Master of Social Science in Economic History

Economic History is an inter-disciplinary subject of study with particular emphasis on economics and history. The programme and its qualifications enable students to understand the main events, processes and problems involved in the study of economic history as a major factor in the making of the world around them. There is a considerable focus on the development of the Third World, Africa and South Africa in particular. Some attention is paid to learning how to understand economic indicators. Students receive tutoring in essay writing and exposure to a variety of descriptive and theoretical writing in order to build up their analytical and writing skills. The Economic History programme and its qualifications provide an excellent general introduction to a career in the public or private sector, business or development fields, where an analytical understanding of the economy and its development is useful or required, especially in conjunction with a related programme such as Economics or History.

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

• Demonstrate a broad knowledge of the main facets of modern capitalism and with knowledge of the history of modern economic development in South Africa and some other part(s) of the world.
• Show an ability to use social science and economic ideas to explain economic phenomena and be able to identify schools of thought in approach to this subject matter.
• Argue effectively in the context of structuring essays of short to medium length and to use language effectively to that end.
• Demonstrate a basic knowledge of economic indicators and their significance.
• Demonstrate a sophisticated grasp of theoretical approaches to major topics within economic history and some of the major subjects covered by the field.
• Show relevant research and writing skills developed in the construction of a short dissertation.
• Demonstrate their ability to research a substantial area of enquiry under supervision demonstrating a capacity to formulate a complex argument, a wide reading knowledge, the rules and systems involved in producing scholarly research reports, analytical and conceptual ability and writing skills suitable for instructing others.

• Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the general field of inquiry
• Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of specific areas of inquiry in the programme.
• Understand the interrelationships amongst various areas of the field of knowledge.
• Analyse issues.
• Grasp the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of the area of study.
• Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of current critical debates.
• Summarise, compare, and evaluate a substantial body of knowledge.
• Construct a sustained argument; formulate questions and work towards solutions.
• Command the conceptual discourse of the field of study.
• Demonstrate an appropriate understanding of the discipline.
• Contextualise this study within the social environment and historical understanding.
• Develop a clear understanding of the historical and present state and possible future of the disciplinary areas in which they are working.
• Demonstrate a command of academic English at an appropriate level.
• Be familiar with information technology at an appropriate level.
• Understand diversity.
• Demonstrate a capacity for individual study.
• Carry out a substantial independent research project conforming to acknowledged scholarly protocols.

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.