University of Cape Town

This course introduces moral philosophy. Questions may include: What makes an action right? Is morality relative (to one's own views or to one's culture) or is it objective? What is the relationship between religion and ethics? What is it to be a good person? DP requirements: Regular attendance at lectures and tutorials; completion of all tests, submission of all essays and assignments by due dates, and an average mark of at least 35% for the coursework. Assessment: Coursework counts 40%; one 3-hour examination in October/November counts 60%.

This course increases 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. 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%.

This course offers an introduction to the study of the phenomenon of music. The general concept of sound and music are discussed, its manifestations in folk, popular, and art music as well as its context in community and commercial settings. Discussions center on Africa and beyond, keeping in mind the local and the translocal. As an introductory course, content engages the diversity of students’ life worlds and is cognizant of our African location. The course employs innovative teaching and delivery methods, including multilingual pedagogies and digital literacy, which allow more time for active engagement and the development of critical reading and writing skills in the Humanities. DP requirements: Due submission of all assigned work; at least 80% attendance at lectures and practicals. Assessment: Continuous assessment (essays, projects, tests, etc.) counts 100%.

The course introduces Astronomy and our place in the universe from the small scales of the Earth-Sun-Moon system to the large scales of distant galaxies. The course provides insight into how we study astrophysical objects via EM radiation and telescopes (theory) as well as providing a high-level overview of objects in the universe, moving outwards from our solar system, to stars and stellar remnants, our galaxy and others, dark matter and cosmology, and the study of the universe at the largest scales. Practicals: One compulsory practical or tutorial per week. DP requirements: Satisfactory attendance at lectures and compulsory attendance at sessions and submission of bi-weekly problem sets and poster project; class record of at least 35%. Assessment: Class record: 50%; final examination 2 hours: 50%. Sub-minimum: 40% for final examination

This course covers various applications of cognitive science to practical and theoretical problems in psychology. Lectures and research projects offered in the course are aimed at developing students’ appreciation and understanding of the research methodologies and real-world applications of cognitive science. Topics covered include connectionist architectures (neural networks), influences of biological cycles, drugs, and hormones on cognitive performance, the cognitive psychology of decision making, memory in the forensic arena, face recognition and reconstruction, clinical cognition, and evolutionary cognitive psychology among others. DP requirements: Completion of all coursework, as well as completion of 90 minutes in the Student Research Participation Programme (SRPP) or equivalent and attendance of at least 5 tutorials. Assessment: Coursework: counts a total of 50%. This coursework is broken down into weekly tests (25%), and a group field project (25%). Examination: the two-hour examination in June counts 50% towards the final mark Course entry requirements: Students must have passed PSY2015F and PSY2014S.

This course has a central focus on the psychology of identities. It engages students to explore the role of psychology in examining issues of race, class, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, etc. Theoretical concepts from liberation psychology, postcolonial psychology and feminist psychology are taught and discussed in relation to current debates in South Africa, and the African diaspora around identity differences. Tutorials may include practical exercises and case presentations. DP requirements: Completion of all coursework and attendance at tutorials as required. Assessment: Coursework (Tutorial assignments, group projects and individual written assignments) counts 100%. Course entry requirements: Students must have passed PSY1004F and PSY1005S and at least one 2000-level social science course. 

This course presents African music through practical and hands-on experience. Groups of five to six members learn a variety of indigenous musical instruments from the whole African continent. Practical music-making, which forms the mainstay of the course, serves as an introduction to a multi-faceted pan-African aesthetic experience. A theoretical component places this practical exploration in philosophical, historical, and cultural context. No prior knowledge of music or previous musical experience is needed.