First Semester

Identity and Society I (SOCL1014A / SOCL1009A / ARPL1026A)

This course 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 is achieved by an in-depth exploration of the ideas of central classical theorists. The course also develops students’ content knowledge, and reading and writing skills.

The course is divided into two parts. Part I, in the first block (term), is an introduction to sociology. It teaches you what sociology is by focusing on what sociologists actually do. We also investigate what is distinctive about South African sociology as opposed to sociology around the world. Part II, in the second block, looks at the classical theorists whose work continues to influence large parts of sociology today.

Second Semester

Southern Africa in the Era of Globalisation I (SOCL1013A / SOCL1008A)

This course examines the process of globalisation especially in the Southern African context. Using both historical and contemporary material, it explores globalisation with related sociological questions of social change, development, culture and social inequality. The course develops students’ research and critical thinking skills, to make sense of the changing social world.

First Semester

Sociological Theory II (SOCL2012A)

This course examines the classical and contemporary theoretical approaches to key sociological issues such as social stratification, social conflict, coloniality and post-coloniality, religion, modernity and rationality, domination and cultural reproduction. Sociological theories and issues of concern are read in a conversational manner and from a critical African locational position. The course develops students’ theoretical and conceptual skills, as well as the ability to engage with empirical material and realities.

Recent themes and theorists have included: theorising social stratification (Marx, Weber, Du Bois, Nkrumah), social order (Durkheim, Comaroff), religion and rationality (Durkheim, Weber), domination and cultural reproduction (Bourdieu), Southern Theory/Theory from the South (Connell, Comaroff), Coloniser and Colonised (Memmi, Manganyi, Fanon), Eurocentrism and Postcolonialism (Said, Young, Spivak), Decoloniality (Ndlovu-Gatsheni, Mignolo), Afrocentrism and Africanity (Asante, Mafeje), Black Consciousness (Biko, Turner), Afropessimism (Wilderson, Warren).

Second Semester

Contemporary Social Issues in Southern Africa II (SOCL2001A)

This course focuses particularly on patterns of social disintegration, including the spread of famine, rising rates of poverty, unemployment and family breakdown. Various responses to these issues are explored, including new grassroots social movements, cultural and religious responses and debates about social reconstruction. Finally, policy implications and policy-making processes are explored.

Population Studies II (SOCL2009A)

This is an introductory course to both formal and substantive demography. At the end of the course, the student should have developed: the ability to integrate the demographic dimension into sociological thinking and analysis, knowledge of the types, sources, quality, and uses of demographic data, and an understanding of the major academic and policy debates in the field of population.

First Semester

Class, Power and Economic Relations III (SOCL3029A / SOCL3028A)

This course explores the relationship between the ‘structural logic’ of capitalism and working class subjectivity through an interrogation of different theoretical approaches to, and experiences of, work and working class struggles from the beginning of capitalist development to its current phase. Time is also dedicated towards understanding the concepts of race, class and gender in relation to the organisation of the labour process, divisions of labour, and working class.

Recent years have looked at themes of: originary accumulation (Marx, Harvey), alienation (Marx, Dalla Costa & James), labour process theory (Braverman), temporality and labour (Thompson, Atkins), social reproduction theory (Wolpe, Bhattacharya, Jaffe, Benya), class theory (Alexander, Cousins, Chibber, Wright), trade unions and social movements (von Holdt, Naidoo, Pillay, Kenny, van der Walt), unemployment (Dawson, Fouksman), care work (Hochschild, Magoqwana), technology (Altenried, Anwar & Graham, Chigbu & Nekhwevha), and the gig economy (Chinguno, Kalla, Webster).

Culture, Identity and Power III (SOCL3002A)

This course is an analysis of the various theories of social power offered by contemporary theorists. The course investigates the manner in which power is articulated in several important dimensions of society, including culture, racial and ethnic identity, religion and gender. Historical and contemporary case studies are used to analyse the interaction between these dimensions of social life.

Recent years have looked at themes of: conceptions of power (Foucault, Gramsci), theories of intellectuals (Cornel West) and culture (Sewell Jr, Cabral, Appadurai, Magubane), power in relation to race/gender (Collins, Crenshaw) and GBV (Maseko, Kupemba, Mamdani), colonial/decolonial subjectivities (Oyěwùmí, Fanon, Lazarus), race and racial elitism (Du Bois, Stuart Hall, Winant, Mbembe, Appiah), youth (Strong & Ataman), and multiculturalism (Bains).

Second Semester

Researching Social Life III (SOCL3008A)

This course introduces students to the various research methods used in the social sciences and teaches students to do social research using practical methods. In addition to a programme of lectures and small group discussions, students operationalise their research skills in their own independent research projects. 

Contemporary Social Issues III (SOCL3026A)

This course addresses selected topics in sociology, including amongst others gender, race, ethnicity, class, urban and rural sociology, the environment, education, state formation and civil society. It provides a sociological understanding of these issues by means of engagement with both classical and dynamic contemporary social theory produced internationally and in the region.

Demography and Development III (SOCL3003A)

This course equips students with a good sociological understanding of the place of demography in the process of socio-economic development. Students are exposed to ways in which demographic techniques may be applied to planning in a variety of substantive areas in the public and private sectors.

Courses not currently on offer / in abeyance:

_{SOCL3016A - Sociology of Africa III}

_{This course examines colonial and postcolonial southern Africa from a sociological perspective, using country case studies and thematic analyses to explore imperialism, capitalism, economic policy and development, class structure, rural social relations, political reform, and labour movements and industrial relations in the region. It provides a basis for students interested in development issues, regional political economy and labour and industrial issues.} 

The Department of Sociology also offers courses to students outside of the Humanities Faculty and those who are not majoring in sociology.

Currently, we offer two courses for students in the Faculty of Health Sciences:

FAM1004 - Family Medicine (Formerly Sociological Foundations of Health, SOCL1016)

This course explores health, illness and disease from a sociological perspective; it locates these concepts within the social, economic, cultural and political context thereby offering students a unique perspective that complements the traditional bio-medical training offered in their other courses.  It will assist students to appreciate the social reality within which their patients are located and the social context within which they will ultimately practice as future health care professionals.

Course Coordinator: Dr Kezia Lewins

SOCL1012 - Human Behavioural Sciences

This course focuses on the social aspects of health and disease in South Africa.  The course aims to develop knowledge and awareness of the social implications of the health professional role.  It is structured around a range of different, interrelated themes which aim to develop an understanding of the relationship between health, disease, health professionals and society.  In so doing, it introduces a different perspective on health and the role of the health team, while emphasising a multidisciplinary approach to such matters.

Course Coordinator: Dr Mbuso Nkosi