POL1004F - Introduction to Politics
(NOTE: This course may also be offered in Winter Term - please consult the Faculty)
18 NQF credits at HEQSF level 5
Convener: Dr L Lushaba
Course entry requirements: Faculty admission. Admission to this course is restricted to students registered for the major in Politics and Governance, or to students in the PPE programme or the 4-year version of the general bachelor's degree.
Course outline:
The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to key concepts in Political Studies in particular political theory and public policy and administration. Under political theory, key concepts such as power, authority and legitimacy are discussed. Similarly, basic concepts in Public Policy and Administration are introduced to students. These concepts are applied to the study of politics. The case study of South African politics constitutes an application of the conceptual and theoretical material to contemporary politics.
Lecture times: Monday to Thursday 7th period.
DP requirements: Tutorial attendance is compulsory and students who attend fewer than 85% of the tutorials will not be allowed to write the final examination. In addition, completion of all written assignments, essays and tests is a requirement for a DP. Should students fail to hand in written assignments by due date, they will be penalised according to the grading formula of the Department. All required work for DP purposes MUST be submitted by the last day of the course.
Assessment: Coursework counts 50%; final two-hour examination counts 50%.
POL2002F - Political Theory
24 NQF credits at HEQSF level 6
Convener: Dr G Maxaulane
Course entry requirements: POL1004F and POL1005S or with special permission from the Head of Department.
Course outline:
The course examines the social theories of modernity or the role of the post-Enlightenment Scientific Revolution in the formation of the theory of the subject. Against this backdrop, we examine how Descartes goes about establishing the existence of the subject and then we will examine some of the different forms assumed by the new subject (including colonial, democratic, fascist, and totalitarian forms). When it comes to colonial modernity, we will consider the effects of the modern episteme in the history of colonialism and the modes of resistance assumed by the anti-colonial subject and the 'post'-colonial subject.
Lecture times: Monday to Thursday 8th period.
DP requirements: Tutorial attendance is compulsory and students who attend fewer than 85% of the tutorials will not be allowed to write the final examination. In addition, completion of all written assignments, essays and tests are a requirement for a DP. Should students fail to hand in written assignments by due date, they will be penalised according to the grading formula of the Department. All required work for DP purposes MUST be submitted by the last day of the course.
Assessment: Coursework counts 50%; final two-hour examination counts 50%.
POL2038F - Comparative Politics
24 NQF credits at HEQSF level 6
Convener: Dr E Phaahla
Course entry requirements: POL1004F and POL1005S or with special permission from the Head of Department.
Course outline:
This course introduces students to the major concepts, approaches, themes and topics of inquiry in the field of comparative politics. The course is designed to relate specific theories and relevant case studies and/or empirical evidence. The first part of the course focuses on the broad theme of comparative government and the second on violent processes of political change.
Lecture times: Monday to Thursday 7th period.
DP requirements: Tutorial attendance is compulsory and students who attend fewer than 85% of the tutorials will not be allowed to write the final examination. In addition, completion of all written assignments, essays and tests are a requirement for a DP. Should students fail to hand in written assignments by due date, they will be penalised according to the grading formula of the Department. All required work for DP purposes MUST be submitted by the last day of the course.
Assessment: Coursework counts 50%; final two-hour examination counts 50%.
POL2039F - International Political Economy
24 NQF credits at HEQSF level 6
Convener: A Ndlovu
Course entry requirements: POL1004F and POL1005S or with special permission from the Head of the Department.
Course outline:
The course aims to familiarize students with the theoretical concepts and analytical tools central to the study of International Political Economy (IPE) as it relates to Africa. IPE focuses on the intersection between economics and politics in the global environment. In this course, students will analyse how international and domestic political factors interact with economic factors to determine outcomes in areas such as international trade, finance, aid, natural resources, international growth and development, as well as the interaction between business and governments. The course is intended not only to prepare students for further study in IPE, but also to make sense of current events, especially the challenges countries like South Africa face in the international arena.
Lecture times: Monday to Thursday 6th period.
DP requirements: Tutorial attendance is compulsory and students who attend fewer than 85% of the tutorials will not be allowed to write the final examination. In addition, completion of all written assignments, essays and tests are a requirement for a DP. Should students fail to hand in written assignments by due date, they will be penalised according to the grading formula of the Department. All required work for DP purposes MUST be submitted by the last day of the course.
Assessment: Coursework counts 60%; final two-hour examination counts 40%.
POL3029F - Politics of Africa and the Global South (was Third World Politics)
30 NQF credits at HEQSF level 7
Convener: Dr L Paremoer
Course entry requirements: Any 2000-level POL course, or with special permission from the Head of Department.
Course outline:
This course reviews the theories and approaches that are typically used to analyse the political economies and political regimes of countries in the global South. The reliability, validity and normative implications of these theories will be evaluated with reference to key case studies -- in many cases drawn from the African Continent – in order to illustrate or problematise their claims. Though this is a political science course, our study of the politics of the South will be informed by debates that span a number of disciplines, including history, economics, law, anthropology and sociology.
Lecture times: Monday. Tuesday, Wednesday 4th period.
DP requirements: Tutorial attendance is compulsory and students who attend fewer than 85% of the tutorials will not be allowed to write the final examination. In addition, completion of all written assignments, essays and tests are a requirement for a DP. Should students fail to hand in written assignments by due date, they will be penalised according to the grading formula of the Department. All required work for DP purposes MUST be submitted by the last day of the course.
Assessment: Coursework counts 50%; final two-hour examination counts 50%.
POL3030F - Conflict in World Politics
30 NQF credits at HEQSF level 7
Convener: Dr H Scanlon
Course entry requirements: Any 2000-level POL course or with special permission from the Head of Department.
Course outline:
In this course we examine conflict in world politics. We focus on: the analysis of conflict; causes of conflict; actors in conflict; behaviour during conflict; consequences of conflict; and moral evaluation of conflict. In each dimension, we ask questions. To each of these questions, there are different, even opposing, answers. We examine these answers, illustrating them with cases and/or empirical material.
Lecture times: Monday to Thursday 6th period.
DP requirements: Tutorial attendance is compulsory and students who attend fewer than 85% of the tutorials will not be allowed to write the final examination. In addition, completion of all written assignments, essays and tests are a requirement for a DP. Should students fail to hand in written assignments by due date, they will be penalised according to the grading formula of the Department. All required work for DP purposes MUST be submitted by the last day of the course.
Assessment: Coursework counts 50%; final two-hour examination counts 50%.
POL3037F - South African Public Policy Analysis
30 NQF credits at HEQSF level 7
Convener: Professor A Butler
Course entry requirements: Any 2000-level POL course or with special permission from the Head of Department.
Course outline:
This course introduces students to the analysis of public policy. We first explore public institutions in which policy is analysed, developed and implemented, including the cabinet system, treasury and the presidency. We then consider some models that scholars have used to make sense of complex policy processes. The course then explores specific public policy challenges in areas such as energy security, school system reform, and HIV/AIDS policy. This course will be especially useful for students wanting to understand contemporary government in SA, and the relationships between public policy and politics.
Lecture times: Monday to Thursday 7th period.
DP requirements: Tutorial attendance is compulsory and students who attend fewer than 85% of the tutorials will not be allowed to write the final examination. In addition, completion of all written assignments, essays and tests are a requirement for a DP. Should students fail to hand in written assignments by due date, they will be penalised according to the grading formula of the Department. All required work for DP purposes MUST be submitted by the last day of the course.
Assessment: Coursework counts 50%; final two-hour examination counts 50%.