Postgraduate Diploma in African Studies

The purpose of our Diploma in African Studies is to provide an intensive year of multidisciplinary studies focused on different aspects of the study of this continent.

An introduction to the work of some key thinkers and writers of Africa, within context of a particular theme or debate. This theme may change from year to year. For example, the theme for 2000 and 2001 will be "Race and Racism".

An introduction to the uses of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in a research and educational context.

The Diploma aims to provide learners from disadvantaged backgrounds, who have shown promise in becoming future post Qualifying Learners, with training in reading primary and secondary research sources and also web based material, with the purpose of equipping them to continue with their studies.

The Diploma also provides a year of African Studies for international qualifying learners who do not have African Studies backgrounds in their first Degrees.

Rationale

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience.

In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Advanced Diploma in African Studies, NQF Level 6.

a). Critical cross-field outcomes (generic to all teaching and learning)

• Learners will develop the ability to deal with a range of sources - primary and secondary and web-based media, such as film, television and newspapers.
• They will deal with these sources critically.
• They will be able to generate bibliographies and use a wide range of material, all properly referenced.

b). General outcomes (contextually demonstrated general knowledge, skills and values of the programme)

• A critical appreciation of some key works in the field of African Studies.
• A critical understanding of the history of, and issues around notions of race and racism.
• A critical understanding of the uses of ICT in a research and educational context.
• A critical engagement with Internet theory from an African or "developing" world context.

c). Specific outcomes (including professional outcomes contextually demonstrated)

1. Firstly, learners from disadvantaged backgrounds who are showing promise as future post Qualifying Learners, but whose results had not been quite sufficient for admission to honours, may qualify for further postgraduate work if they do well in the Diploma.
2. Secondly, the Diploma is also an ideal programme for international learners. Learners from all over the world, who have achieved satisfactory undergraduate degrees. who are not specialists in African Studies but who wish to spend a year in this country, qualify.
3. Thirdly, some in-service workers in fields such as teaching or journalism, policy development, public administration and business management, use the Diploma to increase their skills and their knowledge of African Studies.
4. Finally, learners changing direction, who have been based in other faculties for their Degrees or who have been studying non-Africa related courses in Humanities, may use the Diploma as a transfer qualification, enabling them to move into their new field of study in one year, instead of re-doing an entire undergraduate Degree.

a). The achievement of these outcomes is assessed in the integrated assessment of the programme

b). The achievement of these outcomes is assessed in the integrated assessment of the programme.

c). The outcomes are assessed as follows

• The completion of exercises, term papers or examinations in all competence areas listed.

Integrated Assessment

At the end of each Postgraduate Diploma in African Studies, learners will produce a research project in which they will have to demonstrate that they have learnt the skills and the material required by the programme. Specifically, learners produce a long essay in the form of a take-home examination, including web-based elements and they will have the opportunity of submitting a paper in hyper-text format. Learners may have the opportunity of collaborating on research projects with learners from other institutions, in Africa and abroad.