The field of security and strategic studies (SSS) is a critical component of political science and international relations in national policies and strategies. SSS serves as a tool for understanding and application of ideas and doctrines in political and social sciences. It is closely associated with national security in nation-building, national development, and the management of national affairs.

1. BAZE UNIVERSITY ABUJA
Post Graduate School
IRD 707 22A - SECURITY AND STRATEGIC STUDIES
Department of International Relations and Diplomacy
Lecturer: Dr. Tanko Mahmood Ahmed, fwc
Wednsday, 23 March 2022 [Online]
Course Recap

2. Course Timetable
Week Day/Date Topic
WK1 Wed 19 Jan General Introduction
WK2 Wed 26 Jan Historical Approaches to Security & Strategic Studies
WK3 Wed 02 Feb Concepts, Theories and Methods in Security & Strategic Studies
WK4 Wed 09 Feb Normative & Legal Aspects of Security & Strategic Studies
WK5 Wed 16 Feb Components of Security & Strategic Studies
WK6 Wed 23 Feb Security & Strategic Studies in Nigeria
WK7 Wed 02 Mar National & Global Dimensions of Security & Strategic Studies
WK8 Wed 09 Mar Critical Thinking for Security & Strategic Studies
WK9 Wed 16 Mar Strategic Thinking in Security & Strategic Studies
WK10 Wed 23 Mar Course Recap
WK11 Wed 30 Mar Tutorial - Study Visit to a Security and Strategic Agency
WK12 Wed 06 Apr An Appraisal of Security & Strategic Challenges in Nigeria

3. WK 1 - General Introduction to SSS
•The field of security and strategic studies (SSS) is
a critical component of political science and
international relations in national policies and
strategies.
•SSS serves as a tool for understanding and
application of ideas and doctrines in political and
social sciences.
•It is closely associated with national security in
nation-building, national development, and the
management of national affairs.

4. WK 2 - Historical Approach to SSS
•Historical perspective on fields of study provides a
cognitive framework for understanding and knowledge
on the subject matter.
•Historical approaches to security and strategic studies
provide a framework for understanding 'security' and
knowing 'strategy'.
•The historical background to security and strategy
describes the close relationship and compatibility of the
two subjects in managing complex modern societies.

5. WK 3 - Concepts, Theories and Methods in SSS
• The concepts, theories, and methods of security and
strategic studies are critical in the formulation of
national security strategies of countries.
• The Nigerian National Security Strategy 2019 (NSS
2019) outlines the major security concerns of the
nation from which policies and strategies are founded.
• The NSS 2019 provides concepts, propositions, and
stipulates the methods for security and strategic
concerns in Nigeria.

6. WK 4 - Normative and Legal Aspects of SSS
• National Security Strategies reflect the national
interests of countries also regarded as national
values and norms, national character, and reasons
for existence.
•At the front of vital interests of nations are territory,
population, or citizens, and the systems or laws
deployed to maintain such values.
• Central to SSS is how national values, laws, and
institutions are managed in national affairs.

7. WK 5 - Components of SSS
•Vital Components treated by SSS include:
•Territories include land, air, and water spaces
further determined by treaties and recognitions
with other countries.
•The population includes the entire citizenry and
their way(s) of life.
•The systems cover the Laws of the Land and the
Agencies of Government.

8. WK 6 - Security and Strategic Studies in
Nigeria
• Security and strategic studies provide for informed decision-
making or policy formulation at the strategic level of
leadership for national development and affairs of nations.
• Security and strategic studies are conducted in university
departments at the post-graduate level for students of political
science and other course combinations.
• Nigeria has established specialised ministries, departments,
agencies, and institutions to provide 'think tank' services in
security and strategic research, training, advice on national
issues.

9. WK 7 - National and Global Dimensions of SSS
• From the traditional 'guards, guns, and gates' national and
international security architecture to the contemporary wholesome
people's security ecosystem, the dimensions of security and
strategic studies are voluminous, fast, and penetrative.
• Technological advancement in production, communication,
transportation, and systems of organisation for innovative platforms
create and place power and prowess beyond the 'State' to 'Non-
State' actors.
• Internal and international security systems, and overall
environment transform to include individual to the group, national,
regional, and global dimensions likened to chaos.

10. WK 8 - Critical Thinking in SSS
• Critical thinking employs not only logic but also clarity, credibility,
accuracy, precision, relevance, depth, breadth, significance, and
fairness.
• Critical thinking is 'thinking of thinking'.
• Critical Thinking is 'smart' and 'scientific'
• Critical Thinking is the kind of 'thinking' most suitable for blending,
understanding, and treating 'Security and Strategic Studies'.

11. WK 9 - Strategic Thinking in SSS
• Strategic Thinking interconnects all the components of
Critical Thinking in a strategic approach to issues of security
and strategy.
• Strategic Thinking goes beyond real-time specifics to a
futuristic framework for the attainment of set goals or
objectives.
• SSS projects the convergence of creative-, critical-, and
strategic-thinking in the management of national affairs.

12. WK 10 - Course Recap
•Courses like SSS are application tools in the fields
of social and political science.
•They facilitate other fields like international
relations, diplomacy, leadership, management,
policy, strategy, and security studies.
•They are useful in governance, defense, business,
industry, trade, etc., for public, private, and third
sectors.

13. WK 11 - Tutorials on NI & NS
•Free for all on any issue raised in the course of
study on SSS
•Students are encouraged to table any challenges
encountered in the course of study to be tackled by
the entire Class.
•Discussion on Critical Reading and Critical
Writing.

14. WK 12 - Readings and Reviews
• Class Notes, Lecture Slides, and reading materials are
available on the Class platforms.
• Students are to discuss and exchange views on SSS in
any way possible to advance knowledge, skills, and
understanding.
• The Visiting Lecturer shall attend to further discourse
on SSS on the eClassroom, Baze email, and class
WhatsApp platforms.