Yearbooks

Programme: MSocSci Industrial Sociology and Labour Studies (Coursework)

Kindly take note of the disclaimer regarding qualifications and degree names.
Code Faculty
01253030 Faculty of Humanities
Credits Duration NQF level
Minimum duration of study: 2 years Total credits: 180 NQF level:  09
Contact:
Prof AG Nilsen
[email protected]
+27 (0)124203111

Admission requirements

  • An honours degree in Sociology, Industrial Sociology or a directly related social science is required.
  • An average of at least 70% for this degree is required.

Additional requirements

  • SOC 751 and SOC 756 or similar modules in research methodology and theory are required.
  • Prospective students may be required to submit an admissions essay or to sit for an examination or to do additional modules to enable them to reach the desired level of study.
  • An acceptable level of proficiency in English or Afrikaans is required.
  • Students with an average between 68% and 70% could be considered for admission under special conditions. Apply to the programme manager.

Other programme-specific information

  • Choose either SOC 830 or SOC 862 as core modules.
  • Choose one elective module.
  • SOC 830 and SOC 862 can only be chosen as an elective when not already selected as a core module.
  • Not all modules are offered in any given year. Contact the programme manager in this regard.

Minimum credits: 90

Core modules
SOC 812  Advanced research methodology

Select One of the following:
SOC 830  Conflict management in the workplace
SOC 857  Globalisation and development

Elective modules
Select One of the following:
SOC 830  Conflict management in the workplace**
SOC 857  Globalisation and development**
SOC 858  The sociology of South Africa
SOC 859  Identity, culture and society
SOC 860  Civil society and the state
SOC 862  Sociology of work and organisations

**If not already selected as a core module.

Core modules

  • Module content:

    This module aims to build upon students’ prior training (at honours level) in research methods to interrogate the methodological and epistemological debates of social science research. The module provides students with a deep understanding of research concepts, ethics, and approaches as well as the key elements of the research process within qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches.  During the semester students will develop the skills and background knowledge needed to plan, organise and disseminate their own sound research projects. Assessments will include tasks linked to the seminars as well as an exam.

    View more

  • Module content:

    This module focuses on reviewing and interrogating sociological theories of and explanations for conflict in the workplace, with specific emphasis on issues such as strike violence.

    View more

  • Module content:

    This module examines theoretical explanations of globalisation. In doing so its primary goal is to explore ways in which capital in the era of the end of history is compelling us to rethink sociology as a science of the present. The module begins with theoretical discussions in order to lay the ground for talk about development as a process of incorporating (in this case) Africa into the global world system. The module further studies changes brought about by globalisation to the nation-state system, work and gender relations. It also examines nationalism and ethnicity as specific features of capitalism in the era of the end of history. 

    View more

Elective modules

  • Module content:

    This module takes a sociological approach to understanding and interrogating South African society. It begins by looking at some of the debates and discussions about Sociology in South Africa. It then reviews and debates key issues in order to understand the political economy of Apartheid. Finally it looks at some key debates associated with post-apartheid South Africa.

    View more

  • Module content:

    This module focuses on the relationship between the personal and social and how these two domains are intricately related, simultaneously implying sameness and difference in the process of identification. It considers how societal structures and institutions shape and construct identities historically, whilst being shaped by individual agency, in turn. Human experience reveals a range of cross-cutting affiliations, based on ethnicity, race, religion, gender, sexuality and generation, amongst others, implying a multiplicity in belonging, suggesting a relational process, rather than an essence. The social, contingent and constructed nature of identities is highlighted against experiences of dislocation within a context of globalisation.

    View more

  • Module content:

    This module explores critical perspectives and current debates on the relationship between state, civil society, and political economy. How is state power organised and exercised? How are economic resources distributed and market dynamics structured? How do social movements and other forms of collective action shape political and economic power relations? ‘State, civil society and political economy’ explores these questions with a specific focus on the global South, and with an orientation towards understanding sociohistorical processes of change across multiple geographical scales – from the global, via the regional and national, to the local.

    View more

  • Module content:

    The module will allow students to engage with the theoretical framework/s and concepts of the sociology of organisations. Themes that will be covered include the changing nature of organisations, how the latter has been structured by different forms of capitalist accumulation and labour processes, changing organisational forms, organisational cultures, gender, power, conflict and leadership.

    View more

Minimum credits: 90

Core modules
SOC 812  Advanced research methodology

Select One of the following:
SOC 830  Conflict management in the workplace
SOC 857  Globalisation and development

Elective modules
Select One of the following:
SOC 830  Conflict management in the workplace**
SOC 857  Globalisation and development**
SOC 858  The sociology of South Africa
SOC 859  Identity, culture and society
SOC 860  Civil society and the state
SOC 862  Sociology of work and organisations

**If not already selected as a core module.

Core modules


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.

Copyright © University of Pretoria 2024. All rights reserved.

COVID-19 Corona Virus South African Resource Portal

To contact the University during the COVID-19 lockdown, please send an email to [email protected]

FAQ's Email Us Virtual Campus Share Cookie Preferences