Development Studies Postgraduate

Honours

The honours course comprises four coursework modules and a research report:

1). GSO 750: Research Report

2). GSO 751: Development Theories

3). GSO 755: Development Research Methods

4). GSO 756: Contemporary Development Issues

5). GSO 759: Case Studies in Development Practice

The honours course is offered as a one-year, full-time course, with lectures and seminars. There is a strong qualitative focus in the department with an emphasis on critical theories of development, local economic development, entrepreneurship and society, including the human economy. Students are also required to:

a) participate in the Departmental Seminar Series when in residence;

b) attend weekly lectures and seminars

c) conduct at least four weeks of fieldwork by the end of the honours programme

d) demonstrate mastery over basic field techniques

e) partake in the activities of the Development Studies Student Organisation

f) develop strategic partnerships with development partners including NGOs, the private sector and the City of Tshwane

 

Master’s

Entry to the MA programme is restricted to students who have obtained an honour’s degree in Development Studies or very closely related social science discipline. The dissertation is based on primary field research and other relevant research sources that demonstrate a specialised knowledge of the research process. While research findings can be negative, the master’s dissertation must be methodologically detailed and replicable. The dissertation must demonstrate the candidate’s ability to formulate strategies and responses to contextual and abstract problems. The research process must be fully accountable and demonstrate sensitivity to working in a post-colonial context. In addition to the dissertation, master's candidates are required to:

 
a) participate in the Departmental Seminar Series when in residence

b) conduct at least sixteen weeks of fieldwork by the end of the master’s programme

(c) demonstrate mastery over basic and intermediate field techniques

(d) submit an article to an accredited publication at the end of their study

e) partake in activities of the Development Studies Student Organisation including assuming leadership positions in the organisation

 

PhD

Entry to the PhD programme is restricted to students who have obtained an MA degree in Development Studies or very closely related social science discipline (minimum of 65% for the dissertation). The PhD usually involves three of full-time study and comprises a thesis of 80 000-100 000 words based on Faculty Research and Ethics Committee clearance. The thesis must produce positive research findings and substantively advance the state of development knowledge. The thesis must show mastery over advanced field and analytical techniques as well as sophisticated grasp and application of relevant development or social theories. Students are required to defend their written thesis in an oral presentation, usually three hours in duration. Students are expected to conduct between 3 and 12 months fieldwork by the end of the PhD programme and demonstrate mastery over advanced field techniques.

a) submit an article to an accredited publication at the end of their study

b) partake in activities of the Development Studies Student Organisation including assuming leadership positions in the organisation

Currently our research is organized around six key theme clusters: 1) agrarian change, rural development and land reforms; 2) climate change and food security; 3) gender and development; 4) migration, mobility and wellbeing, 5) humanitarian emergencies, natural disasters and humanitarian assistance, and 6) water governance and security.

 

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