Master of Arts in Pan-African Letters

This qualification will provide qualifiers with a wide yet focussed knowledge of African literature as it has evolved from the pre-colonial phase through colonial time and the anti-colonial struggle into the post independence era.

The qualification will provide skills and applied competence in the critical appraisal of texts across different cultural settings and in the African Diaspora.

It will provide the qualifier especially in the Eastern Cape with a creative awareness of literature in Africa and this region's role in the greater picture. The dissertation option will include approved topics on various subjects although a bias towards African, South African and Eastern Cape will be encouraged.

Recognition of prior learning.

Hons is required to proceed to this qualification. Credit will be given where the qualifier has had a break in study between Hons and MA and can show that knowledge has been gained that is related to this field of study

• On completion of this qualification, the learner will have knowledge of the Pan African world in all its rich modalities and variety as they are shown in the literary genres
• Will have acquired advanced skills in research locating the major and secondary sources of Pan African studies
• Will have acquired advanced skills in the critical analysis and interpretation of texts
• Will have gained thorough knowledge of the origins, scope and social underpinnings of Pan African literary developments through study of their cultural productions and political contexts
• Will have acquired competence in the preparation of research papers for seminar and conference presentation, as well as being able to produce papers publishable in academic journals
• Will be adequately equipped to meet the academic requirements for access to the NQF 9 level

• Written and verbal discourse will show the learner's awareness of cultural diversities and commonalities as exhibited by intimate experience with a wide range of forms of oral and literary texts originating form the full scope of African experience, spread both in time and in place;
• The learners will show appropriate ability in identifying and discussing areas of discourse of value to the historical development of Pan - African studies and to their progress, combining oral traditions and archival studies with more conventional bibliography explorations;
• The learner's written and verbal competence as a reader and critic of a wide variety of forms of text will progressively show the maturing influence of further and broader acquaintance with African orature and literature than was exhibited at entry to the qualification;
• The learner's verbal and written discourse will constantly show awareness of the matrixes of real life situations from which the texts and issues and trends of outlook that constitute Pan-African studies have grown and continue to grow;
• The learner's on-going contributions to group discussions will demonstrate an adequate mastery of the skills involved in researching, writing and effectively presenting valuable contributions to their fields of study - a mastery that withstands assessment by fellow learners, lecturing staff, editors of academic journals and the general audience of workers in the academic sphere;
• On completion the qualifier will be able to discover and pursue studies in Pan African Literature that can be confidently and successfully formulated as a research proposal for a D.Litt. thesis.

Integrated assessment

Formative assessment of oral presentations, written papers, and contributions to seminars and panel discussions.

Summative assessment by way of a final written examination covering each module.

The grade mark is calculated giving proper consideration to both modes of assessment. In the case of the MA by dissertation, Formative assessment begins with a written research proposal and continues with constant supervisory assessment by the supervisor. Summative assessment takes a form of a satisfactory dissertation being produced.