Yearbooks

Programme: BPolSci International Studies

Kindly take note of the disclaimer regarding qualifications and degree names.
Code Faculty
01130033 Faculty of Humanities
Credits Duration
Duration of study: 3 years Total credits: 391
Contact:
Dr FG Wolmarans
[email protected]
+27 (0)124202689

Programme information

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.

Admission requirements

  • Candidates who achieved an APS of 30 in Grade 11 and comply with the minimum subject requirements and achievement levels of these study programmes will automatically be granted placement in the study programmes subject to the availability of space. The above-mentioned is not applicable to selection programmes.
  •  To retain admission learners will be expected to obtain an APS of at least 28 in Grade 12. Prospective students who have already been granted provisional admission in these study programmes but obtained at least an APS of 27 in Grade 12 will be considered by the Admission Committee should space be available. The Admission Committee of the Faculty of Humanities will consider these students once the results of the National Benchmark Test (NBT) are available and depending on the availability of space.
  • The Faculty will assess satisfactory performance in the NBT in the light of its commitment to ensure that an appropriate proportion of the applicants will be drawn from the historically disadvantaged category of the population.
  • Applicants with an APS of 30 but who do not comply with the subject requirements must write the NBT.
  • Life Orientation is excluded when calculating the APS.

 

Minimum requirements for 2016

Achievement Level

APS

Afrikaans or English

NSC/IEB

HIGCSE

AS-Level

A-Level

5

3

C

C

30

 

 

Other programme-specific information

Note: First year of study - FUNDAMENTAL MODULES

Students who are deemed to be at risk of their level of academic literacy are compelled to take 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.

Elective modules

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.

Elective modules

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:

-    In collaboration with the coordinator, students can select any other appropriate modules as electives from the Faculty of Humanities.

-    If Geography is taken as an elective at first-year level, a sufficient number of modules must be taken to ensure that the credit value for this subject is at least 24.

-    Geoinformatics and Meteorology can only be taken in combination with Geography.

Academic literacy
The academic literacy of all students who enrol at the University of Pretoria for the first time and all new students enrolling with the Faculty of Humanities for the first time will be assessed at the start of the academic year by means of their NSC marks.

  1. Students following a degree programme in English: The NSC Grade 12 English mark will be used to determine whether students in the Faculty of Humanities should register for the academic literacy modules (ALL 110 and ALL 125 in English):
  • Home Language: Students with a 4 or lower register for ALL 110 and ALL 125.
  • First Additional Language: Students with a 5 or lower register for ALL 110 and ALL 125.
  1. Students following a degree programme in Afrikaans: The NSC Grade 12 Afrikaans mark will be used to determine whether students in the Faculty of Humanities should register for the academic literacy modules (VAG 110 and VAG 125 in Afrikaans):
  • Home Language: Students with a 4 or lower register for VAG 110 and VAG 125.

All students in the Faculty of Humanities who are identified as being at risk in terms of their level of academic literacy, are compelled to obtain at least 12 credits in the academic literacy modules ALL 110 or VAG 110 and ALL 125 or VAG 125.
All students in the Faculty of Humanities who are not at risk in terms of their level of academic literacy, are compelled to obtain at least 12 credits in language modules:

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 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: 130

Fundamental modules

Core modules

  • Module content:

    Basics of politics
    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. This includes the development and comparison of related political entities, processes and regime types of a democratic and non-democratic nature, also considering the salient changes brought about by globalisation.

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  • Module content:

    Cooperation in the political world
    An introduction to cooperation at national and international levels with specific reference to the nature, foundations and politics of cooperation. This includes an analysis and comparison of the politicisation, localisation and internationalisation of issues and of the problems at national, regional and international levels related to cooperation in an increasingly interdependent world characterised by the absence of supranational institutions. Attention is also paid to the corresponding dynamics of regime development, performance and change.

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Elective modules

  • Module content:

    Introduction to Anthropology
    This introduction to 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.

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  • Module content:

    Small places, Large issues
    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.

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  • 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”.

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  • Module content:

    Comprehensive review of German grammar; development of reading, writing, speaking and understanding skills; analysis and interpretation of tests.

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  • Module content:

    Continuation of comprehensive review of German; further development of reading, writing, speaking and understanding skills; analysis and interpretation of texts.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • Module content:

    Introduction to Philosophy
    The two semester modules at first-year level introduce students to the four main subfields of Philosophy, namely epistemology and metaphysics, ethics and political philosophy. This module introduces students to two of these subfields. Students must contact the Department of Philosophy to ascertain which two subfields are covered in each semester as the choice may change from time to time due to availability of teaching staff. 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 critical judgment and discernment.

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  • Module content:

    Introduction to Philosophy
    The two semester modules at first-year level introduce students to the four main subfields of Philosophy, namely epistemology and metaphysics, ethics and political philosophy. This module introduces students to two of these subfields. Students must contact the Department of Philosophy to ascertain which two subfields are covered in each semester as the choice may change from time to time due to availability of teaching staff. 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 critical judgment and discernment.

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  • 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”.

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  • Module content:

    Comprehensive review of French grammar; development of reading, writing, speaking and understanding skills; analysis and interpretation of texts.

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  • Module content:

    Comprehensive review of French grammar; further development of reading, writing, speaking and understanding skills; analysis and interpretation of texts.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • Module content:

    Investigating southern African landscapes and placing them in a theoretical and global context. The geomorphological evolution of southern Africa. Introduction to the concepts of Geomorphology and its relationships with other physical sciences (e.g. meteorology, climatology, geology, hydrology and biology). The processes and controls of landform and landscape evolution. Tutorial exercises cover basic techniques of geomorphological analysis, and topical issues in Geomorphology.

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  • Module content:

    Part 1: The individual and society
    An introduction to sociology, the classical sociological paradigm and the principles of sociological research.

    Part 2: The making of the South African order

    This section explores key factors involved in the making and shaping of the contemporary South African social order and considers the sociological implications thereof. Students will be introduced to the political economy of South Africa, with an emphasis on the nature of South Africa’s industrialisation, the process of proletarianisation and the introduction of the migration labour system. In addition, the racial state, the foundations of its social project, and the spatial form of its 20th century racial modernity will be considered.

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  • Module content:

    Part 1: The sociology of institutions

    An introduction to the social dynamics of institutions such as the family, the state, the economy, religion, education, and civil society, with specific focus on Southern Africa.

    Part 2: Social stratification: Race, class and gender
    The nature and dynamics of social stratification and inequality will be explored. Race, gender and class are the foci of the section. The South African reality in this regard is highlighted.

     

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  • 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”.

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  • Module content:

    An introduction to the climate and general seasonal climatic circulation patterns of Southern Africa. Basic weather types and weather processes within the Southern African context. Interpretation of synoptic maps and synoptic station reports. Impacts of climate change and extreme climate events on society.
    *BSc (Geography) and BSc (Environmental Sciences) students may register for WKD 155. Students are not allowed to earn credits for both WKD 155 and WKD 164.

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  • Module content:

    Introducing the basic concepts and interrelationships required to understand the complexity of natural environmental problems, physical and human environment, human induced environmental problems, the ways in which the natural environment affects human society and biodiversity, an introduction to major environmental issues in Southern Africa and sustainable development in the context of environmental issues.

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  • Module content:

    The world of religion
    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.

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  • Module content:

    Kaleidoscope of religions
    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.

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  • 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."

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Minimum credits: 120

Core modules

  • Module content:

    International theory and organisation
    What cause war and peace? Can international order and justice be reconciled? Does the international structure matter? The answers depend on the theoretical lenses through which world politics are viewed. An overview is provided of competing theoretical perspectives of international relations. 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. 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, and of international law that underpins these organisations and their activities.

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  • 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 method and a framework for foreign policy analysis and evaluation. This allows for a 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.

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  • Module content:

    Political dynamics (Micro)
    The study of the theory and practice of behavioural phenomena in politics. With reference to appropriate examples, the emphasis is on the study of political culture, leadership, communication, interests groups, parties and party systems; on elections, electoral systems, voting behaviour; and on public opinion and direct popular control techniques.

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  • Module content:

    Political dynamics (Macro)
    A theoretical basis and framework is provided for the description, analysis and classification of political and policy problems. The emphasis is 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.

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Elective modules

  • Module content:

    Sex, gender and healing This module explores sex, sexuality, gender, sickness and healing. It entails analysing the ways in which these concepts are understood in diverse social contexts and studies how anthropologists think about them in contemporary society.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • Module content:

    Microeconomics
    Microeconomic insight is provided into: consumer and producer theory, general microeconomic equilibrium, Pareto-optimality and optimality of the price mechanism, welfare economics, market forms and the production structure of South Africa. Statistic and econometric analysis of microeconomic issues.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • Module content:

    History of modern philosophy I and II

    A concise history of modern philosophy. The following are examples of themes that may be explored: The Renaissance, the Scientific Revolution, the foundations of the modern worldview (in contrast to the premodern), the European Enlightenment, Romanticism, German Idealism (Kant and Hegel), Marx and Marxism, Kierkegaard and Existentialism, the philosophy of Nietzsche. A selection of contemporary critical responses to modern philosophy may be explored; these may include for example African philosophy, analytical (Anglo-American) philosophy, postmodernism, neo-Marxism, etc.

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  • Module content:

    Political philosophy and ethics
    In this module the ways in which human reality is reflected on in practical philosophy, are examined. Both the analytical, interpretative perspective and the normative perspective are covered. This is done with the aid of a selection of key themes and texts from the history of philosophy, but with special attention to their contemporary relevance. The first of the two foci of this semester module will be on political philosophy. Among the issues that may be covered are justice, power, ideology, authority, the social contract, law, legitimacy, recognition, etc. The second focus of this semester module will be on ethics. Among the issues that may be covered are the formation of rules, principles, ideal, dispositions and the capability to judge that regulate such diverse phenomena as freedom, equality, rights, distribution, oppression. pluralism, and others. The classical approaches to ethics - virtue ethics, deontology, consequentialism - will form the backdrop against which moral philosophy will be discussed. In this module, in general, the student can expect to be exposed to the work of Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Kant, Hegel, Marx, Sidgwick, Nietzsche, Weber, Mead, Arendt, Habermas, Rawls, Ricoeur, Walzer, Young, Sen, Honneth, and others.

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  • Module content:

    Themes from African History A selection of themes on the history of Africa and its people during pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial times, focusing on the social, political and economic forces that helped shape the African historical experience.

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  • Module content:

    Rise and fall of segregation and apartheid Focuses on the origin and theoretical foundations of these policies and their entrenchment in SA legislation. The resistance against the institution of these respective policies and the subsequent dismantling of apartheid. The impact on social, cultural and economic terrain.

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  • 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 fluvial processes. Practical laboratory exercises are based on the themes covered in the module theory component.

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  • Module content:

    *The content of this module is the same as GGY 283 and students are not allowed to earn credits for both GGY 283 and GIS 221.
    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.

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  • Module content:

    Focus on religion
    Part 1: Christianity
    Jesus as founder of Christianity; Images of Jesus; current research on the ‘historical Jesus’; core issues in the debate on the ‘historical Jesus’. Capita selecta from themes like: New Testament Christianity; Christian history in survey; Christian missions; After the Industrial Revolution and the Enlightenment; Christianity in a secularist age; The rise of Third World Christianity.
    Part 2: Traditional African religiosity
    Primal religion and traditional African religion; Traditional life and world view. Key elements like: Concept of time; Concept of God; Ancestral cult; Power doctors, healers and cultic leadership; Ethics: Examples of African religion; San religion; Zulu religion; Shona religion.

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  • Module content:

    Part 1: Myth, symbols and other phenomena
    Religion in diachronic and phenomenological perspective; Cosmologies and theologies; Myth and narrative; Ritual; Spirituality; Offices; Symbolism and communication. The module will focus primarily on mythical motives and thought patterns in the Old and New Testaments. By means of a capita selecta the chosen texts are analysed within the timeframe and world view of their own origin.
    Part 2: Ancient religions
    The content, characteristics and influence of religions in the Ancient Near Eastern and Mediterranean worlds will be studied: e.g. Egypt, Canaan, Mesopotamia, Greece etc. (A selection will be made every year.)

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  • Module content:

    Part 1: Religion and ethics
    Sources of ethical decision making. Comparative survey of major ethical principles. Religion and ethics on: Politics, Economics, Justice, Human rights, freedom and responsibility, Society, Sexuality, etc.
    Part 2: African life issues
    The aim of this module is to acquaint the student with life issues from Africa regarding community life. The role of women in the community. The role and function of music as religious experience. Perspectives on time from a religious viewpoint. Aspects regarding evil. Perspectives on personal and community relationships as seen from religious texts. Initiation rites, rituals and religion. Patriarchs, ancestors and worship.

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  • Module content:

    Part 1: Sociology of work: Globalisation
    The contemporary process of globalisation at a world level impacts on the process of change and economic development. This section will discuss processes and debates associated with economic globalisation and the global dominance of finance capital in the late 20th and early 21st century. We will review contemporary debates associated with these issues.


    Part 2: Gender, family and households

    This section focuses on theories and issues relevant to the understanding of households, families and gender. It addresses thematics such as dynamic family structures, poverty, the survival strategies of poor households, gender-based violence and the ways in which the aforementioned affect family life and forms as well as children and youth in particular. A special emphasis is placed on exploring these issues in a Southern African context.

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  • Module content:

    Part 1: Demography, health and society
    This section explores the dynamic relationship between demography and health, with examples drawn from South African and international case studies. The substantial increase in world population during the past century compounds key issues faced by contemporary societies. Interplay between demographic processes, such as morbidity, mortality, fertility and mobility, impact on the size of a population. In turn, these are to an extent shaped by the structure of a population as well as the cultural context of a society. Central to this are concerns around health and disease. 

    Part 2: Cultural Sociology

    This section explores themes in cultural sociology, with an emphasis on the ways in which meaning is constructed in everyday life by individuals as well as collectives, on the one hand, and the intersection between culture and institutional forms and social structure on the other. Students will be introduced to the work of some of the key thinkers in the field, and will be provided with the opportunity to write an independent essay on a theme in cultural sociology.

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  • 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”.

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  • 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”.

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  • Module content:

    An urbanising world. Urban structure and land use. Urban processes. The urban environment. Social structure and change in cities. Living in the city. Economy, society and politics in the city. Third-world cities and South African cities. Urban futures.

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  • 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”.

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  • 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”.

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  • 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”.

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  • 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”.

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Minimum credits: 120

Core modules

  • 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. The focus is on the interaction of political and economic trends and issues such as the economic importance and political impact of regional trade blocs; the debt burden of states; international aid; the role and influence of multinational corporations; and the transfer of technology to less-developed countries; the rise of new economic powers in the Global South; and global economic governance.

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  • Module content:

    Security and strategic studies
    A study of traditional and contemporary approaches to security and strategy. Attention is paid to new theories on war, security and strategy; military and non-military security issues and threats; the national security of developing states; as well as the relationship between policy, strategy and tactics. The latter includes an introductory overview of the nature, levels, patterns, forms and instruments of strategy, and the laws of war. The national, regional and continental security situation in Africa and modes of multilateral security cooperation in particular are analysed, also in relation to extra-continental trends. Regarding the aforesaid, emphasis is placed on the legal and institutional framework, national security policy and strategic posture of South Africa.

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Elective modules

  • Module content:

    Africa: anthropological perspectives Contemporary ethnographic studies in the African continent, with particular reference to politics, war, resettlement and refugees, religion, identity formation and identity politics, ethnicity and class, and consumption.

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  • 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.

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  • 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”.

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  • 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”.

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  • 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”.

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    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”.

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    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.

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    International trade/finance
    International economic insight is provided into international economic relations and history, theory of international trade, international capital movements, international trade politics, economic and customs unions and other forms or regional cooperation and integration, international monetary relations, foreign exchange markets, exchange rate issues and the balance of payments, as well as open economy macroeconomic issues.

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    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.

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    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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    Mediaeval and Renaissance literature
    In this module students study the works of representative writers from Chaucer to Shakespeare and Milton. 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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    Editing principles and practice
    This module practises several basic language-editing skills on a variety of texts from different fields and of varying levels of complexity for specific target audiences. The principles of plain language editing are also introduced and strategies for overcoming textual complexity for given audiences are explored. Special attention is also given to the demands of editing South African English, client relations and the ethics of editing. Considerable practical work is required.

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    Augustan, Romantic and 19th-century literature
    In this module students read a representative selection of 18th- and 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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    Introduction to teaching English to speakers of other languages.
    This module introduces both the theoretical and practical dimensions of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). Areas covered include (i) the nature of the foreign/second language learning process; (ii) the major approaches and methods of foreign/second language teaching and (iii) focused methodologies for teaching grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, speaking and listening.

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    Philosophical anthropology and cognitive philosophy                                              In this module the focus is on the quest to understand humankind and its relations to reality and knowledge. Both the analytical, interpretative perspective and the normative perspective are covered. This is done with the aid of a selection of key themes and texts from the history of philosophy, but with special attention to their contemporary relevance. The first of the two foci of this semester module is philosophical anthropology or contemporary metaphysics. Themes covered may include: Is a human more than the sum total of its properties?; the relation between consciousness, self-consciousness and the human unconscious; the meaning of life; the nature of personal identity; the issue of free will, and others. The second focus of the semester module is the congnitive disciplines of philosophy, such as philosophy of science, philosophy of mind and epistemology. In philosophy of science, themes covered may include the types of reasoning in science, the nature and role of explanations in science, the scientific realism debate, the nature of scientific progress, justification of scientific theories, the role of truth in science, and others. In philosophy of mind, themes covered may include the relation between spriit, psyche and body - the mind-body problem, the nature of consciousness and qualia, dualism, materialism, functionalism, physicalism, supervenience, intentionality, and others. In epistemology themes covered may include rationalism, empiricism, transcendental, idealism and Kant foundationalism coherentism, epistemic internalism and externalism, radical scepticism, and others.

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    Philosophical hermeneutics and social philosophy
    The first of the two foci of this semester module is a discussion and analysis of philosophical perspectives on the hermeneutical problem (the problem of understanding and interpretation), with particular attention to contemporary thinkers such as Nietzsche, Heidegger, Gadamer and Derrida. The second focus of the semester module is social philosophy where philosophical questions on social forms, structures, institutions, practices, habitus and ethos will be raised. A range of themes may be investigated, such as structure and agency, social imaginaries, new social formations, institutional cultures, gender and sexuality, subject constitution, and others. Furthermore, the framing of these themes in a spectrum of approaches including Critical Theory, Theory of Ideology, Constractariansim, Social Action Theory, Metaphorology, Critical Race Theory, Genealogy, and others will be analysed and explored.

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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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  • Module content:

    Analysis, interpretation and appropriation of literary texts in cultural-historical perspective.

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  • Module content:

    Historical trends in the modern world A selection of political, economic and social themes.

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    Globalisation, diversity and change Theories and interpretation on the process of change. Globalisation and its significance for, inter alia, the global economy, the nation-state, nationalism, ethnicity and culture.

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  • Module content:

    *Note: The module is available for BSc (Geography) and BSc (Environmental Sciences) students only. The theory content of this module is the same as GGY 363 and students are not allowed to earn credits for both GGY 361 and GGY 363.


    Interactions of geomorphic processes within the physical and built environments; themes such as geomorphology and environmental change, slope processes and the environment, geomorphic risks and hazards, soil erosion and conservation, geomorphology in environmental management, applied weathering. Practicals involve fieldwork including sampling and mapping and subsequent laboratory analysis.

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  • Module content:

    *Note: The content of this module is the same as GGY 361 and students are not allowed to earn credits for both GGY 361 and GGY 363.
    Interactions of geomorphic processes within the physical and built environments; themes such as geomorphology and environmental change, slope processes and the environment, geomorphic risks and hazards, soil erosion and conservation, geomorphology in environmental management, applied weathering.

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  • Module content:

    Part 1: Reflecting on religion
    Theories about religion; Religion and ideology; Secularism; Uniqueness; Doctrinal issues, etc.
    Part 2: Topical issues
    The relationship between religion and various topical issues in society will be addressed, like: Religion and society; religion and gender; religion and economics; religion, politics and the state; religion and the environment, etc.

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  • Module content:

    Part 1: Religions as neighbours
    Plurality; Religious interaction; Practical issues, e.g. Themes to be addressed are: conflict, propaganda, indoctrination, dialogue, syncretism, respect and tolerance. Models of dealing with plurality will be studied, e.g. fundamentalism, relativism, pluralism, inclusivism, exclusivism, secularism and co-responsibility and cooperation.
    Part 2: Religion and the arts
    Iconography; overview on the exposition of biblical themes in the expressive arts and music; religious aspects of well-known artefacts and musical compositions; function of art and music in worship.

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    Part 1: Social theory

    This section focuses on contemporary social theory, in order to extend and broaden students’ understanding of social theory beyond the classical canon. Students will be introduced to key conceptual vocabularies, theoretical paradigms and contemporary bodies of work in social theory. In addition, the way in which scholars who work on South Africa have drawn on social theory to inform and enrich their work is emphasized. 

    Part 2: Labour studies

    The section addresses sociological approaches to the workplace. It will critically assess labour market policy and examine issues such as management practice, employment and unemployment, and discrimination and flexibility in the labour market in South Africa.

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    Part 1: Rural and urban sociology

    This section 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.


    Part 2: Sociology of religion

    This section looks at religion and secularism in social context. Specific emphasis is placed on religion and secularism as forces for social change.

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    Political theory
    A theoretical and normative study of political ideas. This includes the study of key political thinkers such as Plato, Thomas Hobbes and John Rawls as well as the contemporary manifestations of ideologies such as liberalism, socialism, conservatism and nationalism. This normative assessment of politics concludes with a critical evaluation of the development, nature and practical value of prominent democratic theories including participatory, legal, and deliberative democracy.

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    Part 1: Democratic studies
    A high level critical analysis of democratic theory and practice. The analysis of democratic theory will include themes such as classical, radical, deliberative and feminist perspectives. The analysis of democratic practice will include aspects such as democratisation, democratic consolidation, democratic citizenship and society, the role and importance of civil society, the institutions and procedures for democracy and “good governance”.
    Part 2: Political analysis
    The methods and practice of political analysis is the focus of study. 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.

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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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  • Module content:

    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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  • Module content:

    The module conceptually integrates environmental, economic, and social components of sustainable development. Other topics covered include changing perceptions on development and environment, development paradigms, challenges of sustainable development, actors and actions in sustainable development, rural and urban livelihoods, and a Third World assessment of sustainable development in the developing world.

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  • Module content:

    Classic development frameworks. Spatial development history and legacy in South Africa. Overview of contemporary environmental legislation in South Africa. Rural development strategy. Rural and agricultural reconstruction. Land reform. Urban development and strategy. Urban spatial reconstruction. National spatial development frameworks.

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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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