Introduction
The Department of History and International Studies offers postgraduate programmes leading to the award of M.A and PhD degrees in the following major areas of History and International Studies:
- Social and Political History
- Economic History
- International Studies
Philosophy
The M.A/PhD programmes in History and International Studies are designed to produce highly qualified and competent historians and experts in the discipline. It is intended that the products will be equipped with necessary skills with which to undertake critical analyses of issues to meet the challenges of modern society in a globalized world.
Aims and Objectives
The M.A/PhD Programmes in History and International Studies are aimed at:
- Providing students with requisite historical knowledge, a highly developed sense of balance as well as considerable breadth and depth of knowledge of the local, national, African and international communities and environments.
- To enable the students develop the spirit of enquiry and to understand the role of evidence as the basis of informed judgment through training in research in the atmosphere of intellectual independence.
- To train students in critical and rational thinking and judgments.
- To produce students who can assume leadership roles in the task of nation-building, in teaching and research, in policy decision making, in administration and management of affairs as well as in international and foreign relations.
- To enable students avail themselves of the lessons of history and apply them as appropriate to resolving national developmental challenges.
Entry Requirements for PhD Programme
Graduate of recognized universities who have obtained the degree of Masters in History with a minimum of 3.50 Grade Point Average (GPA), on a 5 point scale provided that satisfactory research work formed part of the degree.
Mode of Study
- A candidate for the PhD programme is expected to do course work to be examined in four written papers from four courses. Two of these courses may be taken in each semester of the academic year of the study, and should be related to the student’s area of specialization.
- Each candidate is expected to present a seminar paper in the first and second semesters.
- The candidate should present a research work to be embodied in a thesis and for which there will be a viva.
The total units for PhD programme is 27 units
Course work 12 Credits
Seminar 6 Credits
Thesis 9 Credits
Stress Areas
General Themes 0
Nigeria 1
Africa 2
Europe & USSR 3
America & Caribbean 4
Asia 5
International Studies 6
Seminar 7
Methodology 8
Research / Thesis 9
COURSES FOR Ph.D PROGRAMME
| First Semester | Credit |
HIS 771 –PhD Seminar I HIS 721 – Africa and European Imperialism HIS 761 – Advanced Studies in Foreign Policies of Major World Powers |
3 3 3 |
HIS 771 – PhD Seminar I HIS 711 – Advance Studies in Economic History of Nigeria Since the 20th Century HIS 723 – Land and Labour in Africa |
3 3 3 |
HIS 771 – PhD Seminar I HIS 763 – Advance Studies in International Relations HIS 765 – War and Peace in Africa |
3 3 3 |
| Electives
HIS 725 – Modern African Political Thought HIS 727 – Colonialism in Africa HIS 767 – Advance Studies in Trends in World Diplomacy from the 19th Century HIS 751 – Comparative Economic History of Japan, South Korea and Singapore Since WW II |
3 3 3 3 |
| Second Semester | Credit |
HIS 772 – PhD Seminar II HIS 722 – Themes in Social and Political History of Africa Since Independence HIS 724 – Problems and Issues in African Historiography |
3 3 3 |
HIS 772 – PhD Seminar II HIS 726 – Economic Reforms in Africa Since the 1980s HIS 728 – Africa and the World Economic Order |
3 3 3 |
HIS 772 – PhD Seminar II HIS 762 – Evolution of Diplomacy HIS 764 – International Economic Relations Since 1945 |
3 3 3 |
| Electives
HIS 702 – Comparative Industrial Growth of USA and Great Britain HIS 766 – East – West Relations Since 1945 HIS 712 – Socio-Political and Economic Reform in Nigeria since 1999 HIS 729 – Neo Colonialism in Africa |
3 3 3 3 |
* HIS 790 – PhD Dissertation 9 Units
COURSE DESCRIPTION FOR PH.D. PROGRAMME
HIS 771: PhD Seminar I; HIS 772; PhD Seminar II
Student to liaise with his/her supervisor to choose a researchable topic based on his/her area of specialization. This should be presented in seminar format before the end of the semester.
SOCIAL AND POLITICAL HISTORY
HIS 721: Africa and European Imperialism
The course makes a general survey of the internal and external development and dynamics that prepared the setting both in European and Africa for European imperialism. The theories of imperialism propounded by renowned thinkers like A.J. Hobson, V.I. Lenin, Rosa Luxemburg, Antonio Gramsci, J.A. Schumpeter and D.K Fieldhouse will be analyzed. Themes to be discussed include the historical origin of imperialism, colonialism and neo-colonialism. Case studies will be made.
HIS 722: Themes in Social and Political History of Africa since Independence
The course examines the following topics: political instability in Africa since independence, military rule, one-party system; ethnic conflicts and hegemony; minority rule, struggle for democracy in the 1980s and 1990s etc.
HIS 724: Problems and Issues in African Historiography
The course examines the ramifications of historiography: the meaning of history to Africans; written and non-written sources for the writing if African history such as archeology, ethnography, linguistics, early writings on Africa, European sources of African history, including missionary and colonial archives, and inter disciplinary approach to the study of African History.
HIS 761: Advanced Studies in Foreign Policies of Major World Powers
The course examines the foreign policies of major world powers namely: USA, Russia, Britain, France, China, Japan and Germany within the context of the world politics since World War II.
Economic History
HIS 711: Advanced Studies in Economic History of Nigeria since the 20th Century
The course discusses the nature and pattern of external influences in Nigeria’s economic and political developments; the major trends and changes in the monetary and banking sector of the economy, mining and manufacturing/industrialization sector; agriculture, Nigeria oil sector and OPEC, Indigenization, Commercialization, Deregulation and Privatization policies of government policies of government, Operation Feed the Nation, Green Revolution, River Basin Development Authorities; Agricultural Development Projects (ADPs), the Structural Adjustment programme (SAP), National Directorate of Employment (NDE), DFRRI, Better Life for Rural Women, Family Support Programme, Poverty Alleviation Programme, NEEDs, Corruption and the Economy.
HIS 723: Land and Labour in Africa
The course discusses and analyses land and labour as factors of production in the economies of African societies since the advent of European with their commercial and imperial interests in Africa. Land tenure system, plantation agriculture versus peasants-based agricultural economy, colonial policies on land and labour, and African reaction to such policies will also examined. Post-independence development on land labour and related issues will also be considered.
HIS 726: Economic Reforms in Africa
The course examines the crisis of economics underdevelopment, national industrial polices (such, as import substitution), problems and prospects of regional economics organization and the role of the IMF, the World bank and the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in the economic development of Africa.
HIS 728: Africa and the World Economic Order
The course examines Africa economies in the global context: the slaves trade, “legitimate” trade; colonization and unequal economic relation of Africa and the relation of Africa and the imperial powers; the relevance of Dependency Theory; the World Bank, IMF and African economies; UNCTAD; foreign borrowing and foreign debts in the economic development of Africa; the information and communications technology (ICT) revolution; globalization and the African economy. International trade; theories of international trade; foreign and underdevelopment, the politics of the new international economic order etc.
INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
HIS 762: Evolution of Diplomacy
The thrust of this course is the genesis of modern diplomacy from the Westphalia state, the Congress of Vienna, the late nineteenth century era of ‘Alliances’ among the European powers, the formation of the League of Nations, up to the UN. The principle of
Balance of power, East-West Dialogue, post-Cold war global diplomacy etc.
HIS 763: Advanced Studies in International Studies
This course equips the students with better understanding of interaction among nations in the international environment. It focuses on bilateral and multi-lateral relations especially in the framework of international organizations. Themes examined include treaties and alliance formations as exemplified by the Entente Cordiale, Triple Alliance and the Treaty of Versailles; the League of Nations, the United Nations, the Security Council and use of veto power, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Warsaw Pact, the Non-Alignment Movement and Cold War.
HIS 764: International Economic Relations Since 1945
The course examines the link between “economics” and “politics” in international relations. It also discusses the issues of international monetary arrangement; Politics of international trade; Theories of international trade relations; foreign Aid and underdevelopment; the politics of new International Economic Order.
HIS 765: War and Peace in Africa
The course deals with the background to and the causes of wars: the nature , course and effects of conflicts, insurgency and counter-insurgency, peace and conflicts resolution mechanism; disarmament and arms control; the role of international organizations in peace initiatives etc.
Electives
HIS 702: Comparative Industrial Growth and Development of USA and Great Britain.
The course examines different approaches adopted by various industrial countries of the world, with particular reference to Britain and USA, against their different backgrounds and settings, to achieve industrial development. This contrasts with the dismal record of Third World countries.
HIS 712: Socio-Political and Economic Reforms and Democratic Rule in Nigeria since 1999
This course deals with the major socio-political and economic developments in Nigeria since the return to civil rule in Nigeria since May 1999. Topics to be treated include: Constitution Debate, Revenue Allocation, the Press and consolidation of democracy in Nigeria, relations among the three tiers (Federal, State and Local) or arms (Executive, Legislature and Judiciary) of government, labour and industrial management, education and health matters; external relations of Democratic Nigeria; the challenge of systematic corruption and economic reforms in Nigeria.
HIS 725: Modern African Political Thoughts
The course examines origin, characteristics of modern African political thought, the major exponents from the late nineteenth century, the de-colonization era, and the post-independence period. Their impact on African de-colonization forms the basis of analysis.
HIS 727: Colonialism in Africa
The course examines the background to process and means of establishment of colonialism rule in Africa. It also undertakes comparison of colonial policies and the African agency.
HIS 729: Neo-Colonialism in Africa
The course focuses attention on the origins, dimensions and implications of neo-colonialism in Africa. It examines the roles of the colonial state, multi-national corporations and the African elite in establishing the institutional framework for the exploitation and plunder of the African economy. The course also considers measures taken by independent Africa countries to curb the menace.
HIS 765: War and Peace in Africa
The course deals with the background to and the causes of wars; the nature, course and effects of conflicts insurgency and counter-insurgency, peace and conflict resolution mechanisms; disarmament and arms control; the role of international organizations in peace initiatives etc
HIS 766: East- West Relations since 1945
This course discusses the history of the Cold War, with emphasis on relations between the Western and Eastern blocs; the role of NATO and Warsaw Pact countries, China, Cuba and the Third World countries.
HIS 767: Advanced Trends in World Diplomacy from the 19th Century
The course traces the evolution of world contemporary diplomacy from the Congress of Vienna to the present. Principles and issues like Balance of Power, continentalism, European Imperialism, globalization, American policy of isolationism and foreign non-interference in their affairs, the failure of the League of Nations and collective Security; the second world war and America’s involvement in the war; the principle of self-determination; The Atlantic Charter, Cold War, East West Relations; the collapse of the Soviet Union (USSR); the New World and Globalization will be discussed.