Constitutional Law I

1. Define and explain the scope of constitutional law.
2. Identify and analyze the sources of a constitution.
3. Understand the principles and forms of federalism.
4. Explain the doctrine of separation of powers and its application.
5. Define the rule of law and its significance in governance.
6. Classify and compare different types of constitutions.
7. Distinguish between various systems of government.
8. Discuss the concept of constitutional supremacy.
9. Analyze the constitutional development of Nigeria from pre-colonial times to the present.

13 weeks, about 41 hours in total. Yours will differ.

1. Week 1Module 1: Introduction

   • Unit 1: Definition and Scope of Constitutional Law and Traditional Constitutional Concept · 3 hours

     Read the introduction to understand the importance of constitutional law.. Define 'Constitution' and explain its role in society.. Discuss the scope of constitutional law and its relevance to other areas of law.. Explain the traditional constitutional concept of limited government..

   • Unit 2: Sources of a Constitution · 2 hours

     Identify the various sources of a constitution, including historical documents, statutes, and judicial precedents.. Differentiate between various approaches to constitutional making.. Analyze the historical circumstances leading to different sources of a constitution..

2. Week 2Module 1: Introduction

   • Unit 3: Federalism · 3 hours

     Define federalism and discuss its legal underpinnings.. Examine different constitutional forms of federalism.. Analyze the basis and justification of federalism in diverse nations..

3. Week 3Module 2: Core Principles

   • Unit 1: Separation of Powers · 3 hours

     Define the concept of separation of powers and its purpose.. Discuss the application of separation of powers under military rule.. Compare the application of separation of powers under civil rule..

4. Week 4Module 2: Core Principles

   • Unit 2: The Rule of Law · 3 hours

     Explain the historical evolution of the rule of law concept.. Define the rule of law and its key components.. Discuss the requirements for the validity of the rule of law..

5. Week 5Module 2: Core Principles

   • Unit 3: Classification of Constitutions · 3 hours

     Define 'Constitution' and explain its nature, functions, and origin.. Differentiate between unwritten and written constitutions.. Compare rigid and flexible constitutions..

6. Week 6Module 2: Core Principles

   • Unit 4: Systems of Government · 3 hours

     Explain the federal and unitary systems of government.. Compare the presidential and parliamentary systems of government.. Analyze the characteristics of each system..

7. Week 7Module 3: Constitutionalism

   • Unit 1: Constitutional Supremacy · 3 hours

     Discuss the constitutional supremacy in the Independence Constitution of 1960.. Analyze the constitutional supremacy in the Republican Constitution of 1963.. Examine the constitutional supremacy under military dictatorship..

8. Week 8Module 3: Constitutionalism

   • Unit 2: Parliamentary Supremacy · 3 hours

     Define key terms: the constitution, unwritten and written constitutions.. Discuss sovereignty or supremacy in pre-modern Nigeria.. Examine the parliamentary supremacy..

9. Week 9Module 4: Nigerian Constitutional History

   • Unit 1: Constitutional Development of Nigeria: (Pre-colonial Nigeria to British Rule) · 3 hours

     Explore the historical background of Nigeria and its pre-colonial era.. Discuss the constitutional development between 1900-1919.. Examine the Clifford's Constitution..

10. Week 10Module 4: Nigerian Constitutional History

    • Unit 1: Constitutional Development of Nigeria: (Pre-colonial Nigeria to British Rule) · 3 hours

      Examine the Richard's Constitution.. Discuss the constitutional development between 1951-1956.. Analyze the MaCpherson's and Lyttleton's Constitutions..

11. Week 11Module 4: Nigerian Constitutional History

    • Unit 2: Constitutional Development of Nigeria; 1960-1979 · 3 hours

      Discuss the 1957 and 1958 Constitutional Conferences.. Analyze the constitutional development between 1960-1979.. Examine the Independence and Republican Constitutions..

12. Week 12Module 4: Nigerian Constitutional History

    • Unit 3: Constitutional Development in Nigeria 1979 to Date · 3 hours

      Discuss the 1979 Constitution and its key features.. Examine the 1989 Constitution and its impact.. Analyze the 1995 Draft Constitution and its significance..

13. Week 13Module 4: Nigerian Constitutional History

    • Unit 3: Constitutional Development in Nigeria 1979 to Date · 3 hours

      Discuss the 1999 Constitution and its key provisions.. Compare and contrast the various constitutions from 1979 to 1999.. Reflect on the overall constitutional development in Nigeria..