GENERAL STUDIES DIVISION IN BRIEF

The Division of General Studies was one of the full-fledged academic units of the university established by the University body in 1977.  The unit offers courses in General Studies leading to the award of degrees in various disciplines of academic endeavour. The courses of the Division have been made compulsory for all students in Nigerian universities at undergraduate level by the National Universities Commission (NUC) to promote national awareness.

The Division is responsible for the co-ordination of both academic and administrative matters related to the General Studies. The General Studies courses are examined in the semester in which they are taught at 100, 200 and 300 levels of a degree programme. All the courses are computed as part of the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of every student at undergraduate level. The curriculum of General Studies is in line with the Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards for Undergraduate Programmes in Nigerian Universities.

The training of the mind to have broad spectrum knowledge and attain goals in relation to diverse matters has been the concern of education. We live in the world where Science, Arts, Computer, Technology and ideas, men and materials interact to shape lives. The teaching of General Studies courses provides intellectual knowledge and training that equip students for life such that a graduate from any discipline can function effectively in all fields irrespective of his or her area of specialization.

GENERAL STUDIES COURSES

100 LEVEL

COURSE CODE	COURSE TITLE	No OF UNIT	SEMESTER
GST 111	Communication in English I	2 Units	First
GST 113	Nigerian Peoples and Culture	2 Units	Second
GST 120	Information Communication Technology (ICT)	1 Unit	Second
GST 121	Use of Library and Study Skills	1 Unit	First
GST 122 GST 123	Communication in French OR Communication in Arabic	2 Units	Second
TOTAL		8 UNITS

 

200 LEVEL

COURSE CODE	COURSE TITLE	No OF UNIT	SEMESTER
GST 211	Communication in English II	2 Units	First
GST 212	Logic, Philosophy and Human Existence	2 Units	First
GST 221	History and Philosophy of Science	2 Units	Second
GST 222	Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution	2 Units	Second
TOTAL		8 UNITS

300 LEVEL

COURSE CODE	COURSE TITLE	No OF UNIT	SEMESTER
GST 311	Entrepreneurship and Innovation	2 Units	First
GST 312	Venture Creation and Growth	2 Units	Second
TOTAL		4 UNITS

Goals and Objectives

The main goal of the Division is to produce well-rounded morally and intellectually capable graduates with vision and entrepreneurial skills in an environment of peace and social cohesion.It is aimed at exposing students to a course of liberal education through which they can develop and expand their awareness of their social and physical environments. The main objective of General Studies is to provide well-rounded morally and intellectually sound graduates capable of directing projects in fields outside their area of specialization in order to foster sustainable societal development. The study of General Studies fosters intelligibility, effective communication in English language in particular, and French and Arabic languages to some extent, and keeps students abreast offundamentals of Humanities, Natural and Social Sciences, Nigerian Culture, Logic, Philosophy and Human Existence, thereby empowers graduates to proffer solutions to basic social problems. 

The specific objectives of General Studies are as follows:

1. 1. Acquisition, development and inculcation of proper value orientation for the survival of an individual student and a society he lives in.

 

1. 2. Development of intellectual capacities of the students to understand, appreciate and promote peaceful co-existence.

1. 3. Producing graduates with broad knowledge of the Nigerian Nation and people with a view to inculcating in them mutual understanding and patriotism.

 

1. 4. Exposing graduates of UsmanuDanfodiyo University to the rudiments of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for computer literacy and ability to live usefully in this digital age.

1. 5. Preparing students for a post university life with opportunities for job creation and entrepreneurial skills.

 

1. 6. Production of graduates, capable of communicating effectively (both oral and written).

Activities

The Division of General Studies performs both academic and administrative activities, which include:

1. General co-ordination, arrangement, supervision and monitoring of the teaching/lectures of General Studies courses in each of the two semesters of an academic session.
2. Liaising with the Space Allocation and Timetable Committee for appropriate placement of General Studies courses for lectures.
3. Liaising with the Digital Learning Centre for appropriate placement of General Studies course examinations.
4. Ensuring mutual cooperation between the Division and Central Examinations Committee for the conduct of examinations.
5. Monitoring and co-ordination of General Studies Examination in each semester.
6. Compilation, vetting and prompt release of results
7. Attending to students’ complaints
8. Collection and safekeeping of examination materials.
9. Holding meetings with members of Board of the Division of General Studies
10. Holding meetings with the General Studies Course Co-ordinators and resource persons for various matters concerning General Studies courses.
11. Keeping records of documents relating to General Studies examinations, results and other official matters.
12. Performing other duties that may arise from time-to-time or be assigned by the Vice-Chancellor.