UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA

INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL POLICY

CURRICULA AND STUDENTS’ HANDBOOK

 FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDIES

IN SOCIAL POLICY

 

 

  • POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA (PGD) IN SOCIAL POLICY
  • MASTER OF SOCIAL POLICY (MSP)
  • MASTER OF SCIENCE IN SOCIAL POLICY (MSc.)
  • DOCTOR OF PHILSOPHY IN SOCIAL POLICY (Ph.D).

2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brief History of the Programme 

In 2018, the University of Nigeria (UNN) signed a partnership agreement with the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF). The partnership was then anchored in the Department of Public Administration and Local Government and Professor Chikelue Ofuebe was appointed the Director of UNICEF-supported programmes and projects. One of the core components of UNICEF-supported programmes in UNN is Social Policy. Social Policy programme provides cross-cutting support at federal and state levels for social protection, research and evidence generation on child poverty, support for public investment in children, and decentralization. To this end, UNICEF collaborates with the academia to generate evidence-based knowledge that continues to inform policy dialogues, advocacy efforts, as well as programme redesign, planning and implementation.

The UNICEF and UNN conceived the idea of the exigency and necessity for postgraduate Social Policy programmes in Nigerian Universities, and organized a Consultative Forum for University Policy Makers comprising Vice-Chancellors, Deans of Postgraduate Schools and Deans of Faculties of Social Sciences drawn from twelve universities (two Universities in each geo-political zone of the country), at Nike Lake Resort Hotel, Enugu, from Monday, September 10 to Friday, September 14 2018. The Consultative Forum interrogated the idea and took a stand that each University takes action as deemed fit. The Forum appreciated the identified manpower gap in the country in the area of social policy programming, as only one University in the country was running a professional Master of Social Policy, and agreed that postgraduate degree programmes in Social Policy, namely Postgraduate Diploma (PGD), professional Master in Social Policy (MSP), and Master of Science (M.Sc) in Social Policy, would be a worthwhile idea for the universities and recommended its establishment in the respective institutions as appropriate. In recognition of the urgency and importance of this decision, UNICEF supported the UNN to hold a successful Workshop at Nike Lake Resort Hotel, Enugu, where reputable academics were invited to develop a draft curriculum for postgraduate degree programmes in Social Policy for further necessary action.

As a result, the University of Nigeria formalized the postgraduate degree programmes in Social Policy in the institution, offering Postgraduate Diploma (PGD), professional Master of Social Policy (MSP), and Master of Science in Social Policy (M.Sc).

Arising from the successful take-off of the PGD, MSP and M.Sc programmes in Social Policy, the quest for higher knowledge in Social Policy embedded in practice and research motivated UNN to inaugurate a team of University academics, representatives from the National Universities Commission (NUC) and social policy experts to develop a curriculum for Ph.D in Social Policy from 24th to 30th September, 2023 at Nike Lake Resort Hotel, Enugu, Nigeria, with support from UNICEF. With the programme fully developed, The University Senate in its 416th Meeting in October 2003 approved the establishment of the Institute of Social Policy to provide a more focused attention to the running of the social programmes. The Vice Chancellor, Professor Charles Arizechukwu Igwe has graciously appointed Professor Okey Marcellus Ikeanyibe to pioneer the take of the Institute for 2023/2024 Academic session. The UNN is grateful to UNICEF for organizing a series of training programmes for lecturers of the institution in concerted efforts to enhance their knowledge in Social Policy, promoting inclusion and contributing to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN SOCIAL POLICY

1.1PHILOSOPHY

The Postgraduate Diploma in Social Policy is based on the philosophy of human capacity building as a factor to support development planning and management. It provides an opportunity for students, especially practitioners, to broaden their knowledge in the areas of policy formulation, implementation and evaluation with a view to address the existing and emerging social challenges in the society. It is also aimed at equipping the candidates with the capacity to suggest, initiate, and supervise the implementation of social policies.

1.2OBJECTIVES

The aim of this programme is to provide postgraduate degree training in the field of Social Policy for building human capacity that could drive evidence-based policy and practice. The objectives are to:

  1. Improve students’ understanding of social policy formulation, programme design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation;
  2. Equip the students with skills for conducting evidence-based research in social policies that are relevant to Nigeria and the international environment;
  3. Prepare students to develop the capacity for data generation for policy making and analysis;
  4. Train students to develop the capacity to identify social problems and proffer most sustainable solutions;
  5. Equip students to understand the condition and needs of the vulnerable groups in society;
  6. Provide a forum for students to share ideas on effective and transparent ways of solving social problems;
  7. Equip students with skills to implement innovative development interventions and effective monitoring and evaluation of interventions and
  8. Expose the students to opportunities to integrate the SDGs into all facets of social policy planning and implementation.
  • CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Holders of PGD Social Policy may find career opportunities in private and public sectors of the economy as policy analysts, administrators, human resource management, planning, social security, public finance management, child welfare, gender issues, demography and in teaching. Graduates of Postgraduate Diploma in Social Policy could get job opportunities in international organizations and development agencies such as UN, EU, AU, UNECA, AfDB, ECOWAS, etc. Graduates of the Programme can also work as programme officers in UNICEF and UNESCO as well as other local and international Civil Society organizations.

  • ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The criteria for admission into the PGD programme will be as follows:

Matriculation requirement of the University, which is five (5) O-level Credit passes including English Language with either of the following:

  1. A student with at least 3rd class degree in any area of study.
  2. HND holders with a minimum of Upper Credit from recognized institution may also be considered.
  • BSc holders with pass degree with 5 years and above post-graduation experience.
    • MODE AND DURATION OF PROGRAMME

The Postgraduate Diploma in Social Policy shall offer Full Time or Parttime mode of study. Full-Time PGD shall run for a minimum of two (2) Semesters and a       maximum of four (4) Semesters.The duration of the Postgraduate Diploma Programme shall be:

  • Regular (Full Time) –           2 Semesters (minimum)

–           4 Semesters (maximum)

  • Sandwich: A minimum of 2 long vacations and a maximum of 4 long vacations

 

  • REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION

A student must have taken a minimum of 24 units or maximum of 30 units course to be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Policy

STRESS AREAS

Foundation Courses                                                                                   0

Theory                                                                                                       1

Policy                                                                                                         2

Planning and Management                                                                        3

Economics                                                                                                 4

Monitoring and Evaluation                                                                        5

Population and Demography                                                                     6

Poverty                                                                                                      7

Research

PROGRAMME OUTLINE

 

COURSE NO. COURSE TITLE                                            UNIT
SOP 0701 Fundamentals of Social Policy 2
SOP 0703 Elements of Social Protection 2
SOP 0741 Public Finance for Children 2
SOP 0721 Research Methods in Social policy 2
SOP 0723 Introduction to Development Planning 2
SOP 0761 Population, Displacement and Migration 2
SOP 0731 Introduction to Social Sustainability 2
SOP 0702 Introduction to Social Change and Social Problems 2
SOP 0772 Social Protection, Poverty and Inequality 2
SOP 0774 Child Poverty and disparities 2
SOP 0742 Economics of Social Policy 2
SOP 0752 Social Policy Monitoring and Evaluation 2
SOP 0732 Social Sustainability Planning and Management 2
Total 30

 

      

SEMESTER SCHEDULE OF COURSES

 

1ST SEMESTER

 

COURSE NO. TITLE                                 UNIT

  

 

 

 

 
SOP 0701                     Fundamentals of Social Policy 2
SOP 0703                    Elements of Social Protection 2
SOP 0741                    Public Finance for Children 2

     

SOP 0721 Research Methods in Social Policy 2
SOP 0723 Introduction to Development Planning 2
SOP 0761 Population, Displacement and Migration 2
SOP 0731 Introduction to Social Sustainability 2
Total 14

 

2ND SEMESTER

 

COURSE NO.        TITLE                                                                  UNITS

 

SOP 0702 Introduction to Social Change and Social Problems 2
SOP 0772 Social Protection, Poverty and Inequality 2
SOP 0774 Child Poverty and disparities 2
SOP 0742 Economics of Social Policy 2
SOP 0752 Social Policy Monitoring and Evaluation 2
SOP 0732 Social Sustainability Planning and Management 2
SOP 0792 PGD Project Report 4
Total 16

 

 

 

PGD COURSE DESCRIPTION

SOP 0701       Fundamentals of Social Policy         2

Meaning of social policy, main principles of social policy, parameters of social policy, relationship between social policy, taxation policy, labour policy and health policy, models of social policy, social policy in developed and developing countries, poverty, inequality, ageing and fertility, work and family, welfare reform, children and family policy, pension policy, healthcare policy

 

SOP 0702       Introduction to Social Change and Social Problem          2

Definitions of social change and social problem; effects of social problems; characteristics of social problems; classification of social problems; causes of social problems, examples of global issues of social change today: security/terrorism, environment, climate, energy, development, population, disarmament, economic issues, globalization, health, human rights, scientific development, biotechnology,human trafficking, war/conflict, drugs, feminism, and crime; understanding social control.

SOP 0703       Elements of Social Protection          2

The course examines the conceptual frameworks, objectives and rationale of social protection. Special emphasis will be placed on types of social protection; theories of social protection, global issues in social protection, impact of social policy on critical sectors of the economy, design and implementation of social protection. The course will also discuss the future dimensions of social protection, development partners and social protection as well as social protection programmes in Nigeria.

 

SOP 0772       Social Protection, Poverty, Inequality         2

Meaning of Social Policy; Definitions and measurement of poverty; Depth of poverty; Social construction; Exclusion from social rights, from social belonging or from the social division of labour; political and economic exclusion; welfare dependency and labour market

SOP 0741  Public Finance for Children                                                                        2

Budget cycle- explaining the processes from policy development to budget approval; the politics of the budget- the political determinants of the budget allocation and execution, and the role of informal processes in budget management; Fiscal decentralization- the importance of effective financial management at the sub- national level in making budgets work for children; Mainstreaming the child in budgetary process; Expenditure analysis tools; Value for Money analysis; Expenditure and Revenue Equity Analysis; Policy framework for budgeting to advance the rights of children and young people

SOP 0774  Child Poverty and disparities                                                                                   2

Meaning and dimension of child poverty; Indicators of measuring child poverty, Health, education and protection needs of children living in poor, vulnerable households, unsafe circumstances and disadvantaged communities; policy responsiveness to outcomes related to child poverty and disparities; Cross-cutting issues, child protection, child survival and development, education and child’s right to development

SOP 0721  Research Methods in Social Policy                                                                          2

Nature and focus of research in social policy. Theories and Methods in Social policy Research; The Logic and Problems of Measurement; relevance of Statistics; Inferential and Descriptive Statistics; Nature of Causation and Causal interpretations; Formulation and Testing of Hypotheses; Fundamentals of Design in Social research.

 

SOP 0742       Economics of Social Policy   2

Basic economics concepts; Problems of scarcity and choice; Social Health Policy; Pensions Scheme; Social Policy and the Labour Market; Problems of unemployment; Poverty Index; Economics of Households.

SOP 0723  Introduction to Development Planning                                                     2

Understanding development and underdevelopment; measuring the health of an economy; History of Development Planning in Africa, SAP, PRSP, MDSs, SDGs. Agenda 2063, development programmes – NEEDS, SEEDS, LEEDS, 7 point Agenda, Transformation Agenda, problems of development planning in Africa

SOP 0752  Social Policy Monitoring and Evaluation                                                                    2

Understand the importance of policy monitoring and evaluation; introduction to key concepts in monitoring and evaluation; types of policy evaluation; Practicing with the Logical framework approach; Criteria for Evaluation design; Ground rules of monitoring and evaluation and challenges of monitoring and evaluation

SOP 0761  Displacement and Migration                                                                                         2

Meaning, types and causes of displacement and migration; Critical challenges of migration and displacement; Management of internally displaced persons; Refugees Consequences of migration; trends in global displacement and migration; Climate change, displacement and migration

 

SOP 0731  Introduction to Social Sustainability                                                                       2

The case for social sustainability; Meaning and concepts in social sustainability, Problem of definition and boundaries of Social sustainability, Designing in social sustainability, Understanding and measuring social sustainability, ; Factors of Social Sustainability: Non-physical factors e.g social inclusion, Education and training, Social justice: inter- and intragenerational, Participation and local democracy, Health, quality of life and wellbeing , Social inclusion (and eradication of social exclusion), Social capital and social cohesion, Community etc), Predominantly physical factors: e.g Urbanity, Attractive public realm, Decent housing, Local environmental quality and amenity, Accessibility (e.g. to local services and facilities/employment/green space, Sustainable urban design. etc

SOP 0732  Social Sustainability Planning and Management                                                   2

Theorizing and practicing social sustainability, Dimensions of social sustainability assessment framework, Indicators in the social sustainability assessment framework, Social sustainability and the SDGs; Social and cultural sustainability: same or different?; Social sustainability in urban planning policy and practice; Linking Social Sustainability Research to Policy and Practice, Integrating Social sustainability in urban environmental planning and management, Case studies: e.g, The Global Campaign on Urban Governance etc

SOP 0792  PGD Project Report                                                                                                    4

The students shall be required to write a Project Report of between ten thousand and fifteen thousand words; the Research must be relevant to Social policy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA

INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL POLICY

 

PROFESSIONAL MASTER OF SOCIAL POLICY

 

  • INTRODUCTION

This programme offers a professional training in Social Policy at the Master degree level. As a professional programme, this option combines theoretical and practical aspects of   Social Policy as an academic discipline and social, political, and administrative processes.

  • PHILOSOPHY

The Master of Social Policy (MSP) programme is anchored on the philosophy of empowering  human resource as a factor of change in the society. Therefore, this course is a professional course aimed at exposing candidates to prevailing social problems and the socio-political            and economic prerequisites for policy formulation and implementation. With the burden of social problems and inadequate policy strategies in most developing countries (Africa and Nigeria in particular), it is imperative to build capacities (especially human resource) that will provide leadership in social policy formulation and implementation. A major focus of the course is to develop the ability to critically examine social, economic, and political factors that influence the formation and implementation of social policies. It will also analyse the impact of social policies on vulnerable populations (minorities, the poor, the aged, children and disabled), service providers, and communities.

  • OBJECTIVES

The aim of this programme is to provide postgraduate degree training in the field of Social Policy for building human capacity that could drive evidence-based policy and programme. The objectives are to:

  1. Improve students’ understanding of social policy formulation, programme design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation;
  2. Equip the students with skills of conducting evidence-based research in social policies that are relevant to Nigeria and the international environment;
  3. Prepare students to develop the capacity for data generation for policy making and analysis;
  4. Train students to develop the capacity to identify social problems and proffer most sustainable solutions to social problems;
  5. Equip students to understand the condition and needs of the vulnerable groups in society;
  6. Provide a forum for practitioners to share ideas on effective and transparent ways of solving social problems;
  7. Equip students with skills to implement innovative development interventions and effective monitoring and evaluation of interventions and
  8. Expose the students to opportunities to integrate the SDGs into all facets of social policy planning and implementation.

1.4 ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

 

  1. Five ‘O’ level credit passes including English Language and any four
  2. Bachelor of Science Degree in related field from a recognized University with a minimum of Third Class or a postgraduate diploma in a related field from a recognized
  • Applicants that possess Higher National Diploma (HND) with a minimum of Upper Credit and relevant work
  1. Any other qualification that is acceptable to the Board of Postgraduate School and Senate of the University will also be considered as part of the admission
  • DURATION OF STUDY

The duration of the programme shall run for a minimum of 5 semesters and a maximum of 8 semesters for part-time. A minimum of 4 semesters and a maximum of 6 semesters for full-time.

  • CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Graduates of the programme may find employment in:

  1. Federal and State Ministries and Parastatals
  2. NGOs, International organizations

 

  • AREAS OF SPECIALISATION
  1. Community Development
  2. Social Welfare
  • Social Development
  1. Social Inequality
  2. Social Problems
  3. Social Gerontology
  • Social Justice
  • Social Inclusion
  1. Gender Analysis
  2. Poverty Studies
  3. Health Policy

Xiii. Programme Planning, Management and Evaluation.

  • Graduation Requirement

To qualify for the MSP degree, a candidate must have passed a minimum of 36 units of coursework (18 units of core courses, 6 units of electives and 6 units for field work/internship) plus 6 units of research project making a total of 36 units.

 

 

 

List of Courses

Core Courses

 

First Semester                                                                                          units

  1. MSP 891: ICT and Social Science Research Methods 2
  2. MSP 811: Perspectives to Social Policy 2
  3. MSP 831: Economics of Development and Social Policy 2
  4. MSP 841: Programme Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation 2
  5. MSP 821: Comparative Social Policy 2
  6. MSP 893: Introductory Statistical Methods 2
  7. MSP 823: Third Sector and Social Policy 2
  8. MSP 881: Child Poverty, Deprivation and Protection 2
  9. MSP 895: Internship 2

Total                                                                                                                18

Electives

  1. MSP 883: Conflicts, Security and Peace Studies 2
  2. MSP 885: Children, Women and Youth in Social Policy 2

       Core Courses:     Second Semester

  1. MSP 802: Management and Entrepreneurship 2
  2. MSP 804: Social Protection: Ideology, Theory and Practice 2
  3. MSP 806: Decentralization and Local Governance 2
  4. MSP 808: Comparative Development Strategies 2
  5. MSP 832: Public Finance 2
  6. MSP 864: Contemporary Social Problems 2
  7. MSP 824: Writing Policy Briefs 2
  8. MSP 892: Project Report 6

Total                                                                                                                20

Electives

  1. MSP 862: Urbanisation, Environment and Population Issues 2
  2. MSP 866: Social Justice and Social Welfare and Social Protection 2

 

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

 

MSP 891: ICT and Social Science Research Methods                                     2 units

Covers essentials of spreadsheets, internet technology, statistical package, precision and accuracy estimation, principles of scientific research, concepts of hypothesis formulation and testing, organization of research and report writing. It also covers research design, data collection, sampling, analysis and reporting, and ethics I n social research.

 

MSP 802: Management and Entrepreneurship                                                      2 units Covers business environment, general management, financial management, entrepreneurship, development, feasibility studies, marketing and managerial problem solving.

 

MSP 811: Perspectives on Social Policy                                                                  2 units The course covers scope, subject matter, context, nature, benefits and history of social policy. Explores issues in social administration and service delivery, social policy and the society, welfare state, social needs, and related issues. It discusses the parameters of social policy and how social policy intersects with other aspects of government policies. It analyses various models of social welfare provisions and social protection, as well as fundamental policy issues.

MSP 804: Social Protection: Ideology, Theory and Practice                                2 units Covers ideological approaches and theories to social policy and protection; ethics of social policy; and key concepts of citizenship, social inclusion and exclusion, social housing, service delivery and outcomes; welfare rights, social divisions, livelihood and homelessness. Students will also be introduced to conventions and statutory enactments on social policy.

MSP 831: Economics of Development and Social Policy                                         2 units Covers linkages between economic growth and human development, labour studies, Impact of domestic and international economic policies on growth, poverty and income distribution. Addresses issues of poverty, insecurity, unemployment, and corruption. This course examines the major economic decisions related to social welfare issues. Particular attention is paid to the implications of social choices in relation to the goals of increased equity and equality in the distribution of income and power.

MSP 832: Public Finance                                                                                            2 units

The course focuses on public financial management (PFM), constraints for improving child- focused public expenditure, PFM systems and the budget cycle: concepts of PFM and the role of budget cycle from policy development to budget approval, budget execution and evaluation, politics of budget allocation, implementation and management, fiscal decentralization, the relevance of effective financial management at sub-national level in making budgets work, expenditure analysis tools, value for money analysis, expenditure and revenue equity analysis.

MSP 893: Introductory Statistical Methods                                                            2 units

An Introductory course on social statistics meant to cover the basic issues in statistics such as definition, data gathering and presentation, analysis and inferences. It will entail both qualitative and quantitative techniques of statistical analysis using very practical examples of social issues.

MSP 806: Decentralization and Local Governance                                                2 units   The course will focuses on the nature of decentralization, forms of decentralization, objectives of decentralization, decentralization theories, decentralization and deconcentration, decentralization and local governance outcomes, fiscal decentralization, local public accountability: supply-side public accountability and demand-side social accountability, theoretical models, decentralization versus centralization, role of decentralization in local governance, current status of decentralization and local governance, autonomy to sub-national units of government; the agenda for decentralization; decentralization and its challenges; funding of decentralization and local governance, lessons from global experience for successful decentralization, the importance of decentralization and local governance in social policy makingMSP 883: Conflicts, Security and

Peace Studies                                                                                                               2 units The course will examine recent types of social conflicts, provide explanations for intergroup conflict, policy resolutions and alternative peace strategies, theories and practical methods of peace-building and conflict resolution. Students will be given cross-disciplinary perspectives on processes that lead to progressive violent conflict prevention through peace- building endeavours, as it relates to the individuals, society (local/global) and the environment.

MSP 885: Children, Women and Youth in Social Policy                                        2 units This course covers challenges faced by human services workers and social workers engaged in family work. It will explore knowledge and skills necessary for working with children, youth and families from diverse backgrounds in a range of complex practical contexts.

MSP 841: Programme Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation                                    2 units This course will cover the concepts of Programmes, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation. It will equip the students with the knowledge of the complex linkages that exist between Programme Planning, Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation. Finally, it will highlight the issues involved in Social Policy Planning and Implementation.

MSP 808: Comparative Development Strategies                                                          2 units This course will focus on comparison of development strategies historically and contemporaneously. It will examine development strategies in different ideological, geopolitical and historical contexts. This will form the basis for the assessment of policy alternatives to meet internally driven needs.

MSP 821: Comparative Social Policy                                                                            2 units This course deals with the comparative discussion of the practice of social policy across countries. Emphasis will be placed on the providing overview of the development and of social policy history in selected countries such the United Kingdom, United States, Germany, Japan and some African Countries. The role of International Agencies such as the UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA and other donor agencies will be examined. Important international conventions on social policy issues such as the UN declaration of human rights, UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), etc, will be discussed. Merits and demerits of a comparative approach to the study of welfare states; key theories on welfare state development and change; comparing social policy among selected countries in North America, South America and Africa, and between South Africa and Nigeria.

MSP 862: Contemporary Social Problems                                                                    2 units Covers global Issues, processes and impacts such as gender, age, health, migration, environment, child labour, sustainable development, crime, terrorism, human security, human rights, disability, social justice, social exclusion, poverty, inequality, and internally displaced persons.

MSP 823: Third Sector and Social Policy                                                                     2 units

The course examines the roles and impact of donor agencies, development agencies, and NGOs in the formulation and writing of social policy briefs. Students will be introduced to the concept and roles of Third Sector, that is, the NGOs, donor agencies, development partners, and such groups, who are neither in the private sector nor in government in social policy.

MSP 881: Child Poverty, Deprivation and Protection      2 units Definition of child poverty and deprivation; why is child poverty important?; determinants of child poverty and deprivation; childhood poverty and education; childhood poverty and health; childhood poverty and stages of child development; child poverty in Nigeria: nature, causes, extent, measures, prevalence and intra-household sharing; child poverty analysis under: the prevalence of child poverty; the demographics of poor children; the experiences of poor children; and how parents in poverty allocate household resources. The course also covers issues of child protection.

MSP 824: Writing Policy Briefs                                                                                     2 units

Concept, subject matter and scope of social policy briefs. Also covers contents, approaches

and steps in writing social policy briefs.

MSP 862: Urbanisation, Environment and Population Issues                                    2 units This course will examine various urban policy issues especially in developing societies. Theories of urbanization, debate on climate change, waste management, inadequate facilities and other related issues will be discussed during the course. The course will also expose students to best practices in urban and regional planning and how these connect with population issues.

MSP 866: Social Justice, Social Welfare and Social Protection                                  2 units This course will examine these challenges of social justice, social welfare and social protection at theoretical and practical levels. Social justice theories such as egalitarianism, socialism, capitalism, and communalism, etc, will also be examined. There will be critical discussions on how to advance policy alternatives in addressing arrays of social and economic injustice, inequity, and inequalities.

MSP 895: Internship                                                                                           2 units

Students shall undergo an Internship of six months’ duration, to be hosted in non- governmental organizations, relevant government agencies or ministries, community-based organizations, or development partner organizations. Performance in this Residency programme may be graded as satisfactory or unsatisfactory, depending on the performance      of the student during the residency, and scored accordingly.

MSP 892: Project Report                                                                                    6 units

At the end of the Internship, students are expected to write a full report which will focus on a topic of their choice that has emerged from their experience during the Residency. It should have a minimum of 60 or a maximum of 110 A-4 pages and typed double-spaced. The Report should demonstrate intellectual rigour on the part of the student and show a keen application of the research methods that have been taught during their course work in the programme

UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA

INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL POLICY

 

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN SOCIAL POLICY

1.1PHILOSOPHY

The M.Sc. in Social Policy is based on the philosophy of human capacity building as a factor to support development planning and management. The programme is anchored on the philosophy of empowering human resource as a factor of change in the society. It provides an opportunity for candidates, especially practitioners, to broaden their knowledge in the areas of policy formulation, implementation and evaluation with a view to addressing the existing and emerging social challenges in the society. It is also aimed at equipping the candidates with the capacity to suggest, initiate, and supervise the implementation of social policies.

Therefore, the programme is aimed at exposing students to prevailing social problems and the socio-political and economic prerequisites for policy formulation and implementation. It is imperative to build capacities (especially human resource) that will provide leadership in social policy formulation and implementation. A major focus of the course is to develop the ability to critically examine social, economic, and political factors that influence the formation and implementation of social policies. It will also analyse the impact of social policies on vulnerable populations (minorities, the poor, the aged, children and disabled), service providers, and communities. The grasp of current and emerging policies and their theoretical underpinning as well as practical analysis will equip students with the methods required to formulate and implement public-oriented social policies in all areas of public life.

1.2 OBJECTIVES

The aim of this programme is to provide postgraduate degree training in the field of Social Policy for building human capacity that could drive evidence-based policy and practice. The objectives are to:

  • Improve candidates’ understanding of social policy formulation, programme design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation;
  • Equip the students with skills of conducting evidence-based research in social policies that are relevant to Nigeria and the international environment;
  • Prepare students to develop the capacity for data generation for policy making and analysis;
  • Train students to develop the capacity to identify social problems and proffer most sustainable solutions to social problems;
  • Equip students to understand the condition and needs of the vulnerable groups in society;
  • Provide a forum for practitioners to share ideas on effective and transparent ways of solving social problems;
  • Equip students with skills to implement innovative development interventions and effective monitoring and evaluation of interventions and
  • Expose the students to opportunities to integrate the SDGs into all facets of social policy planning and implementation.

 

1.3 CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Holders of M.Sc. Social Policy may find career opportunities in private and public sectors of the economy as policy analyst, administrators, human resources management, planning, social security, public finance management, child welfare, gender issues, demography and in academia.

1.4 ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

  1. a) Basic Admission Requirements for Master of Science Programme

The criteria for admission into M.Sc. Social Policy programme will be as follows:

  1. Five (5) O-level credits passes including English;
  2. Candidates with at least 2nd Class honours Lower Division in Social or Management Science;
  3. Candidates with a PGD in Social Policy with a CGPA of 5 on a 5-point scale or its equivalent.
  1. b) Duration of Programme
  • A full time Master’s Programme should run for a minimum of 3 semesters and a maximum of 6
  • Part-time Master’s programmes should run for a minimum of 5 semesters and a maximum of 8
  1. c) Requirements for Graduation

To be awarded a Master of Science degree candidate, must obtain a minimum of 36/45 credit units made up as follows:

  1. Core courses of 30 credit units.
  2. Elective courses of 6 credit units.
  • A student shall present at least one seminar of 3 credit units.
  1. A student shall carry out research in any areas of specialization in his/her discipline and submit an acceptable project/dissertation of 6 credit units.

1.5 AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION

  1. Community Development
  2. Social Welfare
  • Social Development
  1. Social Inequality
  2. Social Problems
  3. Social Gerontology
  • Social Justice
  • Social Inclusion
  1. Gender Analysis
  2. Poverty Studied
  3. Health Policy

Xii.  Programme Planning, Management and Evaluation

At least the dissertation should be in candidates intended areas of specialization.

First Semester Courses                                                                                 UNITS

SOP 801          Fundamentals of Social Policy                                               3

SOP 803          Theory and Practice in Social Policy                                      3

SOP 805          Social Inequality and Vulnerable Groups                               3

SOP 807          Comparative Social `Policy                                                    3

SOP 815          Advanced Policy Analysis                                                      3

TOTAL                                                                                                          15

ELECTIVES (one elective from the following)

SOP809           Legal Issues in Social Policy                                                  3

SOP 811          Public Finance and Economics of Social Policy                    3

SOP 813          Gender and Social Development                                            3

SOP 817          Social Service Delivery and Corporate Social Responsibility            3

SECOND SMESTER

SOP 802          Contemporary Social Problems                                              3

SOP 804          Research Methods in Social Policy                                        3

SOP 806          Statistics in Social Policy                                                        3

Sop 808           Policy Formulation, Monitoring and Evaluation                    3

SOP 812          Governance and Politics of Social Policy                               3

TOTAL                                                                                                          15

 

Electives (one from the following)

SOP 810          Poverty and Development Issues                                            3

SOP 814          Globalization and Social Policy                                              3

SOP 816          Child Rights and Vulnerabilities                                             3

SOP 818          Population and Migration                                                       3

Seminar                                                                                                           3

SOP 894          Project Report                                                                         6

 

SOP 801                Fundamentals of Social Policy

Conceptualization of social policy and policy development, historical perspectives, goals of social policy, importance of social policy and the difference between social policy and public policy.

SOP 802                Contemporary Social Problems

Social problems defined, social problems and society, meaning of social issues, contemporary social problems in Nigeria such as drugs abuse, human trafficking, migration and terrorism, internal displacement and its management, ethnicity, ethnic militia, youth restiveness, conflicts and violence, kidnapping and banditry, HIV/AIDS, health-related challenges, and gender inequality.

SOP 803                Theory and Practice in Social Protection

Traditional and contemporary approaches, theories and paradigms of social policy and practical applications across countries. Theoretical understanding of social policy and its analysis: Areas to be covered include Welfare Theories, Political Economy, Modernisation theory of Social Policy, Group Theory, Elite Theory, Public Choice Theory, Game Theory, Institutionalism, Rationalism, Incrementalism and Process Theory among others.

SOP 804                Research Methods in Social Policy

Introduction to social research methods, conceptual and practical understanding of research design: experimental, quasi-experimental, and non-experimental research; quantitative and qualitative methods including Participatory Rapid Appraisal (PRA) tools; needs assessment, implementation analysis, and evaluation of policy or programme effectiveness; guidelines of research ethics and how to write a good dissertation.

SOP 805                Social Inequality and Vulnerable Groups

Understanding of social inequality and vulnerable groups, social differentiation, social class, social stratification relating to prestige, power, status and social positions in the societies; social mobility, poverty and policy alternatives in poverty eradication citing examples from international settings. The emphasis will be on discussion of vulnerable groups including the sick, poor, children, women and the displaced.

SOP 806                Statistics in Social Policy

Quantitative methods and their applications: conceptual understanding of inferential statistics including probability theory, confidence intervals, and hypothesis testing. Topics covered are: operationalization and measurement of variables; exploration and categorization of quantitative data; generalization of research findings from samples to populations; and statistical data processing and analysis. Quantitative reasoning concerning social policy issues and programme evaluation using existing datasets. Use of computer, and statistical softwares (e.g., EXCEL, SPSS, STATA, SAS, R, GRETL, MINITAB, MATLAB, E-VIEWS).

SOP 807                Comparative Social `Policy

Comparative discussion of the practice of social policy across countries, overview of the development and of social policy history in selected countries, international agencies (such as the UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA and other allied agencies), merits and demerits of a comparative approach to the study of welfare states; key theories on welfare state development and change.

 

SOP 808         Policy Formulation, Monitoring and Evaluation

Policy formulation: conceptual understanding of policy planning; contextual analysis: SWOT analysis, Participatory rural appraisal (PRA), Problem analysis, Objective analysis, Stakeholder’s analysis, Gantt analysis, Critical path method, Logframe analysis. Monitoring: Purpose of policy monitoring, types of policy monitoring, indicators for policy monitoring, guiding principles for policy monitoring, methods and techniques of policy monitoring, developing policy monitoring mechanisms. Evaluation: defining policy evaluation, types of policy evaluation, stages and steps of policy evaluation, evaluation process and social programs.

SOP 809                Legal Issues in Social Policy

Understanding of legal system in Nigeria, international legal instruments relating to social policy, Universal Human Rights instruments, children rights, international labour standard on social policy, international law, social justice, legal instrument on international migration, international convention, agreement and treaties of social policy, social development Acts in Nigeria, customary laws, social development and administration of justice in Nigeria.

SOP 810                Poverty and Development Issues

Definition, concepts and measurement of poverty, social exclusion and inequality, and their implications for research practice and policy development; theoretical perspectives on poverty, dynamics of poverty, social exclusion and inequality in different societies and for various groups of people; the nature and dimensions of poverty and human equality, and supporting theories such as the natural law and principles of the common good and human dignity; meaning and theories of social justice; approaches to dealing with poverty, social, economic, political and other forms of exclusion. Existing research evidence for the development of effective policies to tackle poverty, social exclusion and inequality within Nigeria and internationally.

SOP 811                Public Finance and Economics of Social Policy

Understanding of public finance: importance of public finance, budgeting, taxation, appropriation in public sector and revenue allocation. Economic aspects of social policy; problem of scarcity and choice; equilibrium, welfare economics, uncertainty; problem of unemployment, poverty and inequality, Social Policy and human capital development; the economics of pensions; social policy and the labour market; economics of households: children, families, and gender; social policy programmes and problems of market societies – access to health services, pension programmes, and unemployment.

SOP 812                Governance and Politics of Social Policy

Machineries of government, legislative processes in the formulation of some policies, arms of government and other democratic structures, political dimensions of social policy; and influences of international organizations in policy formulation and governance of social policy.

SOP 813                Gender and Social Development

Concepts of gender and gender issues; theories of gender, gender and culture, historical perspectives of gender, gender in development, gender and work, dimensions of gender inequality. Gender and policy analysis, gender-based violence, Gendered processes and meaning of women’s work in the economy; gendered labour practices, sex division of labour within the household; feminization of poverty, gender, development and politics.

 

SOP 814         Globalization and Social Policy

Concept of social policy and globalization, implications of globalisation for social policy analysis and provision; transnational aspects of social policy, globalization on welfare state and social policy; global social policy; international governmental organizations and non- governmental organizations, analyses how social policies and politics contribute to and shape globalising strategies; how globalisation gives rise to systematic changes in the funding, regulation and provision of welfare; and how national and local forces shape the understanding and development of social policy.

SOP 815                Advanced Policy Analysis

Key tools to assess knowledge, impact and effectiveness of public policy to strengthen capacity of decision makers and provide well-defined sets of information and analysis that government can employ. Transfer Income Model (TRIM) to assess how social policy affects family income and poverty. Case studies, role play and guest lecturers involved in high level policy making, analysis and implementation in Government and international organizations.

SOP 816                Child Rights and Vulnerabilities

The Rights of the Child (CRC or UNCRC) and national laws; principles relating to child survival including respect, non-discrimination, dignity and development; and analysis of Child Rights Act of Nigeria. Other topics include children’ right to education, healthcare, recreation, general protection in everyday life, and the roles of national and international agencies (such as UNICEF and co) in child welfare and development. Vulnerabilities of the child such as child abuse, child labour, child trafficking, child marriage, child soldiering among others.

SOP 817                Social Service Delivery and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Access to social services such as education, health, housing and welfare services. Rights to health, education (including special education) and decent housing; the roles of government corporate organizations in the provision of social services.

SOP 818                Population and Migration

Concepts of population and migration, population census, fertility, mortality, migration, reproductive matters, and related population policies. The regulation and enforcement of international mobility and borders, cross-border trade, analysis of migration issues including forced migration, (human, organ and drug) trafficking, (goods and people) smuggling, and terrorism offences, “illegal” migration, survival migration etc., and the roles of specialized agencies.

SOP 894                Project Report

Original research report

 

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PhD) IN SOCIAL POLICY

 

  • INTRODUCTION

In Nigeria and other developing countries, issues of poverty, vulnerability and social exclusion, social divisions such as gender, race, disability, sexuality and age have increasingly become persistent. Consequently, social policy programmes have become central to the programmes and projects of most national and international governmental and non-governmental organizations. These organizations, especially UNICEF, partner with academics and the general public to enhance the knowledge and understanding of key social policy issues that will support development planning that is capable of resolving social issues and challenges in Nigeria. This Ph.D programme in Social Policy shall prepare candidates to engage in evidence-based research in Social Protection, Rights, Poverty and Inequality, Public Financial Management, Governance, and Gender and Social Issues.

The Ph.D programme in Social Policy shall prepare candidates who may wish to pursue careers in social policy in civil/public services, research institutes, universities, development agencies, financial institutions and Non-Governmental Organizations.

  • PHILOSOPHY

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) programme in Social Policy emphasizes education and training in various areas of Social Policy designed to deepen the knowledge and capacity of candidates to engage in evidence-based research, teaching, administrative responsibilities, policy formulation, implementation, analysis, and evaluation of social policy. A major focus of the course is to develop the ability to critically examine social, economic, and political factors that influence policy formulation and the attendant implications of policy options on socio-economic programmes/development of social policies. It will also analyse the impact of social policies on vulnerable populations, service providers, and communities. The grasp of current and emerging policies and their theoretical underpinning as well as practical analysis will equip students with the methods required to formulate and implement public-oriented social policies in all areas of public life, and equally, look more into implications of policy choices on design and implementation of social programmes

  • AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this programme is to provide candidates with advanced training in Social Policy for sustainable human capital development that could drive evidence-based research and practice. The objectives are to:

  1. Deepen the understanding of candidates in the major pillars of social policy including social protection, public finance, rights based approaches and social inclusion, poverty and vulnerability analysis, gender and empowerment;
  2. Enhance the capacity of candidates to identify social problems and proffer evidence-informed sustainable solutions to social problems;
  3. Train the candidates with skills in conducting evidence-based research in social policies;
  4. Improve the capacity of candidates to generate qualitative and quantitative data for social policy; and
  5. Motivate candidates to integrate the Sustainable Development Goals and targets in all facets of evidence-informed advocacy for increased investments in social development.

 

1.4 CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Candidates that successfully complete Ph.D programme in Social Policy would be positioned for career opportunities in national and international governmental and non-governmental agencies or organizations. They may become renowned academics in the field of public and social policy, human capital development experts, international aid workers, public affairs consultants/analysts, social workers and civil/public servants.

1.5 ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Basic Admission Requirements for Ph.D programme and MSc/Ph.D Programme

  1. Candidates for Ph.D programme must have academic Master’s degree in Social Policy with a minimum CGPA of 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 and Project score not lower than 60%
  2. Candidates for Ph.D programme with the required CGPA of 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 and Project score not lower than 60% but without Master’s degree in Social Policy will be admitted for M.Sc./Ph.D. The candidate will take relevant M.Sc courses in Social Policy for one session before seeking for firm registration for Ph.D programme.
  3. Candidates must demonstrate adequate intellectual capacity, maturity and effective decision making and problem solving potentials.
  4. In addition to the above, the Candidates must have made at least 2nd class honours lower division with a CPGA of not lower than 2.5 plus the basic requirements in WASC/GCE O`level for the first degree

 

1.6 DURATION OF MASTERS/PH.D PROGRAMME 

Full-Time: A MINIMUM OF 8 SEMESTERS

A maximum of 12 semesters

Part-time: A minimum of 10 semesters

A maximum of 14 semesters

 

Duration of Ph.D programme (after Masters degree)

Full-time: A minimum of 6 semesters

A maximum of 10 semesters

Part-time: A minimum of 8 semesters

A maximum of 12 semesters.

The first two semesters of the doctoral programme shall be devoted to coursework and written examinations, and the remaining sessions for Thesis, seminars and oral examinations.

 

Lapsing of Programme

The student’s registration for the higher degree or Postgraduate diploma shall lapse if after the maximum duration of the programme the candidate has not presented himself or herself for examination or the relevant Departmental/Faculty Committee has not adjudged the student as being ready for examination.

 

Progress Report  

Each Doctorate student shall complete and submit a Progress Report, each semester of the programme, through the Supervisor, through the Head of Department and through the Dean of the Faculty to the Provost, College of Postgraduate Studies.

 

Minimum Residential Requirement

No student shall graduate before reaching the minimum residential requirement which is the same as the minimum duration of a progamme.

 

1.6 STRESS AREAS

  1. Core Courses 0
  2. Social Protection 1

iii. Public Financial Management                               2

  1. Rights, Poverty, and Inequality 3
  2. Gender and Social Issues 4

 

 

List of Courses

Course Code Course Title Unit Semester
Core Courses
SOP 901 Advance Social Policy Formulation and Analysis 2 1
SOP 902 Contemporary Social Issues 2 2
SOP 903 Advance Social Policy Formulation and Analysis Policy 2 1
SOP 904 International Perspectives on Social policy 2 2
PGC 701 Research Grant and Synopsis Writing 3 1
Specialty 1: Social Protection
911 Social Security Administration 2 1
912 Emerging Issues in Social Protection 2 2
Specialty 2: Public Financial Management
921 Budget and Budgetary Control 2 1
922 Advanced Public Financial Management 2 2
Specialty 3: Rights, Poverty, and Inequality
931 Rights and Poverty 2 1
932 Poverty and Human Capital Development 2 2
Specialty 4: Gender and Social Issues
941 Gender and Social Relations 2 1
942 Gender Mainstreaming in Social Development Programmes 2 2
951 Proposal (Seminar) 3 1
952 Internal Defence 3 2
953 Thesis 12 1&2

 

 

 

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION FOR Ph.D IN SOCIAL POLICY

 

Course Code: SOP 901

Course Title: Advanced Social Policy formulation and Analysis           

Course Description

The course explains the processes of evidence-based policy formulation and development. The political and scientific approaches to policy development will be elucidated. The course will discuss key skills required for policy development such as critical thinking, scientific research ability, legislative processes, political bargaining, consensus, negotiation, advocacy and lobbying. Specific attention should be paid to policy analytic processes and tools: decision-making models, criteria for decision-making under certain, uncertain and risk conditions, quantitative and qualitative tools of policy analysis. Tools to be discussed will include, Cost Benefit Analysis, Cost Effective Analysis, Problem tool analytic tool, PESTLE, NETMAP, TOWS, Critical Path Method, Policy Impact Analysis etc. The impact of policy on disadvantaged individuals and communities will also be evaluated.

 

Course Code: SOP 902

Course Title: Contemporary Social Issues

Course Description

This course will re-examine the meaning of social problems and explore its dimensions. It will discuss the major theoretical perspectives of social problems including the functionalist, conflict, and symbolic-interactionist theories. These perspectives will guide learners in problematizing the divergent social problems in developing countries, especially, Nigeria. The course will also explore the key social problems in Nigeria such as drugs abuse, illiteracy, human trafficking, migration and terrorism, internal displacement; ethnicity, separatist agitations, youth restiveness, kidnapping and banditry, HIV/AIDS, epidemics, and gender inequality. This course will also examine the relationship between social problems and government development agenda. It will assess the various policy initiatives of state and non-state actors aimed at countering these social problems.

 

Course Code: SOP 903

Course title:  Advanced Research Methods and Analysis for Social Policy

Course Description

This course re-emphasises the importance of research methodology in a research intensive programme. It revises the principles of research methods and statistical analysis. The focus will be on how to develop background of the study, research problem, questions, objectives, hypotheses and research design, methods of data collection, and data analysis. The course will also provide analysis and guides to literature review, as well software of qualitative (NVIVO, ATLAS.ti, MAXQDA, MonkeyLearn etc.) and quantitative (descriptive and inferential statistics) analyses will be discussed. The use and application of SPSS and STATA and other software analysis

 

Course Code: SOP 904

Course Title: International Perspective on Social Policy

Course Description

This course will address how states respond to global challenges of social, demographic and economic nature such as, racism, poverty, inequality, disadvantage, international development, welfare and work, migration and globalisation. International instruments of social intervention e.g. UN Declaration on Human Rights; Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and International Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). It will compare social policy administration and practice at cross-national levels. The course will discuss social security, education, housing, health and social care programmes in industrialized societies and emerging economies and the least developed countries. It will assess the roles of volunteers, civil society groups, international governmental and non-governmental organizations in social policy programming and implementation. The course will also address the peculiar challenges social policy programming and implementation in industrialized societies and emerging economies and the least developed countries.

 

Course Code: PGC 701

Course Title: Research Grant and Synopsis Writing

Course Description

The course will identify the types and nature of grant and grant writing. Meaning of grant application course. It will determine appropriate strategy for each grant application. It will highlight various grant application structures and contents and writing of concept notes, detail project description, budgeting, and budget defense. It will expose students to sample writing in various forms and writing of mock research and other grants. It will illustrate the University of Nigeria’s Synopsis structure and requirements including introduction, methodology and results. It will determine the content of each sub units of the synopsis. Steps in writing of synopsis from the dissertation/thesis documents. Structural and language issues. Common errors in synopsis writing and strategies for avoiding them. The roles of the students and the supervisor in the production of synopsis. Writing of mock synopsis. All registered PhD students must attend a solution-based interactive workshop to be organized by the College of postgraduate studies for a practical demonstration and application of the knowledge acquired from the course conducted by selected experts.

 

Course Code: SOP 911:

Course Title: EMERGING ISSUES IN SOCIAL PROTECTION

Course Description

This course will highlight new developments and current issues in social protection. Topics to be addressed include climate change, demographic shifts, technological advances and urbanization as they affect the vulnerable populations. In addition, inequalities in social protection as related to income, housing, access to justice, health care, etc would be discussed. Furthermore, the course examines issues related to protection of special population, e.g., people living with substance use disorder (SUD), people living in slumps, rural poor, vagrants, etc.

 

Course Code: SOP 912

Course Title: SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATIONS

Course Description

This course discusses critical issues in social security administration in the areas of social protection schemes including social insurance and assistance, social protection strategies such as policies and programmes relating to reduction of poverty and vulnerability and rationale for social security.  It also examines social protection steps and interventions including policies to reduce economic risk, vulnerability, poverty and deprivation. The course equally highlights issues in social security challenges and protection relating to unemployment, underemployment, and reduction in real wages, gender inequality and lack of care for the elderly.

 

Course Code:  SOP 921

Course Title: Budget and Budgetary Control

Couse Description

This course will discuss the objectives, importance and theories of budgeting. It will deliberate on various types, processes and techniques of budgeting as well as the internal control and mechanisms for monitoring budget implementation. The course will investigate the relevance of budgeting for social services. It will examine the taxation system in Nigeria as well as the relationship between taxation and social welfare. It will discuss the debt structure in Nigeria and probe the issues in public accountability. It will identify and discuss the relevant tools for costing social policies and deliberate on strategies for analysing financial information, annual financial statements and audit reports.

Course Code: SOP 922

Course Title: Advanced Public Financial Management

Course Description

This course will give a general overview of financial management with an emphasis on the public sector. It will consider various approaches to financial planning and forecasting. It will discuss budgeting generally with emphasis on government budgets and budgetary techniques. The course will also evaluate public expenditure and deliberate on the sources of revenue for social policy. It will assess the impact of internal and external debts on social policy financing. The course will also examine the fiscal and monetary policies as well as public policies for vulnerable groups.

Course Code:  SOP 931

 Course Title: RIGHTS AND POVERTY

Course Description

The course deals with human rights, civil and political rights, child rights, environmental rights, the rights to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, economic, and social rights. It further focuses on the capability approach to poverty, united nation’s approach to poverty, national and international poverty reduction strategies, youth and child poverty and prevalence and measurements. It also covers topics such as perspectives on poverty and wellbeing, roots of gender inequality, policies on non-discrimination and equality and the gender agenda in the UN human rights frameworks (2 Units)

Course Code: SOP 932

Course Title:  POVERTY AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

Course Description

The course deals with understanding the nature and correlates of poverty, theories of poverty, monetary and multidimensional nature of poverty and linkage between monetary and multidimensional poverty and development. It further focuses on the concept of human development and its evolution, dimensions of human development, governance and human development and challenges to human development. it also covers topics on evaluation of poverty alleviation programmes in Nigeria, sustainable human capital development, global issues in human development as well as cross country experiences in human capital development

 

Course Code: SOP 941

Course Title: Gender and Social Relations

Course Description:

This course explores the intersection of gender with various aspects of social relations, including culture, power, identity, and institutions. Theoretical frameworks, empirical research, and practical applications related to gender and social relations will be discussed. The will also provide students with a comprehensive understanding of how gender shapes and is shaped by social interactions, norms, and structures.

 

Course Code: SOP 942

Course Title: Gender Mainstreaming in social development programmes

Course Description

This course explores the fundamental concepts, theories, frameworks, and practical tools for integrating gender perspectives into social development initiatives. It will also critically analyse gender-related issues and develop the skills to design and implement gender-sensitive programs and policies.

Course Code: Sop 993

Course Title: Thesis

Course Description:

A well-research thesis bearing on any of the stress areas of social policy earmarked in the programme will be written and defended by the student. Prior to the defence, the student is required to present a seminar on the Thesis topic as proposal