Sociology

Year I – First Semester
Soc 101 – Introduction to Sociology 1 (2 Credits)
Course Description
This course is a general attempt to introduce the student to the body of knowledge or discipline known as sociology. Emphasis shall be placed on making the student understand what sociology is and why sociology is as a worthwhile aspect of human knowledge. Contents include- The definition and origin of sociology, Sociology as a scientific discipline, The relationship between sociology and other social sciences, Culture and aspects of culture, Norms and values, Socialisation and the agents of socialisation and Social roles, role behaviour and role strain.
SOC.102- Introduction to Sociology II
In this section of the study, the student is to be further introduces into the other areas of sociology. The aim is to complete the knowledge already gained during the first semester introductory studies and to give adequate knowledge of the basic concepts in sociology. The outline for the second semester will include: –
Review of the general theoretical bases of sociology by looking at the works of the founding fathers of sociology. The founding fathers include –
1. Auguste Comte – the birth of sociology
2. Karl Marx – the theory of Marxism
Social conflict – causes of conflict
Social change – causes of change
Emile Durkheim – conversion, Sociology,
Social control and criminology
Groups and associations
Social institutions
Soc 103/104– Elements of Scientific Thought
The aim of teaching this course is to enable students to be capable of differentiating scientific knowledge from other forms of knowledge such as infused knowledge and common sense knowledge. The culture of science is used in explaining social phenomena as studied by social scientists. It helps to show the usefulness of scientific methods for the study of sociology. The topics for class discussion include: – Feature of scientific knowledge and scientific ethos, the place of theory in scientific knowledge and investigation, hypothesis and the use of hypothesis in social investigation, the meaning and uses of constructs and concepts in scientific enterprise, research, experimentation in scientific enterprise, scientific inferences, scientific laws, facts anomalies, and values in scientific thought. And because of the importance of this course, it is taught in two semesters as Soc 103 and soc 104.
Soc 106 – Introduction to Anthropology
This course is directed at the new students to help them understand the basic concepts, theories and methods in anthropological studies. This is so since most of the year one students may be learning of the concept anthropology for the first time. It is also directed towards preparing the new students for advanced studies in anthropology. The course outline may include the following: – Defining and explaining what anthropology is, the relationship between anthropology and other social science courses, methods of studying anthropology, approaches to the study of anthropology, introduction to anthropological theories, culture, norms, values, folklore, socialisation, social institutions and society.
Soc. 108- Human Behaviour and Social Environment
Human behavior and the social environment (HBSE) is a course in social work that focuses on the reciprocity between individuals and their social environment. It explores human development across the life span. The course explores the social environment which the individual inhabits and the impact of these surroundings, whether physical or political or spiritual on the individual, family, or group. Considerations of race, class and gender are paramount across the sweep of the subject matter covered. – the group, culture, community, social organization, and the natural and spiritual realms. The critical thinking exercises have as their purpose the development of awareness of one’s beliefs and attitudes toward social oppression in the society, especially of people with backgrounds that are diverse from those of the mainstream.
Soc.110 – Introduction to African societies and culture
This course is one that deals with the different societies found in the African continent. It looks at their cultures, economy, politics, structure, as well as any unique character that may be peculiar to them. The outline include: –
The Ibo (Igbo) of Nigeria, the Yako people, the Fulani people, the Benin Kingdom, the Ashanti people of Ghana, the Lozi of Zambia, the Zulu people of South Africa, the Bushmen, the Ila of Central African, and the Buganda and Bunyoro people of Central Africa, etc.
FIRST SEMESTER (200 Level)
SOC.201- History of Social Thought I
History of social thought I trace the gradual development of systematic theories about human society and culture from their earliest beginnings. It traces the origin from the less scientific, or informal deductive speculations of ancient Greek philosophies to the 18th century enlightenment western philosophies to the current scientific and highly methodological expositions of views concerning man and his environment. Primarily, attention will be drawn to the leading ideas of the great thinkers of the 19th and 20th centuries whose contributions have indeed given sociology its character and dynamism.
SOC.203- Social Inequality, Stratification and Mobility
The contents of the course should contain the definition and conception of “social differentiation,” social stratification’ and ‘social mobility’ Marxist and non Marxist theories of social stratification, principles and types of system survey, caste/estate/feudalism and class system, in relation to various modes of production in history, the structure and processes of social stratification and their social, economic, political and cultural bases in: (a) kin-bases societies, and (b) contemporary, modern societies of Nigeria and Africa. The learner shall be exposed to the types and bases of social mobility in pre-industrial and industrialized societies, dynamics of social mobility in contemporary Nigeria in relation to education, employment/occupation wealth/poverty, poverty deprivation, caste, discrimination, prejudice and so forth.
SOC.207/208- Social Change and Social Problems I & II
It is a well known fact that every society experiences change at one time or the other. No society exists without experiencing change. This course therefore first examines the concept of social change as it affects the human society. It looks at the various forms of social change, the various theories of social change, the rate and direction of social change and the causes of social change. Finally, the course examines the problems that are associated with social change, so as to be acquainted with the problems that can disturb social change.
SOC.209- Women in Society
This course investigates women’s status in contemporary society, noting how this has changed drastically over time, with significant progress towards gender equality in many societies. While the course focuses primarily on understanding the experience of women in today, it does so with reference to the historical and contemporary diversity in the situation of women everywhere in the world. The course examines how women’s lives in any society are shaped by a variety of socio-cultural institutions such as the family, the educational system, the mass media and the workplace, and assesses the extent to which their socialization experiences continue to differ from those of men. The course explores the various different feminist analyses of women’s oppression and their implications.
SOC.211- Social Statistics
Here students are introduced to the nature of statistics, statistical inquiries, forms and designs. They are also introduced to the basic concepts in statistical tools. There is the introduction of students to the procedures of statistical summary of social science information with specific emphasis on frequency distribution, tables, graphs, and basic inferential statistics. Discrete and continuous variables, functional relationships, sources of data, methods of collecting primary data, presentation of statistical data, and decision-making are also taught to the students.
SOC.213- Social Problems and Social Work
Social work builds its identity on social problems. The goal is to generate knowledge about causes, consequences and solutions to problems that militate against social work practice. in the cause of study, issues as poverty, delinquency, crime, family problems, industrial conflicts, racial and nationality conflicts are discussed. The course examines the social work practice and theories.
SECOND SEMESTER (200 Level)
SOC.202- History of Social Thought II
It is important to note that this is a continuation of the history of social thought began in the first semester. It continues to examine the history of the development of sociology from Auguste Comte to Max Weber which is the era of sociological system. It continues with the development of sociological thought: Evolutionism, difussionism and functionalism.
SOC.204- Sociology of Knowledge and Technology
This course examines social determination and theories of human knowledge. It exposes science and technology as social and cultural institutions and intellectual- properties of humankind. It looks at the similarities and difference between scientific mode of thinking and understanding and those governing other human activities. It looks at science and Technology and development processes, Knowledge systems which govern the cumulative development of technology, science and technological development in the Third World Nations, globalization and cultural convergences, technology: friend or foe of man (the consequences of science and technological products in man’s society). The course enables the students to appreciate the relationship between material and non-material culture, how this affects man’s cognitive processes or ability to define social reality. This is very important since it concerns student’s ability to analyse the processes of social dynamics especially over the three technological revolutions in human history and also how technology affects the social dynamics.
SOC.206- Sociology of Social Institutions
The importance of the social institutions makes it compulsory that they be studied in as a separate course of study. The basic social institutions as the family, economy, politics, religion and education have far reaching effects on human beings and as such need to be studies. The course sociology of social institutions examines these institutions and how they affect the progress of retardation of people in society.
SOC.210- Structure of Nigerian Society
This course handles the analysis of the forms, elements and patterns of the structure of Nigerian society in terms of core analytical sociological and anthropological paradigms, theories and concepts: major social institutions; major ethno-linguistic nationalities and their gee-cultural locations; major religious groups and denominations; traditional and modern political systems; major social classes and the nature of their dialectical relationships, major social problems of the Nigerian society, their ‘ causes’ and solutions: the ‘National Question’ violent religious fundamentalism, endemic corruption, election and political violence, Niger Delta Crisis, economic crisis and poverty etc.
SOC.212- Sociology of the Family
The sociology of the family as a course deals broadly with the meaning and place of the family in society. It also deals with the various aspects of the family life within the framework of marriage and family. It examines the social factors that promote and or disorganize the human family.
SOC.214- Social Movement
This course looks at social movement as a collective behaviour aimed at achieving a desired objective. It will take a look at the themes and theories of social movement in order to acquaint the students with the basic models in analysing sequences of development of social movement. Again the course will look at the ideology of social movements with particular emphasis on J.J. Rousseau and Karl Marx. Finally the typologies of social movements will be explained so as to highlight to the students the different dimensions of social movement.
FIRST SEMESTER (300 Level)
SOC.301- Methods of Social Research I
This course is one of the key courses in the department of sociology and anthropology. It exposes the student sociologist to the fundamental knowledge of social research. The key elements of social research methods are inculcated into the students. The student with this learns how to produce scientific knowledge which is very crucial in the social sciences.
SOC.303- Social Statistics
It takes a look at the meaning of statistics, Statistics and scientific method, application of statistics/uses and misuse of statistics, important concepts in statistical analysis: theory concept, variable, testing of hypothesis. It looks at observation, measurement of variables and measurement scales: nominal, ordinal, interval & ratio, and their uses. Types of data: quantitative data and qualitative are x-rayed. It treats simple frequency distributions, graphic representation of data and how to read /interpret a table.
SOC.305-Sociology of Crime and Delinquency
This course begins with the discussion of the nature of social deviance, the definition of the concepts of crime and delinquency, nature of crime, the concept of crime, the functions of criminology, methods of criminological research, etiology of crime, sociological, economic, psychological, psychiatric and medical implications of deviant behaviours. The student will be led to learn the meaning of career criminals and who they are and criminal activities, the history of penology and theories penology and practice, control of problems of deviant behaviour such as juvenile delinquency, drug addiction, alcoholism, suicide, mental disorders and crimes from a sociological perspective in comparison with other known perspectives will be discussed. It looks at the theories of crime in historical perspective under the following sub-headings: – The classical approach in crime studies, the biological school, the psychological/ the psychiatric perspective, the sociological approach including thee processes of developing a deviant role career, the radical/ critical theories of crime, and the perspectives on juvenile delinquency. Under this we have the strain theory, the control theory, and the cultural deviance theory of delinquency. Finally it looks at crime and crime control in society.
SOC.307- Formal Organization
Structural properties of formal organizations and their consequences; bureaucracies; complex formal organizations in various settings and the relationship among organizations in community; major theoretical and methodological problems in studying complex organizations; problems of formal organizations in Africa.
SOC.309- Sociology of Urban Life
This course is also called urban sociology and is very important considering the fact that we are in the era of increasing process of urbanisation of the nations. It is of note that every aspect of human life is affected by the rapid movement of people from the rural to the urban communities; it then becomes imperative that students be acquainted with issues concerning our urban environment and the problems associated with the urban life and urbanisation.
SOC.311- Political Sociology
The course political sociology or sociology of politics is an interdisciplinary course. It is replete with social, economic and political matters. It is the study political behaviour, the citizens’ approaches to politics and how politics in its broad usage affects the citizens’ life.
SOC.313- Rural Sociology
The course rural sociology deals with the fundamental features of rural societies, their technological systems and patterns of transformation. It is also concerned with the identification, evaluation and utilisation of nature and human resources, social change in rural societies, rural social institutions and their adaptation to change. It finally looks at the advantages, disadvantages and problems of rural life.
SOC.315- Industrial Sociology
Here we give the analysis of major management theories, discuss the processes of industrialisation in developing countries, industrial work groups and informal organisation. The relations between workers and management will also be discussed.
SOC.317- Sociological Theories
This is also one of the key courses in the department of sociology and anthropology. The course exposes the student to the general sociological thought or social philosophy. It covers as much as possible the social philosophies of the masters of sociology beginning from Ibn Khaldun to Auguste Comte and then to Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, Karl Marx, Herbert Spencer to the social theorists of the beginning of the 20th and the 21st centuries. It examines the difference between grand theory and theories of middle range. It finally shows the importance of social theory for social research. This discusses the major theorists and schools of thought in the 20th century sociology. Contemporary development of classical sociological theories, the major orientations in contemporary sociological theory including functionalism, symbolic interaction theory, conflict theory, ethnomethodology, exchange theory and other perspectives are discussed. Finally, the places and methods of the applications of these theories are discussed.
SECOND SEMESTER (300 Level)
SOC.302- Methods of Social Research II
Methods of social research II is a continuation of that which was began in the first semester. This exposes the student to the various techniques of scientific methods of social research. This stresses specific methods, research strategies and tools used in sociological research, systematic and participatory/ non-participatory observations. Survey research, collection and analysis of secondary materials and will also advance into the fields of quantitative research methods. It exposes the student to the correct usage o literature in social research.
SOC.304- Perspectives in Modern Sociological Theories
Contemporary sociological theories II is a continuation of the study of the contemporary sociological theories already started in the first semester. The points to be studied here include the sociology of Frank Lester Ward and his science and social evolution; Vilfredo Pareto and his theory of residues and dynamic social equilibrium, circulation of elites and political manipulation; Ludwig Gumplowicz and social conflict, types and levels of social interaction; The development of sociology in Europe, North America and the less developed countries of the world and the application of these theories to contemporary problems.
SOC.306- Sociology of Crime and Delinquency II
This course discusses the principles of criminal law and procedure. Major divisions of the law: – civil law, criminal law, elements of crime and criminal law, classifications of criminal offences and implications for criminal procedure, the administration of justice. The police: the delivery of police services/ functions of the police, perspectives on police behaviour include points to be discussed.
SOC.308- Culture and Personality Development
The course will introduce the learner to the meaning of personality motivation He/She should be made to understand ‘Personality’ and ‘Motivation* Familiarized with major theories of personality and motivation. Theories and practices of personality measurement; The development of personality in the context of nature nurture debate; Types of personalities; Relationship between personality and psychology; course. Types of personality disorders and so forth are areas of interest.
SOC.310- Race and Ethnic Relations
This course discusses the concept of race and ethnicity. It also looks at the theories of race and socio-cultural theories of race relations. This will discuss race relations as a cultural process, Nazism anti-Semitism, race relations in USA, civil rights movements, experiences in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Brazil, Britain, prejudice, stereotypes, etc. finally, racism or ethnicity in Nigeria and the new trends in race relations will be discussed.
SOC.312- Population Dynamics
The course population dynamics focuses on thee size and age composition of populations of people in geographical areas. This is in view of the fact that these have implications for people living in a place at any time. It studies the changes that take place in population size and composition. It looks at the biological as well as the environmental processes that drive population changes. It studies factors like birth rate, death rate, migration, emigration etc as factors that affect population.
SOC.314- Social Inequality
This course looks at the definition of the concept social inequality, the causes and effects in society. It looks at the relationship between the social classes of people and their chances of surviving the many factors those impinge on people in the society. This course deals with stratification in social inequality. It explains the concept of social inequality, social stratification and social classes. It examines the social problems created by the existence of social inequality in society. It also shows the possibility of one moving from one social group to another, the criteria for such movement, as well as the direction of movement.
SOC.316-Sociology of Religion
The course discusses the meaning of religion, the functions of religious institutions in society, the relationship between religion and society, the approaches of social anthropology of African religions. The place of religion in modernizes complex societies, religious groups in Nigeria.
SOC.318- Sociology of the Aged
The course, sociology of the aged is designed to provide a sociological insight into the peculiar circumstances of the aged people in human society. As is well known, ageing is a natural process in human life and comes with maturity. Human beings pass through different stages based on the concept of aging. At each stage, they face peculiar life circumstances. Their needs change with age. Improvement in medical issues has increased longevity and this means that more people will move to the old age bracket. An understanding of these changes in human life, and their peculiar needs with particular reference to the cultural milieu is a fundamental sociological concern. The points to be discussed include the under listed in the outline.
SOC.320- Sociology of Law
This course examines the social origins and consequences of law and legal processes in society. it examines the traditional African legal cultures and how relevant they are today to social existence. It also examines the structure and functioning of legal sanctions as they are applied in society, law and society, law and the economy and law and the cultural processes in society.
FIRST SEMESTER (400 Level)
SOC.401- Contemporary Sociological Theories
This is the continuation of the sociological theories and perspectives that were previously started in year three.
SOC.403- Urbanisation and Labour Migration I
Among the points to be discussed here are – urban growth in various parts of the world, the various forms of labour migration, the theories and economics of labour migration. To be discussed also is the characteristics of the Nigerian cities.
SOC.405- Sociology of Development I
There shall be a general overview of the definition and meaning of * development’, the study will take the learner to understand the historical foundation of sociology of development’, with special reference to the ideas of social evolution, progress and human development in pre-Comtean social thought, and in the formulations of the founding fathers of sociology; Comte, Spencer, Durkheim, Marx and Weber, against the background of the emergence of capitalist industrialization, urbanization and related processes. The learner shall be taught Modern theories of development: Modernization and emergence of Western tradition of ‘sociology of development’, Dependency; beyond dependency-mode of production paradigm (spell out the capitalist and the socialist approaches and their merits and demerits).
SOC.407- Demography
This course introduces the student into population studies, source of population growth and analysis of fertility and mortality. It examines migration as one of the causes of shifts in population in society. Selected theories and research techniques will be examined also. It is here that the ground is created for social research on matters concerning population and other social phenomena.
SOC.409- Regional Ethnography
The learner will be exposed to the general overview of the sub-field of Ethnography in Anthropology; relevance of ethnographical study of man, his cultures and institutions; Importance of the study of northern sub-Saharan Africa as major ethnological regions, African origins of early man from archeological findings and records; Patterns of original migration and settlements in Sub-Saharan Africa: Cultural regions of Africa, languages of Sub-Saharan Africa; African languages and population migration in history; Major Sub-Saharan African ethno-cultural nationalities and their relationships and attendant conflicts. Also, the teacher is expected to teach the ethnographic analysis of people and cultures of Africa colonialism and ethnological regionalization of Africa as zones of foreign interest etc.
SOC.413- Models in Sociological Analysis
Two major issues are treated in this course. These are – the types of explanations used in sociology and the types of data used in constructing explanations in sociology. The aim for the above is to provide the student with the ability to evaluate a sociologist’s approach to any empirical area from different view points. The questions asked include- is the chosen model of explanation adequate, and is the purported explanation adequate in terms of the chosen model.
SOC.407- Sociology of the Third World
This looks at the concept of colonisation, decolonisation and the emergence of the Third World countries. It takes a look at the characteristics of the Third World peoples, their cultural aspects and the North-South interactions and the conflicts.
SOC.409- Sub-Saharan Africa Ethnography
This studies sub-Saharan Africa as a major ethnological region. It looks at the human origin and the early man. The course also studies physical anthropology of sub-Saharan Africa, races of the region, their cultures and population migration history and migrations of the people.
SOC.411- Industrial Relations
Industrial relations is a multidisciplinary field that studies the employment relationship. This study focuses on unionized employment issues and also on non-industrial employment relationships. Industrial relations has three faces: science building, problem solving, and ethical. In the science building face, industrial relations is part of the social sciences, and it seeks to understand the employment relationship and its institutions through high-quality, rigorous research. In this vein, industrial relations scholarship intersects with scholarship in labor economics, industrial sociology, labor and social history, human resource management, political science, law, and other areas. In the problem solving face, industrial relations seeks to design policies and institutions to help the employment relationship work better.
SOC.413- Models in Sociological Analysis
Models in sociological analysis are built around two issues. These are the types of explanations used in social discuss and the type of data that are used in constructing explanations in sociological studies and examinations. This course is therefore aimed at providing students with the ability to evaluate a sociologist’s point of approach to social studies. This helps to ascertain if the model of explanation is adequate and if the explanation given actually reflects the model used in arriving at it.
SOC.415- Sociology of Child Development
This course examines the methods used in child study. It looks at the concept of development and patterns of growth and phases of child development. the nature and manner of child development are critically examined in relation to factors that enhance and or retard child development.
SOC.417- Sociology of the Third World
This course covers areas as Definitional/conceptual issues: concept of the Third World, countries, imperialism and colonialism and the development of the Third World, The Third World in history: Third World in world economy, politics, scientific and technological development, and overall social development, in terms of social development indicators. Third World-developed world relations: Third World in the global system and relationships; the development of underdevelopment,- dependency theories, mode of production approach: refutations and critique; Third World countries an d the management and control of global resources, Problems of third world countries: economic, political, religious, cultural, health/nutritional and environmental and; Third World development options: capitalism, socialism or what?
SOC.498- Project
SECOND SEMESTER (400 Level)
SOC.402- Contemporary Sociological Theories II
This course shall expose the learner to the modern sociological theories and their critiques: Functionalism, Behaviourism, Conflict Heritage, Symbolic Interactionism, Phenomenology, Ethnornethodology, Exchange theory, Systems Theory, Modernity, indicating their major authors/proponents and their application in social research, and how they elucidate our understanding of the structure of, and changes in human relationship in group contexts.
SOC.404- Urbanisation and Labour Migration II
This continues the work already began in the first semester. Here the phenomenon of urban growth in various parts of the world is to be studied in greater details. The various forms of labour migration and the theories and economies of labour migration and their characteristics of Nigerian cities are studied.
SOC.406- Sociology of Development II
The course is designed to expose students to (a) various modes of production of material goods in different historical epochs (b) various ways in which the practice of development has been undertaken by different societies, and (c) domestic and international dimensions of development, especially as they relate to Third World countries in general, and Africa and Nigeria in particular. The course covers: Capitalist and socialist perspectives on development; Capitalist development praxis in Nigeria: the pre-colonial experience. The political economy of capitalist economy in Nigeria: The articulation/incorporation processes (1914-date): National development policies and plans (1946-1985). Nigeria’s attempt at industrialization and development: Capitalist development strategies: policies and programmes/projects under military and civilian administration, the practice and problems of rural development in contemporary Nigerian societies and the states of development in contemporary Nigeria.
SOC. 408- Applied Demography
This is an overview of the field of demography; the substance of’ demographic studies or population studies. Sources and methods of demographic data collection and tools and techniques of analysis; Determination and analysis of population size, composition and distribution; Measurement and determination of fertility, mortality, migration and population change; Implications of population growth on urbanization, employment, food supply and security, resources, and overall sustainable development. Population characteristics of Nigeria, Africa and the advanced nations: a comparison and explanation of differences; Population features and trends in Nigeria.
SOC.410- Sociology of Health and Illness
This course will be concerned with an introduction to the concepts of social aspects of health, illness, and curing in different African societies with particular emphasis on Nigerian cultures. Interaction between folk and modern medicine, the delivery of health care as a social problem, the structure of traditional versus modern health care delivery and their respective impacts will be looked at.
SOC.412- Culture and Communication
The course shall examine development and classification of human communication from the perspective of linguistic anthropology. There will also be an exposition of the functions of communication in socialization in traditional and modem Nigeria, Role and problems of communication in pluralistic societies of Nigeria and Africa, with particular reference to the Nigerian “National Question”. The relevance of oral traditions in socio-cultural development, tourism and ethnographic and sociological research; communications, globalization and cultural diffusion and adoption, and their socio-cultural implications and consequences in Nigeria and Africa, such as Western pop-culture; Impact of “pidgin-English in Nigerian education; Nigerian national communication policy and effects and so forth are areas that should be objectively discussed.
SOC.414- Personality and Motivation
The course personality and motivation attempts to familiarise students with the major issues in personality and motivation including theory and practice of personality measurement, the structure of personality and the relationship between personality and psychopathology.
SOC.499- Research Project
It is intended to show the ability or competence of the graduating students to carry out the scientific research in any area of their interest in sociological/anthropological field. The topic’s areas of research chosen are subject to the approval of their course advisers and supervisors. Research projects must however have practical relevance to Nigerian environment and must follow the laid down project guideline of the department.

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