Courses

AFS1100S UNDERSTANDING GENDER

This course is capped at 450 students for 2025

18 NQF credits at NQF level 5

Convener: Dr N Titi

Course entry requirements: None.

This course is a requirement for students majoring in Gender Studies, but is also open as an elective to students in all other faculty disciplines. Course outline: The aims of this course include increasing students’ awareness of the relevance of gender issues to their lives and developing a critical understanding of the multiple and contested meanings of gender in contemporary African and international contexts. It introduces key concepts concerning gender and sexuality, culture and identity, context and the dynamics of masculinity and femininity. It explores connections between gender, ‘race’, class, generation and location and draws on a number of different resource materials: including visual materials such as documentaries, film and media, art. Lecture times: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 5th period. DP requirements: Students are expected to attend all classes, and to submit all required assignments by deadlines identified in the course curriculum. Assessment: Continuous assessment (essays, projects, tests, etc.) counts 100%.

AFS2100F GENDER, SEXUALITY, POLITICS

This course may also be offered in Summer Term – please consult the Department.

24 NQF credits at NQF level 6

Convener: TBA

Course entry requirements: 2 nd year status

Course outline: This course explores debates around gender and sexualities as a way both of deepening knowledge about the politics of gender continentally, and of exploring the complexity of different African contexts’ engagement with broad discussions on sexual rights. The course is divided into two sections which broadly focus on South Africa, Kenya and Uganda. The first section addresses concepts on gender and sexualities through an examination of how sexualities were remade as a result of colonial conquest as well as how debates over gender and sexualities shifted post-‘independence’. The second section looks at contemporary debates in gender politics and sexualities. These include debates of the (de)criminalisation of sex work, culture and sexuality, reproductive health rights and sexual rights, and gender and the media. Lecture times: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 3rd period. DP requirements: Students are expected to attend all classes, and to submit all required assignments by deadlines identified in the course curriculum. Assessment: Continuous assessment (essays, projects, tests, etc.) counts 100%.

AFS2102S GENDER & THE POLITICS OF DEVELOPMENT

24 NQF credits at NQF level 6

Convener: Dr Z Mkhize 

Course entry requirements: 2 nd year status

Course outline: The aim of this course is to enable students to understand and analyse the impact of development practices, particularly as they have affected women and men in different contexts. The course will offer an introduction to debates around the gendered impact of different economic and political development trajectories, and policies, such as industrialisation, agricultural transformations,democratisation, and contemporary structural adjustment programmes. Case studies drawn from different regions and contexts will be used to illustrate the theoretical debates, including those distinguishing “women in development” approaches from “gender and development” approaches. Lecture times: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 3rd period. DP requirements: Completion of all semester coursework by deadlines as specified on the course curriculum.

Assessment: Continuous assessment (essays, projects, tests, etc.) counts 100%

30 NQF credits at NQF level 7

Convener: Associate Professor B Moolman

Course entry requirements: AFS2100F and one of the following electives: AFS2102S, HST2047S, REL2047F, ANS2402S, ANS2401F, SOC2004S, or permission of the Head of Department. AFRICAN FEMINIST STUDIES 133 Course outline: In this course we will examine how women's movements have emerged in the context of struggles against other forms of social injustice and have informed theories about gendered oppression. Focusing on women's and feminist movements mainly in the South and East, the course examines how feminist theories have not only been shaped by the specificities of the local contexts and struggles; but also how they have been shaped by the global flow of information about women's and queer movements elsewhere. In addition, we examine how the questions that feminists and women activists have raised have destabilised the taken-for-granted assumptions about masculinities. We will also take a brief look at the construction and multiple meanings of sexuality and masculinities, especially in African contexts. The course is designed to acquaint students with literature about women's and feminist movements in the non-western world. It encourages students to think critically about the relationship between theories and practice, as well as about the applicability of feminist theoretical concepts across diverse contexts. Coursework is also designed to develop students' writing and seminar presentation skills. Lecture times: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 4th period. DP requirements: Completion of all written coursework by deadlines as specified on course curriculum. Assessment: Continuous assessment (essays, projects, tests, etc.) counts 100%.

AFS4100W RESEARCH ESSAY/PROJECT

30 NQF credits at NQF level 8

Convener: Associate Professor F Seedat

Course entry requirements: Acceptance for an honours programme. Course outline: A research essay of 14,000-15,000 words must be submitted by no later than 23 October. Assessment: Research essay / project.

AFS4101FS GENDER AND VIOLENCE

24 NQF credits at NQF level 8

Convener: Dr N Titi

Course entry requirements: Acceptance for an honours programme. Course outline: This course provides a range of feminist analyses of the connections between gender, culture, sexuality and violence in African contexts and more broadly. It examines the development of theories and the history of organisational and State-based efforts to combat particular forms of violence, especially those commonly identified as 'gender-based violence’s’. It also explores current dilemmas - theoretical, strategic and political - facing feminist activists and researchers with a commitment to challenging 'gender-based' violence in the SADC context.Assessment: Two short essays (15% each); long essay of 4,500-5,000 words (40%) in course writing and participation (30%)

AFS4111FS RACE AND GENDER IN AFRICA AND SOUTH AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES

24 NQF credits at NQF level 8

Convener: Dr Z Mkhize

Course entry requirements: Acceptance for an honours programme. Course outline: This module engages with contemporary debates on gender, blackness and decolonisation in higher education on the African continent. This course critically examines African-ness, gender and decolonisation in higher education. The course critiques the debates about being African in an African university, being gendered in African university spaces and debates around decolonisation and transformation. Assessment: Continual assessment - paper 1: 20%; paper 2: 20%; paper 3: 40%; reflexive blogs: 10%; seminar engagements: 10%.

AFS4112FS GENDER, LAND & SPATIAL JUSTICE: A SENSE OF PLACE

24 NQF credits at NQF level 8

Convener: Associate Professor B Moolman

Course entry requirements: Acceptance for an honours programme.

Course outline: This course aims to provide a critical study of gender, land, place and space through an African feminist geographical lens. Drawing on feminist theories of land, place, space and justice, students will engage with relevant readings and resources (video/podcasts, etc.) and experiences to examine how women and LGBTIQ+ communities engage and respond to questions of land, place, and spatial justice. The course will offer students an opportunity to examine local, continental and global contexts and politics in gender/race/class, land, place, space and justice through a focus on local and African continental contexts, diaspora communities and the global south. Areas covered will include historical and contemporary approaches to gender and land in Africa, the social production of space and place; borders/borderlessness, nation; migration and mobility and decolonial approaches to spatial justice. DP requirements: Attendance at all classes and completion of both short assignments. Assessment: Two short assignments (2,500 words) 25% each. One term paper (5,000-6,000 words) 50%.

AFS4106F INTRODUCTION TO GENDER/TRANSFORMATION

24 NQF credits at NQF level 8

Convener: Associate Professor B Moolman

Course entry requirements: Acceptance for an honours programme.

Course outline: This course will offer an introduction to contemporary issues concerning gender, post colonialism, development and research. The course will be structured through discussion of themes particularly relevant to issues of gender and transformation: post-colonial identities, the interaction of civil society and the nation-state, information technologies and knowledge production, sexuality and violence. The course will also prepare incoming students for the kinds of critical reading and writing essential to undertaking new research in gender and transformation. Assessment: Course participation 10%; course assignment 20%; group presentations 25%; examination 45%.

AFS4108FS GENDER, SEXUALITY AND ISLAM

24 NQF credits at NQF level 8

Convener: Associate Professor F Seedat

Course entry requirements: Prior undergraduate degree including BA, BSocSc or LLB.

At least one previous or concurrent course in Religious Studies, or special permission of the instructor. Acceptance for an Honours programme.

Course outline: This course aims to provide a critical study of gender, sexuality and approaches to the body in Islamic thought and Muslim communities. Drawing on feminist theories of religion, gender and sexuality, students will engage with religious texts and experiences to examine how Muslim communities manage the convergence of gender, sexuality and piety. The course will offer students an opportunity to evaluate international developments in gender, sexuality and Islam and through a focus on local and African continental contexts, diaspora communities and the global south. Areas covered will include historical and contemporary approaches to Muslim marriage and divorce law, Islamic jurisprudence and ethics, social justice and activism, gender-based reform, feminism and equality, and security and violence in Muslim minority and majority contexts. Prior undergraduate courses in Gender Studies and/or Religious Studies will be a strong advantage, otherwise students will require the permission of the course convener.

DP requirements: Attendance at all classes and completion of both short assignments Assessment: Two short assignments 20% each; One term paper 60%

AFS5104FS CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN FEMINIST THEORISATION

24 NQF credits at NQF level 9

Convener: Associate Professor F Seedat

Course entry requirements: Acceptance for a master’s degree in an appropriate field. Course outline: This course aims to prepare master’s level researchers in gender studies to engage in advanced discussion on contemporary African feminists' theorisation of development, religion and ritual, identity and violence, family and culture, and sexualities. It explores, both historically and contextually, how such theorisations have influenced political and social changes, and how debates on the links between African feminist theorisations, decolonial theory, queer theory and broad African political theory in culture and knowledge-creation have been generated from the c19 to the c21. Some engagement with the dialogues, both disjunctive and fertile, contexted in Latin America, India, and the USA will be included in the syllabus. The course also aims to create and consolidate a peer-group of mid-level researchers in gender studies capable of both analytic and clear engagement with one another and supportive and collaborative thinking. Assessment: Book review (x3) (1,000 words) 15%; Research community engagement (1,500 words) 10%; Seminar participation and contribution 20%; Short assignment (2,000 words) 10%; Presentation (of a draft of the paper) 10%; Long paper (7,000-8,000 words) 35%.

AFS5105W ADVANCED THEORY IN FEMINIST RESEARCH AND METHODOLOGY

48 NQF credits at NQF level 9 Convener: Associate Professor F Seedat

Course entry requirements: Acceptance for a master's programme. Course outline: This course offers critical engagement on advances in feminist theories of knowledge-creation and research methodology. The course covers epistemological theory in feminisms and research and strengthens the approach to qualitative methodologies and basic quantitative analytic skills. The course aims to support master’s level researchers in gender studies in the design and implementation of their individual research projects, as well to ensure a peer-based cohort of young scholars capable of critical and engaged discussion with others' research and research processes. It also will also offer diverse opportunities for engagement with senior researchers visiting AFS, in structured discussions on questions of research ethics, qualitative and quantitative analysis of data in feminist research, multilingualism/translation/interpretation in research, and other key areas of debate. Assessment: Participation in prepared discussion (24 sessions) 25%; Assignment - paper in critical feminist research theory 10%; Assignment - paper in application of quantitative or qualitative analysis of research data 20%; Proposal process and production (8,000 words) 45%.

AFS5106W MINOR DISSERTATION

96 NQF credits at NQF level 9

Convener: Associate Professor F Seedat

Course entry requirements: Acceptance for a master’s degree in an appropriate field. Course outline: A dissertation completed under supervision which shows thorough practical and/or academic knowledge of the approved subject and methods of research, and evidence of independent critical power in the handling and interpretation of material already known or newly discovered, may embody such original work of others as may be pertinent, may include the candidate's own published material on the same subject, if the prior permission of the Senate has been obtained. The dissertation must be the candidate’s own work and any contributions to and quotations in the dissertation must be cited and referenced. Assessment: A dissertation of no more than 25,000 words in length.

AFS5107H DIRECTED READING IN GENDER STUDIES

24 NQF credits at NQF level 9

Convener: TBA

Course entry requirements: Acceptance for a master’s degree in an appropriate field. Course outline: This course offers students the opportunity to engage in intensive reading/dialogue with a faculty member expert in a particular area of Gender Studies. The course can be chosen in lieu of an elective, in consultation with the agreement of a research supervisor. The course allows the student to pursue a programme of reading in a special subject. The programme is designed in consultation with either the research supervisor or another AFS department member with expertise in the specific area, and will comprise structured reading, in-depth discussion of the material, and the production of a paper/papers (8,000 words). Assessment: Participation in prepared discussion (8-12) 25%; Long paper (in consultation with the supervisor) (8,000 words) 75%.

AFS5108FS GENDER, SEXUALITY AND ISLAM

24 NQF credits at NQF level 9

Convener: Associate Professor F Seedat

Course entry requirements: Acceptance for a master’s degree.

At least one previous or concurrent course in the Study of Religions, or special permission of the instructor. Course outline: This course aims to provide a critical study of gender, sexuality and approaches to the body in Islamic thought and Muslim communities. Drawing on feminist theories of religion, gender and sexuality, students will engage with religious texts and experiences to examine how Muslim communities manage the convergence of gender, sexuality and piety. The course will offer students an opportunity to evaluate international developments in gender, sexuality and Islam and through a focus on local and African continental contexts, diaspora communities and the global south. Areas covered will include historical and contemporary approaches to Muslim marriage and divorce law, Islamic jurisprudence and ethics, social justice and activism, gender-based reform, feminism and equality, and security and violence in Muslim minority and majority contexts. Prior undergraduate courses in Gender Studies and/or the Study of Religions will be a strong advantage, otherwise students will require the permission of the course convener. DP requirements: Attendance at all classes and completion of both short assignments. Assessment: Two short assignments (3,000 words) 15% each; One term paper (7,000 - 8,000 words) 60%; Participation 10%.

AFRICAN FEMINIST STUDIES 155 AFS5109FS THE POLITICS OF QUEER: BEYOND ENDURANCE

24 NQF credits at NQF level 9

Convener: TBA

Course entry requirements: Acceptance to a master’s degree in an appropriate field.

Course outline: This course aims to introduce students to the questions which arise through diverse queer theorisations, concerning historiography, language, the meanings of embodiment and the power of the border. It also aims to read queer theory and activisms generated in the past five decades within the United States and Europe through engagement with African-centered writers, film-makers, performance artists and debates. Assessment: Seminar-based papers on readings/discussion (5) 25%; Seminar participation and contribution 30%; Short assignment (2,000 words) 10%; Major assignment (7,000-8,000 words) 35%.

AFS5112FS GENDER, LAND AND SPATIAL JUSTICE: A SENSE OF PLACE

24 NQF credits at NQF level 9

Convener: Associate Professor B Moolman

Course entry requirements: Acceptance for a master's programme.

Course outline: This course aims to provide a critical study of gender, land, place and space through an African feminist geographical lens. Drawing on feminist theories of land, place, space and justice, students will engage with relevant readings and resources (video/podcasts, etc.) and experiences to examine how women and LGBTIQ+ communities engage and respond to questions of land, place, and spatial justice. The course will offer students an opportunity to examine local, continental and global contexts and politics in gender/race/class, land, place, space and justice through a focus on local and African continental contexts, diaspora communities and the global south. Areas covered will include historical and contemporary approaches to gender and land in Africa, the social production of space and place; borders/borderlessness, nation; migration and mobility and decolonial approaches to spatial justice. DP requirements: Attendance at all classes and completion of both short assignments. Assessment: Two short assignments (3,500 words) 25% each. One term paper (7,000-8,000 words) 50%