INDUSTRIAL AND ECONOMIC SOCIOLOGY
Sociology is the study of society in all its complexity from empirical and theoretical perspectives. Human behaviour is shaped by the social contexts in which people find themselves. As such, Sociology helps us to understand how families, organisations, communities, cultural practices and broader political, economic and social processes affect the way people act and think. Sociology examines areas as diverse as disease, development, land reform, crime, culture, states, government, media, identity, gender, race and class, among others. Industrial and Economic Sociology is a specialisation that focuses on the socially embedded nature of the economy and the workplace.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
The study of International Relations helps us understand why states go to war, why they trade with each other and why they care when human rights are abused. You will gain an understanding of the key events and tools that are used to unpack and determine why states, international organisations and individuals behave and engage the way they do. International Relations is a multidisciplinary field, with origins in history, economics, political science, sociology and law. First year courses provide a fundamental understanding of this exciting area of study.
ITALIAN
These courses introduce Italian in its spoken and written forms. You will develop an appreciation of Italian literature, thought, history and culture and understand why Italy is a world leader in the culinary arts, interior design and fashion and furniture design. Italian is useful for students planning careers in music, fine arts, design, architecture, linguistics, translation, interpreting and international relations.
LAW
All societies are governed by some form of law. These courses provide knowledge of legal systems and how they conform with morality. Topics include: Constitutional Law, Customary Law, Persons and Family Law, Criminal Law and Delict, Succession Law and Contract Law.
LINGUISTICS
Linguistics is the scientific study of language. In this course, you will study language on its own and as part of culture and society, referring to a wide range of languages in the process.
MATHEMATICS
This field covers all aspects of Mathematics, including general knowledge and history of mathematical concepts. Matric Mathematics is essential.
MATHEMATICAL STATISTICS
This field covers Statistics, which deals with descriptive statistics, counting techniques, probability, discrete and continuous distribution, estimation, hypothesis testing, correlation, regression and one-way analysis of variance. Matric Mathematics is essential.
MEDIA STUDIES
Media Studies gives you the critical and analytical skills needed to function in the Information Age. You will be exposed to theories, debates and discussions about the role of the media in society and find ways to analyse media operations, media products and media consumption.
MUSIC STUDIES
You will study music in its historical, cultural and social contexts, encountering music from Africa, the western classical canon, popular music and jazz. In your first year, you will study Film and Visual Performing Arts and proceed to Critical Music Studies in second and third year.
PHILOSOPHY
Philosophy searches for rational answers to fundamental questions about humans and the world they live in. Philosophical questions include abstract matters, such as whether religious belief is rationally defensible; whether humans have free will; whether abortion is morally permissible; and whether a philosophy of Ubuntu could be compatible with the death penalty.
Philosophy helps you to develop reflection skills that deepen your personal understanding and promote autonomy. It promotes reasoning. You will explore topics such as thinking correctly, devising practical methods of logical analysis, argument construction and evaluation.
POLITICAL STUDIES
This field studies power relations in society, conflict, money matters, position and influence or status. There are many competing analytical models in politics, each with its own concepts or terminology and each with its own questions. Political Studies prepares you for a career in public affairs; former students include Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Tony Leon, Valli Moosa and Judge Richard Goldstone. A degree in Political Studies yields opportunities to work in non-governmental organisations, the public sector, private businesses, diplomacy, international organisations, survey research organisations, development bodies and the media.
PORTUGUESE
These courses introduce Portuguese in its spoken and written forms. You will develop an appreciation of Portuguese literature, thought, history and culture. Portuguese has significant status in Africa, as the official language of PALOP (Portuguese-speaking African countries).
The courses are designed for beginners and students with prior knowledge of Portuguese. They include a communicative approach based on conversation skills and facilitated by multimedia tools. Courses that align well with Portuguese include International Relations, Political Sciences, Media Studies and other language courses.
PSYCHOLOGY
Psychology studies human experience, behaviour and the ways in which we relate to each other and our environment. Psychology offers a rich and diverse understanding of human functioning and is relevant to most aspects of our lives. As society has become more complex, Psychology plays an increasingly important role in understanding human behaviour and in shaping interventions to ensure optimal functioning of individuals, groups and communities. You can major in General Psychology or Organisational Psychology.
SOUTH AFRICAN SIGN LANGUAGE
This field introduces the receptive and productive skills of South African Sign Language (SASL), vocabulary
in context, basic social functions and grammatical structures of SASL, the origins of signed language and the concepts underlying Deaf Culture and the Deaf Community. If you major in SASL, you will also study SASL linguistics, poetry and sociolinguistics for sign languages. SASL is recommended for students interested in Education, Deaf Education, Drama, Language and Psychology.
SPANISH
These courses introduce Spanish in its spoken and written forms and helps students to develop an appreciation of Spanish literature, thought and history.
TRANSNATIONAL LITERARY AND CULTURAL STUDIES
Focus on the relationship between the arts, literature and society. This field introduces you to a range of literary texts written in the main European languages (Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Italian and Russian). Courses explore transnational relations and reciprocal influences, especially regarding Francophone, Lusophone and South American Spanish texts.
