The Universe of the Social Sciences
- Definition and Boundaries of the Social Sciences
- Various Disciplines of the Social Sciences
- Characteristics of the Social Sciences
- Social Sciences Research Methodology
- Introduction
- Basic Principles of Social Research
- Comparison of Commonsense and Scientific Method
- Relevance of Documentation
- Forms of Documentation
- The Role of Sociology and Anthropology in Human Society
- Overview of Sociology
- Overview of Anthropology
- Similarities and differences between Sociology and Anthropology
- Contributions of Anthropology to Development
- Meaning of Culture
- Culture and Social Change
- Religion and Social Change
- Overview of Religion
- Theories of Religion
- Functions of Religion
- Religion and Social Change
- Geography and Human Society
- Concepts and Contents of Geography
- Major Branches of Geography
- Geography as a Social Science
- The Place of Geography in the Society
- Civil Society and Social Justice
- Basic Concepts of Government
- Arms of Government and their Functions
- Nature of Corruption in Nigeria
- The Police and Law Enforcement
- Crime and Social Control
- Cultism and Contemporary Nigeria
VII. Psychology
- Basic Concepts
- Psychology as a Social Science
- Some Applications of Psychology
- Concepts of Personality
- Factors Affecting Personality
VIII. Economics as a Social Science
- Basic Concepts of Economics
- Economics as a Social Science
- The Price System
- Theory of Demand
- Theory of Supply
- Determinants of Market Price – the Equilibrium Price
- Gender Empowerment and Society
- Conceptual Meaning of Gender
- Feminism as a Social Movement
- Gender Empowerment
- Tradition and Relations
- Politics and Gender Relations
SECOND SEMESTER COURSE
Course Title: Issues in Peace and Conflict Studies
Course Code: GSP 202
Units: 2
The National Universities Commission in collaboration with the University for Peace, an affiliate of the United Nations, recommends this course as part of the General Studies programme in all universities in Nigeria. The course is compulsory for all undergraduates of the University irrespective of their specializations. It is designed to expose students to the basic Principles of Peace and Conflict Studies (PCS) and by so doing contribute to the reduction of intra- and inter- group strifes and promote harmonious co-existence without which sustainable development is impossible.
Applicable social-science methods are addressed. Students are taught the theories of peace and conflict and the nature of these as social phenomena. Students are also taught the processes of conflict management, conflict resolution, and the workings of the various agencies involved in these processes in traditional settings and at national and international levels.
Course Outline
- Nature and Concepts in Peace and Conflict Studies
- Definitions and Perspectives
- Types-Intra & Inter Personal, Intra & Inter-State, Inter-Communal, Global, etc.
- General Causes of Conflict
- Stages of Conflict
- Concepts in PCS
- Theories of Peace and Conflicts
- Definition of Theory
- Theory in Social Processes
- Types of Peace and Conflict theory
- Conflict Analysis and Handling Styles
- Definition of Conflict Analysis
- Issue, Stakeholder, and Context Analysis
- Methods of Conflict Analysis
- Conflict Handling Styles
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Ethnicity, Identity and Conflict in Africa
- Definition of Ethnicity
- Major Theories of Ethnicity
- Communal/Indigene Conflict in Africa
- African Indigenous Approaches to Peace and Conflict
- V. Media, Language and Communication in Peace and Conflict
- Definition
- Media s
- Strategies for Conflict Management
- Early Warning Signal
- Ethics and Conflict Reporting
- Factors Affecting Communication
- Roadblocks to Communication
- Peace Education, Peer Mediation and Nonviolent Resistance
- Definitions
- School Subjects in Peace Education
- Types of Peace Education
- Culture of Peace
- Methods of Nonviolence Resistance
- Nonviolence Mechanisms of Change
VII. Terrorism and its Management
- Definitions
- Types
- Strategies
- Management
VIII. International Organisations and Conflict Resolution
- United Nations Peace Support Operations (PSOs)
- African Union Peace Support Operations
- AU Conflict Management Frameworks
- Sub-regional Organizations in Conflict Resolution
- Multi-Track Diplomacy (Nine tracks)
- Track 1: Government
- Track 2: NGO/Professional
- Track 3: Business
- Track 4: Private Citizen
- Track 5: Research, Training, & Education
- Track 6: Activism
- Track 7: Religion
- Track 8: Funding
- Track 9: Media
Course Evaluation and Grading
Students are required to attend a minimum of 75% of the lectures to qualify for examination in the course. A maximum score of 100 points are awarded as follows:
(a) 30 points for continuous assessment which comprises class assignments, tests, and attendance;
(b) 70 points for the end of semester examination.