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Courses

COURSE STRUCTURES

100 Level

S/NCourse CodeCourse TitleUnitStatusHL-T-PLH
1POS 111The Study of Politics3C2-1-045
2POS 112Nigerian Constitutional Development3C2-1-045
3POS 113The Organization of Government3R2-1-045
4POS 114The Citizen and the State3R2-1-045
5GES 101Use of English I2C2-0-030
6GES 107Reproductive Health, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus (HIV2R2-0-030
7GES 108Introduction to French2R2-0-030
Total Units of Compulsory Courses8   
Total Units of Required Courses10   
Total Units of Elective CoursesND   
Total Units of 100 Level Courses (C&R)18   
          

Note: HL-Hour of Lecture; T-Tutorial; P-Practical; LH-Lecture Hours, ND-Not determined

200 Level

S/NCourse CodeCourse TitleUnitStatusHL-T-PLH
1POS 211Political Analysis3C2-1-045
2POS 212Political Ideas3C2-1-045
3POS 217Introduction to Public Administration3C2-1-045
4POS 218Introduction to African Politics3R2-1-0 
5POS 219Introduction to International Relations3C2-1-045
6POS 220Introduction to Political Economy3R2-1-045
7POS 221Introduction to Comparative Politics3R2-1-045
8FSS 204Statistics for The Social Sciences3C2-1-045
9GES 104Science and Mankind2R2-0-030
10GES 201Use of English II2C3-0-045
11GES 105Land Use, Agriculture, and Animal Husbandry and Health2R2-0-030
12GES 106Philosophy, Logic and Critical Thinking2R2-0-030
Total Units of Compulsory Courses17   
Total Units of Required Courses15   
Total Units of Elective CoursesND   
Total Units of 200 Level Courses (C&R)32   
          

Note: HL-Hour of Lecture; T-Tutorial; P-Practical; LH-Lecture Hours, ND-Not Determined

300 Level

S/NCourse CodeCourse TitleUnitStatusHL-T-PLH
1POS 312Logic and Methods in Political Inquiry3C2-1-045
2POS 313History of Political Thought3C2-1-045
3POS 314International Relations Theory3C  
4POS 316The Methodology of Comparative Politics3C2-1-045
5POS 321Classical Marxism3R2-1-045
6POS 322African Political Thought3R2-1-045
S/NCourse CodeCourse TitleUnitStatusHL-T-PLH
7POS 324Issues in International Politics3E2-1-045
8POS 333The Government and Administration of Urban System3E2-1-045
9POS 334Public Administration in Nigeria3R2-1-045
10POS 343Comparative Federal Systems3R2-1-045
11POS 344Politics in Europe3E2-1-045
12POS 351Introduction to Strategic Studies3E2-1-045
13POS 353The Media and the State3E2-1-045
14POS 354Gender and Politics3E2-1-045
15POS 363Political Behavior3R2-1-045
16POS 365Comparative Psephology3E2-1-045
17POS 366Politimetrics3R2-1-045
18POS 367Theory and Models of Public Sector Administration3C2-1-045
19POS 368Foreign Policies of the Major Powers3R2-1-045
20POS 371Comparative Politics of Africa3E2-1-045
21POS 372Politics in North America3E2-1-045
22POS 373Politics in the Middle East3E2-1-045
23POS 374Politics in Asia and the Pacific Area3E2-1-045
24POS 375Politics in Latin America3E2-1-045
25GES 301Introduction to Entrepreneurial Skills2R2-1-045
Total Units of Compulsory Courses15   
Total Units of Required Courses23   
Total Units of Elective CoursesND   
Total Units of 300 Level Courses (C&R)38   
        

Note: HL-Hour of Lecture; T-Tutorial; P-Practical; LH-Lecture Hours, ND-Not Determined

400 Level

S/NCourse CodeCourse TitleUnitStatusHL-TPLH
1POS 411Contemporary Political Analysis3C2-1-045
2POS 412Nigerian Government and Politics3C2-1-045
3POS 413Nigerian Local Government3E2-1-045
4POS 415Quantitative Macropolitics3E2-1-045
5POS 416Public Personnel Administration3E2-1-045
6POS 421Comparative Administration3R2-1-045
7POS 424Civil Society and Governance3E2-1-045
8POS 425Natural Resources, Environment and Sustainable Development3E2-1-045
9POS 431The Theory and Practice of Local Government3R2-1-045
10POS 432Public Policy Analysis3E2-1-045
11POS 433Principles of Administrative Law3E2-1-045
12POS 444Comparative Civil Military Relations3R2-1-045
13POS 451Principles of International Law3R2-1-045
14POS 453International Institutions3E2-1-045
15POS 454Foreign Policies of African States3E2-1-045
16POS 455Conflict and Bargaining in International Relations3E2-1-045
17POS 456Conduct and Administration of Nigerian Foreign Policy3R2-1-045
18POS 471Theory of the State3R2-1-045
19POS 474Problems of Political Philosophy3R2-1-045
20POS 475Globalization and the Politics of Development3R2-1-045
S/NCourse CodeCourse TitleUnitStatusHL-TPLH
21POS 476Terrorism and Violent Political Movements3E2-1-045
22POS 477Marxism after Marx3E2-1-045
23POS 478Legislative Studies3R2-1-045
24POS 482Long Essay6C2-1-045
Total Units of Compulsory Courses12   
Total Units of Required Courses27   
Total Units of Elective CoursesND   
Total Units of 400 Level Courses(C&R)39   

Note: HL-Hour of Lecture; T-Tutorial; P-Practical; LH-Lecture Hours, ND-Not Determined

Summary of Course Units

LevelUniversity Courses (GES)Compulsory Courses

Required

Courses

Elective CoursesTotal Units
100666ND18
2008159ND32
30021523ND40
400 (1st)-1227ND39
TOTAL164865ND129

7. B.SC. COURSES DESCRIPTION

100 LEVEL

Course CodeCourse TitleCourse ContentsCourse StatusUnits
100 Level Courses
POS 111THE STUDY OF POLITICSA Survey of the major issues of politics; who rules, in whose interest and on what basis. Types of involvement in Politics. The role of conflict of interest, the relation between the elite and the masses, the government and the people. Different ways of studying politics; a brief survey of the methods of Political Science.Compulsory3
POS 112NIGERIAN CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTSurvey and analysis of issues and problems in Nigeria’s constitutional development from amalgamation in 1914 through colonial rule to the present; assessment of the impact of socio-cultural and economic forces; and explanation of instability of constitutional forms.Compulsory3
POS 113THE ORGANISATION OF GOVERNMENTThe various ways of organizing governments; legislature, executive, judiciary and the separation of powers; unitary versus federal systems, parliamentary versus presidential and civilian versus military rule. Other political organizations – political parties, interest groups etc.Required3
POS 114THE CITIZEN AND THE STATELegitimacy and the principle of political obligation, both moral and rational; the concept and institution of citizenship rights, duties and obligations; the responsibilities of government, individual and state security; provision of infrastructure and social welfare service; the need and basis of freedom, loyalty and patriotism.Required3

200 LEVEL

Course CodeCourse Title NewCourse ContentsCourse StatusUnits
200 Level Courses
POS 211POLITICAL ANALYSISThe nature of politics, political system and the structure of government; political representation, processes and institutions of different regime systems.Compulsory3
POS 212POLITICAL IDEASIntroduction to major political ideas in their historical contexts e.g. monarchical absolutism, liberalism, democracy, socialism, fascism, anarchism.Compulsory3
POS 217INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC ADMINISTRATIONMeaning and development of public administration; administration as art and science; differences between public and private sector administration; Relationship between politics and administration; Nature of Administration (POSDCORB); nature and functions of the civil service; civil service ethics; agencies supervising civil service;public corporations, regulatory agencies, semi-independent agencies and local government.Compulsory3
POS 218INTRODUCTION TO AFRICAN POLITICSNature of African societies before colonialism; establishment of colonial rule; theory and practice of imperialism and colonialism; differences in colonial policies; decolonisation, and the implications of colonial administrative types for national movements; nationalist movements and armed nationalist struggle; relationship between nature of nationalist Struggle and post-colonial administration; politics in post-colonial Africa; dependency, military rule and democratic transitions, party systems, and; Africa in international affairsRequired 
Course CodeCourse Title NewCourse ContentsCourse StatusUnits
POS 219INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSTheories of international relations; major issues in international politics with particular reference to Africa since 1945; the Cold War, intervention and limited wars, arms race, disarmament and nonalignment; international organizations, defence organizations, non-governmental international bodies, the A.U., regional organizations and groupings; aid, trade, investment and development, the E.U. and Africa.Compulsory3
POS 220INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL ECONOMYThe concept of political economy, different approaches and theories in political economy (Marxism, liberalism and neo-liberalism), relationship between politics and economics; economics as determinants of politics; class analysis and political power relations; production and politics with emphasis on the material basis of political power.NEW: Required3
POS 221INTRODUCTION TO COMPARATIVE POLITICSThe meaning of comparative politics; scope and relevance of Comparative Political Analysis; history of comparative politics; and features or characteristics of comparative politicsNEW: Required3

COMPULSORILY REQUIRED EXTERNAL COURSES AND 100 & 200 LEVELS (BASED ON NUC BMAS)

SOC 101: Principles of Sociology

Soc 102: Peoples and Cultures of Nigeria

Psy 101: Introduction to Psycho-Biological Basis of Behaviour

Eco 101: Introductory Economics I

Phil 102: Argument and Critical Thinking

Phil 201: Introduction to Logic

Lji 201: Nigerian Legal System

Lis 101: Introduction to Library and Information Studies

300 LEVEL

Course CodeCourse TitleCourse ContentsCourse StatusUnits
POS 312LOGIC AND METHODS OF POLITICAL INQUIRYPolitical science and the scientific method, introduction to research methods in political inquiry and the language of variables; introduction to problem formulation.Compulsory3
POS 313HISTORY OF POLITICAL THOUGHT Introduction to the thoughts of major political philosophers from Plato to Mill as responses to particular historical problems confronting societies; contributions to such concepts as the state, law, obligation, justice and freedom; Political thought in non-western societies, African, Islamic and Asian political thought.Compulsory3
POS 314INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSTHEORYClassical theory, theory of imperialism, systems theories, linkage politics, the theory of coalition and alliances; models games and simulation.Compulsory3
POS 316THE METHODOLOGY OF COMPARATIVE POLITICSComparative political analysis; history of comparative politics; concepts, the scientific method and logic and comparison, classification systems in comparative politics; case study approach; competing paradigms, or orientations in comparative political analysis; the strategy of cross system theorizing; measurement problems in cross-national research.Compulsory3
POS 321CLASSICAL MARXISMIntellectual and social origins; general introduction to Marxist political theory: the state, classes, the role of the party, ideology and consciousness determinism; theory and practice of Marxism.Required3
POS 322AFRICAN POLITICAL THOUGHTTraditional political ideas; concepts of authority, order and the polity. Pan-Africanism as represented by Diagne, Blyden, Horton, Du Bois, Padmore, and James; Some contemporary African Political thinkers: Nkrumah, Fanon, Nyerere, Senghor, and Cabral. Examination of concepts such as African socialism, humanism and authenticity.Required3
Course CodeCourse TitleCourse ContentsCourse StatusUnits
POS 324ISSUES IN INTERNATIONAL POLITICSConflict areas in international relations, diplomacy and the avoidance of war, strategy, arms and the control of force, organizations and international order, global systems.Elective3
POS 333THE GOVERNMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF URBAN SYSTEMThe problems involved in the planning and execution of major services in urban political system and an examination of the structure of political power operating in such systems.Elective3
POS 334PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION IN NIGERIAEcology of Nigerian administration. The civil service, field administration, public corporations; politics of financial administration.Required3
POS 343COMPARATIVE FEDERAL SYSTEMSThe genesis and political dynamics of federal political systems with reference to countries such as India U.S.A., Russia, Canada, Nigeria and Germany.Required3
POS 344POLITICS IN EUROPEA comparative study of the political processes in selected European political systems, with emphasis on the role of political parties, interest groups and bureaucracies.Elective3
POS 351INTRODUCTION TO STRATEGIC STUDIESThe concept and evolution of strategy; distinction between strategy and stratagem; types of strategy; relevance and uses of strategic Thinking; the military and strategy, development strategy in Africa; strategies for conflict prevention, management, peacemaking and confidence building.Elective3
POS 353THE MEDIA AND THE STATEThe fourth estate of the realm; the freedom of information doctrine; the media and the law; the media and social responsibility; the media and state security.Elective3
POS 354GENDER AND POLITICSFeminist theory; women, political socialization and political participation; culture, power relations and gender; globalization and gender.Elective3
POS 363POLITICAL BEHAVIOURPolitical socialization, political participation and apathy electoral behaviour, public opinion and political communication.Required3
Course CodeCourse TitleCourse ContentsCourse StatusUnits
POS 365COMPARATIVE PSEPHOLOGYSignificance of elections; purpose and strategy of election campaigns; political parties; comparative electoral laws, electoral administration, comparative voting Behaviour.Elective3
POS 366POLITIMETRICSThe Use of Descriptive statistics in political analysis; introduction to sampling theory; discrete probability distribution with emphasis on political data; hypothesis testing; non-parametric methods of analysis; correlation, regression and analysis of variance T-Test, F-Test; and Chi- Square analysis; moving averages in time series analysis; introduction to computer analysis.Required3
POS 367THEORY AND MODELS OF PUBLIC SECTOR ADMINISTRATIONThe relationship administration, politics and political theories; principle among administrative reforms; models and theories of public sector organization; managerial movement in public administration; Central elements in public management; regulation and public regulatory agencies.Compulsory3
POS 368FOREIGN POLICIES OF THE MAJOR POWERSThe various concepts used in foreign policy analysis; transactional flows, the interplay of domestic and external factors, ideological and national interest considerations, and techniques of bargaining. Application of these concepts to an examination of the foreign policies of the United States, Russia, United Kingdom, Germany, France and China.Required3
POS 371COMPARATIVE POLITICS OF AFRICAA comparative analysis of political Developments in African states, Similarities and differences between countries of different colonial origins and how these and the patterns of their post-colonial experience have structured their current political system and practice.Elective3
Course CodeCourse TitleCourse ContentsCourse StatusUnits
POS 372POLITICS IN NORTH AMERICAA comparative study of the political systems and governmental processes in the United States of America and Canada, focusing on their characteristic features, patterns of political organization, racial diversities and the problems of national integration, political formulas and ideologies, party systems, democracy, economic resource base, and public policy making process.Elective3
POS 373POLITICS IN THE MIDDLE EASTA critical review of the political systems and governmental processes in some selected Middle Eastern states, focusing on their characteristic features, patterns of political organizations, problems of national integration, democratic transitions, economic resource base, religion, education, culture and social mobility, public administration, foreign policies, the impact of the military and reformsElective3
POS 374POLITICS IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC AREAThe essential features of Asian and pacific states; the place of ideology and nature of political parties; bureaucracy and the military; the economy; foreign policy and the political control processes; the disintegration of communist regimes and their transitions to more competitive political or liberal economic systems; and the nature of leadership, ideology, pluralism and mobilization in post-totalitarian or post-communist statesElective3
POS 375POLITICS IN LATIN AMERICAA comparative study of the political systems and governmental processes in some selected developing states of Latin America focusing on their characteristic features, patterns of political organization, problems of national integration, political formulas and ideologies, democratic transitions, economic resource base, foreign policies, and reforms, education and social mobility and impact of the military.Elective3

400 LEVEL

Course CodeCourse TitleCourse ContentsCourse StatusUnits
400 Level Courses
POS 411CONTEMPORARY POLITICAL ANALYSISContending paradigms in political analysis and their evaluation; the elite approach, group theory, functional systems and communications theory, basic concepts and elements of game theory, political gaming, structural analysis, theories of political development, the new political economy.Compulsory3
POS 412NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS Background analysis of the people and geographical feature of the country, political and constitutional development since 1945; the emergence of federalism and the operation of the federal constitution, the legislature, executive, and judiciary. The public service financing the federation and its problems; party system, change and stability; the role of the military.Compulsory3
POS 413NIGERIAN LOCAL GOVERNMENTEvolution of Local Government in Nigeria from 1900; Native Authority System; Indirect Rule; Principle and Implementation of Local Government Reforms; Modern Local Government System; 1976 Local Government Reforms; Reform of the Local Government System under Babangida; Current Development in Local Government in Nigeria.Elective3
POS 415QUANTITATIVE MACROPOLITICSPurposes and processes of quantitative political research, problem conceptualization; principles of operationalization; data sources; data collection and indicator construction; methods of data analysis, modeling; stochastic processes.Elective3
POS 416PUBLIC PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATIONPrinciples and practice of public personnel administration; review of the civil service system; philosophy of a career civil service; remuneration; motivation and evaluation of service personnel; federal character and affirmative action; merit System and national development; collective bargaining; administrative behavior.Elective3
Course CodeCourse TitleCourse ContentsCourse StatusUnits
POS 421COMPARATIVE ADMINISTRATIONAdministrative theory and ecology of administration; the relationship between administration and development, and the analysis of administrative behavior in selected countries.Required3
POS 424CIVIL SOCIETY AND GOVERNANCEThe concept of governance; democratic accountability and non-state actors; civil society organizations: Types, roles and modes of operation; management of Non-profit Organisations.Elective3
POS 425NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENTThe Politics of Natural resource exploitation, Environmental risk and management, regulation of exploration activities, politics of global warming and sustainable development; environmental rights; resource control and agitations in the Niger Delta.Elective3
POS 431THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTExamination of the theoretical bases of different local government system (e.g. Nigerian, British, French and American) and their relationship to structural organization of local government. Comparison of main features of different systems of local governments, e.g. management, political leadership, finance, central-local relationships, etc.Required3
POS 432PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSISMeaning and theories of public policy; concepts and strategies of planning, programming and budgeting basic techniques of net-work development and analysis examined descriptively and from the perspective of administrative system cost effectiveness, analysis and critique.Elective3
POS 433PRINCIPLES OF ADMINISTRATIVE LAWThe nature of administrative law, powers of public authorities in carrying out specific services; the control through both political and legal agencies of such powers.Elective3
Course CodeCourse TitleCourse ContentsCourse StatusUnits
POS 444COMPARATIVE CIVIL-MILITARY RELATIONSInterdependence of civil and military types; military in the foundation of states, impact of social structures and ethnic or class conflicts upon military organizational procedures and behaviours; varieties of civilian control of the military, the role of armies in revolution, the concept and problematic of “non-Western” civil-military process, soldiers as “modernizing” agents; the phenomenon and definition of the “military extractive tendency’; explaining civil-military stability and instability.Required3
POS 451PRINCIPLES OF INTERNATIONAL LAWThe development and present status of international law the nature and sources of international law; sanctions, international personality, rights and duties of states and governments; territorial and criminal jurisdictions; state responsibility; treatment of aliens: diplomatic agents; privileges and immunities; extradition, Law of the Sea; the law of treaties and the impact of Afro-Asian states on contemporary international law.Required3
POS 453INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONSHistorical evolution of international institutions from the 19th century to the present day, the notion of international institutions; various classifications of international institutions; the League of Nations the United Nations, selected juridical problems of international institutions, the O.A.U. and African State systems; international institutions and world order.Elective3
POS 454FOREIGN POLICIES OF AFRICAN STATESCritical analysis of the foreign policies of African States; contexts of their formulation and implementation in comparative perspective; selected case problems.Elective3
POS 455CONFLICT AND BARGAINING IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSTheories of conflict, including Marxist, psycho-analytic and functionalist; Games theory and bargaining, nuclear strategy and the super-power balance, conflict and conflict resolution among African States.Elective3
Course CodeCourse TitleCourse ContentsCourse StatusUnits
POS 456

CONDUCT AND

ADMINISTRATION OF NIGERIAN

FOREIGN POLICY

The traditions, institutions, power bases and actors that guide Nigeria’s foreign policy; the processes of foreign policy decision-making; Nigeria’s foreign policy positions in international and regional bodies; Nigeria’s interests and actions in international milieu.Required3
POS 471THEORY OF THE STATEConceptualization of the state and form of government, theories and accounts of the origin or developments of the state; social contract theories and the modern state; the liberal democratic state and its presuppositions; Marxist theories of the capitalist state; the character of the Nigeria State.Required3
POS 474PROBLEMS OF POLITICAL PHILOSOPHYThe nature of the political, conceptual analysis and political philosophy, Philosophy and theory, political obligation, power, authority and legitimacy, justice, and issues of liberty; religion, science and modernity.Required3
POS 475GLOBALISATION AND THE POLITICS OF DEVELOPMENTGlobalization; political, economic and social change; dependency and international economic structure and strategies with specific reference to post-colonial African states and also comparison with Latin American, Asian and south European countries.Required3
POS 476TERRORISM AND VIOLENT POLITICAL MOVEMENTSEthical and philosophical issues in obedience, rebellion and revolutions; theories of political violence; behavioral approaches, The organization objectives, motivations and actions of groups involved in low intensity operations, the strategy and tactics of ethno-nationalism, terrorism, liberation movements, freedom fighters and urban querillas.Elective3
POS 477MARXISM AFTER MARXMajor issues and cleavages in Marxism After Marx, Lenin and His Critics, Stalinism; Maosism, major marxist writers From Gramsci to Althusser, marcuse, Habermas and contemporary Marxists.Elective3
Course CodeCourse TitleCourse ContentsCourse StatusUnits
POS 478LEGISLATIVE STUDIESConcept of legislature, origin and evolution, role of the legislature in a democracy (law making, oversight functions and political representation); case studies.Required3
POS 482LONG ESSAYProject/Long EssayCompulsory6

COURSE STRUCTURE OF THE M.SC. DEGREE

Compulsory & Required Courses for All Sub-Fields

(Courses to be offered by all master’s degree students)

Course codeCourse TitleCourse unitStatus
POS 703Research Methods and Designs in Political Science3C
POS 704Data Analysis and Statistics in Political Science3C
POS 705Contemporary Political Analysis3R
POS 741Nigerian Government and Politics3R
POS 781Seminar in Political Science (Area of Specialisation)3R
POS 782Project in Political Science6C

Compulsory and Elective Courses Specific to Sub-Fields

Public Administration & Public Policy

Course codeCourse TitleCourse unitStatus
POS 714Local Government and Urban Administration2E
POS 715Issues in Public Personnel Administration2E
POS 732Public Policy Analysis3C
POS 733Decentralisation and Inter-governmental Administrative System2E
POS 734Public Administration and Governance3C
Course codeCourse TitleCourse unitStatus
POS 742Public Financial Management2E
POS 743Management and Administration of Non-Profit Organizations2E
POS 744Nigerian Public Administration2E

Comparative Politics

Course codeCourse TitleCourse unitStatus
POS 712Political Behaviour2E
POS 736Multi-Culturalism and Citizenship2E
POS 745Advanced Methodology of Comparative Politics3C
POS 746Advanced Theories of Comparative Politics3C
POS 762Gender and Politics2E

International Relations

Course codeCourse TitleCourse unitStatus
POS 708Conflict, Peace and Security2E
POS 737Terrorism and Insurgency2E
POS 738Globalization: Politics and Political Economy2E
POS 751International Legal Order2E
POS 752International Organisations2E
POS 753Foreign Policy3C
POS 761Theories of International Relations3C
POS 770Issues in Contemporary International Relations2E

Political Theory

Course codeCourse TitleCourse unitStatus
POS 713Colonialism and Social Formations in Africa2E
POS 722Classical Marxism and Post-Marx Marxism2E
POS 739Classical Political Theory3C
POS 740Contemporary Political Theory3C
POS 771African Political Thought2E

COURSE DESCRIPTION (M.Sc. in Political Science)

Course

Code

Course TitleCourse Contents

Contact

Hours

(L:T:P)/

unit(s)

Course Status
POS 703Research Methods and Designs in Political ScienceFoundations of research: Ontological and epistemological issues; Research paradigms: Positivism, interpretivism, critical research, postmodernism; Research strategies: quantitative and qualitative strategies; Research designs: Experimental and Quasi-experimental designs, Comparative designs, Exploratory designs, Descriptive designs, Cross-sectional and Longitudinal designs, Surveys; Impact Evaluation; Case studies, Grounded theory, Historical method, Ethnography, Action research, Hermeneutics, Phenomenology; Mixed methods; Role of Theory; Political and ethical environment of research.45(45:0)3Compulsory
POS 704Data Analysis and Statistics in Political ScienceUnderstanding data and data quality: Types of data, Data transformation, assessment of data quality (validity and reliability), Concept formation, operationalisation, and levels of measurement; Forms of analysis: content analysis; Discourse analysis; Process tracing; Exploratory data analysis and Data Visualisation I: Computing descriptive statistics (max, min, mean, median, range, standard deviation), histograms; The Logic of statistical inference: Populations and samples, types of hypotheses, type I and type II errors, central limit theorem, law of large numbers; Comparing two means: T-tests and ANOVA; Measures of association for ordinal and nominal data: Chi square and various PRE measures; Correlation and bivariate regression;Multivariate regression;Logistic regression; Computer applications for Data Analysis; the use of computer program packages such as SPSS, R, STATA, EXCELL, INVIVO, in the analysis of data.45(45:0)3Compulsory
POS 705Contemporary Political AnalysisAnalytical approaches to the study of politics: Political culture, structural approaches, pluralism, elite theory, games theory and more recent approaches such as neo-institutionalism, feminism, rational choice, interpretive theory(hermeneutics), structure and agency, and critical theory; Basic concepts such as leadership and elites, ethnic group, pluralism, plural societies, federalism; Fundamentalism, democracy, institutions and actors.45(45:0)3Required
POS 708Conflict, Peace and SecurityKey concepts and theories of conflict, peace, and security. The causes, justifications, and practices of violence and warfare. Terrorism, civil and interstate wars, nuclear weapons, nonviolence, human rights, and international diplomacy as well as the linkages between war, peace and efforts at promoting justice. Theories and practices of conflict management, conflict resolution, conflict transformation, peacebuilding and state building particularly since the end of the Cold War; History, evolution, development and future of international security. Theoretical approaches and debates relating to world politics, national and international security institutions, and regional security complexes. origination and causes of wars, role of force in international relations, deterrence and coercion (in both theory and practice), diplomacy and international dynamics, and current threats to national and global security.30(30:0)2Elective
POS 712Political BehaviourThe analysis of political behaviour, political participation, parties and pressure groups, elections, vote choice and voter turnout, partisan identification, political campaigns, political information, public opinion, media effects, political business circle, etc.30(30:0)2Elective
POS 713Colonialism, Post-Colonialism and Social FormationsContexts, impact and legacies of the colonial experience on various colonial and postcolonial societies across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and other postcolonial societies across the global South. Colonialism and nation-building, social structures and state formation across these societies; Competing approaches to the colonial and post-colonial experiences across Africa and the global South. Colonialism and the dilemmas of citizenship, democracy, globalization, identity formation. Multiculturalism under changing historical experiences.30(30:0)2Elective
POS 714Local Government and Urban AdministrationExamination of the theoretical bases of different local government systems (e.g. Nigerian, British, French and American) and their relationship to structural organization of local government. Comparison of main features of different systems of local governments, e.g. management, political leadership, finance, central-local relationships, etc. (autonomy, finance, human resources, political vs administrative functions). The problems involved in the planning and execution of major services in urban political systems and an examination of the structure of political power operating in such systems.30(30:0)2Elective
POS 715Issues in Public Personnel AdministrationPrinciples and practice of public personnel administration; Review of the Civil Service System; philosophy of a career civil service remuneration; Motivation and evaluation of service personnel; Federal Character and Affirmative Action; Merit System and National Development; Collective Bargaining; Administrative Behaviour.30(30:0)2Elective
POS 722Classical and Post-Marx MarxismClassical Marxism: major concepts of Marx's political theory (class struggle and revolution; scientific versus utopian socialism; materialism, dialectics, and history; the dictatorship of the proletariat; the critique of ideologies; the philosophy of praxis). An elaboration of the Marxian radical humanism; the theory of state and religion; the critique of political economy; Marx's theory of alienation. Post-Marx Marxism: The historical experience of Marxism during the 20th century: Lenin's concept of the vanguard party and the Bolshevik revolutionary theory; the Soviet Union and the emergence of Marxism-Leninism as an official state ideology; the institutionalization (bureaucratization) of Marxism: Leninism, Stalinism and the fate of socialism in Russia; early critics of Bolshevism (Rosa Luxemburg); Trotsky's theory of permanent revolution and the critique of bureaucracy. Understanding the Bolshevik mind. The appearance of Chinese, Latin American and African varieties of Marxism. The Marxism of Rosa Luxemburg, Georg Lukacs, Antonio Gramsci, Herbert Marcuse.30(30:0)2Elective
POS 732Public Policy AnalysisMeaning and theories of public policy; concepts and strategies of planning, programming and budgeting basic techniques of net-work construction and analysis examined descriptively and from the perspective of administrative system cost effectiveness, analysis and critique.45(45:0)3Elective
POS 733Inter-Governmental Administrative SystemsTypes and consequences of decentralization; relationship between the Centre and the Periphery and between the local community and the state; patterns and units; problems of intergovernmental relations in federal and unitary political systems. Forces and factors of effective intergovernmental relations.30(30:0)2Elective
POS 734Public Administration and GovernanceMajor issues and trends in Public Administration and governance; traditional Public Administration approaches to service delivery. New public management approach. Governance approach, non-hierarchical network, the neo-Weberian state; Current public policy and management issues; the role of government in the economy.45(45:0)3Elective
POS 736Multi-Culturalism and CitizenshipWestern and non-western conceptions of citizenship; Citizenship and nationalism, Minority rights and individual freedom; Conflict between social justice and pluralistic cultural expression; Colonialism and the composition of cultural identities, Indigene vs Setter; Migration and refugee flows, rise of migrant/refugee communities; The notion of multiple identities-assimilation and integration; multiculturalism and subaltern groups; Xenophobia; Retreat of Multiculturalism: Rise of neo-Nazism.30(30:0)2Elective
POS 737Terrorism and InsurgencyContemporary Issues in Crime, Safety and Security; The concept of terrorism; Theories of terrorism: Origins, types, causes; Terrorism and asymmetric warfare. Terrorist organisations: Al-Qaeda, Al-Shabaab, Boko Haram, ISIS etc. Spectrum of violent extremism. The concept of insurgency. Theories of insurgency: origin, types, causes; Counterterrorism and counter insurgency operations. Community Policing Responses to Violent Extremism Leading to Terrorism; Military and other security agencies’ responses to Terrorism; Terrorism and Counterterrorism; Financing of Terrorism; Intelligence and Intelligence Analysis; counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations; The expanding theatre of terrorism and insurgency in Africa and Africa’s response. Global response to terrorism.30(30:0)2Elective
POS 738Globalization: Politics and Political EconomyMeaning and elements of globalisation. Contending paradigms of globalization. The central themes of changing communications, social networks, and experiences. Forms of globalization: Economy, Politics, culture; Globalization and the State; Globalisation and Security; Globalization and the Environment; Efforts to address and resolve global issues on national, regional, or international levels, through governmental or non-governmental organizations and processes. The Ethics of Globalisation.30(30:0)2Elective
POS 739Classical Political TheoryNormative, Historical and Empirical approaches to Political theory. Liberal, Marxist Anarchists and Conservative traditions in political theory. Survey of some modern theories of justice and rights. Classical theories by Hobbes, Locke, Declaration of the Rights of Man, Utilitarian (Bentham), Conservative (Burke) and radical (Marx) critiques of rights theories, Discourse of rights and Justice by contemporary liberal theorists (Rawls, Dworkin and Nozick).45(45:0)3Elective
POS 740Contemporary Political TheoryDominant issues of political theory of the late 20th century and 21stcentury, The ontological turn’ and conditions of politics in the contemporary era; Human nature; Modernity and Post-Modernity; Critical theory; Structuralism/Post-Structuralism; Modernity and Post-Modernity; Human rights and rule of law, Globalization, Justice and Global Justice; Feminism; Violence/non-Violence and Just War (Gandhi, Steve Biko, Mandela et al); Democracy; Migration and Citizenship, from liberal to multicultural; Decoloniality and Decolonization, including Black Consciousness and Nationalism (Fanon, DuBois, Appiah, Biko, Mamdani, et al)45(45:0)3Elective
POS 741Nigerian Government and PoliticsThe rise of nationalism in Nigeria; Constitutional evolution and federalism; Political parties, Civil society and the political process; crisis and conflict; Military in politics; Democratisation and democratic institutions in Nigeria.30(30:0)2Required
POS 742Public Financial ManagementIntroduction to public financial management, Theories of public financial management; Fiscal and budgetary process in public sector: Public finance analysis, Civil society and public financial management.30(30:0)2Elective
POS 743Management and Administration of Non-Profit OrganisationsThe concept and roles of Non-Profit Organizations; perspectives on Non-Profit Organizations budgeting, fund raising and management for Non-Profit Organizations; governance and structures; Non-Profit Organizations and development; current challenges30(30:0)2Elective
POS 744Nigerian Public AdministrationEvolution of the Nigerian state; Ecology/environment of public administration, traditional administrative systems, colonial administrative system, the civil service, field administration, public enterprise; Politics of financial administration in Nigeria. Administrative reforms in Nigeria30(30:0)2Elective
POS 745Advanced Methodology of Comparative PoliticsConcepts in comparativeanalysis; Methodological issues in ComparativePolitics. Methods of conducting comparative research and the evolving models in comparative politics. Variation across the contemporary world in constitutional arrangements; legislative, electoral, administrative and other political institutions; mass media, and non-governmental organizations; Causes and impact of such variation. Dialogue of comparative politics with other sub-fields and disciplines such as political economy, sociology and international relations.45(45:0)3Elective
POS 746Advanced Theories of Comparative PoliticsEvolution and surveys of the approaches ofcomparative politics/method; Origins and nature of states; Political representation; electoral systems; Political accountability; Modernization and political development; Regime types and transitions; (de)democratization; Forms of non-democratic regimes; Types of politicalparticipation and action; Civil society and public sphere; Social movements; Gender, race/ethnicity and class politics; Nationalism and violence; Revolution, internal wars; parties, party systems; and Political economy of developing and developed states.45(45:0)3Elective
POS 751International Legal OrderThe role of law in international relations; the theoretical and operational distinction between domestic and International Law, the interdependence between Domestic and International Law.30(30:0)2Elective
POS 752International OrganisationsThe origins, development, promise and performance of international organisations, Diplomatic, political, military, and juridical functions of international organisations, ECOWAS, the AU, the United Nations and the International Court of Justice.30(30:0)2Elective
POS 753Foreign PolicyThe organisation, control and execution of foreign policy, the major powers, middle powers and new nations from the perspective of foreign policy.45(45:0)3Elective
POS 761Theory of International RelationsHistory of International Relations (IR) Theory; The value of traditional, historical or “Power Politics” approaches, Realism, Idealism Liberalism, Constructivism, Marxism, Critical IR Theory, Post-colonial and Post-structural theories. The nature of power and wealth and the relationship between political and military power. The problems of conflict and order.45(45:0)3Elective
POS 762Gender and PoliticsAn analysis and critique of women’s role in politics; Theories of women status and power; Social, economic and political obstacles to women’s access to the polis; Women’s struggles including political activities, ideologies and programme of feminists.30(30:0)2Elective
POS 770Issues in Contemporary International RelationsArms control and disarmament; Unipolarity, bipolarity and multi-polarity; Notion of limited war, interventionism, regional conflicts and cooperation; Integration, alliances and other forces which have impact on international affairs; Selected case studies.30(30:0)2Elective
POS 771African Political ThoughtOral and Written traditions in African political thought; Race and romanticism in WEB du Bois’ Africa, Negritude in Senghor’s thought; liberation thoughts in Cabral and the Lusophonic thinkers; the ‘pacific’ counterpoint of Kaunda; The political thought of transformation – Kaunda, Nyerere, Obote, Nkrumah; The critique of Mbembe; Old liberationists and their reassertion in new nationalisms: Mugabe’s political thought; African Renaissance-Mbeki; Neo-Marxist retrospection- Mandaza; Pan-Africanism today: thought on the African Union; African intellectual currents and philosophy today: Personhood, Agency, and Community in African thought; Delinking vs integration with a hegemonic world; Africa and the ICC, Africa and globalisation.30(30:0)2Elective
POS 772Seminar in Political ScienceResearch paper presentation in a specific area of specialisation in Political Science.30(30:0)2Required
POS 782Dissertation in Political ScienceA programme of individual research bearing on a major area of concern to Political Science and with new insights.0(0:270)6Compulsory

SUMMARY OF COURSES FOR SPECIFIC SUB-FIELDS IN THE M.SC IN POLITICAL SCIENCE

Public Administration & Public Policy

Course codeCourse TitleCourse unitStatus
POS 703Research Methods and Designs in Political Science3C
POS 704Data Analysis and Statistics in Political Science3C
POS 732Public Policy Analysis3C
POS 734Public Administration and Governance3C
POS 782Dissertation in Political Science6C
POS 705Contemporary Political Analysis3R
POS 741Nigerian Government and Politics3R
POS 781Seminar in Political Science (Area of Specialisation)3R
POS 714Local Government and Urban Administration2E
POS 715Issues in Public Personnel Administration2E
POS 733Decentralisation and Inter-governmental Administrative Systems2E
POS 742Public Financial Management2E
POS 743Management and Administration of Non-Profit Organizations2E
POS 744Nigerian Public Administration2E

SUMMARY

Compulsory Courses = 18

Required Courses = 09

Elective Course = 12

Total = 39

Comparative Politics

Course codeCourse TitleCourse unitStatus
POS 703Research Methods and Designs in Political Science3C
POS 704Data Analysis and Statistics in Political Science3C
POS 745Advanced Methodology of Comparative Politics3C
POS 746Advanced Theories of Comparative Politics3C
POS 782Dissertation in Political Science6C
POS 705Contemporary Political Analysis3R
POS 741Nigerian Government and Politics3R
POS 781Seminar in Political Science (Area of Specialisation)3R
POS 712Political Behaviour2E
POS 736Multi-Culturalism and Citizenship2E
POS 762Gender and Politics2E

SUMMARY

Compulsory Courses = 18

Required Courses = 09

Elective Course = 06

Total = 33

International Relations

Course codeCourse TitleCourse unitStatus
POS 703Research Methods and Designs in Political Science3C
POS 704Data Analysis and Statistics in Political Science3C
POS 753Foreign Policy3C
POS 761Theories of International Relations3C
POS 782Dissertation in Political Science6C
POS 705Contemporary Political Analysis3R
POS 741Nigerian Government and Politics3R
POS 781Seminar in Political Science (Area of Specialisation)3R
POS 708Conflict, Peace and Security2E
POS 737Terrorism and Insurgency2E
POS 738Globalization: Politics and Political Economy2E
POS 751International Legal Order2E
POS 752International Organisations2E
POS 770Issues in Contemporary International Relations2E

SUMMARY

Compulsory Courses = 18

Required Courses = 09

Elective Course = 12

Total = 39

d. Political Theory

Course codeCourse TitleCourse unitStatus
POS 703Research Methods and Designs in Political Science3C
POS 704Data Analysis and Statistics in Political Science3C
POS 739Classical Political Theory3C
POS 740Contemporary Political Theory3C
POS 782Dissertation in Political Science6C
POS 705Contemporary Political Analysis3R
POS 741Nigerian Government and Politics3R
POS 781Seminar in Political Science (Area of Specialisation)3R
POS 713Colonialism and Social Formations in Africa2E
POS 722Classical Marxism and Post-Marx Marxism2E
POS 771African Political Thought2E

SUMMARY

Compulsory Courses = 18

Required Courses = 09

Elective Course = 06

Total = 33

M.PHIL. IN POLITICAL SCIENCE

1. The aim of the M.Phil. programme is to offer a more concentrated course of studies leading candidates to deeper understanding of politics than is possible with M.Sc. candidates.

2. Conditions for admission to the M.Phil. programme in Political Science are the same as the university regulations demand.

3. M.Phil. candidates take and pass POS 701 and 702. They are also expected to take at least two 800 level courses which deal with special topics in chosen areas of politics.

4. M.Phil. candidates will be expected to start work on their thesis early in their second year of students.

PH.D. IN POLITICAL SCIENCE

1. The Ph.D. programme in Political Science leads the student adjudged to be a high academic competence to develop his/her grasp of central issues in politics and to discover for him/herself and to contribute to a topic of special significance in the discipline of political sciences. The candidate’s thesis is expected to be a significant contribution to a recognized area of the discipline.

2. Conditions for admission to the Ph.D. programme in Political Science are the same as University regulations demand.

3. Ph.D. candidates must take and pass POS 702. In addition, they are expected to take three 800 level related to their area of interest.

4. Ph.D. candidates are expected to start work on them in their second year of studies.

OTHER M.PHIL./PH.D. (POLITICAL SCIENCE) COURSES:

POS 802: Research Methods in Political Science

POS 812: Political Behaviour

POS 813: Colonialism and Social Formations in Africa

POS 822: Marxism

POS 831: Public Administration and Public Policy

POS 841: Nigerian Government and Politics

POS 852: International Organizations