Uniben Department of Political Science and Public Administration

In 1975, the Political Science Unit was housed by the then all embracing Department of Social Science which comprised the four units of Political Science., Economics and Business Studies, Geography and Sociology.

However, with the subsequent increase in its staff strength, the Department of Political Science and Public Administration was established in 1977 as one of the academic departments in the then Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Currently, the Department of Political Science and Public Administration in one of the oldest and well established academic Departments in the Faculty of Social Science.

1. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The Department of Political Science and Public Administration offers a programme of course leading to an honours bachelor's degree (B.Sc.) in Political Science and Public Administration. The programme is designed to fulfill the following three objectives:

1. To prepare students for the acquisition of sound knowledge on the proper focus, scope and content of Political Sciences as a discipline.
2. To offer instructions, training and social consciousness in courses that are relevant to the development needs and problems of Nigeria, Africa and other developing countries.
3. To prepare the students for. Administrative, Managerial and Policy Making positions in the Public Service, Industry and Commerce, National and International Organizations, Academic

and the Foreign Services

3. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

At the moment, it is possible to enroll for either the four - year degree programme or three-year degree programme in-the Department. While the four - year degree programme relates to students who are admitted through the Joint Matriculation Examination conducted by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the three - year programme relates to students who are admitted with Direct Entry qualification. Students admitted for a four year programme start at year (100 Level) while students admitted with Direct Entry qualification start at year II (200 Level).

FOUR - YEAR PORGRAMME: REQUIREMENTS A

1. At least five credit passes in the WASC/SSCE / NECO or GCE (O/L) or at least five merit passes in TC II. These must include English Language and Mathematics plus Government or History, and any Social Science subject, of which must have been obtained in not more than two examination sittings.
2. Students for the four-year degree programme must take the following subjects at the Joint Admission and Matriculation

Examination

1. Use of English Language.
2. Government/History
3. One other Social Science subject
4. Any other subject

THREE YEAR DEGREE PROGRAMME (DIRECT ENTRY)

1. Requirement A (a) above, Plus
2. GCE (O/L) passes or H.Sc (principal level passes) in at least two social Science subjects one of which must be

Government.

REQUIREMENTS B

1. Holders of the NCE with specialization in Government or History and any other Social Science subjects with an overall pass with merit.
2. Holders of the Diploma in Public Administration (DPA). of the University of Benin or any other recognized Institution with at least an overall pass with credit
3. Holders of the Diploma in Local Government of any recognized Institution with at least an overall pass with· credit
4. Holders of Diploma in Social Work (DSW) of the University of Benin or any other recognized Institution with at least an overall pass with credit
5. Holders of the Ordinary National Diploma (OND) with credit passes in related Social Science subjects, for example, Government, Mass Communication, etc,
6. Holders of the Diploma in International Relations of any recognized Institution with at least an overall pass with credit.

4. DEGREE PROGRAMME AND REQUIREMENTS

The B.Sc (Political Science & Public Administration) degree programme is organized in accordance with General University Regulations on the basis of the Course Credit System. Students are required to accumulate a total minimum of 151 credits to graduate under the four- year degree programme, and 115 credits to graduate under the three- year programme. The above mentioned minimum credits include the mandatory 10 credits in General Studies.

4. TEACHING AND RESEARCH FACILITIES

The Department is well staffed with experienced and competent lecturers who have varied educational background and methodological orientations. This provides a wide variety of courses and perspectives in the study of politics. Moreover, students are well prepared in the subfields of Comparative Politics and Developmental Studies, International Relations. Political Theory and Public Administration. Adequate attention is also paid to giving students a strong methodological grounding which prepares them for research work. The Department, in addition, organizes staff and student seminars on a regular basis, thus providing lively academic controversy on critical issues of politics and research.

4. STUDENT ORGANIZATION AND PUBLICATION

With the full support of the department, there exists a very virile student organization, the University of Benin Chapter of the National Association of Political Science Students (NAPSS). Indeed, the idea of a National Association originated from the then Political Science Students Association (POLSSA) in this Department and was spearheaded by the Executive of UNIBEN POLSSA which eventually provided the final national executive of NAPPSS. NAPSS (UNIBEN Chapter) organizes an annual Political Science Week Symposium and Public Lectures on burning national issues. With improved finances, the Annual Student Journal POLITICS has been revived, and the small Student Departmental Library has also been expanded.