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
|
Taught in Gaelic? |
No |
| 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 1 The Political Economy of Modern Africa 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 $ú something which is not always appreciated by those who consider Africa a country. 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 |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? |
Yes |
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 | Lecture | Seminar Room 4, Chrystal Macmillan Building | 1-11 | 16:10 - 18:00 | | | | |
| First Class |
First class information not currently available |
| No Exam Information |
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. Locating relevant literature in a supervisor-supervisee -like relationship.
3. Constructing academic arguments based on secondary research.
4. 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
90% of the mark will awarded on the basis of an essay of 4,000 words. The essay will be based on the debate that students have taken a lead in researching and presenting their preliminary arguments on particular issues. The essay is due for submission at SSPS on 12th April 2011.
The remaining 10% will be awarded on the basis of a student&©s overall individual class performance both when leading a debate and in acting as leading discussant. A percentage figure (ranging from 0-10%) will be created based on the convenor&©s assessment against a checklist of questions in the weekly pro forma below. These questions relate to the lead debaters&© presentation and debates, and the chosen lead discussants&© ability to bring leading discussion questions into the debate and follow-up on them in a constructive manner. The assessment criteria of the weekly pro forma will be shown to students at the first class. Feedback on class performance is available on request.
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Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords |
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 2011 The University of Edinburgh -
13 January 2011 6:32 am
|
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