Questions and Answers
What was the outcome of the 1993 presidential election in Nigeria?
Who took over power from Ernest Shonekan in 1993?
How many years did General Sani Abacha rule Nigeria?
What was the total number of states in Nigeria in 1995?
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Who replaced General Sani Abacha after his death?
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How many languages are estimated to exist in Nigeria?
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In what year did Nigeria return to civilian rule?
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How many living languages exist in Nigeria?
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What is culture according to the glossary of terms?
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What are cultural traits?
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What are myths?
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What are values?
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What are folkways?
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What is the primary function of culture?
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What are the two components of culture?
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What is the relationship between culture and society?
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What is a key difference between commercial activities in Nigeria and America?
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What type of markets operate on a periodic basis in Nigeria?
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What percentage of the total course grade is the final examination worth?
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What is a characteristic of the products available in Nigerian markets?
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What is a traditional product produced in cities like Kano and Abeokuta?
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What is the maximum duration of the final examination?
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What is a key aspect of the hierarchical society in Nigeria?
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What are the two main components of the assessment for this course?
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How many tutor-marked assignments are required in this course?
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What is the responsibility of the most senior person in a social situation?
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What is a common greeting in Nigeria?
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What is the recommended action if a student is unable to complete an assignment on time?
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What percentage of the total course grade do the tutor-marked assignments contribute?
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Why is it important to take time during the greeting process in Nigeria?
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Where should assignments be submitted?
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What kind of questions will be included in the final examination?
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What is the main focus of Study Session 1?
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What is the title of Study Session 2?
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What is the title of Study Session 3?
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What is the main focus of Study Session 4?
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What is the title of Study Session 5?
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What is the meaning of 'culture'?
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What is the purpose of ethics and discipline in national life?
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What are the essential elements of individual morality in national life?
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What is the main objective of Study Session 3?
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What is the significance of norms and values in society?
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Study Notes
Course Overview
- The course is GNS 201: Nigerian People and Culture.
Assessment Structure
- Assessment has two parts: tutor-marked assignments (30% of total score) and a final written examination (70% of total score).
Tutor-Marked Assignments
- There are multiple TMAs in the course.
- All TMAs need to be submitted, and the best 10 will be counted towards the final score.
- Submit TMAs to the tutor as soon as possible, and before the stipulated deadline.
- Extensions may be granted before the deadline, but not after, unless in extraordinary cases.
Final Examination
- The final examination will last for 2 hours or less.
- The examination will include questions based on Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs), In-text Questions (ITQs), and tutor-marked assignments.
References
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Idowu, O.O. (1999). Citizenship status, statehood problems and political conflicts: The case of Nigeria. Nordic Journal of African Studies 8(2): 73-88.
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Otite, O. & Ogionwo, W. (ed.). Introduction to sociology. Ibadan Heinemann.
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en.m.wikipedia.or/wiki/cultureofNigeria.
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The University of Michigan.### Study Session 1: The Concept of Culture
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Culture is a complex whole that includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by humans as members of society
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It is a learned behavior that is socially acquired, shared, and transmitted from one generation to another
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Key characteristics of culture include:
- It is dynamic and constantly changing
- It is influenced by environmental and technological factors
- It is diverse and varies from one society to another
- It is what makes us human and distinguishes us from animals
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Functions of culture include:
- It provides a sense of identity and belonging
- It transmits values, norms, and traditions from one generation to another
- It helps to adapt to the environment and resolve conflicts
- It provides a sense of continuity and stability
Study Session 2: Mapping the Nigerian Cultures and Their Characteristics
- Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and culturally diverse country with over 250 ethnic groups
- The three main ethnic groups in Nigeria are Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo
- Each ethnic group has its own language, customs, and traditions
- Nigerian culture is characterized by:
- Linguistic diversity with over 500 languages spoken
- Rich cultural heritage and history
- Strong family ties and community bonding
- Respect for elders and authority
- Importance of festivals and celebrations
Study Session 3: Ethics and Discipline in National Life
- Ethics is the branch of philosophy that deals with moral principles and values
- Discipline is the practice of training oneself to obey rules and behave in a certain way
- Ethics and discipline are essential in national life because they promote:
- Moral values and principles
- Respect for authority and the law
- Social order and stability
- Economic development and prosperity
- Essential elements of individual morality in national life include:
- Honesty
- Integrity
- Responsibility
- Respect for others
- Fairness and justice
Study Session 4: Norms and Values in the Society
- Norms are rules and expectations that guide human behavior in a society
- Values are what are considered important and desirable in a society
- Types of norms include:
- Folkways: customs and traditions that are passed down from one generation to another
- Mores: moral principles and values that guide behavior
- Laws: written rules that are enforced by the government
- Perspectives on norms and values include:
- Social norms: norms that are based on social expectations and customs
- Rituals: formal and repeated behaviors that are performed in a specific way
Study Session 5: Reorientation of Moral Values for Development The Nigerian Experience
- Moral values are principles and standards that guide human behavior
- Reorientation of moral values is necessary for development in Nigeria because:
- It promotes social cohesion and stability
- It improves economic development and prosperity
- It enhances national identity and pride
- It promotes good governance and leadership
- Moral problems plaguing Nigeria include:
- Crime and violence
- Corruption
- Perversion of justice
- Cultism
- Drug abuse and addiction
Study Session 6: African Religion: Features and Practice in Societies
- African religion is a complex and diverse system of beliefs and practices
- Features of African religion include:
- Belief in a supreme being or creator
- Belief in divinities and spirits
- Belief in the cult of ancestors
- Practice of magic and medicine
- Rites of passage such as initiation and marriage
- African religious practices include:
- Offerings and sacrifices
- Prayer and meditation
- Rituals and ceremonies
- Divination and fortune-telling
Study Session 7: Nigeria’s Arts and Culture in Pre-Colonial Times
- Nigerian arts and culture are rich and diverse, with a history that spans over 2,000 years
- Pre-colonial Nigerian art includes:
- Igbo-Ukwu bronze works
- Nok terracotta sculptures
- Benin bronze works
- Nigerian culture in pre-colonial times was characterized by:
- Strong kinship ties and community bonding
- Respect for elders and authority
- Importance of festivals and celebrations
- Rich cultural heritage and history
Study Session 8: Economic Self-Reliance: The Nigerian Situation
- Economic self-reliance is the ability of a country to meet its own economic needs without relying on others
- Nigeria has struggled to achieve economic self-reliance due to:
- Corruption
- Political instability
- Lack of infrastructure
- Low level of technology
- Dependence on oil exports
- Ways to achieve economic self-reliance in Nigeria include:
- Entrepreneurship
- Home-grown technology
- Consistency in policy formulation and implementation
- Empowerment and independence of anti-corruption agencies
- Renewal of ethical standards### Culture
- Culture refers to the complex whole of human acquired capabilities, including art, morals, law, customs, and any other capability acquired by man as a member of society.
- Culture includes both material and non-material aspects of human life.
Cultural Traits
- Cultural traits are the smallest elements by which a culture can be described.
- They are used to identify similarities and differences among cultures.
Beliefs, Myths, and Values
- Beliefs are words that people in a society hold to be true.
- Myths are traditional stories, especially those concerning early history or explaining natural or social phenomena, often involving supernatural beings or events.
- Values are culturally spelled-out principles of desirability in areas such as goodness, beauty, discipline, and interaction that guide social interaction.
Folkways
- Folkways are norms for routine or casual interaction.
Nigerian Culture
- Nigeria has 36 states, created from the original zoning of the nation.
- Nigerian society is vastly different from other societies, such as American society, in terms of commercial activity.
- In Nigeria, most buying and selling of goods takes place in markets, which are composed of numerous small traders who engage in trading activities.
- Markets can be large or small, and may operate daily or on a periodic basis.
- Nigerians make distinctions between markets based on their frequency.
- The variety of products available in Nigerian markets tends to be quite high.
Hierarchy in Nigerian Society
- Nigeria is a hierarchical society, where age and position earn and demand respect.
- Age is believed to confer wisdom, so older people are granted respect.
- The oldest person in a group is revered and honored.
- In a social situation, the oldest person is greeted and served first.
- The most senior person has the responsibility to make decisions that are in the best interest of the group.
Meeting and Greeting People in Nigerian Culture
- The most common greeting is a handshake with a warm, welcoming smile.
- It is rude to rush the greeting process.
- One must take the time to ask about the other person's health, the health of his/her family, or other social niceties.
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Description
This quiz assesses knowledge on sociology, specifically on topics related to citizenship, statehood, and cultural conflicts, with a focus on Nigeria.