NATIONAL UNIVERSITIES COMMISSION BENCHMARK MINIMUM ACADEMIC STANDARDS For UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES In NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES ARTS NOVEMBER 2014 PLleEaAsSeE, fNoOrwTEa:r Cdo ynocluursi vceo smtamtemenentt o n any section of this document to the following email: sDhall Rbe mAade oFn thTe minimum CGPAn oufc 1a.5s s PREFACE Section 10 (1) of the Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) Act, Cap E3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, empowers the National Universities Commission to lay down minimum standards for all programmes taught in Nigerian universities. In 1989, the Commission, in collaboration with the universities and their staff, developed minimum academic standards for all the programmes taught in Nigerian universities and the Federal Government subsequently approved the documents. After more than a decade of using the Minimum Academic Standard (MAS) documents as a major instrument of quality assurance, the Commission in 2001 initiated a process to revise the documents. The curriculum review was necessitated by the fact that the frontiers of knowledge in all academic disciplines had been advancing with new information generated as a result of research. The impact of Information and Communication Technologies on teaching and learning and the dynamics of the skills set required to face the challenge of competition engendered by globalization were also compelling reasons for the curriculum review. Other compelling reasons included the need to update the standard and relevance of university education in the country as well as to integrate entrepreneurial studies and peace and conflict studies as essential new platforms that will guarantee all graduates from Nigerian universities the knowledge and appropriate skills, competencies and dispositions that will make them globally competitive and capable of contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s socio-economic development. Recognising that the content-based MAS documents were rather prescriptive, a decision was taken to develop outcome-based benchmark statements for all the programmes in line with contemporary global best practice. To actualize this, the Commission organized a stakeholders’ workshop to benchmark each programme in all the disciplines taught in Nigerian universities. Following comments and feedback from critical stakeholders in the universities indicating that the Benchmark-style Statements were too sketchy to meaningfully guide the development of curricula and were also inadequate for the purpose of accreditation, the Commission put in place the mechanism for the merger of the Benchmark-style Statements and the revised Minimum Academic Standards into new documents referred to as the Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS). The resultant documents, an amalgam of the outcome-based Benchmark statements and the content-based MAS clearly enunciates the learning outcomes and competencies expected of graduates of each academic programme without being overly prescriptive while at the same time providing the requisite flexibility and innovativeness consistent with institutional autonomy. The first step in the process of amalgamation of the Benchmark statements and the content-based MAS was the conduct of a needs assessment survey and the publication of the findings in the report titled Needs Assessment Surveys of Labour Market for Nigerian Graduates. This was carried out for all the disciplines taught in Nigerian universities. The exercise involved major stakeholders particularly employers of Nigerian graduates. The objectives of the Needs Assessment Survey included identification of expected knowledge, attitudes and skills for graduates and their ability to fit into the requirements of the new national and global economy. The second stage was the organisation of a workshop at which academic experts across Nigerian universities, including i PLleEaAsSeE, fNoOrwTEa:r Cdo ynocluursi vceo smtamtemenentt o n any section of this document to the following email: sDhall Rbe mAade oFn thTe minimum CGPAn oufc 1a.5s s Vice-Chancellors, participated with the objective of ensuring that the designed BMAS for the various disciplines took into cognizance the identified knowledge and skill gaps. At the end of the workshop, draft BMAS documents were produced for the various programmes in the thirteen broad academic disciplines into which the Nigerian University System has been structured. Of significance was the introduction of science- and social science/humanities-based courses under the General Studies programme which are compulsory for all first- year students in Nigerian universities, irrespective of their course of study. The documents were later sent to the Universities offering relevant disciplines for comments and input. Following the collation of the input and comments from the Universities, another workshop was held at which invited academic experts studied and incorporated the relevant comments and input received into the draft documents. After content and language editing, by relevant experts, a one-day workshop was held at which the edited documents were harmonized to produce the final BMAS documents. Consequent upon the afore-mentioned processes, BMAS documents were produced for the under- listed academic disciplines: i. Administration; Management and Management Technology; ii. Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Home Economics; iii. Arts; iv. Basic Medical and Health Science; v. Education; vi. Engineering and Technology; vii. Environmental Sciences; viii. Law; ix. Pharmaceutical Sciences; x. Medicine and Dentistry; xi. Science; xii. Social Sciences; and xiii. Veterinary Medicine. For each programme, the document contains suggestions of the status of each course in terms of compulsory, required and elective. Universities are encouraged to take due cognizance of the BMAS while bringing necessary innovation into the content and delivery of their programmes towards achieving their overall objectives and goals. Programmes are to be structured in such a way that a typical student does not carry less than 30 credit units or more than 48 credit units per session. It is the Commission’s expectation that this BMAS document will serve as a guide to the universities in the design of curricula for their programmes in terms of the minimum acceptable standards of input, process as well as measurable benchmark of knowledge, skills and competences expected to be acquired by an average graduate of each of the academic programmes. Professor Julius A. Okojie, OON Executive Secretary ii PLleEaAsSeE, fNoOrwTEa:r Cd oynocluurs ivceo smtamtemenent to n any section of this document to the following email: sDhall bRe maAde onF theT minimum CGPA onf u1c.5a TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE ..................................................................................................................................................... i GLOSSARY OF COURSE CODES ........................................................................................................ vii SECTION ONE: .......................................................................................................................................... 1 BASIC ELEMENTS OF THE OPERATION OF THE BENCHMARK MINIMUM ACADEMIC STANDARDS IN ARTS PROGRAMMES .............................................................................................. 1 1.1 Programmes and Degrees........................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Philosophy and Objectives of the Disciplines ............................................................................ 2 1.2.1 Philosophy ............................................................................................................................... 2 1.2.2 Aims and Objectives ............................................................................................................... 2 1.3 Basic Admission Requirements and Expected Duration of the Programmes .......................... 2 1.3.1 UTME Entry Mode ................................................................................................................. 3 1.3.2 Direct Entry (DE): 3-Year Degree Programme ....................................................................... 3 1.3.3 Inter-University Transfer Mode .............................................................................................. 3 1.3.4 Minimum / Maximum Duration .............................................................................................. 3 1.4 Graduation Requirements .......................................................................................................... 3 1.4.1 Course System ......................................................................................................................... 3 1.4.2 Standard Terminologies .......................................................................................................... 5 1.4.3 Grading of Courses ................................................................................................................. 5 1.4.4 Grade Point Average and Cumulative Grade Point Average .................................................. 5 1.4.5 Degree Classifications ............................................................................................................. 6 1.4.6 Probation ................................................................................................................................. 7 1.4.7 Withdrawal .............................................................................................................................. 7 1.5 Evaluation ................................................................................................................................... 7 1.5.1 Techniques of Student Assessment ......................................................................................... 7 1.5.2 External Examiners’ System ................................................................................................... 8 1.5.3 Students’ Evaluation of Courses ............................................................................................. 8 1.5.4 Maintenance of Curricula Relevance ...................................................................................... 9 1.5.5 Performance Evaluation Criteria ........................................................................................... 10 1.5.6 The objectives of the accreditation exercise are to: .............................................................. 10 1.6 Resource Requirement.............................................................................................................. 10 1.6.1 Personnel ............................................................................................................................... 10 1.6.2 Physical Facilities .................................................................................................................. 14 1.7 General Studies ......................................................................................................................... 14 1.7.1 Goal ....................................................................................................................................... 14 1.7.2 Objectives .............................................................................................................................. 14 SECTION TWO: ........................................................................................................................................ 15 STRUCTURE AND SYNOPSES OF COMMON COURSES OF ARTS DEGREE PROGRAMMES .................................................................................................................................................................... 15 2.1 The Basic Courses .................................................................................................................... 15 2.1.1 Courses Structure of Computer Application ......................................................................... 15 iii PLleEaAsSeE, fNoOrwTEa:r Cdo ynocluursi vceo smtamtemenentt o n any section of this document to the following email: sDhall Rbe mAade oFn thTe minimum CGPAn oufc 1a.5s s 2.1.2 Courses Synopses of Computer Application ......................................................................... 15 2.2 General Studies Programme .................................................................................................... 15 2.2.1 Course Structure of General Studies ..................................................................................... 16 2.2.2 Course Synopses of General Studies: .................................................................................... 16 2.3 Entrepreneurship ...................................................................................................................... 19 SECTION THREE: ................................................................................................................................... 20 COURSE STRUCTURE AND SYNOPSES OF ARTS DEGREE PROGRAMMES ........................ 20 3.1 AFRICAN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES................................................................... 20 3.1.1 Philosophy, Aims and Objectives of the Degree Programme ............................................... 20 3.1.2 Admission and Graduation Requirements ............................................................................. 20 3.1.3 Learning Outcome ................................................................................................................. 20 3.1.4 Attainment Levels ................................................................................................................. 21 3.1.5 Resource Requirements for Teaching and Learning ............................................................. 22 3.1.6 Course Structure .................................................................................................................... 22 3.1.7 Course Synopses ................................................................................................................... 24 3.2 ARABIC STUDIES .................................................................................................................. 28 3.2.1 Philosophy, Aims and Objectives of the Degree Programme ............................................... 28 3.2.2 Admission and Graduation Requirements ............................................................................. 28 3.2.3 Learning Outcome ................................................................................................................. 28 3.2.4 Attainment Levels ................................................................................................................. 30 3.2.5 Resource Requirements for Teaching and Learning ............................................................. 30 3.2.6 Course Structure .................................................................................................................... 30 3.2.7 Course Synopses ................................................................................................................... 33 3.3 ARCHAEOLOGY ..................................................................................................................... 39 3.3.1 Philosophy, Aims and Objectives of the Degree Programme ............................................... 39 3.3.2 Admission and Graduation Requirements ............................................................................. 40 3.3.3 Learning Outcome ................................................................................................................. 40 3.3.4 Attainment Levels ................................................................................................................. 40 3.3.5 Resource Requirements for Teaching and Learning ............................................................. 40 3.3.6 Course Structure .................................................................................................................... 41 3.3.7 Course Synopses ................................................................................................................... 43 3.4 CHINESE LANGUAGE .......................................................................................................... 47 3.4.1 Philosophy and Objectives of the Programme ...................................................................... 47 3.4.2 Learning Outcomes ............................................................................................................... 47 3.4.3 Attainment Levels ................................................................................................................. 48 3.4.4 Course Structure .................................................................................................................... 48 3.4.5 Course Synopses ................................................................................................................... 50 3.5 CLASSICS ................................................................................................................................ 55 3.5.1 Philosophy, Aims and Objectives of the Degree Programme ............................................... 55 3.5.2 Admission and Graduation Requirements ............................................................................. 55 3.5.3 Learning Outcome ................................................................................................................. 55 3.5.4 Attainment Levels ................................................................................................................. 55 3.5.5 Resource Requirements for Teaching and Learning (see Section 1.6) ................................. 56 3.5.6 Course Contents .................................................................................................................... 56 3.5.7 Course Synopses ................................................................................................................... 58 iv PLleEaAsSeE, fNoOrwTEa:r Cd oynocluurs ivceo smtamtemenent to n any section of this document to the following email: sDhall bRe maAde onF theT minimum CGPA onf u1c.5a 3.6 ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE IN ENGLISH ............................................... 63 3.6.1 Philosophy, Aims and Objectives of the Degree Programme ............................................... 63 3.6.2 Admission and Graduation Requirements ............................................................................. 64 3.6.3 Learning Outcome ................................................................................................................. 65 3.6.4 Attainment Levels ................................................................................................................. 68 3.6.5 Resource Requirements for Teaching and Learning (see Section 1.6) ................................. 68 3.6.6 Course Structure (English Studies) ....................................................................................... 68 3.6.7 Course Synopses (English Studies) ....................................................................................... 70 3.6.8 Course Contents (Literature in English) ................................................................................ 74 3.6.9 Course Synopses (Literature in English) ............................................................................... 76 3.7 HISTORY AND INTERNATIONAL/DIPLOMATIC STUDIES ........................................... 81 3.7.1 Philosophy, Aim and Objectives of the Degree Programme ................................................. 81 3.7.2 Admission and Graduation Requirements ............................................................................. 81 3.7.3 Learning Outcome ................................................................................................................. 81 3.7.4 Attainment Levels ................................................................................................................. 82 3.7.5 Resource Requirements for Teaching and Learning ............................................................. 82 3.7.6 Course Structure .................................................................................................................... 82 3.7.7 Course Synopses ................................................................................................................... 85 3.8 HISTORY .................................................................................................................................. 93 3.8.1 Philosophy, Aim and Objectives of the Degree Programme ................................................. 93 3.8.2 Admission and Graduation Requirements ............................................................................. 93 3.8.3 Learning Outcome ................................................................................................................. 93 3.8.4 Attainment Levels (as applicable in other related disciplines) .............................................. 95 3.8.5 Resource Requirements for Teaching and Learning (see Section 1.6) ................................. 95 3.8.6 Course Structure .................................................................................................................... 95 3.8.7 Course Synopses ................................................................................................................... 98 3.9 ISLAMIC STUDIES ............................................................................................................... 105 3.9.1 Philosophy, Aims and Objectives of the Degree Programme ............................................. 105 3.9.2 Admission and Graduation Requirements ........................................................................... 106 3.9.3 Learning Outcome ............................................................................................................... 106 3.9.4 Attainment Levels ............................................................................................................... 107 3.9.5 Resource Requirements for Teaching and Learning ........................................................... 107 3.9.6 Course Structure .................................................................................................................. 108 3.9.7 Courses Synopses ................................................................................................................ 110 3.10 LINGUISTICS ........................................................................................................................ 117 3.10.1 Philosophy, Aims and Objectives of the Degree Programme ......................................... 117 3.10.2 Admission and Graduation Requirements ...................................................................... 118 3.10.3 Learning Outcome .......................................................................................................... 118 3.10.4 Attainment Levels (As applicable in other related programmes) ................................... 119 3.10.5 Resource Requirements for Teaching and Learning ....................................................... 119 3.10.6 Course Structure ............................................................................................................. 120 3.10.7 Course Synopses ............................................................................................................. 122 3.11 MODERN EUROPEAN LANGUAGES - FRENCH ............................................................ 127 3.11.1 Philosophy, Aims and Objectives of the Degree Programme ......................................... 127 3.11.2 Admission and Graduation Requirements ...................................................................... 128 3.11.3 General University requirements, plus ........................................................................... 128 3.11.4 Learning Outcome .......................................................................................................... 128 3.11.5 Attainment Levels ........................................................................................................... 129 v PLleEaAsSeE, fNoOrTwEa:r Cdo ynocluursi vceo smtamtemenent to n any section of this document to the following email: sDhall Rbe maAde oFn theT minimum CGPA nofu 1c.a5 s 3.11.6 Resource Requirements for Teaching and Learning ....................................................... 129 3.11.7 Course Structure (French) ............................................................................................... 129 3.11.8 Course Synopses: (French) ............................................................................................. 132 3.12 MUSIC .................................................................................................................................... 138 3.12.1 Philosophy, Aims and Objectives of the Degree Programme ......................................... 138 3.12.2 Admission and Graduation Requirements ...................................................................... 138 3.12.3 Learning Outcome .......................................................................................................... 139 3.12.4 Attainment Levels ........................................................................................................... 140 3.12.5 Resource Requirements for Teaching and Learning ....................................................... 140 3.12.6 Course Structure ............................................................................................................. 141 3.12.7 Course Synopses ............................................................................................................. 145 3.13 PHILOSOPHY ........................................................................................................................ 153 3.13.1 Philosophy, Aims and Objectives of the Degree Programme ......................................... 153 3.13.2 Admission and Graduation Requirements ...................................................................... 153 3.13.3 Learning Outcomes ......................................................................................................... 154 3.13.4 Attainment Levels ........................................................................................................... 154 3.13.5 Resource Requirements for Teaching and Learning ....................................................... 154 3.13.6 Course Structure ............................................................................................................. 155 3.13.7 Course Synopses ............................................................................................................. 156 3.14 STUDIES OF RELIGIONS ................................................................................................... 161 3.14.1 Philosophy, Aims and Objectives of the Degree Programme ......................................... 161 3.14.2 Admission and Graduation Requirements ...................................................................... 161 3.14.3 Learning Outcome .......................................................................................................... 162 3.14.4 Attainment Levels ........................................................................................................... 162 3.14.5 Resource Requirements for Teaching and Learning ....................................................... 163 3.14.6 Course Structure : Religious Studies .............................................................................. 163 3.14.7 Course Synopses: Religious Studies (B.A.): ................................................................... 166 3.14.8 Course Structure: African Traditional Religion .............................................................. 168 3.14.9 Course Synopses : African Traditional Religion (B.A.) ................................................. 171 3.14.10 Course Structure: Christian Religious Studies (B.A) ...................................................... 172 3.14.11 Christian Religious Studies: Course Synopses ............................................................... 174 3.15 THEATRE ARTS/PERFORMING ARTS ............................................................................. 178 3.15.1 Philosophy, Aims and Objectives of the Degree Programme ......................................... 178 3.15.2 Admission and Graduation Requirements ...................................................................... 178 3.15.3 Learning Outcome .......................................................................................................... 178 3.15.4 Attainment Levels ........................................................................................................... 179 3.15.5 Resource Requirements for Teaching and Learning ....................................................... 180 3.15.6 Course Structure ............................................................................................................. 180 3.15.7 Course Synopses ............................................................................................................. 183 SECTION FOUR: .................................................................................................................................... 186 LABORATORY AND EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENT FOR ARTS PROGRAMMES ............. 186 vi PLleEaAsSeE, fNoOrwTEa:r Cd oynocluurs ivceo smtamtemenent to n any section of this document to the following email: sDhall bRe maAde onF theT minimum CGPA onf u1c.5a GLOSSARY OF COURSE CODES These are the 3-letter codes for the identification of courses offered in the various programmes in the Arts discipline as well as courses offered in other disciplines covered in the BMAS for the Nigerian University System. They are in three categories dictated by the sources of courses involved: Category A: Course codes for the general courses offered by all students registered in the various programmes in the Arts Discipline. Category B: Course codes for courses offered by the various programmes in the Arts Discipline. Category C: Course code for Common Courses offered by the various programmes in the Arts Discipline. The List of Programme(s) and their Course code(s) Category A: (General Studies) The Programme offering the Courses Course Code General Studies Courses offered at the University Level for GST students registered for courses in all the disciplines in the university. The List of Programme(s) and their Course code(s) Category B: (Courses in Arts) The Programme offering the Courses Course Code African Languages and Literature ALL African Traditional Religion ATR Arabic Studies ARA Archaeology ARC Chinese Language CHS Christian Religious Studies CRS Classics CLC/CLL/CLG English Language ENG History and Diplomatic Studies HID History HIS Islamic Studies ISS Linguistics LIN Literature in English LIT Modern European Languages -French FRE Music MUS Philosophy PHL Religious Studies RES vii PLleEaAsSeE, fNoOrwTEa:r Cdo ynocluursi vceo smtamtemenentt o n any section of this document to the following email: sDhall Rbe mAade oFn thTe minimum CGPAn oufc 1a.5s s Theatre Arts THA The List of Programme(s) and their Course code(s) Category C: (Common Courses) The Programme offering the Courses Course Code Courses in Computer Application offered as Common Courses by CMP the various programmes in the Arts Discipline. viii PLleEaAsSeE, fNoOrwTEa:r Cd oynocluurs ivceo smtamtemenent to n any section of this document to the following email: sDhall bRe maAde onF theT minimum CGPA onf u1c.5a SECTION ONE: BASIC ELEMENTS OF THE OPERATION OF THE BENCHMARK MINIMUM ACADEMIC STANDARDS IN ARTS PROGRAMMES Preamble These Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS) are designed for the education and training of undergraduate students wishing to obtain first degrees in the different areas of Arts in the Nigerian University System. Presented in this Section are the basic operational elements that serve to define the minimum academic standards required to achieve the cardinal goal of producing graduates in Arts/Humanities based programmes with sufficient academic background and practical exposure to face the challenges of a developing economy in the increasingly globalised world economy. It is pertinent to note that this BMAS Document is expected to guide institutions in the design of curricula for their Arts/Humanities programmes by stipulating the minimum requirements. Being such, institutions are encouraged to take due cognizance of the BMAS while bringing necessary innovation into the content and delivery of their programmes towards achieving the overall goals of Arts/Humanities training in the country. 1.1 Programmes and Degrees Presented in Table 1.1 is the list of programmes covered in this current BMAS Document. An attempt has been made to cover not only the programmes being currently run in our various faculties of Arts/Humanities, but, also, proposed new programmes in response to the local and global dynamics of the requisite knowledge and skills of products of Arts/Humanities. Overall, it is expected to serve the needs of existing faculties contemplating minor or major programme review and also new institutions seeking to chart a new path away from the existing programmes in the system. List of Programme(s) and Degree(s) in View S/N Programme Degree(s) In View 1 African Languages and Literature B.A 2 African Traditional Religion B.A 3 Arabic B.A 4 Archaeology B.A 5 Chinese Language B.A 6 Christian Religious Studies B.A 7 Classics B.A 8 English Language and Literature in English B.A 9 History and Diplomatic Studies B.A 10 History B.A 11 Islamic Studies B.A 12 Linguistics B.A 13 Modern European Languages B.A 14 Music B.A 15 Philosophy B.A 1 PLleEaAsSeE, fNoOrTwEa:r Cdo ynocluursi vceo smtamtemenent to n any section of this document to the following email: sDhall Rbe maAde oFn theT minimum CGPA nofu 1c.a5 s