Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies

The Purpose of The Learning Programme

The programme aims to provide candidates with a sound theoretical grounding in the principles and practices of economic development as it pertains to policy, research of policy and implementation of policy in a development context. Candidates will demonstrate the following exit-level competences:

  • An in-depth knowledge and understanding of the complexities of policy theory as it applies to the principles and practices of economic development as well as the roles played by different stakeholders and drivers in policy development and implementation;
  • A clear understanding of and the ability to apply the concepts of methods of analysis;
  • The ability to design and implement appropriate research projects, apply relevant research methods and present reports in appropriate format in a development context;
  • The ability to measure the performance of different areas, countries and institutions in terms of economic development by applying appropriate criteria.

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Minimum NSC statutory requirements for degree entry must be met.
  • An applicant with NSC Grade 12 Mathematics or Technical Mathematics requires a minimum Applicant Score of 350
  • An applicant with NSC Grade 12 Mathematical Literacy requires a minimum Applicant Score of 365.
  • NSC achievement rating of at least level 40% for Mathematics or Technical Mathematics or 70% for Mathematical Literacy

Re-admission:

The re-admission of students is in accordance with the policy for re-admission approved by Council and as published in the prospectus of the Faculty of Business & Economic Sciences of the Nelson Mandela University for the Baccalaureus qualification.

Site of Delivery:

All three years of the programme will be offered on the Nelson Mandela University South Campus.

Duration:

The qualification shall extend over a period of three years of full-time study.

Curriculum:

 

 

Module Name

Semester

Code

Credit Value

FIRST YEAR: SEMESTER 1

 

 

 

A

COMPULSORY MODULES

 

 

 

1.

Economics

 

 

 

 

Introduction to Micro Economics

1

ECC101

12

 

Economic History A

1

EGV101

10

2.

Development Studies

 

 

 

 

Introduction to Development Studies

1

DEVE101

10

 

Development Issues in Contemporary Africa

1

DEVE111

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

Computer Science & Information Systems

 

 

 

 

Computer Literacy

1

ITVL101

6

 

 

 

 

 

B

ELECTIVES (Choose ONE of Section 3 or 4)

 

 

 

3.

Sociology

 

 

 

 

Sociology: an introduction

1

SSV101

12

4.

Industrial & Organisational Psychology

 

 

 

 

Introduction to Organisational Psychology

1

EZZV101

12

 

Total credits for Semester 1

 

 

60

 

 

 

 

 

FIRST YEAR: SEMESTER 2

 

 

 

A

COMPULSORY MODULES

 

 

 

1.

Economics

 

 

 

 

Introduction to Macro Economics

2

ECC102

12

 

Economic History B

2

EGV102

10

2.

Development Studies

 

 

 

 

Empire, Capital & Development

2

DEVE102

10

 

Development Communication

2

DEVE112

10

 

 

 

 

 

B

ELECTIVES: Choose a corresponding section (3 or 4) to the one selected in the first semester

 

 

 

3.

Sociology

 

 

 

 

Groups & Organisations

2

SSV102

6

 

Social Structure & Change

2

SSSV112

6

4.

Industrial & Organisational Psychology

 

 

 

 

Introduction to Organisational Behaviour

2

EZZV102

12

 

Total credits for Semester 2

 

 

54

 

Total credits for Year 1:

 

 

114

 

 

 

 

 

SECOND YEAR: SEMESTER 1

 

 

 

A

COMPULSORY MODULES

 

 

 

1.

Economics

 

 

 

 

Macro economics

1

EC201/ECC201

14

 

Project Appraisal

1

ECE101/ECEV101

10

2.

Development Studies

 

 

 

 

Contemporary Development Theories

1

DEV201/DEVE201

12

 

Development Planning

1

DEV202/DEVE211

12

 

 

 

 

 

B

ELECTIVES: Choose a corresponding section (3 or 4) to the one selected in the first year.

 

 

 

3.

Sociology

 

 

 

 

Social & Environmental Issues

1

SSS201/SSSV201

10

 

Group Dynamics

1

SS202/SSV201

10

 

Total credits for Semester 1 (Option 3)

 

 

68

4.

Industrial & Organisational Psychology

 

 

 

 

Human Resource Management: Procurement

1

EZA201/EZAV201

12

 

Labour Relations

1

EZB201/EZBV201

12

 

Total credits for Semester 1 (Option 4)

 

 

72

 

 

 

 

 

SECOND YEAR: SEMESTER 2

 

 

 

A

COMPULSORY MODULES

 

 

 

1.

Economics

 

 

 

 

Microeconomics

2

EC202/ECC202

14

 

Demography & Population Economics

2

ECE102/ECEV201

10

2.

Development Studies

 

 

 

 

Global Development Studies

2

DEV203/DEVE202

12

 

EIA  & Land Planning for Development

2

DEV204/DEVE212

12

 

 

 

 

 

B

ELECTIVES: Choose a corresponding section (3 or 4) to the one selected in the first year

Please note: If you choose Section 4, you have to select 2 from 3 modules.

 

 

 

3.

Sociology

 

 

 

 

Contemporary Labour Studies

2

SSS209/SSSV202

10

 

Women in Africa

2

SSA204/SSAV202

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Industrial & Organisational Psychology

 

 

 

 

Select any two modules from this section

 

 

 

 

Human Resource Management: Development

2

EZC202/EZCV202

12

 

Human Resource Management: Reward Systems

2

EZD202/EZDV202

12

 

Workplace Negotiations & Dispute

2

EZE202/EZEV202

12

 

Total credits for Semester 2 (Section 3 option)

 

 

68

 

Total credits for Semester 2 (Section 4 option)

 

 

72

 

Total credits for Year 2:

 

 

 

 

Section 3 Option

 

 

136

 

Section 4 option

 

 

144

 

 

 

 

 

THIRD YEAR: SEMESTER 1

 

 

 

1.

Economics

 

 

 

 

Select any 3 three modules from this section

 

 

 

 

Public Economics

1

ECO301/ECC301

10

 

Economics & Financial Markets

1

ECO302/ECC311

10

 

Econometrics

1

ECO304/ECC321

10

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Development Studies

 

 

 

 

Both modules from this section are compulsory

 

 

 

 

Development Policy

1

DEV301/DEVE301

15

 

Research Methods for Development

1 & 2

DEV305/DEVE300

15

 

Total credits for Semester 1

 

 

60

 

 

 

 

 

THIRD YEAR: SEMESTER 2

 

 

 

1.

Economics

 

 

 

 

Select any 3 three modules from this section

 

 

 

 

Labour Economics

2

ECO307/ECC322

10

 

Development Economics

2

ECO305/ECC302

10

 

International Economics

2

ECO306/ECC312

10

 

Economic & Development Ethics

2

ECO309/ECC332

10

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Development Studies

 

 

 

 

Compulsory

 

 

 

 

Case Studies in Developing & Transitional Countries

2

DEV302/DEVE311

15

 

Select any one from the following two modules

 

 

 

 

Security, Peace & Reconstruction

2

DEV303/DEVE302

15

 

Political Economy of Development

2

DEV304/DEVE312

15

 

Total credits for Semester 2

 

 

60

 

Total credits for Year 3

 

 

120

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total credits for the programme:

 

 

 

 

Section 3 Option

 

 

370

 

Section 4 option

 

 

378

 


*Elective modules will be offered provided there is a minimum enrolment of 10 students for each module.

Contact information
Mr Sakhile Phiri
Lecturer and Degree Programme coordinator
Tel: 041 504 2753
sakhile.phiri@mandela.ac.za

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