South Africa

Examine the record of primate and human evolution, showing how fossil skeletons and artifacts are interpreted in terms of human behavior and evolutionary processes in Human Evolution. Consider genetic and other comparative evidence and answer questions such as: Why did our ancestors evolve in Africa? How did we evolve such large and complex brains? What advantage does bipedalism provide? When do humans begin to make tools? Why is human skin color so variable? What makes humans unique? DP requirements: Attendance at lectures and practicals and completion of assignments. Assessment: Assignments and tests count 50%; one 3-hour examination in October/November counts 50%. A sub-minimum of 40% is required for the examination. Any first-year Science course, or any first-year Humanities course from a related discipline such as Social Anthropology, Historical Studies, or Sociology is required. 

This course introduces the field of critical linguistics which addresses the linguistic effects of political and cultural oppression, marginalization, colonialism, and coloniality. It is also a field interested in articulating a new view of language that emphasizes the experience of language as intimate and lived, implied in structures of hegemony of power, as well as its potential for liberation, freedom, and creativity. DP requirements: None. Assessment: Continuous assessment (essays, projects, tests, etc.) counts 100%. Third-year status is required for admission.

This course examines contemporary international debates on the social discourses and practices that perpetuate injustice and inequality and their relevance to understanding South African society. The literature may include debates on the way discourses create centers and margins, resulting in social differences which, in turn, have a significant impact on people's life chances. The literature may also include debates on the changing patterns of urban and rural inequality. Who are the winners and losers in today's society? What are the causes of new patterns of social injustice and inequality? In reading a wide range of literature, students are provided with comparative concepts with which they can begin to interpret the emerging patterns of social justice and inequality in South Africa. DP requirements: Completion of all written tests, essays, and assignments. Assessment: coursework (50%) and final two-hour exam (50%).

This course illustrates the diversity and complexity of living organisms, from viruses to humans. Topics include evolution as a means of interpreting change with time; modern theories on the mechanisms of evolution; the origin of species, including humans; structure and functioning of the simplest microbial life forms; structure and life cycles of fungi; the evolution of aquatic and terrestrial plants; the diversity and adaptations of invertebrate animals; the development and adaptations of chordate groups; primate diversity and evolution; conservation and biodiversity issues in relation to South African biomes and global change. The course includes a strong practical component which further examines biodiversity and related concepts. DP requirements: Completion of at least 80% of deliverables (tests, practicals, tutorials, field trip report), including at least one class test, the practical test, and the field trip report; attendance of practicals and field trip; minimum average of 50% for practicals; minimum of 40% for the class record. Assessment: Coursework 40%. Theory test 1 (7%), theory test 2 (7%), practical test (10%), practicals (10%), field trip report (group mark, 6%). Examinations 60%. One 2-hour theory examination written in November counts 40% (subminimum of 40% applies); one 1.5-hour practical examination written in November counts 20%.

This is an introductory course in microeconomics. The course begins with a discussion of economic history, the characteristics of different economic systems, and the factors influencing economic development following the Industrial Revolution including utility-maximization theory of consumption, optimal-bundle, and indifference curve analysis. Game theoretical frameworks are reviewed to model social interactions amongst economic agents before applying this framework to wage-setting relationships in the labor market. Applications of experimental economic methods are also briefly explored. Finally, standard neo-classical theories of supply and demand as well as firms’ pricing decisions under differing levels of market competition are introduced.

This introduction to Natural Resource Economics examines the scarcity and optimal allocation of freshwater resources in the Western Cape, South Africa. The theoretical framework is neo-classical microeconomics, market failure, and climate change are being addressed. Assessment: tests and essays (40%), final examination (60%).

This course addresses how modern techniques of structural and chemical biology are being used to solve biological problems. It draws on multiple aspects of macromolecular biochemistry including nucleic acid structure and interactions, signaling proteins, and membrane proteins.  The course demonstrates how this knowledge can be used in drug discovery and protein design in biotechnology. Topics include mechanisms of reversible and irreversible enzyme inhibitors, ligand binding, protein folding, the molecular basis for protein function, regulation of protein activity, cell signaling, and proteomics. Assessment: Tests count 40%; practicals, tutorials essays, and assignments count 10%; one 3-hour examination written in June counts 50%. A subminimum of 40% in the examination is required.

The course introduces the evolution of the social service professions in South Africa and the global, national, and regional contexts within which they work. It focuses on the socio-political context created by pre- and post-democratic social policies within which social services in South Africa are now delivered. The course provides an introduction to the main policies, legislation, and programs that shape the developmental context in which social service professions now work in South Africa. It also introduces the global and national trends that impact on social service provisions in the South. Lastly, the course reviews the specific roles of social service professionals in promoting human wellbeing. Assessment: coursework (50%), final exam (50%).

This course is an introduction to problem-solving, algorithm development, and programming in the Python language. It includes fundamental programming constructs and abstractions, sorting and searching techniques, and machine representations of data. The practical component covers input/output, conditionals, loops, strings, functions, arrays, lists, dictionaries, recursion, text files, and exceptions in Python. Students are taught testing and debugging, as well as sorting and searching algorithms, algorithm complexity, and equivalence classes. Number systems, binary arithmetic, Boolean algebra, and logic gates are also introduced. The course is offered in a blended learning format. 

Spatial thinking sits at the core of Geographical scholarship, and space and human societies are always mutually constitutive. This course explores how geographers have theorized space and place as central to understanding historical processes, social relations, and cultural practices. Focusing particularly on Africa and other regions of the global South, the course covers foundational Human Geography concepts including modernity, landscape, memory, heritage, identity, and inclusion. Through theoretical work and field-based experiential learning, the course examines how space and place both shape and are shaped by a range of power dynamics.