Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
In addition or parallel to its primary research activities, the Flowers School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences offers postgraduate and undergraduate level non-degree career-enhancement courses.
SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES, ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
OVERVIEW AND MISSION
Flowers School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences courses are designed to providing hands-on practical approaches to how to successfully master and apply, among others, leadership, conflict management and entrepreneurship skills as well as equipping students to pursue a long-term career within the discipline in a variety of fields.
Regional Integration
IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS:
African countries are vigorously using regional co-operation and integration as a strategy to achieve sustainable economic growth and development as well as be an effective and major player in the global marketplace. However the pace of integration has been slow and progress is very mixed. Cognisance of the slow pace of a continent-wide integration, African leadership has provided a framework under which the integration agenda would be carried out. This framework is enshrined in the 1991 Abuja Treaty of African Heads of State and Government. Under the framework of the Treaty, Africa would become an economic union by 2027, with a common currency, full mobility of the factors of production and free trade among the 53 countries that make up the continent.
To achieve this vision, the Treaty suggests that the process of integration or the creation of Africa Economic Community (AEC) be carried out over a period of 34 years (1994-2027), in six different stages of different duration: (1) to establish free trade areas and custom unions at the regional level; (2) to stabilize existing tariff and non-tariff barriers, customs duties and internal taxes as well strengthen sectoral integration at the sub-regional and continental levels in areas such as trade, agriculture, transport, money and finance; (3) to create free trade areas and customs unions at the level of the RECs; (4) to coordinate and harmonize tariff and non-tariff barriers among RECs, setting the stage for a free trade area and a customs union at the AEC level.; (5) to establish the African Common Market; and (6) to establish the African Economic Community (AEC) culminating in the creation of a Pan-African Economic and Monetary Union with a single currency for the continent.
PROFESSOR RAPHAEL O. OLANIYAN
Course Author & Faculty
ALFRED LATIGO PhD
Course Author & Faculty
JOIN THE NEXT MAINSTREAMING REGIONAL INTEGRATION COURSE
Overview
A KEY CHALLENGE...
A key challenge in RI is the slow implementation of integration process by African countries arising from lack of necessary institutional mechanisms for achieving their objectives. This is often evident in inconsistencies between national legislation and integration commitments and mechanisms and in the absence of strong enforcement mechanisms. RI initiatives require a large degree of public management and implementation at national levels. Without an absolute commitment to implementation at the national level, there can be no progress at the sub-regional and continental levels. Therefore, doing nothing or little to implement agreed programs at the national level can severely hamper the integration agenda.
COURSE SCOPE
Overview: Regional Integration (RI) Process; Types of Regional Integration; What is Mainstreaming RI?; The Challenges of Mainstreaming Regional Integration;
A Framework for Mainstreaming RI in National Development Plans: Phase I – Making the Case – Understanding the Linkages between RI, National Development Plans and Socio-Economic Development; Phase 2: Assessing the Status of Domesticating RI in Regional Economic Communities (RECs); Phase 3: National Planning Process & Entry Points for RI; Phase 4: Engagement with the National Development Process; Phase 5: Building National Implementation Capacity.
COURSE TOPICS
Public/global health law, International law, Refugee/migrant health, Internally displaced populations, Indigenous populations, Children in war, Sexual and gender violence, African human rights systems, Mental health, Post-colonial studies, Decolonizing cultures, Pre-colonial history of Africa.
LEVERAGING INTEGRATION
To foster integration and turn it into leverage for development, member States have to come out with clear “mainstreaming” strategies for domesticating the Africa-wide RI agenda into National Development Plans (NDPs). The process of mainstreaming refers to the systematic integration of the objectives and related initiatives of RI as well as the process of creating ownership of the agenda into the overall NDPs, poverty reduction strategies and in the society in order to attain the “popular legitimacy” necessary for the success of RI. More broadly, the concept of mainstreaming RI should ultimately contribute to economic growth, poverty alleviation and overall socio-economic development. Though crucial to Africa’s development, the concept of mainstreaming RI is still little understood or practiced, hence the need to build the capacity to implement it in African countries.
PRINCIPLES OF COUNTRY-LED PROCESS
Core Subjects:
- Regional Integration (RI): Concepts and Theories
- National Development Plans
- Regional Economic Communities (RECs): Experience in Regionalism
- Macroeconomic Policy and Institutional Convergence
- Income Convergence
- National Integration Institutions and Capacity
- Regional Infrastructure
- Intra-Africa Trade & International Trade
PREREQUISITES AND OBJECTIVES
University degree in Economics, Development, Engineering, Social Sciences and related fields required. Although prior knowledge in RI is not a prerequisite, the course will be particularly important for those officials already working in governments, RECs, UN, AfDB, the Private Sector, NGOs, and other institutions concerned with planning, implementing and monitoring & evaluation of RI.
Upon completion, the course participant will gain practical understanding and deeper insights in the application of the framework for Mainstreaming RI in National Development Plans. Overall, the course participant will be able to plan, schedule manage, monitor and evaluate the process of RI at national and regional levels.
Browse Courses
NEGOTIATION AND MEDIATION
ORGANISATIONAL CONFLICT MANAGEMENT
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
DEMOCRACY AND LEADERSHIP
CREATIVE WRITING & AUTHORPRENEURSHIP
BASIC RESEARCH METHODS
APPLIED STATISTICS
ACADEMIC WRITING AND PUBLICATION
NEGOTIATION AND MEDIATION
Negotiation and Mediation
Negotiation and Mediation is a course on the two fundamental peaceful methods of conflict resolution, considering the conflict at hand, the different methods of dealing with it and their success conditions. Every day families, neighbours, businesses and nations face the dilemma of how to get to “yes” without escalating the conflict or damaging relationships. To help you understand and apply mediation and negotiation in different situations and settings, this course gives you an overview of the methods and research findings as well as provides a practical approach for negotiating agreements amicably in every day life.
Course Scope:
Understanding of conflict, Methods of peaceful conflict resolution (mediation and negotiation), Research findings on conditions for successful conflict resolution, Presentation of mediation and negotiation techniques, Applying conflict resolution techniques.
Course Level:
Offered through an engaging mode of delivery, the course is designed for highly motivated individuals of diverse backgrounds who are looking forward to getting to know conflict resolution methods on a theoretical level as well as learning how to apply them in disputes, concerning relatives, friends, employees, business partners, nations, etc.
Teaching Method:
Course sessions generally include weekly online tuition, providing the main aspects of conflict resolution methods, mediation and negotiation and related topics. In addition to theories, findings and case studies presented by the instructor, students practice acquired knowledge via exercises, discussions and case study analysis.
ORGANISATIONAL CONFLICT MANAGEMENT
Organisational Conflict Management
All of us experience conflict. The potential for conflict can be found in any kind of relationship: between friends, family members, working colleagues or even strangers. Conflicts can arise when the attainment of one person’s goal means the failure of the other person to attain their own personal objective.
The most important thing about conflict is to learn how to manage or resolve it in a constructive way. A critical step in resolving conflict is developing an understanding of shared goals. Openness to compromise solutions enables mutual benefits.
In this course, you will learn about effective conflict management strategies, encompassing communication, facilitation and negotiation skills, and how to deal with interpersonal conflicts at the workplace.
Course Objectives:
At the end of this course, the course participant will be able to:
- Understand what conflict is and how it can escalate;
- Be able to recognise and differentiate the most common conflict management methods;
- Increase positive information flow, through non-verbal and verbal communication skills;
- Understand and develop effective negotiation and mediation techniques;
- Become more confident of your ability to manage conflicts to enhance productivity and performance as well as improve relationships
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
International Relations
The purpose of this course is to introduce you to the fundamental principles of international relations. We will examine the theories of realism, liberalism and constructivism as they are understood in world politics. We will also explore issues that relate to the politics of conflict, diplomacy, environmental concerns, human rights, and examine the role of Africa in international relations. At the end of this course, you will have a comprehensive understanding of the basic principles and concepts of International Relations, as well as the ability to critically examine the global political system.
Course Topics
Introduction to international relations; the nation-state system; realism; liberalism; constructivism; globalisation; clash of civilisations; human rights; environmental issues; diplomacy; non-state actors; Africa in international relations.
Objectives
- Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
- Discuss and explain key theories in international relations.
- Outline the historical development of interstate relations and the place of the nation state in that development.
- Describe the differences between national and transnational actors in the international arena.
- Identify and discuss issues related to human rights.
- Identify and discuss global environmental issues.
DEMOCRACY AND LEADERSHIP
Democracy and Leadership: A Way of Life
The Democracy and Leadership: A Way of Life course introduces highly motivated individuals to the fundamental principles of Democracy and Leadership as a core competence for good leadership in African communities. Designed for an audience of diverse professional fields, the course participants will gain essential tools to develop their own leadership styles and map out executable frameworks that can help their local communities or organisations thrive.
Course Topics
- So what is Democracy about?
- Human Dignity – the Core Value of Democracy
- Is Democracy a Western Concept?
- Understanding Leadership
- Paradigms of Leadership
- Developing Leadership Core Schemes
- Linking Democracy and Leadership
Prerequisites:
The core components of the course are designed for an audience of undergraduate standing and highly motivated individuals of diverse backgrounds. Senior Executives, Managers and Leaders at all levels benefit from this one semester course. The course assumes no prior knowledge of the subject material.
Objectives
The course is designed to:
- Help course participants to better understand and harness the core values of democracy and good leadership in one’s community.
- Highlight the meaning of human dignity in relation to human rights and respect for human security as a foundation for a healthy community – and leadership within.
- Widen the leadership horizon of Africans to enable them to help their communities, societies and nations to develop positively with respect to people’s living conditions.
- Help African refugees, former refugees, victims of war, underprivileged, those with access to education, etc., to strive for transformation into good leaders in Africa.
- Clarify existing Leadership paradigms and to help individuals to tap into their inner resources and the resources in their communities.
- Motivate course participants to apply the core competences for societal development.
CREATIVE WRITING & AUTHORPRENEURSHIP
Creative Writing & Authorpreneurship
How many times have you tried to unleash your writing potential but failed to do so due to perhaps procrastination or lack of motivation? How many books have you stopped half-way reading simply because you’d thought you could have written better than the author? Have you written a book now? Do you have a story idea you intend to develop? Are you writing a story with difficulty? Is it your dream to have your story published and released both in print and audio? If there is at least one YES in your responses, then this is your opportunity to learn how to plan, draft and complete a 90,000-word novel in 50 days or less… Plus how to get published… and Plus how to successfully market your work online and offline.
If you’ve survived a civil war, an unspeakable ordeal, plane crash, shipwreck, it’s a book. If you’re a top athlete, you’re a book. If you hold the national eating competition, it’s a book. If you’re a big drug cheat, you’re a book. If you’ve told one interesting story a thousand times, tell it once more in a book. If you’re a cancer survivor, you’re a living book. If people are amazed to hear your life experiences, you have a book in you. Unleash your writing potential… and marry the basic skills in Entrepreneurship and Authorship to become an Authorpreneur.
Core Topics Covered:
This Creative Writing and Authorpreneurship self-help-driven course material is about guiding you to quit talking and begin doing; and to bundle your knowledge, interests, hobbies, expertise, passion, skills, talents, motivational speaking, and all the good stuffs you’re good at, into a published book for your many potential readers in-wait.
- Introduction to Authorpreneurship
- Writing the Book Proposal
- How to Write a Novel in 50 Days
- Preparing your Manuscript (MSS)
- Querying the Literary Agent
- Creating Niche Information Materials
- Introduction to eNewsletter Business
- Developing Your Business Website
- Marketing Campaign Schemes
- Brand Management
BASIC RESEARCH METHODS
Basic Research Methods
This course is an introductory course. It is intended to provide basic information on how to carry out simple research within your local community. Research findings can be used to drive policy change and/or improve intervention programs. Upon completing the course, each student is expected to have the capability to:
- Write a simple research proposal
- Apply for small research grants
- Engage their local communities in research
- Analyze research data investigate/evaluate “outsider” doing research in their community
Course Topics
- Introduction: Why Research?
- Tools of Research: Measurement, Resources & Strategy
- Formulated Research Question/Problem
- Research Designs
- Literature Review
- Qualitative Study: Semi-Structured Interviews
- Quantitative Study: Surveys/Questionnaire
- Case Study
- Research and Ethics
- Researching the Vulnerable
- Planning a research project
- Conducting a basic research
APPLIED STATISTICS
Applied Statistics
Course Scope
Quantitative Analysis I is a course on the fundamental concepts and methods of statistics, covering topics such as averages, frequency distribution tables, stem & leaf diagrams, data analysis and use of probability tools such as correlation. Many jobs or professions require you to make objective decisions based upon statistical data. To help you make these kinds of decisions, this course shows you how to collect, analyse, and interpret data correctly. The course also shows you how to present data in ways that are clear and accurate.
Quantitative Analysis I Course Content: Collecting and recording data; Averages and spread; Processing data; Representing data; Interpreting data; Scatter graphs and relationships; Probability; Regression.
Quantitative Analysis II is a course on the representation of sample data and methods of summarizing data. It also involves the use of probability tools such as correlation, regression analysis, as well as use of random variables, the Binomial, Poisson, Normal and Continuous Distributions and Hypothesis Tests to interpret data. Many jobs or professions require you to make objective decisions based upon statistical data you have collected and analysed accurately. To help you make these kinds of decisions, this course shows you how to collect, analyze, and interpret data correctly. The course also shows you how to present data in ways that are clear and accurate upon which management of companies and organization can based their decisions.
Quantitative Analysis II Course Content: Representation of sample data; Methods for summarising sample data; Methods for Summarising data (dispersion); Probability; Correlation; Regression; Discrete random variable; The normal distribution; The binomial and Poisson distributions; Continuous random variables; Hypothesis tests.
ACADEMIC WRITING AND PUBLICATION
Academic Writing and Publication
This is an introductory course in grammar and composition that benefits students who aspire university education and/or publishing. It may also interest anyone who desires to improve his/her language proficiency or planning to return to school after a long break. The course will help participants develop basic academic/university style communication and composition. Topics include grammar, parts of speech, sentence and paragraph structure, constitution of academic paper, and gathering information to write and publish.
Course Topics
Section I: Back to Basics
- Grammar, Parts of Speech
- Using Verb Forms, Tense, Agreement and Idioms
- Using Phrases and Clauses
Section II: Witing the Paper
- Your Audience, Purpose and Expected Outcome
- Types of Essays
- Types of Research Papers
Section III: Writing Publishable Materials
- Constructing Good Thesis Statement or Research Question
- Constituents of Research Papers
- Getting Published - Newspapers, Magazines, Books and Journals