Master of Arts in Political Science

Political Science is a discipline with both academic and vocational elements. It equips students with the ability to reason abstractly through understanding and analysing political concepts. It enables them to grasp the political dimensions of social and economic phenomena. It provides them with the ability to critically analyse, interpret and explain political events and processes both in South Africa and globally. A strong research skills component, focussing specifically on the methodology and techniques used for political science research (both qualitative, such as data interpretation, and qualitative) and on training in IT skills, are central to all qualifications earned through the programme. This qualification has a clear vocational aspect in that it equips students with both knowledge and analytical skills necessary to careers in the public service, politics, journalism, corporate governance and the NGO sector.

Appropriate Honours degree. Entry is also possible through University of Natal's Rule 33 for postgraduate study.

• Demonstrate well-developed study habits: location and use of sources; ability to write in response to topics set.
• Demonstrate competent academic writing skills and knowledge of standard academic writing conventions.
• Demonstrate basic computer literacy.
• Participate in small group discussions.
• Engage in argument around, and analysis of, issues in a manner that displays an informed and skilful deployment of a wide range of the relevant concepts and analytical categories.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the historical background of, and principal issues associated with, contemporary political developments in South Africa, Africa and globally.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the major sub-disciplines of Political Science (Political Theory; International Relations; Comparative Politics; Area Studies; Research Methodology).
• Demonstrate an awareness of the range of vocational opportunities available to Political Science graduates
• Demonstrate independent study habits
• Locate and use a variety of sources, both secondary and primary, documentary and electronic.
• Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate research skills for different kinds of research projects.
• Demonstrate advanced writing skills and thorough knowledge and use of the conventions of writing research papers in Political Science
• Demonstrate knowledge of computer programmes for research, both quantitative and qualitative.
• Demonstrate advanced skills of seminar presentation.
• Work with others on a research project.
• Apply a wide range of concepts, analytical techniques and modes of theorization to contemporary political issues.
• Use specialist computer programmes to analyse data.
• Carry out a substantial research project, the results of which are written up in a 10 000 - word dissertation which shows some originality and a god grasp of the chosen topic.
• Demonstrate advanced skills in the collection, storing and analysis of data.
• Demonstrate excellent writing skills.

• Locate and use a variety of sources, both secondary and primary, documentary and electronic.
• Demonstrate the knowledge of appropriate research skills for different kinds of research projects.
• Deploy advanced writing skills and a thorough knowledge of and ability to deploy the conventions of writing research papers in Political Science.
• Demonstrate the knowledge of computer programmes for research, both quantitative and qualitative.
• Deploy advanced skills of seminar presentation.
• Work with others on a research project.
• Apply a wide range of concepts, analytical techniques and modes of theorization to contemporary political issues.
• Use specialist computer programmes to analyse data.
• Carry out a substantial research project, the results of which are written up in a 10 000 - word dissertation which shows some originality and a good grasp of the chosen topic.
• Use advanced skills in the collection, storing and analysis of data.
• Demonstrate a command of excellent writing skills.

Integrated Assessment

The University of Natal is currently reforming its assessment strategies to include the assessment of applied competence for each qualification. In the meantime, a combination of continuous assessment and traditional written examinations serve to assess the integration of all / most of the learning outcomes for each module in a qualification.