Overview

The founding fathers of Sociology, at the time of their writings, were concerned with finding solutions to the problems of their societies. Auguste Comte (1798-1857), for example, showed concern for the social crises and political upheavals which pervaded the French society during his time.   He was, therefore, pre-occupied with attempting to develop a discipline which would adopt the methods used in the natural sciences in the study of society.  This science of society (Sociology) was to use systematic methods of empirical investigation, theoretical thinking and logical assessment of argument to develop bodies of knowledge about particular subject matters in society.  Using these scientific methods, Sociology studies human behaviour, the patterns of interaction and relations in a social context. The essence is to be able to interrogate social phenomena, understand societal problems and proffer solutions to them, based on knowledge gained and using the sociological imagination.

Here, at Covenant University, we are set to produce sociologists who are expert thinkers able to use their theoretical and empirical knowledge of societal events and of social phenomena in providing solutions to the myriad social problems Nigeria and Africa in general.  These problems include: poverty, crime, unemployment, juvenile delinquency, urban congestion and the development of slums, rapid population growth rate, social deprivation, health problems including those of HIV/AIDS, to mention but a few.

The Sociology Department of Covenant University is set to raise a new generation of leaders who are equipped with sociological knowledge by which practical solutions could be proffered to the myriad problems, thereby restoring the dignity of the Nigerian and that of the black man in general.

Introduction

The Department of Sociology runs a 4-year or an eight-semester degree programme that leads to the award of an Honours Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in Sociology.  The four year programme involves coursework that comprises both sociology and other prescribed subjects. In the final year, students are expected to carry out an independent research that will lead to the submission of a project report based on such research.

Justification for the Programme

The problems that characterize human societies today are multiplex and so can be studied from different perspectives.  In a fast evolving society such as Nigeria, the problems that confront the nation, although multifaceted, are predominantly social in nature.  Consequently, to best understand and address these social problems, a segment of the population must be trained formally to acquire the requisite skills to interrogate and analyze effectively those social problems that are impede a healthy growth and development and be able to proffer solutions to them.

The Sociology programme, therefore, is imperative in that it will help to inculcate in students who enroll for the programme, a disciplined intellectual quest for knowledge that would facilitate the process of growth and development of the Nigerian society.

Vision

To develop a human resource base equipped with cutting-edge leadership skills driven by the desire to attain a better society.

Mission

To provide qualitative education through quality teaching and learning methods that will inculcate in our students the capacity to engage in integrated life-applicable and life-transforming research targeted at solving such societal problems as poverty and hunger; unemployment; illiteracy; gender inequality; high infant, child and maternal mortality as well as reproductive health challenges including HIV/AIDS. This is with the aim of improving the quality of life of the average Nigerian and that of the black man in general.