Sustainable Social Development

This course will discuss the concept of development, its goals and attainment criteria. Emphasis will be laid on social and environmental sustainability and poverty reduction. Issues in international benchmark for identifying and managing environmental and social risk management will be interrogated. Furthermore, performance standards, targets and goals to improve public health practices internationally will be discoursed.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

1. Appreciate basic principles of Sustainable Development: Understand the core concepts of sustainability, such as environmental preservation, social equity, and economic viability.
2. Appreciate the issues in development studies: Acknowledge key issues like poverty, inequality, climate change, and the global challenges faced in achieving sustainable development.
3. Apply principles of sustainable development to various spheres of life: Integrate sustainability practices into everyday actions, from reducing waste to promoting social justice and responsible consumption.
4. Add value to their organizations: Implement sustainable practices within the organization to improve operational efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and enhance social responsibility.

This course covers fundamental concepts such as experimental and non-experimental designs correlational research design, process of pattern detection among others. Furthermore, survey designs with questionnaire assumptions. The process of computerizing a research design will also be discussed. Steps in processing and displaying of social standards data will be discussed. Lastly, research methodology and practice evaluation will be explored.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

1. Understand the basic principles of research: Grasp the foundational concepts, such as hypothesis formulation, research design, data collection, and analysis.
2. Apply their knowledge of both quantitative and qualitative data in research: Utilize quantitative methods (numerical data analysis) and qualitative methods (thematic and content analysis) to generate comprehensive insights.
3. Add value to knowledge that is scientific: Contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge by producing reliable, valid, and applicable findings that inform decision-making and future research.

The course will trace the historical developments of social standards practice in Nigeria from its British and American origins. It will expose the students to the state of Social standards discipline/profession and Social Welfare services (government and non-governmental/voluntary) provided in contemporary Nigerian society. The basic concepts of the discipline, the prospects and challenges, as well as current issues of debate that affect individuals, families, communities and the larger society will be identified and discussed. Emphasis will be laid on the traditional cultural values of care, roles of the family in care and helping services in the past and present Nigerian society.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

1. Understand the historical development of social standards practice: Gain insight into the evolution of social standards, including key milestones and changes over time.
2. Apply their knowledge in social standards discourse to address challenges: Use understanding of social standards to tackle contemporary challenges such as inequality, human rights, and social justice in various sectors.
3. Add value to workplace and individuals and communities: Implement social standards to improve organizational practices, enhance employee well-being, and contribute to the development of healthier, more equitable communities.

The course aims to give participants a basic understanding of the definitions of basic concepts in gender, the social construction of gender and gender identities, and how these have impacted on social policies, and social work practice. The course will expose students to key concepts in the analysis of social relations between men and women in different cultural, economic and political contexts. It will particularly build students’ capacity to recognize gender issues in Nigeria, the social and economic status of women and the implications for Social Standards Practice.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

1. Understand the historical development of social standards practice: Gain insight into the evolution of social standards, including key milestones and changes over time.
2. Apply their knowledge in social standards discourse to address challenges: Use understanding of social standards to tackle contemporary challenges such as inequality, human rights, and social justice in various sectors.
3. Add value to workplace and individuals and communities: Implement social standards to improve organizational practices, enhance employee well-being, and contribute to the development of healthier, more equitable communities.

This course will discuss the competing philosophic and ideological models of the role of the state in the provision of and planning for social welfare services to individual, family and community. Historical and comparative approaches to the problems of social policy and planning will be discussed. The theories of formal organisation and social Administration in human services will also be discussed. Key concepts such as control, coordination, budgeting and personnel management will be examined. The nexus between social policy, planning and administration will also be explored.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

1. Understand the basic theories and principles of social policy and administration: Familiarize yourself with key theories, such as welfare state theory, public administration principles, and policy analysis frameworks.
2. Apply the knowledge to solving problems in formal organizations: Use the principles of social policy and administration to address organizational issues, improve efficiency, and ensure equitable outcomes for all stakeholders.
3. Add value to the workplace: Implement policies and practices that foster a supportive, ethical, and productive work environment, enhancing both employee satisfaction and organizational success.

The course deals with the relationship between law (as an institution) and society. A critical analysis of the relationship between law and social structure; legislation, law enforcement, and the public will also be examined. Particular attention will be paid to the discussion of law and conflict resolutions, judicial behaviour, and the legal profession.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

1. Have a basic understanding of the law in relation to social institutions: Understand the role of law in regulating and shaping the functioning of various social institutions like family, education, and the workplace.
2. Apply their knowledge of law in resolving conflicts: Use legal knowledge to mediate disputes, promote justice, and find fair solutions to conflicts in both personal and professional settings.
3. Add value to society: Contribute to a just and orderly society by advocating for legal reforms, upholding the rule of law, and ensuring that legal rights are accessible to all.

The content of this course addresses legal issues in social standards. Emphasis will be place on the social standards practitioner working with individuals, families, groups, communities and organisation reflecting a broad spectrum of racial, ethnic sexual, gender and cultural backgrounds. Social Issues such as perspectives on culture, sexual orientation, social change, and advocacy are explored in the context of social workers roles and responsibilities and functions. Additionally, issues related to organisational culture, social inequalities and deprivations; and human displacement within a fast-changing world will be explored. Most importantly, humanitarian response and management of resources in the face of crises constitutes an important aspect of the course.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

1. Have a basic understanding of the law in relation to social standards: Understand how legal frameworks intersect with social standards, including human rights, equality, and environmental laws.
2. Apply their knowledge of law in resolving problems: Use legal knowledge to address social issues, such as discrimination, labor rights violations, and ensuring compliance with social regulations.
3. Add value to society: Contribute to the betterment of society by promoting legal awareness, supporting justice, and advocating for the protection and advancement of social standards.

This course exposes students on the social standards in emergency situations and the various strategies of handling emergencies in different localities based on the magnitude and intensity. The social worker will be exposed to various skills required to offer practical social response in the event of a disaster and basic first aid information that they can administer. Also, various forms of social and health voluntary organisations as well as the methods employed by selected agencies will be explored. The role of international organisations and global instruments governing humanitarian responses will also be evaluated.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

1. Have a basic understanding of Emergency and Humanitarian management: Gain foundational knowledge in crisis response, disaster management, and the principles of humanitarian aid.
2. Apply their knowledge and skills in solving problems: Use expertise in emergency management to address urgent challenges, coordinate relief efforts, and support affected communities.
3. Add value to humanitarian organizations and society: Contribute to improving disaster preparedness, response effectiveness, and the overall impact of humanitarian organizations in enhancing societal resilience.

The course will also focus on methods aimed at increasing the level of social functioning of displaced, stigmatized and other marginalized societal members. The theories of contributions of Stone Quist, Ewancenski, Marx, Freud, Oscar Lewis, E. Urwin Goffman, Valentine, Farsons, and Newton to the understanding of the situation of the displaced and disadvantaged people will be examined. The role of individual counselling, community organisation and societal policy, research and planning in the rehabilitation of these groups will be examined. Attention will be paid to special categories of people needing rehabilitation.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

1. Appreciate basic principles of welfare and rehabilitation: Understand the foundational concepts of welfare, social care, and rehabilitation, focusing on supporting vulnerable individuals and communities.
2. Appreciate the contributions of key proponents: Acknowledge the work and impact of key figures who have influenced the field of welfare and rehabilitation, such as social workers, policymakers, and researchers.
3. Apply rehabilitation principles in the care of the vulnerable in society: Use principles of rehabilitation to support individuals in need, including those affected by disability, addiction, or trauma, ensuring their reintegration into society.
4. Value addition to their organizations: Implement strategies that improve the welfare of vulnerable groups, enhancing the effectiveness and social impact of their organization’s initiatives.

This course will discuss organisation role, relationship values and beliefs in the practice of medical and mental health. The societal perception of mental institution and the practice of mental health will be discussed. As a standard promotion of health human resources and management, the course will examine mode of engagement, distinguish prognosis in medical and mental health. Ethics and culture of mental health in service delivery and utilisation will be discussed. The need for improved medical and mental health care with more collaborative model will be examined. Community health care role in promoting medical and mental health will be discussed.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

1. Appreciate basic principles of health and health care delivery: Understand fundamental concepts related to health, healthcare systems, and the delivery of medical services to communities.
2. Apply their knowledge of physical, mental, and social health to the workplace: Integrate knowledge of holistic health (physical, mental, and social) to create a healthier, more supportive work environment.
3. Promote medical and mental health of the community: Advocate for and contribute to community health initiatives that improve access to healthcare services and support mental well-being.

This course aims to give participants a basic understanding of the role of gender in community development. The course will present obstacles for women in community driven development. Students will be exposed to the Gender and Development (GAD) approach and Women in Development – WID with emphasis on differences and convergence. Furthermore, consideration will be given to social standards practices that emphasize equity and equality in gender representative for purpose of development.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course. students should be able to:

1. Understand the basic issues and approaches to gender and community development: Grasp key concepts surrounding gender roles, equality, and the strategies used to promote community development with a focus on gender sensitivity.
2. Apply their knowledge in gender discourses: Use understanding of gender issues to engage in discussions, policies, and practices that promote gender equality and social inclusion.
3. Add value to the lives of both genders in all spheres of life: Advocate for and implement actions that ensure equal opportunities, rights, and support for all individuals, regardless of gender, in education, employment, and other areas of life.

This course will explain the specific and operational defunct ion of social impact assessment (SIA) and how it (SIA) is as a process of identifying and managing the social impacts of industrial projects. The various application areas of SIA in projects will be described. A comprehensive guide for social impact assessment in line with international best practices will be discussed. Distinctions will be made between Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and social Impact Assessment (SIA).

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course. students should be able to:

1. Understand the principles of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment: Grasp the core concepts and methodologies used to evaluate the environmental and social effects of projects or activities.
2. Apply their knowledge in solving environmental and social problems: Use the principles of impact assessment to address challenges related to sustainability, environmental conservation, and social equity.
3. Add value to the workplace and lives of individuals and communities: Implement strategies that reduce negative impacts and promote positive outcomes for both the environment and communities, enhancing overall well-being.

The course will examine social institutions and social standard on how the society is governed or functioned and the expectations of people/individuals based on such institutions. Examples of these institutions are the church, marriage, school and family.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course. students should be able to:

1. Understand the basic concept of social institution: Grasp the definition and significance of social institutions, such as family, education, and religion, in shaping societal norms and behavior.
2. Apply their knowledge in solving social and other problems: Utilize understanding of social institutions to address issues like inequality, discrimination, and social injustice in various contexts.
3. Add value to the workplace and lives of individuals and communities: Foster an inclusive and supportive environment that leverages the principles of social institutions to improve the well-being of individuals and communities.

This course focuses on the use of advance statistical methods for social standards related data. Emphasis will be placed on analysis of descriptive data involving socio-economic variables such as age, social status, income and education as they affect different aspects of social standards such vulnerability, health seeking, service delivery and utilization. Beyond mere descriptive analysis cross tabulation of bivariate and multivariate data will be discussed. Methods such as regression, correlation, factor analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA) will be discussed. For purpose of projections, time series analysis will be examined to aid in examining best-fit in social relations.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course. students should be able to:

1. Understand the basic research methods and data analysis: Familiarize yourself with common research methods, such as surveys, experiments, and observational studies, and the techniques used to analyze data.
2. Apply their knowledge of statistics in understanding relationships between variables: Use statistical tools to analyze data and identify patterns or relationships between variables, aiding in better decision-making.
3. Use their research findings to solve problems and add value to society: Apply research results to address real-world problems, improving processes, policies, and outcomes that benefit individuals and communities.

At the end of second semester, students will be required to go on fieldwork placement over family casework, medical social Standards, community development and school social work/youth development. The course offers the student an educational experience in a social service agency under the supervision of a qualified professional. The purpose of the course is to integrate materials gained in academic course with practice in the field. At the end of the placement, the student will be expected to submit a field practicum report to the Department using a departmental format.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course. students should be able to:

1. Harness the knowledge they have gained in their course work: Leverage the theoretical and practical knowledge gained during the course to address real-world challenges.
2. Apply their academic experience to field practice: Transfer academic learning into practical solutions and actions in professional environments or fieldwork.
3. Solve social problems and add value to the organization: Use the skills and knowledge acquired to identify and resolve social issues, while contributing to the improvement and success of the organization.

The course will be divided into three parts: (i) Family Counselling, (ii) Child Protection and (iii) Youth Development. The first part will examine the functions of the family and the various social problems affecting the family. Issues such as marital dispute, separation, divorce, child custody, alibi/maintenance allowances, kindred casework will be also presented and discussed. The second part begins with the conception of life, growth and birth. The course further discusses the physical, cognitive and social development of the child. The impact of various parenting styles on the child is also discussed. Finally, Convention on the Right of the Child (CRC), the child development policy and the Child Rights Act (2003) and all other legal provisions for child development, survival, participation and protection will be discussed. In the third part, the theories and practice of social group work, the interactionist, preventive and rehabilitative approaches to social group work will be considered. The therapeutic group will also be examined. Leadership development programmes will also be presented for discussion.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students should be familiar with:

1. Understand the basic issues and theories about the Family, Children, and Youth: Gain an understanding of key concepts and theories related to the family unit, child development, and youth dynamics within society.
2. Appreciate the legal provisions and other provisions that are in place: Acknowledge the legal frameworks and social policies that protect the rights and well-being of families, children, and youth.
3. Use their knowledge to solve social problems and add value to society: Apply this understanding to address challenges such as child welfare, family support, and youth empowerment, contributing to the overall improvement of society.

This course will examine the standards in labour and employment relating to factory and work place. The Factory Act and Compensation Acts; provisions regarding health, safety, welfare, working hours, holidays, leave and wages will also be examined. The course will also give attention to issues concerning employment of women and young persons, penalties, mining legislation, etc. and the Nigeria Labour Law as it relates to individual employers, employees and associations. Special attention is paid to aspects of the Law dealing with wages, job security and employment dismissals, damages and redundancy, condition of work in factories, National Provident Fund etc. The law as it relates to trade unions, industrial courts, arbitration panels and related organs would also be focused.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Have a basic understanding of the law in relation to social institutions and labour issues: Understand the legal frameworks that govern social institutions (such as family, education, and healthcare) and labor-related matters (such as workers' rights, employment laws, and workplace regulations).
2. Apply their knowledge of law in resolving problems: Use legal knowledge to mediate disputes, resolve conflicts, and find lawful solutions to issues related to social institutions and labor.
3. Add value to society: Contribute to society by promoting legal awareness, ensuring fairness in social and labor practices, and advocating for policies that protect individuals and uphold justice.

The course focuses on the individual, the school, the home and the community as interacting processes that affect and influence learning competence in school. Problems such as larceny, aggressiveness, truancy and other forms of delinquent behaviour will be analysed. Mental retardation, child enuresis, physical deformity, sexual deviance, environmental and social pressures, alienation, drug use and abuse as they affect the individual in the school environment will be discussed. Issues and methods in the practice of school social standards will be discussed. The course will also help students to develop the knowledge and skills of social standards workers in the school systems. Issues pertinent to vulnerable children and youth, individual and family intervention and advocacy at the public school level will be explored. The study of social standards practice in the Nigerian primary, secondary and tertiary educational institutions will be highlighted.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Have a basic understanding of social standards in relation to education: Understand the key social standards and policies that shape the education system, including access, equality, and quality of education.
2. Apply their knowledge and skills in solving problems of education: Use knowledge of social standards to address challenges in education, such as improving access, equity, and quality of education for all learners.
3. Add value to society: Contribute to the betterment of society by promoting educational reforms, supporting inclusive education practices, and advocating for the improvement of educational systems.

This course will discuss the competing philosophic and ideological models of the role of the state in the provision of and planning for social welfare services to individual, family and community. Historical and comparative approaches to the problems of social policy and planning will be discussed. The theories of formal organisation and social Administration in human services will also be discussed. Key concepts such as control, coordination, budgeting, and personnel management will be examined. The nexus between social policy, planning and administration will also be explored.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Have a basic understanding of organisation and administration of social welfare: Understand the structure, processes, and key principles involved in managing social welfare programs and services.
2. Apply their knowledge and skills in solving problems: Use their understanding of social welfare to address challenges related to poverty, inequality, and the well-being of vulnerable populations.
3. Add value to humanitarian organisations and society: Contribute to enhancing the effectiveness of humanitarian organizations and improve the overall well-being of society by promoting social welfare initiatives and policies.

This course will make a clear distinction between criminal behaviour and deviance. Individual and group behaviour of adults and juveniles that are classified as crime and delinquency will be discussed. The intervention between the criminal justice system intervention in crime and delinquency will be properly discussed. Theories of crime and deviance, typology of criminal behaviour and juvenile delinquency

Learning Outcomes

1. Have a basic understanding of crime, delinquency, and the criminal justice system: Understand the key concepts of crime, delinquency, and the structure and functioning of the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, courts, and corrections.
2. Apply their knowledge and skills in addressing the problems in the criminal justice system: Use their knowledge to tackle challenges within the criminal justice system, such as reducing crime rates, addressing juvenile delinquency, and ensuring fair and just legal processes.
3. Improve the security of lives and property in society: Contribute to the safety and security of communities by promoting effective crime prevention strategies, law enforcement practices, and policies that protect lives and property.

This course describes the phenomenon of climate change within the framework of the environment. Climate change, its impacts, vulnerabilities and adaptation in developing countries will be interrogated. The effects of climate change on natural resources and communities will be discussed. Furthermore, the interrelationship between health and climate change will be discussed.

Learning Outcomes

1. Have a basic understanding of the link between the environment and climate change: Understand how environmental changes, such as deforestation, pollution, and carbon emissions, contribute to climate change and its impact on the planet.
2. Apply their knowledge and skills in addressing the problems of climate change: Use their understanding of environmental science and climate change to develop solutions, promote sustainability, and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on society and ecosystems.