Doctor of Philosophy in Development Studies

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Doctor of Philosophy in Development Studies is to develop a cadre of high-level researchers who can conduct empirical research and propose sustainable solutions to the current issues of development, including those facing South Africa. Development Studies is a discipline central to addressing aspects of the crisis of poverty, inequality, and the systematic damage to lives and livelihoods in the global South. Learners will pursue an integral analysis of a topic in this area at a high level of knowledge integration, conceptual innovation, and responsible leadership, and will explore solutions through creative applications of models of change such as the promotion of sustainable livelihoods, community development and a developmental state.

The learners will typically be involved in aspects of development and will possess a grounded understanding of relevant development issues. Qualifying learners will display the capacity for high-level multifactor, multidisciplinary, and transdisciplinary analysis and a high level of ability to provide new knowledge, new theory, and new perspectives as regards development problems. The learners will be able to provide academic and societal leadership (particularly in governance and in the leadership of civil society) in addressing development issues.

Rationale

The national and political emphasis on development in democratic South Africa in the Constitution refers to sustainable development, economic and social development, and national, provincial urban and rural development; and in government programmes such as the RDP, industrial development plans, local economic development initiatives, and the National Development Plan. The awareness of development issues that South Africa and the rest of the global South face and the range of possible solutions is insufficiently developed and empirically investigated both in public and academic discourse.

This qualification is relevant to the core aims and transformation agenda of the country and region as a whole. Furthermore, it would help to focus academic attention and rigour on the interlinked and multi-inter-transdisciplinary nature of social, environmental, economic, and political issues and the synthetic, innovative, and sustainable ways of addressing interlinked issues related to development. Effective development practitioners need a range of skills, knowledge, and values, as well as expertise in their chosen fields of research specialization, combined with advanced knowledge and competence in development theory and its application to serve as change agents in the field of development studies.

Qualifying in this discipline will enable learners to hone their skills in research so that they will emerge as competent researchers who are able to gather, analyse and synthesise valid data in the field, and propose new solutions and contribute new knowledge in the field of development studies.

The qualification will equip learners with the skills, competencies, knowledge, attitudes, and values of conducting empirical research on establishing solutions and recommendations to problems related to the field of development studies in compliance with generally accepted protocols and procedures for social science research within the African context. These include research design and approach, theoretical frameworks, sampling, data gathering practices, data analysis, extended research writing and compliance with academic conventions of referencing and citation. Qualifying learners will demonstrate the ability to generate new theories and create new knowledge from a specifically African perspective, about development-related phenomena. The ethical considerations of research into development topics also form an important part of the qualification as some topics involve research on vulnerable groups, whose confidentiality and well-being must always be safeguarded.

The learners will typically be involved and employed in the field of development and will therefore have a grounded understanding of development challenges facing society, local communities, and national and local spheres of government. Qualifying Learners could be employed as government officials at national, provincial and local levels, community development workers, community activists, the NGO sector, policy-makers, project managers and corporate responsibility programmes. In these sites, learners will be able to take on tasks involving management, leadership, planning and project management.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

All admission through RPL must be in accordance with the principles laid down in the institution RPL Policy. Candidates with reasonable experience of further training and working in the fields of gender change and transformation may be considered for RPL. The Committee will assess learners' competencies to determine whether they are eligible for a) access to b), advanced placement in, or c) recognition of status for this qualification.

RPL for access

• Applicants who do not have prior qualifications in Development Studies or a related discipline, or who do not have a master's degree or qualification equivalent to NQF level 9 are eligible for RPL for access.

RPL for credits

Potential learners who want to be credited for prior learning and or experience for a particular module or modules, need to apply in writing to the departmental chairperson of the department offering the module or modules the learner wishes to be credited for, clearly stating the title(s) of the module or modules they want to be credited for as well as the basis on which they believe the accreditation should be granted.

RPL for module exemption

Candidates may apply for exemption from certain modules on grounds of prior qualification study achieved. Recognition of Prior Learning learners must comply with all the requirements stated in the learning modules and qualification as well as the institution RPL policy.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Master of Arts in Development Studies, NQF Level 9.

Or

• A relevant qualification in the related field, NQF Level 9.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 10 totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 10, 360 Credits

• Full thesis in development studies, 360 Credits.

1. Demonstrate expertise and critical knowledge in an area at the forefront of Development Studies discipline or practice; and the ability to conceptualise new research initiatives and create new knowledge or practice.
2. Demonstrate the ability to contribute to scholarly debates around theories of knowledge and processes of knowledge production in Development Studies practice.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Scientific and academic standard of research procedures, methodology, scope, theoretical substantiation, exploration of the literature and grasp of the specified field within development studies.
• Scientific and academic quality of processing and presentation of data, structure and logical development, and critical findings and recommendations which add to knowledge and insight in development studies.
• Language and technical presentation.
• Whether parts or the substance of the thesis is publishable.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

The findings of the research are situated within the context of existing social and political conditions.

• The research is contextualised within the field of existing knowledge in development studies.
• The thesis demonstrates original contribution to the knowledge /practice of development studies
• Participate actively in scholarly debates in the forefront of the field.
• Identify and solve complex practical and theoretical problems using creative and specialist knowledge and theory
• Work effectively with others.
• Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsively and effectively.
• Access, process, synthesise and manage information for making independent judgements and development of significant original insights into new complex issues.
• Manage complex systems underpinned by theory.
• Produce and communicate information that contributes significantly to the field and meets international standards.
• Manage emerging ethical issues and consequences in decision making.