Master of Philosophy: Citizenship Studies

Purpose

The purpose of the qualification is to develop and strengthen learners' capabilities and knowledge as political scientists, and to enable academics to undertake advanced reflection and to develop more effective political and governance practices.

This qualification enables learners to acquire adequate research skills in Citizenship Studies. This requires attention to the following three important aspects:

• A broadening and deepening of learner knowledge in Citizenship Studies, disciplines as specified. This is achieved through module work leading to detailed literature surveys.
• The development of basic research skills.
• The writing of a mini-thesis/dissertation on the basis of an accepted research proposal.

Rationale

This qualification is intended to provide South Africa with skilled human capital in the public sector; more specifically, to increase the number of Postgraduates with a critical awareness of new forms of citizenship and democratic governance and with an orientation towards the social good. It encourages continuous research in ways of increasing the access of all people to public goods through innovative forms of citizenship and development practice, as well as new, more accountable and inclusive forms of governance.

The qualification seeks to

• Assist all people (especially the poor and marginalised) in finding new ways to enhance democratic citizenship and governance practices, especially with regards to empowering themselves.
• Extend and where required, create an extensive regional and international network through which researchers can collaborate to investigate new and emerging forms of democratic citizenship, governance and development practices.
• Build important bridges of learning between developing and developed countries with regard to new and emerging forms of democratic citizenship, governance and development practices.

The qualification therefore seeks to promote an in-depth investigation of citizenship, governance and development in research in order to capacitate the human capital in the public sector to improve service delivery to benefit and satisfy the needs of the South African people.

It is assumed that learners accessing this qualification are able to read, analyse and reflect on study material and relevant literature at NQF Level 8. It is assumed that they are able to communicate effectively using academic English in written and oral form. It is also assumed that they are able to manage their own study schedule effectively.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Learners who may have been performing duties that reflect competencies contained in this qualification at the workplace for many years without having received any formal qualification will be allowed to apply for RPL for access into the qualification. In addition, through RPL learners may apply for credits for certain modules.

Access to the Qualification

Learners must have obtained a Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree: Political Studies or equivalent.

The qualification comprises two modules and a mini-thesis/dissertation, all at NQF Level 9

• Political Economy of Development, 20 Credits.
• Theories of Citizenship and Democracy, 120 Credits.
• Mini-thesis/dissertation, 105 Credits.

Totalling: 245 Credits.

1. Critically analyse the domestic and international political economic challenges confronting developing countries.
2. Explain the structure of the global Political Economy and compare and contrast alternative models of development through a critical application of theories in the field of Political Economy.
3. Analyse debates and issues in the global Political Economy and how they pertain to development.
4. Locate empirical work in theoretical contexts, survey the theoretical and empirical literature relevant to the research topic, coherently conceptualise, design and structure a research project and make a contribution to a research field.
5. Critically evaluate theories of citizenship, democracy and new forms of popular participatory institutions, including development projects and apply theories and concepts to selected case studies.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

All the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are addressed in this qualification.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Appropriate political economy concepts, theories and approaches are understood.
• A critical analysis of these concepts, theories and approaches is demonstrated.
• Linkage between theoretical and practical political phenomena is displayed.

> Range: The state, market, society and NGOs.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Models and theories of development in the field of (international) Political Economy are analysed and evaluated.

> Range: Modernisation theory, dependency theory, free trade liberalism, globalisation theory, critical theories of development and economic nationalism.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Political Economic debates and issues of development are interpreted, analysed and applied e.g. financial crisis, international debt, economic diplomacy, economic hegemony and climate change.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• A literature review is conducted.
• Research methods and techniques are identified and used.
• The research findings are interpreted and explained.
• The thesis/dissertation is structured and written in a coherent, logical and academic manner.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• The theories of citizenship, democracy and empowerment are evaluated.
• New participatory institutions, forms of citizen participation and new forms of citizen action including development projects are analysed, interpreted and understood.
• Case studies are interpreted, applied and utilised in the research.

Integrated Assessment

Both formative and summative forms of assessment will be used to determine competencies acquired through learning. Learners will complete a thesis/dissertation reporting on research that they have completed. The thesis/dissertation will be assessed by internal and external examiners appointed by the relevant University committee.