Master of Social Science in Economic History

Purpose

The purpose of the qualification is to develop skills capacity amongst postgraduates in a manner that makes them relevant to national skills needs and requirements.

Rationale

Presently, issues of economic growth, economic development and economic change, are major challenges for African countries. The market needs researchers in these areas to empower decision-making, it needs people with the requisite knowledge to analyse. Economic change over time to inform future trends. The Master's qualification deepens the level of critique and analysis and prepares learners for future academic achievements as well as industry related careers or career paths in civil society organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and government. The Master's qualification is to enhance the Political Science understanding of development as a practice and process steeped in economic history with a strong emphasis on Africa and the connections with other places and how Africa is situated within the global economy.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution accepts the principle underlying outcomes-based, source-based and life-long learning, in which considerations of articulation and mobility play a significant role, and subscribes to the view that Recognition of Prior Learning, whether acquired by formal education curricula at this or another institution or informally (by experience) is an indispensable element in deciding on admission to and awarding credits in an explicitly selected teaching-learning qualification of the institution.

An applicant who falls outside of the formal qualifications system, but who can demonstrate (through the production of substantial and satisfactory evidence) experiential or work-based learning or a non-formal qualification (or a combination), may be considered for admission and/or for the Recognition of Prior Learning for the achievement of the qualification in part or in full. An applicant who after such assessment, is deemed to have sufficient potential, but is in need of further academic development, must be directed to other suitable learning qualifications prior to admission or to parallel qualifications after admission.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Economic History, National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 8.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 192 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 9, 192 Credits

• Social Research Design and Practice, 16 Credits.
• Environmental History/Policy, 32 Credits.
• Global Governance and African Political Economy, 32 Credits.
• Issues in Economic History, 16 Credits.
• Short Diss: Economic History, 96 Credits.

1. Analyse economic change over time at a macro and micro scale through the application of theories of development and social change.
2. Analyse in detail the developmental context of African and other societies.
3. Demonstrate critical thinking and reading through understanding the economic history of development trends.
4. Identify important impediments to economic growth as well as see possibilities beyond them.
5. Critically analyse paradigms of economic change and development and their usefulness in changing the economic fortunes of African countries.
6. Identify the measures of economic growth.
7. Think creatively and productively about the past, present and the future of economic growth and development.
8. Design and undertake a more substantial independent research project.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be used in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes

• Engage with and become familiar with the critical reviews of recent literature on relevant topics within the national and international context of policy and development studies.
• Access, outline, evaluate and synthesise the current state of critical/theoretical debate, demonstrating their personal engagement with the literature.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of research, including research design, methods, research processes and methods of data analysis, apply this knowledge and skills by conceptualising a research problem and developing a cogent research proposal, design (and where applicable to the Degree requirement conduct) applied quantitative or qualitative research, acquire basic skills to analyse, summarise, present and interpret qualitative and/quantitative data.
• Demonstrate their knowledge of the theoretical material covered in class and demonstrate their ability to apply this to practical examples in a limited time period.
• Develop a research proposal, identify, collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information, implement different research styles, present data, reference material correctly, communicate effectively in written presentation, undertake independent research projects.

Integrated Assessment

All the modules have both a formative and summative assessment. The assessment will come in the form of pieces of work given to learners by lecturers in the duration of each course. Each assignment is designed to be research driven, have maximum feedback through seminar- based presentations, and peer interaction. Assessment is centred on real world research driven problems to ensure skills transfer and real-world relevance to content and to ladder into dissertation topics and methodologies.