Yearbooks

Programme: MPhil Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa (Coursework)

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Code Faculty
04251023 Faculty of Law
Credits Duration
Duration of study: 1 year Total credits: 200
Contact:
Prof UM Killander
[email protected]
+27 (0)124205407

Programme information

Closing date for applications: 31 July.

This programme is available for international students.

Unless stated otherwise, the curriculum will generally consist of:

  • Three modules counting 30 credits each (at least one of these modules must be completed during the first year of registration).
  • A module in research methodology (RHP 801) counting 5 credits (this module must be completed during the first year of registration).
  • A research proposal (RHP 803) counting 5 credits. The student must submit the research proposal (RHP 803) to the supervisor not later than the end of the first semester of the second year of registration for the LLM degree, prior to commencing with the writing of the mini-dissertation. This period may be extended with the approval of the head of department.
  • A mini-dissertation is required. The examination copy of the mini-dissertation must be submitted to the Student Administration not later than the end of October for the Autumn Graduation Ceremony and the end of April for the Spring Graduation Ceremony and end of August for the December ceremony. After approval of the examination copy of the mini-dissertation, a final version must be submitted to Student Administration on or before 15 February for the Autumn Graduation Ceremony and 15 July for the Spring Graduation Ceremony and 15 November for the December graduation ceremony. This mini-dissertation must deal with the subject content of one of the modules or a combination of the modules registered for by the student for his/her LLM degree. Any request for an extension of the period for submission of the mini-dissertation may only be granted by the Postgraduate Committee on recommendation of the head of department.
  • Also consult General Regulations G.30-G.56 as well as the LLM Policy Document of the Faculty.
The duration of the programme will in general be four semesters (2 years) but may be completed within two semesters (1 year) where possible, subject to fulfilment of all the requirements for the degree and payment of the full amount prescribed for the MPhil degree. Programmes may also be structured to allow for one year of study only. The one- or two-year period may only be extended by the Postgraduate Committee on recommendation of the Head of Department based on good reason shown and if it is clear that the student will be able to complete the programme in a further year of study.

Admission requirements

For Admission Requirements please visit www.chr.up.ac.za or email [email protected]

Additional requirements

Please contact the Faculty with regard to specific requirements pertaining to the MPhil degree programmes.

Other programme-specific information

This is a selection programme and only selected applicants will be admitted to the programme.

The mini-dissertation must comprise 18 000-20 000 words – including footnotes but excluding the list of contents and the bibliography. (The methodology and content of the mini-dissertation should reflect a multidisciplinary perspective on human rights.)

Examinations and pass requirements

In the event of having failed all modules during a particular year of study, a student will only be allowed to continue with his/her studies with the consent of the Postgraduate Committee. Although no supplementary examination will be granted with regard to LLM and MPhil modules, the General Regulations (Regulation G.12.3 and G.12.6) apply with regard to special and ancillary examinations.

Research information

The relevant head of department must recommend a supervisor and title for a mini-dissertation and these must be approved by the Postgraduate Committee. The mini-dissertation must be assessed and finalised as set out in the Faculty Board-approved LLM Policy Document of the Faculty. Mini-dissertations, where required, must be submitted in the format determined by the supervisor and approved by the Postgraduate Committee. The supervisor may likewise and subject to the approval of the Postgraduate Committee also determine the research topic and the scope of the proposed research.

Pass with distinction

For the degree to be awarded with distinction a student must obtain an average of at least 75% for all the coursework modules, as well as a minimum of 75% for the mini-dissertation. The modules must have been written for the first time.

General information

Language policy
The medium of instruction will be English. However, should circumstances allow it, an MPhil module may be presented in Afrikaans. The Dean, in consultation with the relevant head of department, determines the language policy.

Period of registration
At the commencement of a particular module students must be registered for that module and attend the lectures. Alternatively, the permission of the programme coordinator or head of the department should be obtained before a student may be allowed to follow a specific module in a another year of study.

Limiting of modules on offer in a particular academic year and availability to foreign students
The Dean determines which modules will be presented each year, taking into consideration the availability of lecturing personnel, space and financial implications and/or other circumstances. The Dean may, on recommendation of the relevant head of department, determine the maximum number of registrations for a specific elective module in terms of the guidelines referred to in paragraph (a). The Dean may also, on recommendation of the relevant head of department, determine that a particular LLM or MPhil module will not be offered where on the first day of lectures four or fewer students are registered for such module.

In the case of foreign students additional requirements may be set by the Dean and the modules available to such students may also be limited.

Replacement of modules
The Dean may on recommendation of the relevant Head of Department allow a student to replace one prescribed /MPhil module for a particular LLM/MPhil programme with another LLM/MPhil module where such an exception is not otherwise permitted, on condition that good cause is shown why such an exception is required.

Credit for modules completed at another institution
The Dean may, on the recommendation of the relevant head of department, credit a student for a maximum of two modules completed at another institution on condition that it complies with the requirements of this Faculty. Where such modules do not bear the same titles as modules offered at this Faculty, modules with substantially the same content as determined by the relevant head of department may be granted credit in their place, or where, in the absence of such closely related modules, modules that are still relevant within the broad ambit of a specific MPhil degree may be granted credit under special codes for the purposes of such a degree. Additional requirements may also be set before any such module will be granted credit in order to ensure compliance with the requirements of this Faculty.

Credit for another degree
Note that with regard to the above paragraphs, credit will not be given for modules which form part of another degree where the student has already complied with the requirements of such a degree. This rule is also applicable in instances where the student is currently also registered for another degree.

Re-registration for modules
A student may not register more than twice for the same module. In order to pass a module the student must obtain a final mark of 50%.

Core modules

  • Module content:

    During the second semester of the programme, students follow prescribed academic modules at the universities to which they are allocated and undertake internships with human rights organisations if so required.

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  • Module content:

    In this module, the principles and practice of international criminal law are discussed; students also undertake a visit to and report on the situation in a selected African state where they are exposed to the practical application of human rights, democratisation or international criminal law.

     

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  • Module content:

    This module examines the nature of the state and problems associated with state-building and constitutional change in Africa; provides an introduction to constitutionnal concepts such as the separation of powers, federalism and decentralisation, and their application to Africa; and examines the causes of and remedies for conflict in Africa.

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  • Module content:

    This module provides an overview of the human rights norms, institutions and processes of the African Union, with a focus on the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

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  • Module content:

    In this module, introductory human rights concepts are examined; the human rights systems under the United Nations, Council of Europe and the Organisation of American States and some selected national law systems are also analysed.

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  • Module content:

    (a) The student must submit a research proposal during his/her first year of registration for the LLM degree to the supervisor prior to commencing with the writing of the mini-dissertation.
    (b) A mini-dissertation (MND 802) of 18 000 to 20 000 words inclusive of footnotes but excluding the list of contents and the bibliography, is required. The mini-dissertation must be submitted to the study leader not later than August of the second year of registration for the LLM programme. The mini-dissertation must deal with the subject content of one of the modules or a combination of the modules registered for by the student for his/her LLM degree. Any request for an extension of the period for submission of the mini-dissertation may only be granted by the Dean on recommendation of the LLM Committee.

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  • Module content:

    In this module, the focus is on aspects of human rights research, fact finding, advocacy and education.

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  • Module content:

    This module provides an introductory overview of the South African Bill of Rights and constitutional litigation and analyses some selected rights in more depth within a comparative African constitutional context.

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  • Module content:

    Development and presentation of a research proposal. (A research proposal must be submitted to the supervisor and accepted in the first semester of the second year of study before the student will be allowed to register for the mini-dissertation.)

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The information published here is subject to change and may be amended after the publication of this information. The General Regulations (G Regulations) apply to all faculties of the University of Pretoria. It is expected of students to familiarise themselves well with these regulations as well as with the information contained in the General Rules section. Ignorance concerning these regulations and rules will not be accepted as an excuse for any transgression.

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