Overview:
Focusing mainly on the 19th - 21st century, the aim of this specialisation is to give students an in-depth understanding of the world of work and the workings of capitalism. We look at shifts in processes of capital accumulation, modes of production and reproduction, the ways in which race, class gender, sexuality are entangled and affect how working people traverse production and social reproduction spaces. We cover critical discourses on (racial) capitalism, feminist economics, development, political economy and political ecology, migration and mobility. Our courses consciously draw from debates on worker subjection and oppression that animates early Black and radical scholarship in Africa and global south.  Courses go beyond traditional industrial Sociology concepts of labour, work, unions and resistance. The specialisation is interdisciplinary, providing students with the opportunity to study the contributions of different disciplines to understanding the world of work. It consists of eight half (12 credits/six week) courses and a research essay/project (Honours) or eight half (12 credits/six week) courses and a minor dissertation (Master’s). Students are exposed to critical theories and debates in their courses, with the opportunity to research a topic they wish to explore in greater depth in their research projects and dissertations

Honours (126 NQF credits)

Prescribed curriculum:
The Honours are required to complete a research essay/project and taught courses with a combined total of 96 NQF credits.

Compulsory (core) courses:
SOC4000H Research Essay/ Project (30 credits)
SOC4015F Social Research Methods: Qualitative (12 credits)
SOC4028F Social Theory 12 (12 credits)
Select ONE of the following
SOC4013F Social Research Methods: Quantitative (12 credits) 
Or
SOC4036U Intro to Quantitative Research (12 credits)
Plus ONE of the following
SOC4003S Labour Regulation (12 credits)
SOC4014S Globalisation and Labour Relations (12 credits)
SOC5015S Workers, Change & Continuity (12 credits)
Elective courses:
The remaining courses are to be selected from the electives offered in the department or, with the approval of the Convener and the relevant host department, in cognate departments of the University.

Click here to see the outlines of postgraduate courses offered by the Department.

Note: To progress to the Master’s level an overall average result of not less than 68% must be achieved in the Honours.

Master’s (192 NQF credits)

Prescribed curriculum:
Master’s students are required to complete a minor dissertation and four taught courses of which no more than two can be at HEQSF level 8 (4000 level).

Compulsory (core) courses: 
SOC5007F Economic and Social Change (12 credits)
SOC5030F In-Depth Interviewing and Analysis (12 credits)
SOC5032W Minor Dissertation* (96 credits)
SOC5034S GPNs Development & Decent Work (12 credits) 
Plus ONE of the following
SOC5052F Survey Data Analysis (12 credits) 
Or
SOC5036U Quantitative Research Design (12 credits) 
Elective courses:
The remaining courses are to be selected from the electives offered in the department or, with the approval of the Convener and the relevant host department, in cognate departments of the University.

Click here to see the outlines of postgraduate courses offered by the Department.