| Code | Faculty | Department |
|---|---|---|
| 01130038 | Faculty of Humanities | Department: Political Sciences |
| Credits | Duration | NQF level |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum duration of study: 3 years | Total credits: 372 | NQF level: 07 |
The purpose of this programme is to provide students with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of contemporary world politics and related changes in the international system. This will enable them, once they are employed in the public or private sector, to respond in an innovative and proactive manner to the problems and challenges of globalisation.
Important information for all prospective students for 2025
The admission requirements below apply to all who apply for admission to the University of Pretoria with a National Senior Certificate (NSC) and Independent Examination Board (IEB) qualifications. Click here for this Faculty Brochure.
Minimum requirements | ||
Achievement level | ||
English Home Language or English First Additional Language | APS (Grade 11) | APS (NSC/IEB completed) |
5 | 30 | 28 |
* To retain admission, candidates must obtain an APS of at least 28 in the NSC/IEB.
Life Orientation is excluded when calculating the APS.
Applicants currently in Grade 12 must apply with their final Grade 11 (or equivalent) results.
Applicants who have completed Grade 12 must apply with their final NSC or equivalent qualification results.
Please note that meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee admission.
Successful candidates will be notified once admitted or conditionally admitted.
Unsuccessful candidates will be notified after 30 June.
Applicants should check their application status regularly on the UP Student Portal at click here.
Applicants with qualifications other than the abovementioned should refer to the International undergraduate prospectus 2025: Applicants with a school leaving certificate not issued by Umalusi (South Africa), available at click here.
International students: Click here.
Transferring students
A transferring student is a student who, at the time of applying at the University of Pretoria (UP) is/was a registered student at another tertiary institution. A transferring student will be considered for admission based on NSC or equivalent qualification and previous academic performance. Students who have been dismissed from other institutions due to poor academic performance will not be considered for admission to UP.
Closing dates: Same as above.
Returning students
A returning student is a student who, at the time of application for a degree programme is/was a registered student at UP, and wants to transfer to another degree at UP. A returning student will be considered for admission based on NSC or equivalent qualification and previous academic performance.
Note:
Closing date for applications from returning students
Unless capacity allows for an extension of the closing date, applications from returning students must be submitted before the end of August via your UP Student Centre.
First year of study - FUNDAMENTAL MODULES
Students with an achievement level of 4 and below for English Home Language or an achievement level of 5 and below for English First Additional Language or the foreign qualification equivalence as per conversion table must register for ALL 110 and ALL 125.
Students who are deemed NOT to be at risk of their level of academic literacy are compelled to take language modules to the value of 12 credits from the list of language modules mentioned under Academic literacy.
Outline of credits for ELECTIVE MODULES (total = 188):
First year: 88/96
Second year: 40
Third year: 60
Elective modules
Year level 1
Select four disciplines. Do two semester modules (or the credit value thereof) from each of these disciplines.
Year level 2
Select two semester modules (or the credit value thereof) from the same discipline as for yr level 1; or select two Economics semester modules at yr level 2 ( on condition that EKN 120 was taken and that the prerequisites are complied with) together with one additional module at yr level 2 if the Economics modules' credit value is not 40.
Year level 3
Select two semester modules (or the credit value thereof) either from the same discipline as for yr level 2; or from Political Science or from Economics together with one additional module at yr level 3 if the Economics modules' credit value is not 60.
Note:
Academic literacy
Students with an achievement level of 5 or 6 or 7 for English Home Language or an achievement level of 6 or 7 for English First Additional Language may apply for an exemption from ALL 110 and ALL 125 or the foreign qualification equivalence, as per the conversion table.
Students who are deemed NOT to be at risk of their level of academic literacy are compelled to take language modules to the value of 12 credits from the other departments.
Students with an achievement level of 4 and below for English Home Language or an achievement level of 5 and below for English First Additional Language or the foreign qualification equivalence must register for ALL 110 and ALL 125.
Department of English
ENG 110 Introduction to literature in English (I)
ENG 120 Introduction to literature in English (II)
ENG 118 English for specific purposes
Departement Afrikaans
AFR 110 Afrikaanse taalkunde en letterkunde
AFR 120 Afrikaanse taalkunde en letterkunde
AFR 114 Afrikaans vir sprekers van ander tale (I)
Department of African Languages
NDE 110 Introduction to isiNdebele grammar – Capita selecta
* Students who want to take isiNdebele in the second semester, should also register for AFT 121 (African languages literature: Capita selecta)
ZUL 110 IsiZulu for beginners
ZUL 111 Introduction to isiZulu grammar – Capita selecta
* Students who want to take isiZulu in the second semester, should also register for AFT 121 (African languages literature: Capita selecta)
SEP 110 Sepedi for beginners
SEP 111 Introduction to Sepedi Grammar – Capita selecta
* Students who want to take Sepedi in the second semester, should also register for AFT 121 (African languages literature: Capita selecta)
STW 110 Setswana for beginners
STW 111 Introduction to Setswana Grammar – Capita selecta
*Students who want to take Setswana in the second semester, should also register for AFT 121 (African languages literature: Capita selecta)
Department of Modern European Languages
DTS 104 German for beginners
DTS 113 German: Cultural-professional (1) *Prerequisite: Grade 12 German
FRN 104 French for beginners
FRN 113 French: Cultural-professional (1) *Prerequisite: Grade 12 French
SPN 101 Spanish for beginners
SPN 102 Spanish for beginners
PTG 101 Portuguese for beginners
Department of Ancient Languages and Cultures
HEB 110 Hebrew
LAT 110 Latin
GRK 110 Greek
Minimum credits: 132
In order to follow a Geography stream the following modules should be taken: ENV 101, GGY 156 and GGY 168.
Module content:
Find, evaluate, process, manage and present information resources for academic purposes using appropriate technology.
Module content:
Apply effective search strategies in different technological environments. Demonstrate the ethical and fair use of information resources. Integrate 21st-century communications into the management of academic information.
Module content:
This module intends to equip students to cope more confidently and competently with the reading and understanding of a variety of texts, to apply these skills in a variety of contexts and to follow the conventions of academic writing.
Module content:
This module equips students to understand and use a range of discipline-specific terminology; apply the strategies of critical and comprehensive reading to their own academic literacy; apply the conventions of academic writing to their own writing, using the process approach, to produce intelligible academic texts and use the correct referencing technique as required by the faculty.
Module content:
An introduction to the study of organised political society at national and international levels with specific reference to political concepts, approaches and methods. The emphasis is on state and governance as frameworks for analysis in light of the salient changes brought about at national and international levels by global trends and processes. Attention is paid to the corresponding dynamics of regime development, performance and change at national and international levels considering increasing challenges to national sovereignty from within and without states in a context of a growing global agenda dealing with transnational issues and challenges.
Module content:
This introduction to social anthropology introduces basic themes of the discipline including ritual, religion, marriage and sex. It combines classic studies with recent scholarship, and asks the ‘big question’ about human society and human cultures that offer challenging perspectives on the world we live in.
Module content:
This module builds on the ethnographic and theoretical themes introduced in APL 110, asking particular questions about how we may think about the relationship between the local and the global; indigenous and universal; public and private; the real and the possible.The module continues in the vein of APL 110, in that it explicitly encourages students to understand the society in which they live through a series of critical anthropological perspectives.
Module content:
*No previous knowledge of or experience in German required for admission. Students who passed grade 12 German are not allowed to register for this module
An intensive introductory study of the German language focusing on the acquisition of basic communication skills, namely listening, reading, speaking and writing. It also offers a brief introduction to the culture of German-speaking countries. This module complies with the requirements for level A2 set by the “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages”.
Module content:
Comprehensive review of German grammar; development of reading, writing, speaking and understanding skills; analysis and interpretation of tests.
Module content:
Continuation of comprehensive review of German; further development of reading, writing, speaking and understanding skills; analysis and interpretation of texts.
Module content:
This module deals with the core principles of economics. A distinction between macroeconomics and microeconomics is made. A discussion of the market system and circular flow of goods, services and money is followed by a section dealing with microeconomic principles, including demand and supply analysis, consumer behaviour and utility maximisation, production and the costs thereof, and the different market models and firm behaviour. Labour market institutions and issues, wage determination, as well as income inequality and poverty are also addressed. A section of money, banking, interest rates and monetary policy concludes the course.
Module content:
This module deals with the core principles of economics, especially macroeconomic measurement the private and public sectors of the South African economy receive attention, while basic macroeconomic relationships and the measurement of domestic output and national income are discussed. Aggregate demand and supply analysis stands core to this course which is also used to introduce students to the analysis of economic growth, unemployment and inflation. The microeconomics of government is addressed in a separate section, followed by a section on international economics, focusing on international trade, exchange rates and the balance of payments. The economics of developing countries and South Africa in the global economy conclude the course.
Module content:
*Alternative evening classes - 2 discussion classes per week Introduction to Literature in English (1)
This module introduces the study of literature by examining a number of texts representing different genres (poetry, prose, drama). The texts studied here will be mainly from the pre-twentieth century era and may include texts written in English from both Africa and other parts of the world. The aim of this module is to equip students with the critical and analytical skills required for a perceptive reading of poetry, novels and plays.
Module content:
*Alternative evening classes: 2 discussion classes per week
Introduction to Literature in English (2)
This module introduces the study of post-nineteenth century literature by examining a number of texts representing different genres (poetry, drama, prose). Texts will be from both Africa and other parts of the world. By the end of this module students should have the background and analytical skills to perceptively read modern and contemporary poetry, novels and plays.
Module content:
Introducing the basic concepts and interrelationships required to understand the complexity of natural environmental problems, covering an introduction to environmental science and biogeography; including a first introduction to SDGs and Aichi targets.
Module content:
Introduction to Philosophy
The two semester modules at first-year level introduce students to four main subfields of philosophy, namely metaphysics, epistemology, political philosophy and ethics. This module introduces students to two of these subfields, namely epistemology and metaphysics with reference to the work of a range of scholars from Africa and the rest of the Global South as well as from Asia and the West. Students will become acquainted with the nature of philosophical reflection by exploring a number of classical philosophical themes in each subfield. Throughout the module there is an emphasis on developing those critical thinking, reading and writing skills that are required in Philosophy, while students become acquainted with the power of critique as judgment and discernment.
Module content:
Introduction to Philosophy
The two semester modules at first-year level introduce students to four main subfields of philosophy, namely metaphysics, epistemology, political philosophy and ethics. This module introduces students to two of these subfields, namely political philosophy and ethics and the emphasis is on texts by African and Western scholars. Students will become acquainted with the nature of philosophical reflection by exploring a number of classical philosophical themes in each subfield. Throughout the module there is an emphasis on developing those critical thinking, reading and writing skills that are required in Philosophy, while students become acquainted with the power of critique as judgment and discernment.
Module content:
*No previous knowledge of or experience in French required for admission. Students who passed grade 12 French are not allowed to register for this module.
An intensive introductory study of the French language focusing on the acquisition of basic communication skills, namely listening, reading, speaking and writing. It also offers a brief introduction to the culture of French-speaking countries. This module complies with the requirements for level A2 set by the “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages”.
Module content:
Comprehensive review of French grammar; development of reading, writing, speaking and understanding skills; analysis and interpretation of texts.
Module content:
Comprehensive review of French grammar; further development of reading, writing, speaking and understanding skills; analysis and interpretation of texts.
Module content:
The making of the Modern World: a survey
A selection of themes on Asia, Africa, the Americas and Europe and their contribution to the making of the Modern World.
Module content:
Africa and South Africa: a survey
An overview focusing on the making of African and South African societies from the earliest times to the present with emphasis on the most significant historical forces, factors and events.
Module content:
This module begins by fostering an understanding of human geography. Then follows with the political ordering of space; cultural diversity as well as ethnic geography globally and locally; population geography of the world and South Africa: and four economic levels of development. The purpose is to place South Africa in a world setting and to understand the future of the country.
Module content:
Note: Students cannot register for both GGY 168 and GGY 166.
This module serves as an introduction to the field of physical geography and geomorphology. Initially, a theoretical overview of a variety of geomorphic realms will be studied. Students will be taught about the key processes that are present in each realm and how those processes work together in order to produce specific landforms. In addition, students will receive training in several fundamental analytical techniques, including cartographic skills, aerial photographs and introductory GIS.
Module content:
What is religion? The functions of religion. Studying religion. Perspectives on religion. Common concepts and key terms in various religions will be dealt with - also generic dimensions and aspects. The interdependence of religion, culture and society.
Module content:
The occurrence of religion in societies. Types of religion. Primal religions. Christianity, Judaism, Islam. A variety of religions will be addressed: capita selecta will be made from Christianity; Hinduism; Buddhism; New Religions; New Age; main developments in the world and South Africa.
Module content:
Invitation to Sociology
How do we understand ourselves as individuals in relation to society? How are our individual life courses and large-scale processes of social and historical change related to each other? How have our societies come to be what they are today? And how can we think of our private troubles as public issues? These questions are at the very heart of sociology as a distinctive way of thinking about and understanding the social worlds that we inhabit. This module invites students to become familiar with sociological ways of thinking about current issues and personal experiences (particularly in the southern African context), and to develop the analytical skills that are necessary in order to ask and answer critical questions about the communities, society, and world that they live in. The module will include a specific emphasis on academic reading skills.
Module content:
Thinking sociologically
Drawing from the idea of Sociology as a discipline that focuses on critical thinking, the module will introduce students to ways of questioning the obvious and the taken-for-granted. In particular, power and inequality will be problematised, with a focus on how power operates to structure racial, class and gender inequalities across institutions, ideologies and identities. The module will introduce students to the operations of power as manifested in the production of institutions, the proliferation of identities and heightened contestations among ideologies. The module will include a specific emphasis on writing skills.
Module content:
*No previous knowledge of Spanish is required. Please note: Students with an advanced knowledge of Spanish (e.g. levels B1, B2 or higher) are not allowed to register for this module.
An introductory study of the Spanish language focusing on the acquisition of basic communication skills, namely listening, reading, speaking and writing. It also offers a brief introduction to the culture of Spanish-speaking countries. This module complies with the requirements for level A set by the “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages”.
The module is presented in English at the beginning, but it gradually shifts into Spanish.
Module content:
Please note: Students with an advanced knowledge of Spanish (e.g. levels B1, B2 or higher) are not allowed to register for this module.
An intensive introductory study of the Spanish language focusing on the acquisition of basic communication skills, namely listening, reading, speaking and writing. It also offers a brief introduction to the culture of Spanish-speaking countries. This module complies with the requirements for level A2 set by the "Common European Framework for Reference for Languages."
The module is presented in English at the beginning, but it gradually shifts into Spanish.
Minimum credits: 120
Electives
Geography
In order to follow a Geography stream the following modules should be taken: ENV 201, GGY 201 and GIS 221.
Sociology
First semester: Select either SOC 210 OR SOC 211
Second semester: Select either SOC 220 OR SOC 221
Module content:
How do we explain the behaviour of state and non-state actors within the international system? The answer to this question depends on the theoretical lens through which global politics are viewed. An overview is provided of competing theoretical perspectives of international relations and research methodology within the field. It includes mainstream and alternative perspectives, as well as the underlying ideas, theories and variants of each. These theories also propose different approaches to global peace, amongst others peace through international organisation(s). A comprehensive analysis is made of selected international organisations with a universal or regional scope, such as the United Nations, the African Union and the Southern African Development Community.
Module content:
Foreign policy and diplomacy
A short introduction to the study of foreign policy is followed by an explanation of the use of the comparative and case study methods as frameworks for foreign policy analysis and evaluation. This allows for the comparative study of the foreign policies of selected states from the major regions of the world, amongst others of South African foreign policy. In each case study the policy environment, the formulation and implementation processes, as well as the substance of the particular state’s foreign policy are covered. Thereafter the focus narrows to diplomacy: the oldest, most versatile and universally used instrument of foreign policy. The nature, history, modes of diplomacy and legal framework of the institution are explored. Examples are drawn from global practice, with specific consideration of the evolution of diplomatic practice within the African and South African context. This module also includes a simulation component, such as the Model United Nations Debate (MUN).
Module content:
Political dynamics (Micro)
The study of the theory and practice of behavioural phenomena in politics, including a critical engagement with how behavioural phenomena have been (and are) studied. With reference to appropriate examples, the emphasis is on the study of political dynamics internal to the nation state, including but not limited to the following: elections, electoral systems, and voting behaviour; parties and party systems; political culture, political identities, public opinion, leadership, communication, and interest groups.
Module content:
Political dynamics (Macro)
This module is offered in two parts. Part One places emphasis on the nature of the state, governance and conflict in Africa. Amongst others, a study is made of the issues of colonialism and post-colonialism, democratisation, authoritarianism and the development of the state in Africa, in the context of a globalising world. Part Two provides a through introduction to and overview of South African politics. Topics to be unpacked include: South Africa’s transition to democracy, South Africa’s electoral system, and the political, social and economic challenges facing South Africa at present. Mini case studies are applied throughout the module to aid comprehension and analysis. Case studies may differ from year-to-year depending on local and international developments.
Module content:
Cultural constructions of sex and sexuality are the primary building blocks of social organisation. Anthropological discussions of sexuality tend to revolve around the various aspects of social organisation, such as the lifecycle, gendered identities, and personhood. These discussions are informed by the cultural meanings we impute to differences in biological sex and reproduction, and the ways in which these meanings influence social organisation, personhood, and power. In this module, we will consider cultural constructions of sex and sexuality as these inform certain aspects of social organisation such as kinship and marriage. We will attempt to develop an anthropological perspective on the interplay between sex, culture and society. To this end, we will examine the physiology of sexuality, and then consider different theoretical perspectives on human sexuality as reflected in cross-cultural ethnographic case studies.
Module content:
Power and wealth
This module explores anthropological perspectives on politics, power and wealth in colonial and postcolonial contexts. Key concepts that are discussed include anthropological approaches to citizenship, cosmopolitanism, hegemony, human rights, neoliberalism, sovereignty, civil society, gender, race and class.
Module content:
This module focuses on the further development of communication skills with special emphasis on the receptive activities of the language, namely listening and reading. Careful attention is given to critical aspects of German grammar. Short fictional and non-fictional texts are used for comprehension as well as for demonstrating cultural aspects of the German-speaking countries. This module complies with the requirements for level B1.1 set by the “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages”.
Module content:
This module continues with the development of communicative skills of the language. Special attention is given to the comprehension of non-fictional and literary written texts, spoken and audio-visual inputs, as well as the application of knowledge of German grammar in oral and written production. This module complies with the requirements for level B1.2 set by the “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages”.
Module content:
Macroeconomics
From Wall and Bay Street to Diagonal Street: a thorough understanding of the mechanisms and theories explaining the workings of the economy is essential. Macroeconomic insight is provided on the real market, the money market, two market equilibrium, monetarism, growth theory, cyclical analysis, inflation, Keynesian general equilibrium analysis and fiscal and monetary policy issues.
Module content:
Macroeconomics
Application of the principles learned in EKN 214 on the world we live in. We look at international markets and dynamic macroeconomic models, and familiarise the students with the current macroeconomic policy debates. We also take a look at the latest macroeconomic research in the world. The course includes topics of the mathematical and econometric analysis of macroeconomic issues.
Module content:
*Alternative evening classes - 3 discussion classes per week
Modern English literature and English language studies
This module focuses on post-nineteenth century literature in English as well as on historical and theoretical aspects of the English language.
Module content:
*Alternative evening classes - 3 discussion classes per week
Twentieth-century, postcolonial and contemporary literature
This module focuses on post-nineteenth century literature in English. Various genres are covered and particular attention is given to postcolonial writing.
Module content:
Introduces basic concepts and interrelationships required to understand our atmosphere, with a strong focus on an introduction to weather and climate. A key component of the course is an introduction to climate change, including the science of climate change, introducing climate change projections, and climate change impacts. A key focus of the second part of the course will be climate change implications for the attainment of SDGs and Aichi targets on the African continent, under a range of plausible scenarios.
Module content:
The content of this module engages in the historical emergence of contemporary African philosophy in relation to the Western canon. The first quarter traces the history of modern western philosophy, recounting key positions in epistemology (e.g. Descartes, Kant), metaphysics (e.g. Heidegger, Putnam), ethics (e.g. Bentham, Levinas) and political philosophy (e.g. Rawls, Habermas).The content of the second quarter considers recent works in African philosophy, as critical responses to, but also independent of the Western philosophies, with regard to epistemology (e.g. Menkiti, Ikuenobe), metaphysics (e.g. Mbiti, Ramose), ethics (e.g. Tut, Gyeke) and political philosophy (e.g. Biko, Fanon).
Module content:
In this module contextually relevant aspects of human reality are reflected on through philosophy considered as practical activity. Students will engage issues of social, political, or economic relevance in contemporary (South) Africa, the Global South and beyond. A range of themes may be investigated, such as structure and agency, social imaginaries, issues of social justice, gender and sexuality, the ethics of science and technology, the role of art and others. The focus is on key themes and debates of contemporary relevance and may include issues from any of the sub-disciplines of philosophy such as political philosophy, moral philosophy, epistemology, aesthetics, philosophy of mind and artifical intelligence, and philosophy of science.
Module content:
This module focuses on the further development of communication skills with special emphasis on the receptive activities of the language, namely listening and reading. Careful attention is given to critical aspects of French grammar. Short fictional and non-fictional texts are used for comprehension as well as for demonstrating cultural aspects of the French-speaking countries. This module complies with the requirements for level B1.1 set by the “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages”.
Module content:
This module continues with the development of communicative skills of the language. Special attention is given to the comprehension of non-fictional and literary written texts, spoken and audio-visual inputs, as well as the application of knowledge of French grammar in oral and written production. This module complies with the requirements for level B1.2 set by the “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages”.
Module content:
A selection of themes on the history of Africa and its people in the recent past that shaped the African historical experience.
Module content:
The development of South Africa through segregation and apartheid to democracy.
Module content:
The module introduces students to urban settlement patterns, processes and structures. Using a series of case studies, it aims to develop an understanding of the challenges facing urban areas both in South Africa and globally.
Module content:
Physical processes that influence the earth’s surface and management. Specific processes and their interaction in themes such as weathering; soil erosion; slope, mass movement and periglacial processes. Practical laboratory exercises and assignments are based on the themes covered in the module theory component.
Module content:
Note: Enrolment is limited. Preference will be given based on choice of majors. Students should enquire at the department if they wish to register for the module, but are unable to do so.
*GIS 221 does not lead to admission to any module at 300 level.
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS), theoretical concepts and applications of GIS. The focus will be on the GIS process of data input, data analysis, data output and associated technologies.This module teaches students to use GIS as a tool. Examples used throughout the course are drawn from South African case studies.
Module content:
Investigating the method of Phenomenology as way of studying religions. Focussing on African Christianity and the phenomenon of African Independent Churches. Highlighting Prosperity Theology as phenomenon in Africa. Exploring the place of land, water and the city within religion in Africa
Module content:
Ancient religions and Health:
Exploring ancient religions (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Zoroastranism, Aztec, Inca and Mayan) and health. Exploring the San religious treatment of health matters. The relationship magic and religion is investigated.
Module content:
The relation Religion and Culture:
Central topics are inter religious Ethics and cultural sensitivity towards social taboos. Political and economic matters as interpreted form a religious perspective is investigated. Religion in the education system is addressed.
Module content:
Industrial sociology
This module addresses sociological approaches to the workplace. Its focus is on theories of work and the current themes and debates within the sociology of work with an emphasis on exploring these issues from a southern perspective. Some of the themes that will be covered include the theorisation and conceptualisation of work, work in industrialising societies, workplace restructuring and reorganisation, flexibility in the labour market, changing technologies and the implications for work and employment, and new forms of work (including atypical work, service work, emotional labour, professional work).
Module content:
Urban sociology and social movements
This module considers the relationship between the rural and urban, against the backdrop of the emergence and development of both capitalism in its various guises and globalisation within the twentieth and twenty-first centuries in the global North and South. Questions on the nature of social interaction in communities, changing ways of relating, inequality and livelihoods, collective action, local cultures and modernities are considered. With migration to the city spurred by the communication revolution, the city has become a source of aspirations and illusions. A key issue in place-space configurations is the dialectic between citizenship and cosmopolitanism (aligned to individualism and multiple identities), on the one hand, and the experience of community (aligned to a collectivity) on the other hand. The debate on who belongs to the city highlights both symbolic and material issues and a politics around access to rights and resources, and therefore a possibility of mobilisation. Contemporary themes such as informality, different forms of local participation and consumption are considered.
Module content:
Culture and religion in the construction of identities: Gender, sexuality and race
The global proliferation of identities is explored through the lens of social categories of difference. The convergence of ideologies and institutions in the construction of identities at the intersections of gender, sexuality and race is examined with a particular emphasis on modern African identities, drawing on the sub-disciplines of the sociology of religion and cultural sociology.
Module content:
Demography, health and society
This module will use intersectional and critical lenses to provide students with a broad understanding of how demographic and social factors affect population health and medical care across a range of contexts. The main theoretical underpinnings and debates, as well as basic measures of each construct will be covered to operationalise the constructs for the purposes of practical application in sociological research and understanding. The focus will be comparative, both across time and between developed and less developed societies in general and South African societies in particular.
Module content:
This module focuses on the further development of communicative skills with special emphasis on the receptive activities of the language, namely listening and reading. Careful attention is given to critical aspects of Spanish grammar. Short fictional and non-fictional texts are used for comprehension as well as for demonstrating cultural aspects of the Spanish-speaking countries. This module complies with the requirements for level B1.1 set by the “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages”.
The module is mostly presented in Spanish.
Module content:
This module continues with the development of communicative skills of the language. Special attention is given to the comprehension of written texts, spoken and audio-visual inputs. This module complies with the requirements for level B1.2 set by the “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages”.
The module is mostly presented in Spanish.
Minimum credits: 120
In order to follow a Geography stream the following modules should be taken: ENV 301, GGY 301 and GGY 383.
Module content:
International political economy
The nature and functioning of the international contemporary political-economic order are analysed against the background of the process of globalisation. Analysis of the mainstream theories employed by scholars in this field is also included. The focus is on the interaction of political and economic trends and issues such as the vital role played by state and non-state actors; the rise of new economic powers in the Global South; and global economic governance.
Module content:
Security and strategic studies
A study of traditional and contemporary approaches to security and strategy. Attention is paid to theories on war, security and strategy; military and non-military security issues and threats; the nature, levels, patterns, forms and instruments of strategy; and the laws of war. Global and regional strategic and security issues and trends are analysed, along with multilateral approaches to understanding and confronting security issues.
Module content:
This module considers the colonial histories of anthropology in Africa and their impact on traditions of knowledge production in the discipline to propose a decolonised anthropology. It does so by critically reflecting on old and contemporary ethnographies from and about the African continent and pays particular attention to ethnographic methods, politics of representation, reflexivity, power and identity as pertinent questions to establish a decolonised anthropology. Students in this module are encouraged to imagine a decolonised anthropology in and for Africa.
Module content:
Fieldwork, ethnography and theory
This module reviews themes such as conducting fieldwork, writing ethnography and developing theory in anthropology. The module allows the opportunity to gain experience with ethnographic field methods in order to develop insight into the implications of methodological choices and their relationship to research questions and settings.
Module content:
Introduction to German linguistics. This module complies with the requirements for level B2.1 set by the “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages”.
Module content:
Analysis, interpretation and appropriation of relevant texts from different disciplines. This module complies with the requirements for level B2.1 set by the “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages”.
Module content:
Principles of textual grammar of the German language. This module complies with the requirements for level B2.2 set by the “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages”.
Module content:
Analysis, interpretation and appropriation of literary texts in cultural-historical perspective. This module complies with the requirements for level B2.2 set by the “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages”.
Module content:
Public finance
Role of government in the economy. Welfare economics and theory of optimality. Ways of correcting market failures. Government expenditure theories, models and programmes. Government revenue. Models on taxation, effects of taxation on the economy. Assessment of taxation from an optimality and efficiency point of view. South African perspective on public finance.
Module content:
Economic analyses
Identification, collection and interpretation process of relevant economic data; the national accounts (i.e. income and production accounts, the national financial account, the balance of payments and input-output tables); economic growth; inflation; employment, unemployment, wages, productivity and income distribution; business cycles; financial indicators; fiscal indicators; social indicators; international comparisons; relationships between economic time series - regression analysis; long-term future studies and scenario analysis; overall assessment of the South African economy from 1994 onwards.
Module content:
Economic policy and development: Capita select
The course provides an introduction to growth economics and also to some topics on development economics. Firstly, historical evidence is covered and then the canonical Solow growth model and some of its empirical applications (human capital and convergence). Secondly, the new growth theory (the AK and the Romer models of endogenous growth) are covered. Some of the development topics to be covered include technology transfer, social infrastructure and natural resources.
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Reading Medieval and Early Modern literature
In this module students study the works of writers such as Chaucer, Shakespeare, Milton and Pope. The general characteristics and techniques of these authors are discussed in relation to developments in aesthetic theory, generic conventions and socio-historical change.
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Reading the Nineteenth Century
In this module students read a selection of 19th-century texts in English. The general characteristics and techniques of these texts are discussed in relation to developments in aesthetic theory, generic conventions and socio-historical change.
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The module serves as an introduction to human-environment relations, on contemporary environmental issues in Africa.
The module begins with different theories and schools of thought in human-environment relations, followed by recent and future impacts of human pressures on natural resources, the state of the environment in South Africa, management of critical resources, population trends, biodiversity loss, pollution, water scarcity, desertification, climate change, waste accumulation and management, environmental management tools, environmental education and environmental management legislation. A key focus here is future scenarios for the African continent in terms of SDGs and Aichi targets; given current and projected driving forces.
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In this module the focus is on understanding humankind, its knowledge and its relation to reality.This module traces the development of the conceptions of ‘self’ and ‘subjectivity’ in any given philosophical tradition in Africa, or more generally the Global South or the West, by focussing, amongst others, on issues such as the nature of the human mind, existentialism, the nature of personal identity, the relation between personal identity and morality, the nature of subjective experience and the issue of free will.
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In this module contextually relevant aspects of human reality are reflected on through philosophy considered as practical activity. Students will engage issues of social, political, or economic relevance in contemporary (South) Africa, the Global South and beyond. A range of themes may be investigated, such as, structure and agency, social imaginaries, issues of social justice, gender and sexuality, the ethics of science and technology, the role of art and others. The focus is on key themes and debates of contemporary relevance and may include issues from any of the sub-disciplines of philosophy such as political philosophy, moral philosophy, epistemology, aesthetics, philosophy of mind and artificial intelligence, and philosophy of science.
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Principles of textual grammar of the French language. This module complies with the requirements for level B2.1 set by the “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages”.
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Analysis, interpretation and appropriation of relevant audio-visual material and texts from non-fictional and fictional sources.
This module complies with the requirements for level B2.1 set by the “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages”.
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Principles of grammar of the French language. Introduction to professional translation and interpreting for the purpose of learning French as a foreign language.
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Analysis, interpretation and appropriation of literary texts in cultural-historical perspective.
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Historical trends in the modern world
A selection of political, economic and social themes.
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Interpreting the process of global change. Explaining the debates and the origin and nature of globalisation and its significance.
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Classic economic development theories and frameworks. Spatial development history and legacy in South Africa. Rural and agricultural reconstruction. Land reform. Urban development and strategy. Urban spatial reconstruction. National spatial development frameworks. Integration of environmental, economic, and social components of sustainable development, including challenges, actors and actions in sustainable development.
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This module will require students to apply the geographic knowledge and skills they have acquired during their first three years of study in Geography. Based on an annually selected theme, e.g. related to spatial injustice within the City of Tshwane, students will be introduced to the basic principles of conducting research in the field of human geography. Guiding them through the process of proposal writing and then conducting a small-scale, in-depth qualitative/quantitative research project, students will be tasked to produce a detailed, reflective and evidence-based account of their 6-month research in the form of a digital portfolio.
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The function of myths and rites in current society is investigated. The relation between religion and art is explored. The place and function of music in religion is investigated. The way in which holy texts are interpreted (scriptural reasoning) within different religions is explored.
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The following social themes are addressed: Religion and Media; Religion and Ecology; Religion and Xenophobia; Religion and Homophobia; Religion and Violence; Religion and Gender equality; the possibility of Inter-religious dialogue.
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Structure, agency and power in social theory
How do we theorise the interrelationships between structure, agency, and power in society? This is the central question in this module, which provides students with an intensive introduction to critical social theories. Engaging with current affairs and debates in society, the module will enable students to learn how to develop theoretical knowledge about the ways in which power is structured and exercised in society – both from above and below, as well as across fields (the economic, the political, the cultural) and scales (the body, private and public spheres, communities and nation-states, and the world-system).
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Thinking methodologically
This module sets out to introduce students to ‘doing research’. In this respect the assumptions and processes underpinning methodological choices in sociological research are considered in order to think about foundations of research, about how knowledge claims are made, how science is conceptualised, what role theory plays, as well as how values and ethics shape the politics of research. In addition to these foundational questions, a broad introduction to methods used in social research is provided by considering both the theoretical dimensions and practical application of various research tools. The purpose of the module is to equip students with the necessary competence to, describe ontological and epistemological debates and different approaches to research in the social sciences, delineate a research problem, identify units of analysis, make sampling decisions and formulate questions and hypothesis as well as understand the principles of quantitative (elementary statistical decision-making) and qualitative data analysis.
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A comprehensive review of Spanish grammar is presented in order to increase language proficiency with special emphasis on the productive activities of the language, namely speaking and writing. It also offers an introductory approach to Hispanic history. This module complies with the requirements for level B2.1 set by the “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages”.
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This module continues with the presentation of a comprehensive review of Spanish grammar in order to increase language proficiency with special emphasis on the interactive activities of the language, namely spoken and written interaction. It also offers an introductory approach to Hispanic literature. This module complies with the requirements for level B2.2 set by the “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages”.
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Political theory
A theoretical and normative study of political ideas, concepts, texts and values. This includes the study of key global political thinkers throughout history, as well as the contemporary manifestations of ideologies such as liberalism, socialism, conservatism, postcolonialism and feminism. This normative assessment of politics will also focus on the critical evaluation of prominent political concepts such as justice, liberty, power, democracy and equality.
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Part 1: Public Policy Studies A high-level critical analysis of the theory and practice of public policy within the domestic, regional, and international context. Attention is given to key aspects of the policy-making process, including, but not limited to: agenda setting, policy adoption, policy assessment, and policy termination. Case studies may differ year-on-year depending on local and international developments.
Part 2: Political analysis The methods and practice of political analysis are the focus of this module. The principles and problems underpinning different approaches and methods of political analysis are described and explained. This includes the nature, methods and use of comparative analysis, forecasting, risk analysis, performance evaluation and the political audit. These analytical methods are positioned in a political and policy context, with emphasis on practical application. Applicable examples and case studies are used throughout and differ year-on-year depending on domestic and international developments.
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