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POL345

Nigeria's Foreign Polity

This course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of Nigeria's foreign policy. It explores the meanings, components, and historical development of Nigeria's foreign policy, as well as the factors that determine it. The course examines Nigeria's Afro-centric policy, its relations with great powers, and its role in international organizations. Students will gain knowledge on Nigeria's bilateral relations, contributions to international bodies, and efforts in promoting unity, development, peace, and security in Africa.

About this course

Difficulty
Intermediate
Study hours
208 hours
Maths
None
Content
Theoretical, case study
Practical work
No
How it is assessed
  • Assignments
  • Tutor marked assessments
  • Final examination

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

POL345 · UNIT 1: MEANINGS AND COMPONENTS OF FOREIGN POLICY

From the above backdrop paraphrase, you will notice that only domestic category was briefly highlighted. It is because our interest is particularly on foreign policy and that will subsequently constitute our next line of consideration.

What you should be able to do

  1. Understand the meanings, components, and historical development of Nigeria's foreign policy.
  2. Gain in-depth knowledge on the factors that determine Nigeria's foreign policy.
  3. Familiarize with the formulation and mechanisms for implementation of Nigeria's foreign policy.
  4. Understand the origin and necessity for Nigeria's Afro-centric bent.
  5. Appreciate Nigeria's efforts in promoting unity, development, peace, and security in Africa.
  6. Gain knowledge on Nigeria's bilateral relations with the Great powers.
  7. Appreciate the role played by Nigeria in international and in sub-regional organizations.

What it prepares you for

Careers
  • Diplomat
  • International Relations Specialist
  • Policy Analyst
  • Political Scientist
  • International Development Officer
Where it is applied
  • Government
  • International Organizations
  • Non-Governmental Organizations
  • Research Institutions
  • Diplomacy

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

  • Module 1: Background to Nigeria's Foreign Policy

    Unit 3: Factors that Determine Nigeria's Foreign Policy

    Understanding the interplay of internal and external factors requires critical analysis of complex historical and political dynamics.

  • Module 3: Nigeria Relations With Great Powers

    Unit 3: Nigeria Relations with Russia

    Analyzing the historical context and shifting alliances requires understanding of Cold War politics and post-colonial power dynamics.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 82 hours in total. Yours will differ.

  1. Week 1Module 1: Background to Nigeria's Foreign Policy
    • Unit 1: Meanings and Components of Foreign Policy · 4 hours

      Define policy and foreign policy.. Identify and explain the components of foreign policy.. Discuss the relationship between national interest and foreign policy..

  2. Week 2Module 1: Background to Nigeria's Foreign Policy
    • Unit 2: Historical Development of Nigeria's Foreign Policy · 6 hours

      Discuss the origin and development of Nigeria's foreign policy.. Explain the constitutional provisions and modification of Nigeria's foreign policy objectives.. Analyze the evolution of Nigeria's foreign policy from 1960 to 2008..

  3. Week 3Module 1: Background to Nigeria's Foreign Policy
    • Unit 2: Historical Development of Nigeria's Foreign Policy · 6 hours

      Continue studying the origin and development of Nigeria's foreign policy.. Analyze the constitutional provisions and modification of Nigeria's foreign policy objectives.. Complete tutor-marked assignment for Unit 2..

  4. Week 4Module 1: Background to Nigeria's Foreign Policy
    • Unit 2: Historical Development of Nigeria's Foreign Policy · 6 hours

      Continue studying the origin and development of Nigeria's foreign policy.. Analyze the constitutional provisions and modification of Nigeria's foreign policy objectives.. Complete tutor-marked assignment for Unit 2..

  5. Week 5Module 1: Background to Nigeria's Foreign Policy
    • Unit 3: Factors that Determine Nigeria's Foreign Policy · 4 hours

      Explain how national interests determine foreign policy.. Analyze the impact of economic structure, strategic location, and political structure on foreign policy.. Discuss the influence of socio-cultural factors, leadership, military, and demography on foreign policy..

    • Unit 4: Formulation and Mechanisms for Implementation of Nigeria's Foreign Policy · 4 hours

      Discuss the institutional framework for policy making and implementation.. Explain the role of think tanks in foreign policy.. Identify and explain the instruments for conducting Nigeria's foreign policy..

  6. Week 6Module 2: Nigeria's Afro-centric Policy
    • Unit 1: Origin and Necessity for Nigeria's Afro-centric Policy · 4 hours

      Discuss the origin of Nigeria's Afro-centric policy.. Explain the factors that necessitated Nigeria's Afro-centric policy.. State Nigeria's Afro-centric policy objectives..

    • Unit 2: Nigeria's Effort in Ending Apartheid and Decolonization of Africa · 4 hours

      Discuss Nigeria's role in ending apartheid and decolonization of Africa.. Analyze the impact of Nigeria's efforts on the liberation of African countries.. Complete tutor-marked assignment for Module 2, Units 1 and 2..

  7. Week 7Module 2: Nigeria's Afro-centric Policy
    • Unit 3: Nigeria's Effort Towards the Unity and Development of Africa · 4 hours

      Discuss Nigeria's efforts towards the unity of Africa.. Explain Nigeria's efforts towards the economic development of Africa.. Analyze the impact of Nigeria's contributions to African unity and development..

    • Unit 4: Nigeria's Effort in Promoting Peace and Security in Africa · 4 hours

      Discuss Nigeria's efforts in promoting peace and security in Africa.. Analyze the impact of Nigeria's contributions to peace and security in the continent.. Complete tutor-marked assignment for Module 2, Units 3 and 4..

  8. Week 8Module 3: Nigeria Relations With Great Powers
    • Unit 1: Nigeria Relations with United Kingdom (UK) · 6 hours

      Examine Nigeria's relations with the United Kingdom.. Analyze the impact of the civil war, coup d'etat, and diplomatic incidents on Nigeria-UK relations.. Discuss the economic aspects of Nigeria-UK bilateral relations..

  9. Week 9Module 3: Nigeria Relations With Great Powers
    • Unit 2: Nigeria Relations with United States (US) · 6 hours

      Examine Nigeria's relations with the United States.. Analyze the impact of African issues, election annulment, and human rights on Nigeria-US relations.. Discuss the trade, investment, debt relief, and terrorism aspects of Nigeria-US relations..

  10. Week 10Module 3: Nigeria Relations With Great Powers
    • Unit 3: Nigeria Relations with Russia · 6 hours

      Discuss how the civil war influenced Nigeria-USSR (Russia) relations.. Explain the economic aspects of Nigeria-Russia relations.. Complete tutor-marked assignment for Module 3, Units 1, 2, and 3..

  11. Week 11Module 3: Nigeria Relations With Great Powers
    • Unit 4: Nigeria Relations with France · 6 hours

      Identify and discuss the cases of confrontation in Nigeria-France relations.. Discuss the cases of harmony and uncertainty in Nigeria-France relations.. Complete tutor-marked assignment for Module 3, Unit 4..

  12. Week 12Module 4: Nigeria's Role in International Organizations
    • Unit 1: Nigeria in United Nations Organization (UNO) · 6 hours

      State and explain Nigeria's contributions to the United Nations Organization (UNO).. Discuss Nigeria's benefits as a member of UNO.. Analyze the impact of Nigeria's participation in the UN on its foreign policy..

  13. Week 13Module 4: Nigeria's Role in International Organizations
    • Unit 2: Nigeria in Commonwealth of Nations (CONs) · 6 hours

      Discuss Nigeria's contributions to the Commonwealth of Nations (CONs).. Explain Nigeria's benefits as a member of CONs.. Analyze the impact of Nigeria's participation in the Commonwealth on its foreign policy..

Preparing for the exam

What to do
  • Create a timeline of key events in Nigeria's foreign policy history (Units 1-2).
  • Develop a comparative chart analyzing Nigeria's relations with each Great Power (Module 3).
  • Summarize Nigeria's contributions to each international organization covered (Module 4).
  • Practice essay questions on the factors influencing Nigeria's foreign policy decisions (Unit 3).
  • Review all acronyms and key terms listed at the end of the course material.
  • Focus on understanding the core principles and objectives of Nigeria's Afro-centric policy (Module 2).
  • Prepare concise summaries of each unit, highlighting key concepts and arguments.
  • Review all self-assessment exercises and tutor-marked assignments to reinforce learning.

Questions students ask about this course

What is POL345 about?

This course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of Nigeria's foreign policy. It explores the meanings, components, and historical development of Nigeria's foreign policy, as well as the factors that determine it. The course examines Nigeria's Afro-centric policy, its relations with great powers, and its role in international organizations. Students will gain knowledge on Nigeria's bilateral relations, contributions to international bodies, and efforts in promoting unity, development, peace, and security in Africa.

How many units does POL345 have?

POL345, Nigeria's Foreign Polity, has 15 units across 4 modules, over 147 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is POL345?

POL345 carries 2 credit units, at 300 level in Social Sciences.

Is POL345 hard?

POL345 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.

How long does POL345 take to study?

About 208 hours of study, spread across its 15 units.

How is POL345 assessed?

POL345 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.

What can I do with POL345?

Diplomat, International Relations Specialist, Policy Analyst, Political Scientist and International Development Officer.

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