DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

STRUCTURE OF THE M. Sc PROGRAMME

The M. Sc programme is structured into core courses and specialized courses. Irrespective of areas of specialization, core courses are those common to all candidates.  On the other hand, specialization courses are those which defined the areas of specialization of candidates and their degree specification.

 

FIRST SEMESTER

 

The following are the three core courses which all M. Sc candidates
irrespective of their areas of specialization are required to take:

Units

 

POS    701      Advanced Research Method I……………………………………………………….. 3

POS    702      Issues in Nigerian Govt. & Politics … ….. .. . .. ………..                  3

POS    703      The Conduct of Political Inquiry         …………………….                  3

 

In addition to the above, candidates are required to take the following core courses relative to their chosen sub-field of specialization.

 

SUB-FIELD I (Political Theory)

 

POS    704      Ancient and Medieval Political Thought         ……..                  3

POS    705      Modern Political Taught       ………………………………………                  3

 

SUB-FIELD II (Comparative Politics and Development Studies)

 

POS    706  Advanced Comparative Politics         …        ………………                  3

POS    707  Theories of Political Development and Modernization …       3

 

SUB-FIELD III (Public Administration)

 

POS    708      Advanced Theories of Public Administration ……………………….. 3

POS    709      Public Policy Analysis and Decision-making ………………………….. 3

 

SUB-FIELD IV (International Relations).

 

POS    710     Advanced Theories of International Relations…                    3

POS    711      Africa in World Affairs………………………………                                  3

 

In addition, candidates are required to take at least one other course of their choice from another sub-field different from their area of specialization.

 

SECOND SEMESTER

 

Candidates are required to take the following core courses during the second
semester.

POS    721      Advanced Research Method II…………………………………………………….        3

 

In addition, candidates are required to take three core courses from their chosen sub-field of specialization and one other core course from another sub-field.

 

SUB-FIELD I (Political Theory)

 

POS    722      African Political Thought        ……………………………………                           3

POS    723      Liberal Political Philosophy    …………………………………..                           3

POS    724      Radical Political Philosophy   ……………………………………                           3

POS    725      Themes in Political Theory      …………………………………                           3

POS    726      Political Thought in the Black Diaspora…………………………………….         3

 

SUB-FIELD II (Comparative Politics and Development Studies)

 

POS    731      Political Economy of Development and under development       3

POS    732      Themes in Development Politics         …        …                                3

POS    733      Themes in Comparative Politics         …        …                                           3

POS     734      Comparative Political Behaviour        …       …                                           3

POS    735      Comparative Federalism         …        …       …………………….                               3

POS    738      Comparative Development Planning.. ……………………………. ……           3

 

SUB-FIELD III (Public Administration)

 

POS    741      Development Administration … ……………………………………… ..                3

POS    743      Intergovernmental Relations   …………………    ……………..                  3

POS    744      Comparative Public Administration  …………………………..           3

POS    745      Themes in Public Administration       ………………………………….             3

POS    746      Public Personnel Management           ……………………………………             3

POS    747      Public Enterprises       …………………………………………………………………             3

 

SUB-FIELD IV (International Relations)

 

POS    751      Studies in Strategy and Security                                                      3

POS     752      Foreign Policy Analysis          …        ………. …………………………….             3

POS    753      Africa and the International System   …        …                                          3

POS    754      Studies in International Integration     …        …                                         3

POS    755      International Organisations    …        … …                                         3

POS    756      Studies in International Economic Relations   …………………..             3

POS    757      Multi-national Corporations   …        …        …………………………             3

POS    758      Themes in International Relations       …        ……………………             3

 

In addition, candidates are required to take at least one other course of their choice from another sub-field.

 

Any two of the following CDS courses

 

MSM 701          Modern Strategic Thought (1)                                   3

MSM 702         Defence and Internal Security Management (1)     3

 

Second Semester

 

POS 721            Advanced Research Methods II                                 3

POS 729            International Law and Diplomacy                             3

POS 731            The Military in World Politics                                    3

 

Thesis   (6 Units)

A dissertation of about 20,000 words on defence and security-related topics is an additional requirement for the Masters degree in strategic studies. Research work on the dissertation is done under the close supervision of one or two members of staff with relevant experience in the student’s chosen topics.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

 

POS 701 (Advanced Research Methods)

This course introduces the student to advanced tools of empirical social science methodology and necessarily includes a brief treatment of very important epistemological problems. The course is intended to enhance the student’s methodological competence in research problem formulation research design, data collection and analysis, hypotheses testing and interpretation of research findings.

 

 

POS 703 (The Conduct of Political Inquiry)

This course examines Political Science from the perspective of Philosophy of Science and necessarily includes a critical survey of the various modes of political inquiry: historical, philosophical, normative and scientific.

 

POS 704 (Ancient and Medieval Political Thought)

The course deals with role of values in political life. It examines the dominant themes and mode of thought in what is generally regarded as the classical to the medieval periods. Included are selected concepts and enduring themes in the history of political ideas as reflected in the works of outstanding classical and medieval political philosophers. Concepts and themes to be considered will include those relating to the state, power, authority, justice, equality, freedom, sovereignty and citizenship.

 

POS 705 (Modern Political Thought)

The course has as its main focus a consideration of contemporary social and political theory designed to introduce the student to the kinds of problems contemporary political theory has to contend with and some of the answers which have been suggested. Particular attention is given to the examination of the enduring aspects and continuing significance of liberalism and a consideration of the historical conditions and forces which gave rise to liberalism as a philosophical movement. Included also is a consideration of the theoretical nature and significance of dialectical and historical materialism, the state, ideology, religion, class and class struggle, democracy, revolution, capitalism and neo-colonialism.

 

POS 706 (Advanced Comparative Politics)

The course provides further clarification and synthesis of the dominant theoretical perspectives in the field of comparative politics. Central to the course is the application of the various theories and approaches of comparative politics to the analysis of the political systems of the United States of America and other selected Industrialised countries of the world. Issues and themes in comparative political behavior are essential components of this course. The structures and processes which have affected system maintenance, survival and change, political power and political economy in the selected countries would also be considered.

 

POS 707 (Theories of Political Development and Modernization)

This course examines the various approaches, tools and concepts which have dominated the study of political development and modernization. Recent themes in development studies are also discussed within the context of a critical analysis of contemporary global crisis and the developmental problems of emergent and transitional political systems.

 

POS 708 (Advanced Theories of Public Administration)

This course provides a critical review of organization and management theories, principles and philosophy of administration. The central focus would be on the contributions of the classical, scientific management school, the Bureaucratic Theory, The Human Relations School, the informal organization approach, the systems approach and contemporary approach to the study of organizations. Particular attention would be paid to the orienting works of F.W. Taylor, H. Fayol, Urwich and Gulick, Max Weber, Etoon Mayo, Abraham Maslow, Fredrick Herzberg, Douglas McGregor etc. Management and administrative techniques such as MBO, PPBS, PERT will be examined to assess their relevance and significance in dealing with contemporary management and administrative problems.

 

POS 709 (Public Policy Analysis aid Decision-Making)

The course is designed to introduce the student to various policy formulation, implementation, and analysis techniques. The relationship between bureaucrats, technical experts, interest groups and political executives in the policy process will be examined. The course also entails a critical review of some analytic frame of reference for discussing the nature of public policy, policy making and policy assessment. Models of public policy and decision-making such as Rational Comprehensive Model, the Incremental Model, the Mixed-Scanning Model the elite Model and the systems Model are covered in the course. Also included in the scope of the course is a consideration of various types of policy out-puts such as Distributive, Regulatory, Redistributive, Constituent, Positional and symbolic.

 

POS 710 (Advanced Theories of International Relations)

The course examines the major theories of International Relations from ancient times to the present. The various theories and approaches in the study of International Relations are considered in the course to provide both an overview and a synthesis of International Relations theories. Particular attention will be given to a consideration of theories of Imperialism and dependence, balance of power. International system theory, Theories of International Integration, deterrence, disarmament and control.

 

POS 711 (Africa in World Affairs)

The primary focus of this course is an examination and analysis of foreign policies of African States. This is to be done within the context of the existing concepts and models of foreign policy making, control and execution and analysis.

Particular emphasis will be placed on the foreign policy orientation of African States and how this has reflected on Africa in World affairs.

 

POS 721 (Advanced Research Methods II)

This course is essentially a continuation of POS 701, with emphasis on quantitative methods in political inquiry and analysis.

 

POS 722 (African Political thought)

An examination of socio-economic and political ideas, held by prominent Africans and those of African descent. Particular attention will be paid to the historical, social, economic and political forces that gave rise to the ideas including nationalism, self determination and humanist ideas.

 

POS 723 (Themes in Development Politics)

An examination of conceptual and important epistemological problems in development politics. An attempt will be made to situate development in comprehensible socio-economic and political context with a view to providing adequate insight into certain primary development politics discourse and analysis.

 

POS 724 (Radical Political Philosophy)

This course examines the various theoretical and philosophical perspectives espoused by scholars such as Karl Marx, Engels, Lenin, Stalin, and Mao. Due attention will be given to different schools of Marxist thought and some of the problems critics have associated with Marxist theory.

 

POS 725 (Themes in Political Theory)

Central to this course is an examination of concepts, issues and recurring themes that have remained germane in the study of the relationship between the individual and the political community. Of particular relevance are: the concept of the state itself, sovereignty, authority, power, legitimacy, liberty, justice, and equality.

 

POS 726 (Political Thought in the Black Diaspora)

This course has as its focus, an examination of the historical forces that shaped political thought in the African Diaspora as well as the content of the political philosophy and ideas of selected black thinkers. Particular attention will be given to the perspectives provided by the works of David Walker, Henry H. Garnet, Bishop Henry Turner, W. E. B. Dubois, Marcus Garvey, George Padmore, C. L. R. James, Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcom X.

 

MSM COURSE DESCRIPTION

 

MSM. 701 Modern Strategic Thought 1 &11 (6 Units)

This course is meant to familiarize the students with not only the contemporary problems of international peace and security, but also the main trends in the evolution of modern strategic thought and some of the leading strategic thinkers who have made outstanding contributions to the development of the subject. The course has three main aspects as shown below:

Evolution of modern strategic thought: to deal with the main trends in the development of modern strategic thought and the main strategic thinkers

Technology and modern strategy: to concentrate on the major developments in military technology and their impacts on contemporary strategic issues and modern warfare.

Theories of international peace and security: the theories to be discussed under this aspect of the course include both the coercive and non-coercive theories of international peace and security, such as appeasement and deterrence, disarmament and arms control, crisis management, alliances and collective security, self-determination and world economic harmonization.

 

MSM.  702 Defenses and Internal Security Management I & II     (6

Units)

This course covers defense and security management not only at national levels, but also the management of security of institutions and organizations within the state. In this sense, defense and security are being conceived in broad terms to include the security of the nation as well as that of the individuals, institutions and organizations within it. Issues to be covered include the following:

Approaches to national defense and internal security management: the coercive and non-coercive approaches; Institutional and organizational security management; Management of national defense apparatus; the Armed forces, as well as the private security organizations. Impact of modern technology on national defense; and internal security management in selected states.