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Programme: MSocSci Gender Studies (Coursework)

Kindly take note of the disclaimer regarding qualifications and degree names.
Code Faculty
01253028 Faculty of Humanities
Credits Duration
Duration of study: 1 year Total credits: 180
Contact:
Prof CM Tshoaedi
[email protected]
+27 (0)124203111

Admission requirements

  • An honours degree in Gender Studies, Sociology or a relevant social science is required.
  • A minimum average of at least 70% for this degree is needed.
  • 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.

Additional requirements

• SOC 751 and GNR 751 or SOC 756 or similar modules in research methodology, gender studies and/or social 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 GNR 852 or SOC 861 as a core module.
  • Choose one elective module.
  • GNR 852 and SOC 861 can be chosen as elective if 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: 180

  Core modules

In addition to SOC 895 and SOC 812, Select one core module.               

Elective modules

Select ONE module from the list if not selected as a core module.

Core modules

  • Module content:

    This module provides an overview of the theoretical and conceptual apparatuses that underpin the field of critical gender studies. As such, it reviews the academic genealogies of gender studies as well as trajectories of social and political struggles for rights, recognition, representation and resources and the fault lines that have been become evident in the process. Therefore, the module integrates into the gender studies paradigm emerging bodies of work on sexuality and intersectionality. The theoretical component of the study is applied in relation to thematic discussions of contemporary concerns and recent research, with a particular focus on Southern Africa.

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  • Module content:

    This course aims to extend the range of research methods and strategies that students are familiar with and to deepen their existing understanding of methods and approaches to social research. Key components are an introduction to the formal university processes in order to obtain permission to enter the research field, the elements of a good research proposal, and strategies for identifying a research area and delineating a question. In addition, the question of why we do social research and the different ways in which research can make a social contribution will be discussed. Finally, we consider how to go about locating a study within a research tradition and linking ‘research’ and ‘theory’. This module requires of students to develop and write a full research proposal.

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  • Module content:

    This course takes a macro-level perspective and introduces students to scholarly accounts of the changing historical trajectory of gender relations, marriage as an institution, family forms, and household composition and livelihoods and the implications thereof for understanding gender as a social relation. As such, it adopts a historical and comparative perspective, with a specific focus on Southern Africa. In addition, the module explores the role and impact of supra-state organisations, the state and the market in mediating and regulating gender identities and relations, as well as family and household forms, against the backdrop of the nation-state form and in the context of capitalism and neo-liberalism particularly. 

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  • Module content:

    A mini-dissertation of approximately 80 typed pages, based on independent research conducted by the student on an approved topic in the field of sociology, industrial sociology or gender studies, is written under the guidance of a supervisor.

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Elective modules

  • Module content:

    This module provides an overview of the theoretical and conceptual apparatuses that underpin the field of critical gender studies. As such, it reviews the academic genealogies of gender studies as well as trajectories of social and political struggles for rights, recognition, representation and resources and the fault lines that have been become evident in the process. Therefore, the module integrates into the gender studies paradigm emerging bodies of work on sexuality and intersectionality. The theoretical component of the study is applied in relation to thematic discussions of contemporary concerns and recent research, with a particular focus on Southern Africa.

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  • 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.

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  • 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 page 5 of 11 123347 S 33/15 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. 

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • Module content:

    The module will critically assess theoretical and current debates on the nature of the state and civil society as well as their interrelationship. In particular, the module explores conceptualisations of the state and civil society in Africa, as well as their historical trajectories in relation to the question of social transformation. Throughout, an emphasis will be placed on sociological perspectives that emphasize the importance of situating power relations within a context of socio-economic and socio-cultural relations.

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  • Module content:

    This course takes a macro-level perspective and introduces students to scholarly accounts of the changing historical trajectory of gender relations, marriage as an institution, family forms, and household composition and livelihoods and the implications thereof for understanding gender as a social relation. As such, it adopts a historical and comparative perspective, with a specific focus on Southern Africa. In addition, the module explores the role and impact of supra-state organisations, the state and the market in mediating and regulating gender identities and relations, as well as family and household forms, against the backdrop of the nation-state form and in the context of capitalism and neo-liberalism particularly. 

    View more

  • Module content:

    The module will assess and debate issues and theories relevant to the realm of work and of organisations sociologically speaking. Questions such as: how the latter has been structured by various forms of the capitalist labour process; of how organisations operate and are managed and, of leadership will be addressed.

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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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