COURSES OFFERED
IN
THE GENERAL STUDIES PROGRAMME
- The National Universities Commission (NUC) guidelines on general studies specifies that; All Nigeria Universities should offer the General Studies Programme which must be expanded to include the Use of English, Philosophy and Logic, History and Philosophy of Science, Nigerian Peoples and Culture and Humanities. This should account for 10 credit units and must be computed into the overall credit requirements for the award of a degree. All students admitted into the university must therefore pass all General Studies courses.
In 2011/2012 session, the University Senate directed that Igbo should be introduced as one of the courses in the School. Hence the introduction of two more courses namely Basic Igbo Studies: GST 109, GST 110.
All GST courses are to be taken by all FIRST YEAR students of regular, CEP and Sandwich Programmes except Entrepreneurship which is done by THIRD YEAR students of all programmes too. The courses are grouped below according to semesters:
FIRST SEMESTER GST COURSES AND FACULTIES OFFERING THEM
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit | Faculties |
| GST 101 | Use of English I | 1 | All Faculties |
| GST 109 | Basic Igbo Studies I | 1 | All Faculties |
| GST 107 | Nigerian Peoples and Culture | 2 | All Faculties |
| GST 103 | Philosophy & Logic | 2 | Arts, Law, Management Science, Social Science, Education (excluding Science and Technical Education) |
| GST 105 | Humanities | 2 | Agriculture,
Basic Medical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Health Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Physical Sciences, Medicine and Science Education |
| GST 301 | Entrepreneurial Studies | 1 | All Faculties for 300level students |
Total Credit Load for 1st Semester Per Student is Six (6)
SECOND SEMESTER GST COURSES AND FACULTIES OFFERING THEM
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit | Faculties |
| GST 102 | Use of English II | 1 | All Faculties |
| GST 110 | Basic Igbo Studies II | 1 | All Faculties |
| GST 104 | History and Philosophy of Science | 2 | Arts, Law, Management Sciences, Social Science, Education (excluding Science and Technical Education) |
| GST 106 | Social Science | 2 | Agriculture,
Basic Medical Sciences Biological Sciences, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Health Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Physical Sciences, Medicine and Science Education |
Total Credit Load for 2nd Semester per Student is four (4)
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS.
GST 101: USE OF ENGLISH 1 (1 Credit)
This course is very fundamental for understanding and appreciating English language. It exposes the students to such foundational areas in the study of English as: the English sounds; vocabulary development, homonyms, polysemy, homophones and homographs; capitalization and punctuation in English; the English language determiners; the major and minor parts of speech; phrases, clauses and sentences; the English concord; passivization in English; direct and indirect speeches; tense, aspect and mood; common errors in the use of English; understanding prose as an aspect of literature; literary devices and figurative language; effective use of library; and electronic information resources in academic libraries.
GST 102: USE OF ENGLISH 11 (1 Credit)
This course, GST 102, is designed to help students acquire skills in reading comprehension, essay writing and literary studies (literary appreciation). It also provides opportunities for students to understand basic grammar rules, documentation styles and the importance of library research. The course exposes the students to such cogent areas adequate for reading comprehension as listening skills, speaking skills, reading skills, writing skills, rules of paragraphing, word choice and development, writing styles and report research. The course equally exposes students to basic elements for appreciating literary texts under the genre of poetry and drama.
GST 103 PHILOSOPHY AND LOGIC (2 Credits)
A brief survey of the scope, notion, branches and problems of philosophy, symbolic logic special symbols in symbolic logic, conjunction, affirmation, negations, disjunction equivalence and conditional statements. Law of thought. The method of deduction, use of inference and bi-conditionals. Quantification theory. Syllogism and traditional fallacies.
GST 104 HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE (2 Credits)
This course is designed to introduce the non-science-based students to some of the selected basic topics in science and to also expose them to the philosophical appraisal of science. At the end of the course, the student is expected to be abreast of the basic workings of science and with the introduction of philosophy into science; they should be able to evaluate and question these workings with the hope of delineating the boundaries of science and their relationship with humans and the larger society. As such, the course exposes the students to topics as: introduction to the science of life; microorganisms and human affairs; chemistry as science; fats and oils; chemical hazards; impact of physics on society; human’s need for science and technology; scientific methodology; mathematics and computer science in the service of humans; evolution of the atmosphere; medical emergencies; meaning and nature of philosophy of science; philosophic foundations of science; philosophy and the methodology of science; philosophy, science and society; and, the role of philosophy in science.
GST 105: HUMANITIES (2 Credits)
This course exposes the student to the overall understanding of the concept of HUMANITIES: its nature and scope. It equally deals with the concepts of culture and culture patterns; evolution of man’s tradition and culture; culture and society; government and development; language and culture; relationship between education, culture and tradition; analysis of Nigerian belief systems; women in Nigerian culture, and so on.
GST 106: SOCIAL SCIENCES (2 Credits)
The main objective of this course is to enable students acquire abroad and general knowledge and understanding of human society and the world. It is also designed to help them acquire the analytical tools and methodologies which the social scientist uses to perceive the world and recreate it for the overall benefit of humans. Such themes as classification of social systems with regard to interpersonal relationships, personality traits and leadership qualities, and the role of the media are examined. The meaning, scope and indices of development with bias on historical perspectives, ideological bases, economic/political and social factors of development, self-reliance and national development, growth and distribution of population, delivery of public goods through public enterprises and agencies, peaceful co-existence among Nations, war and peace, international organizations as agents of peace, oil wealth and national development, political socialization, social deviance and control are also studied.
GST 107: NIGERIAN PEOPLES AND CULTURE (2 Credits)
Study of Nigerian history and culture in pre-colonial times; Nigerians’ perception of their world; culture areas of Nigeria and their characteristics; evolution of Nigeria as a political unit; Nigerian history: Pre-colonial, colonial and contemporary times; the military in Nigeria’s politics; national integration and unity; concepts of functional education; national economy; balance of trade; economic self-reliance; social justice; individual and national development; norms and values; moral obligations of the citizens; environmental sanitation; music in Nigerian culture; Nigerian history and democracy; human rights, and governance in Nigeria.
GST 109: BASIC IGBO 1 (1 Credit)
This course aspires to expose the students to appreciate the importance of local languages in the education process as a means of preserving people’s culture. It further aspires to equip the student population of the university with basic Igbo linguistic knowledge to operate within and outside the university’s immediate community. Alphabet and introduces students to the Igbo grammar which will enable them to understand, appreciate and use the language in their daily communication within the Igbo environment and beyond.
The course therefore handles such themes as: Njirimara asusu na uru asusu bara; mkpuru edide Igbo; myiriudaume; iwu nsupe; mmebeokwu; mkpoaha; ngwaa; nkowa, njiko na mbuuzo; nkwuwa na ntimkpu; mgbakwunye; nsokwunye; tensi na aspekti; mpagharaahiriokwu Igbo; ahiriokwu: nkowa na udi ya di iche iche; nkejiokwu na udaume; edemede; aghotaazaa; njiakpo okwu; akara edemede; wdg.
GST 110: BASIC IGBO STUDIES 11 (1 Credit)
This course focuses on two major aspects of Igbo studies: literature and culture. The literary aspect is designed to introduce students to fundamental elements of Igbo literature: meaning, characteristics, types, genres, forms, figurative expressions, among others. Topics to be considered include: nkowa agumagu na udi ya; njirimara na uru agumagu bara; mputara agumagu odinala, njirimara na nkenuudi ya; atumatu okwu na atumatu agumagu; mmewere agumagu Igbo; usoro nnyocha agumagu Igbo; wdg.
The cultural aspect of the course would expose the students to various attributes of Igbo culture. Particular reference would be made to Igbo history, beliefs, thoughts, worldview, political, religious and educational systems, economic and social activities, as well as the structural organizations in contrast to other ethnic groups. The students would be taken through these topics: nkowa omenala na njirimara ya; nkowa ndi bu ndi Igbo; izulite umuaka; ejiji ndi Igbo; ilu di na nwunye; igu oge; aru na nsoala n’ala Igbo; egwu onwa; oji: udidi, mputara na uru ya n’ala Igbo; ile obia n’ala Igbo; echiche ndi Igbo gbasara Chukwu; onwu na nghota ndi Igbo; onodu ndi Igbo n’ala Igbo; ochichi obodo; igba afa; wdg.
GST 301: ENTREPRENEURSHIP (1 Credit)
In a struggling economy like Nigeria’s, students need to have basic idea on how to engage themselves outside the four walls of the university than waiting for white collar jobs. Studies in entrepreneurship exposes students to the ingredients prerequisite for self – employment. Students are therefore expected to have the basics of entrepreneurship and new venture creation; entrepreneurship theories; requirements for starting a new business; sources of financing a business; steps in conducting feasibility study; basic managerial/entrepreneurial skills; financial management; record keeping; ICT in the operations of business; marketing concept; issues of insurance; legal aspects of running a business in Nigeria; possible business opportunities in Nigeria; and so on.