University of Cape Town

In the context of the current level of globalization, this course explores Africa’s position in and relations with other parts of the globalizing world. The course highlights Africa’s experience of globalization, focusing on the challenges and opportunities that globalization presents, particularly on cultures and identities in the continent.

The course introduces development economics as well as applied problems in the field of development, and development strategies. It covers both conventional theory of development and economic growth and alternative strategies for sustainable development. Topics covered include resource mobilization, agricultural and industrial development, globalization, sustainable development and institutions, and the political economy of development. The discussion is both theoretical and applied with extensive use made of country and regional case studies. The course focuses on developmental challenges confronting South Africa and the rest of Africa. Assessment: coursework (50%) and a final exam (50%).

The course exposes students to the diversity of invertebrates and their functional biology. Topics are presented within an evolutionary framework to emphasize past and contemporary selective pressures driving diversification. Students are exposed to key topics in functional biology across the major invertebrate groups and include cellular to organism-level processes. The course begins with an introduction to the evolution of the invertebrates and the major phyla. This leads to an exploration of invertebrate functional biology, with an emphasis on key adaptations across the aquatic–terrestrial gradient. Lectures, practicals, and field trips expose students to contemporary philosophical, methodological, and conceptual approaches used in the field of invertebrate functional biology and diversity. Assessment: A 3-hour examination, with a subminimum of 40%, counts for 50% of the course mark. Coursework marks will be allocated as follows: practicals count 15%, the field camp report counts 15% and two class tests count 20%.

This course examines conflict in world politics. Topics include types of conflicts, causes of conflict; actors in conflict; behavior during conflict; consequences of conflict; and moral evaluation of conflict. In each dimension, the course poses questions and examines different and even opposing answers. Answers are examined illustrating them with cases and/or empirical material. Assessment: coursework (50%) and final exam (50%).

This course takes students with zero knowledge of Xhosa to a good, basic competency in the language. The course actively engages students in acquiring the language through a series of well-developed modules with an integrated approach to acquiring speaking, writing, and comprehension skills in Xhosa. Grammar is taught in context and students are expected to apply their grammatical knowledge in task-based communication situations. Students are taught about different varieties of Xhosa and how to use these appropriately in social contexts. Tests, assignments, and portfolio activities counts 35%; orals count 15%; one two-hour examination counts 50% of the final mark.

This course defines and interrogates African Dance histories and their transitions in the 21st century. The problematic term ‘African Dance’ is engaged both theoretically and practically to explore questions of appropriation and appreciation of African indigenous dances. The course offers an understanding of African Contemporary Dance in South Africa and the sociocultural factors that have shaped it. It considers the local and global influences of Modernity on Traditional dances in South Africa.

The question of the nature of the mind and its relation to the body (e.g. the brain) is discussed at length, with attention given to dualism, behaviorism, physicalism, and functionalism. Other topics include the nature of action, free will, and determinism and the problem of personal identity. 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 June counts 60%. Course entry requirements: At least second year status. 

This course examines the great contemporary problems of poverty and inequality within the context of a globalizing world. Sources and selected empirical cases of poverty and inequality are explored and related development theories and policies are examined. The geographical scope of the course ranges from local to international. One or more African languages may accompany English in some lectures or reading material. Coursework counts 60%; an examination counts 40% of the final mark.