Undergraduate

​BA POLITICS

Modules offered for the degree BA Politics:

Year 1:

Politics 1A (Semester A):
This course offers students insight into the subject of Politics (Term 1), with a focus on Key Issues in South African Politics (Term 2).

Politics 1B (Semester B):
This course introduces students to the fields of International Relations (Term 3) and International Political Economy (Term 4).

Year 2:

Politics 2A (Semester A):
In this module, students learn Public Policy (Term 1) and African Political Thought (Term 2)

Politics 2B (Semester B):
In this course International Relations Theories and Global Peace & Security are taught.

Politics 2C (Semester A):

In this course, Africa’s Defining Moments are taught, drawing from the pre-colonial era to the post-independence period (Term 1), turning to study interstate wars in Eastern Africa (Term 2).

Politics 2D (Semester B):

In this module, students are immersed in Arms Control and International Security.

Year 3:

Politics 3A (Semester A):
In this course, students will learn Research Methodology (Term 1) and Comparative Politics (Term 2).

Politics 3B (Semester B):
In this course, students will be immersed in the areas of Foreign Policy Analysis (Term 3) and the practical module, Comparative Foreign Policy (Term 4).

Politics 3C (Semester A):

In this course, students are immersed in International Political Economy (Term 1) and Barriers and Borders (Term 2).

Politics 3D (Semester B):

In this course, students learn International Law in International Relations (Term 3) and the Militarisation of African Politics (Term 4).

BA INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

All BA Politics modules constitute the core of this degree.

Against the background of growing international influences, employers are increasing the need for qualified people who have an understanding of, and can critically evaluate global events. Career opportunities include:

• ​the diplomatic service
• the international offices of the Departments of Labour, Trade and Industry and Defence
• the international telecommunications industry
• research institutions, such as the Institute for Global Dialogue and the South African Institute of International Affairs
• international journalism
• the headquarters or branch offices of international governmental organisations, such as the United Nations (UN), the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Commonwealth

BA POLITICS, PHILOSOPHY AND ECONOMICS

All BA Politics modules constitute the core of this degree

Politics, philosophy and economics are a winning combination. Due to large-scale and increasing globalisation, the three fields cannot be separated from each other. Against this background this degree will equip you with a thorough understanding of the impact of political events on economic matters as well as the limitations which global economic tendencies impose on our local politics. Career opportunities include:

• ​journalism (also news magazines such as the Southern African Political and Economic Monthly and the Economist)
• multinational corporations
• financial institutions
• international non-governmental organisations such as the World Economic Forum
• ​development worker in e.g. the UN Development Programme (UNDP), International Labour Organisation (ILO), the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the Development Bank of Southern Africa and the African Development Bank
• international governmental organisations such as the World Bank and the IMF
• government departments such as the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Finance.