Influence of National Ethics on Character Building Among Social Studies Undergraduates in Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined influence of national ethics on character building among Social Studies undergraduates in Kwara State. The specific objectives of the study were to investigate core values, cultural norms and ethical principles embedded within national ethics and how they shape the character building of Social Studies undergraduates. A questionnaire was used to obtained relevant information. The instrument was validated by three experts in the Department of Social Sciences Education. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 200 social studies undergraduates. Three research questions were answered. Descriptive statistics was adopted. Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) was used to determine the reliability of the instrument through test-re-test method. The findings of the study revealed that the paramount core values embedded within national ethics that influenced the character building and shaped social studies undergraduates were patriotism, self discipline and popular participation. Cultural norms embedded that shaped the character building of social studies undergraduates were social hierarchy, social etiquettes and dress codes. Ethical principles impacted the character building in social studies undergraduates were social justice, fairness and respect to others. Therefore, the study recommended that patriotism, self-discipline and popular participation should be given more attention in the teaching and learning of Social Studies