Postgraduate Course: Contemporary African Issues and Debates (PGSP11076)
Course Outline
| School |
School of Social and Political Science |
College |
College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type |
Standard |
Availability |
Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) |
SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Credits |
20 |
| Home subject area |
Postgrad (School of Social and Political Studies) |
Other subject area |
None |
| Course website |
None |
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| Course description |
Contemporary African Issues and Debates (CAID) aims to allow students to frame and interrogate a range of contemporary debates using the theories and skills gained in the semester one Theoretical and Conceptual Underpinnings core course. The debates attempt to tackle issues that are common to much of sub-Saharan Africa today. Adhering to the usual caveat about diversity across the continent, the course acknowledges that Africa is an amalgamation of societies. This wide variation makes generalisation difficult, but has not stopped superficial interpretations of Africa, its countries and people|especially in the non-African media. CAID attempts to transcend such views through analysing issues that are commonly discussed in various fora both inside and outside the continent. |
Entry Requirements
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites |
|
| Prohibited Combinations |
|
Other requirements |
None
|
| Additional Costs |
None |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Delivery period: 2010/11 Semester 2, Available to all students (SV1)
|
WebCT enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
| Location |
Activity |
Description |
Weeks |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
| Central | Tutorial | | 1-11 | 16:10 - 18:00 | | | | |
| First Class |
First class information not currently available |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course students should have a knowledge and understanding of multiple perspectives of contemporary issues, with specific reference to:
1. Understanding the background and context of selected contemporary issues in Africa.
2. Constructing academic arguments based on secondary research.
3. Understanding the relationships between concepts, theories and critiques of contemporary African issues and developments.
Particular skills developed will include:
1. Undertaking and presenting scholarly work
2. Participating in group discussion
3. Making appropriate use of library and IT resources
4. Theoretically and contextually framing potential research questions
|
Assessment Information
The debates themselves will not be formally assessed. Course assessment will be by an essay of 4,000 words (90%) and on tutorial performance (10%). The essay will be based on one of the seminars where students have taken a lead in researching and presenting preliminary arguments on particular issues. The essay is due for submission at SSPS on 20th April 2010.
Students benefit more from CAID when everybody pulls their weight and participates fully. Attendance at every debate is compulsory, and students who are unable to attend any debate should inform the convenor in advance&this is essential for lead debaters. The course convenor also reserves the right to deduct marks from students who do not regularly attend debates. |
| Please see Visiting Student Prospectus website for Visiting Student Assessment information |
Special Arrangements
| Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser |
Dr Thomas Molony
Tel:
Email: Thomas.Molony@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary |
Miss Madina Howard
Tel:
Email: Madina.Howard@ed.ac.uk |
|
copyright 2010 The University of Edinburgh -
1 September 2010 6:30 am
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