UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND, JOHANNESBURG

Sociology Level 1000 courses

SOCL1014 - Identity and Society

Module Description

This unit is an introduction to the theoretical and conceptual foundations of Sociology. It locates the discipline's key concerns with the relationship between individuals and the social context, and examines sociological debates around modernity, social change and identity. This will be achieved by an in-depth exploration of the ideas of central classical and contemporary theorists. The unit also aims to develop students content knowledge, and reading and writing skills.

Schedule

First Semester on the D timetable slot.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

No entry requirement, although it is likely that student numbers will be restricted. The course is strongly recommended for students doing one or more of the following courses: Politics, Psychology, African Literature, Comparative Literature, English, History, Philosophy, Social Anthropology, International Relations and Law. The course is compulsory for students wishing to major in Sociology or Industrial Sociology.

Module Load

Five lectures and one tutorial per week for fourteen weeks. The course will be examined through one tutorial assignment, two tests and one major essay, as well as one three-hour exam.

Lecturer/s

Ms Louise Hagemeier, Mr Paul Germond, Ms Tessa Dooms and Mr Aidan Mosselson

Coordinator

Mr Paul Germond

SOCL 1013 - Southern Africa In the Era of Globalization

Module Description

This unit examines the process of globalization especially in the Southern African context. Using both historical and contemporary material, it explores globalization with related sociological questions of social change, development, culture and social inequality. The unit aims to develop students research and critical thinking skills, so that they can make sense of the changing social world.

Module Description

In recent years sociologists have identified a set of changes which they refer to as "globalization". The aim of this course is to examine these changes and their implications for sub-Saharan Africa in general and South Africa in particular. It also aims to develop concept formation, and systematic thinking about the changing social world.

The course will critically assess theories of the sociology of development, it will define globalization, and it will draw distinctions between its economic, political and cultural manifestations. The contradictory and uneven nature of globalization will be explored through a concrete socio-historical analysis of South Africa and the growing marginalisation of sub-Saharan Africa within the world economy. There will be a particular emphasis on the evolving gender, race and class dynamic in these regions, as well as the growing rural-urban divide. The course will conclude with an examination of the problems and possibilities of consolidating democracy in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa in this new era.

Schedule

Second Semester on the D timetable slot

Prerequisites and co-requisites

No entry requirement, although it is likely that student numbers will be restricted. This is an introductory course for students interested in the discipline of Sociology. It is strongly recommended for students in a variety of Faculty of Humanities departments interested in the theoretical and historical issues it raises, especially those in Politics, International Relations, Geography, History and Social Anthropology. The course is compulsory for students wishing to major in Sociology or Industrial Sociology.

Module load

Five lectures and one tutorial per week for fourteen weeks. The course will be examined through the submission of one tutorial assignment, two tests and one major essay, as well as one three-hour exam.