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.

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

 

 

 

 

Introduction to Sociology 2

2

SINT102

12

 

 

 

 

 

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

ECC201

14

 

Project Appraisal

1

ECEV101

10

2.

Development Studies

 

 

 

 

Contemporary Development Theories

1

DEVE201

12

 

Development Planning

1

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

SSSV201

10

 

Group Dynamics

1

SSV201

10

 

Total credits for Semester 1 (Option 3)

 

 

68

4.

Industrial & Organisational Psychology

 

 

 

 

Human Resource Management: Procurement

1

EZAV201

12

 

Labour Relations

1

EZBV201

12

 

Total credits for Semester 1 (Option 4)

 

 

72

 

 

 

 

 

SECOND YEAR: SEMESTER 2

 

 

 

A

COMPULSORY MODULES

 

 

 

1.

Economics

 

 

 

 

Microeconomics

2

ECC202

14

 

Demography & Population Economics

2

ECEV201

10

2.

Development Studies

 

 

 

 

Global Development Studies

2

DEVE202

12

 

EIA  & Land Planning for Development

2

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

SSSV202

10

 

Women in Africa

2

SSAV202

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Industrial & Organisational Psychology

 

 

 

 

Select any two modules from this section

 

 

 

 

Human Resource Management: Development

2

EZCV202

12

 

Human Resource Management: Reward Systems

2

EZDV202

12

 

Workplace Negotiations & Dispute

2

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

 

 

 

 

Both modules from this section are compulsary

 

 

 

 

Micro- and Macro- Economic Theory and Policy

1

EMC301

20

 

Econometrics

1

ECC321

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Development Studies

 

 

 

 

Both modules from this section are compulsory

 

 

 

 

Development Policy

1

DEVE301

15

 

Research Methods for Development

1 & 2

DEVE300

15

 

Total credits for Semester 1

 

 

60

 

 

 

 

 

THIRD YEAR: SEMESTER 2

 

 

 

1.

Economics

 

 

 

 

The modules from this section is compulsary

 

 

 

 

Economics of Development

2

ECD302

20

 

Select at least one module from this section

 

 

 

 

Resource, Environmental and Ecological Economics

2

ENR302

10

 

Labour Economics

2

ECC322

10

 

Economic of Financial Markets

2

ECC311

10

2.

Development Studies

 

 

 

 

Compulsory

 

 

 

 

Case Studies in Developing & Transitional Countries

2

DEVE311

15

 

Select any one from the following two modules

 

 

 

 

Security, Peace & Reconstruction

2

DEVE302

15

 

Political Economy of Development

2

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

 

DEVE101

INTRODUCTION TO DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

Credits: 10

PURPOSE

This module introduces students to some of the key issues in development studies (past & present). It presents an overview of relevant theories in order to address contemporary questions in the field of development studies.
 
LEARNING OUTCOMES
The student will be able to
  • Describe and assess the origins, principles and some of the applications of major development theories, past and present
  • Describe and assess contemporary development issues and development interventions in the light of the fundamental aspects of the theories studied
  • Identify the challenges of development praxis
  • Explain how the selected trends, problems and challenges of development feed into development praxis
 
EVALUATION
1 X 3 hour examination, 60% class mark + 40% examination mark.
 
CORE SYLLABUS
  • Introduction to development theories
  • Introduction to development policies
  • Sustainable development
  • Dynamics of development
  • State and development
  • Local government and development in South Africa
  • NGO’s as agents of development
  • Development planning and projects
  • Health and development
  • Poverty, food Security and famine
  • Aid and debt
 
PREREQUISITE MODULES(S)
None

 

DEVE111

DEVELOPMENT ISSUES IN CONTEMPORARY AFRICA

Credits: 10

PURPOSE

This module exemplifies contemporary trends, problems and challenges of development in Africa.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
The student will be able to
  • Describe and evaluate specific contemporary trends, challenges and problems of development in Africa
  • Describe and evaluate specific development interventions in the light of the trends, challenges and problems of development in Africa
  • Explain the contemporary African trends, challenges and problems of development in relation to mainstream development theory
  • Explain how the selected trends, problems and challenges of development feed into development praxis
  • Identify the challenges of development praxis.
 
EVALUATION
1 X 3 hour examination, 60% class mark + 40% examination mark.
 
CORE SYLLABUS
  • Development challenges past and present: Colonialism and Post-Colonialism in Africa and the post-independent state
  • Development policy formulation and implementation processes in African economies
  • New international and regional development theory and its implications for Africa
  • Selected case studies of African economies
 
PREREQUISITE MODULES(S)
None
 

 

DEVE102

Empire, Capital and Development
Credits: 10
 
PURPOSE
This module provides students with insights into the process of incorporating Africa into the wider, Western orientated world of mercantilist trade, the modern slave trade and the accession and establishment of formal colonisation and modern imperialism and dependence.
 
LEARNING OUTCOMES
The student will be able to
  • Describe development theory of imperialism and capitalism
  • Explain the key developments before and after World War II
  • Explain how colonialism feeds into current processes of development
  • Contextualise current issues of development within the broader historical context of the African continent
  • Describe and assess African development issues in light of the theory covered.
 
EVALUATION
1 X 3 hour examination, 60% class mark + 40% examination mark.
 
CORE SYLLABUS
  • Key Perspectives on Imperialism, Capitalism and Economic Development
  • From Colonial Development to Post-Independent Development
  • Colonial Administration and the growth of modern Development Studies
  • The challenges of development administration in the post-independent African state
  • Analysis of selected case study material
 
PREREQUISITE MODULES(S)
None
 
 

DEVE112

DEVELOPMENT COMMUNICATION
Credits: 10
 
PURPOSE
The module introduces students to the growing field of Development Communications through content and language integrated learning (CLIL). Successful CLIL sessions combine the four language practices of listening, reading, speaking and writing with content-progression in knowledge, skills, understanding and concept formation (cognition). Through integrated
teaching and learning practices students are also exposed to alternative perspectives and shared understandings, which deepen awareness of others and self.
 
LEARNING OUTCOMES
The student will be equipped to:
  • Apply academic writing, reading, listening and speaking practices to discuss and critically evaluate Development Communication
  • Provide a coherent description of the function of ideology and culture in society
  • Describe communication theory critically and coherently as it relates to development theory
  • Analyse and explain the psychological process of individual and group identity formation and in particular how this process impacts on and is influenced by the media.
  • Contextualise, exemplify, describe and evaluate aspects of development communication in Southern Africa
  • Apply development communication theory through designing and implementing communication strategies for particular aspects and areas of development.
 
EVALUATION
1 X 3 hour examination, 50% class mark + 50% examination mark.
 
CORE SYLLABUS
  • Academic writing, reading, listening and speaking communication practices
  • Representation, ideology and communication
  • Communication in relation to identity, and culture
  • Communication in relation to human behaviour
  • Communication in relation to globalisation, power and change
 
PREREQUISITE MODULES(S)
None
 

 

DEV201/DEVE201

CONTEMPORARY DEVELOPMENT THEORIES
Credits: 12
 
PURPOSE
The purpose of this module is to introduce students to contemporary topics in development theories such as sustainable development, gender and development; people-centred development, neo-liberalism, and social capital.
 
LEARNING OUTCOMES
The student will be able to
  • Describe and assess contemporary development topics in relation to the development theories studied
  • Describe and assess specific development interventions in the light of the theories
  • Describe contemporary controversies in development studies.
  • Explain the interrelationship between the contemporary development theories.
  • Explain how the contemporary development theories feed into development praxis
 
EVALUATION
1 X 3 hour examination, 60% class mark + 40% examination mark.
 
CORE SYLLABUS
  • Sustainable Development theory
  • Gender and Development theory
  • People-centred development practice
  • Neo-liberalism and social capital theory
 
PREREQUISITE MODULES(S)
None
 
 

DEV202/DEVE211

DEVELOPMENT PLANNING
Credits: 12
 
PURPOSE
This module introduces students to and familiarises them with development planning and policy theory, principles, concepts, processes and practices in the context of local and regional development.
 
LEARNING OUTCOMES
The student will be able to
  • Explore and describe current and emerging approaches and practices to promoting economic development at regional and local levels
  • Write to-the-point comprehensive, evaluative reports of the impacts of these approaches and practices
  • Describe and evaluate issues of equity, participation, conflict, and cooperation in the local and regional economic development planning and implementation process
  • Describe different theories of economic development and associated critique
  • Describe contrasting and complementary explanations of how economic development occurs at regional and local level
  • Describe the historical development of economic development policies, major programs and practices in South Africa
  • Describe the current and emerging approaches and practices to promoting economic development at regional and local levels
  • Explain the impacts of these approaches and practices on promoting economic development at regional and local levels
  • Describe the decision criteria by which projects may be appraised in the energy/water/transport sectors
 
EVALUATION
1 X 3 hour examination, 60% class mark + 40% examination mark.
 
CORE SYLLABUS
  • Processes and practices of local development planning and policy
  • Impact assessment of economic development at regional and local level
  • Case studies of equity, participation, conflict and cooperation in economic development planning
  • Implementation process of economic development
 
PREREQUISITE MODULES(S)
None
 
 

DEV203/DEVE202

GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT STUDIES
Credits: 12
 
PURPOSE
This module familiarises students with the cultural, political, environmental, scientific, and economic issues of modern times and prepares students, as citizens of the world, to offer creative solutions to today’s development challenges.
 
LEARNING OUTCOMES
The student will be able to
  • Describe the major trends in global studies
  • Describe the theoretical roots of these trends
  • Explain the origins and consequences of global economic disparity
  • Explain how the different theories feed into development praxis
  • Identify and elaborate the challenges of development praxis
  • Describe and evaluate global development theories
  • Describe and evaluate global development issues and interventions in the light of the theories covered.
 
EVALUATION
1 X 3 hour examination, 60% class mark + 40% examination mark.
 
CORE SYLLABUS
  • Trends and theory in global studies
  • Civil society and global economic disparity
  • Development and millennium development goals
  • International aid
  • Major global development issues and interventions
 
PREREQUISITE MODULES(S)
None
 
 

DEV204/DEVE212

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT & LAND PLANNING FOR DEVELOPMENT
Credits: 12
 
PURPOSE
The module familiarises students with both analytic and methodological knowledge, skills and the cognitive tools required for environmental impact assessment and environmental policy development and implementation within the framework of conservation and preservation of natural resources.
 
LEARNING OUTCOMES
The student will be able to
  • Describe and evaluate the main environmental impact assessment and policy development theories
  • Assess development interventions in the light of environmental impact policies and laws
  • Write and present coherent evaluative descriptions and reports of particular EIA processes and related environmental policies laws
  • Describe the basis of the policy guidelines and laws concerning the environment, including the Environmental Impact Assessment legislation
  • Describe the processes employed to integrate the ecological and social aspects of development into planning and environmental resource management processes
  • Explain the theoretical roots of these processes
  • Explain how the different theories feed into development praxis
 
EVALUATION
1 X 3 hour examination, 60% class mark + 40% examination mark.
 
CORE SYLLABUS
  • Analytic and methodological knowledge and skills needed to use and apply tools for environmental impact assessment and environmental policy development
  • The dilemma of sustainability
  • The roots and the development of sustainable development
  • Mainstreaming and delivering sustainable development
  • The politics of preservation
  • Environmental management tools, laws and policies
 
PREREQUISITE MODULES(S)
None
 
 

DEV301/DEVE301

DEVELOPMENT POLICY
Credits: 15
 
PURPOSE
The module introduces students to and familiarise them with the concepts, ideas, and strategies employed in the pursuit of sustainable economic development and development policies.
 
LEARNING OUTCOMES
The student will be able to
  • Critically assess alternative development policies and programmes
  • Systematically critique goals and objectives of economic development efforts
  • Write coherent reports and make presentations about political, social and institutional contexts in which development policy-making occurs
  • Contextualise development policy processes and analyse the thinking behind such processes
  • Describe and evaluate classical theories of economic development
  • Explain economic development versus under-development (regulation approach and basic needs approach)
  • Identify, describe and explain key economic, political and institutional contexts in which development policy-making occurs
  • Describe the philosophical tenets of positivism, post-positivism and postmodernism and their implications for development policy-making
 
EVALUATION
1 X 3 hour examination, 60% class mark + 40% examination mark.
 
CORE SYLLABUS
  • The philosophical paradigms of positivism, post-positivism and postmodernism
  • The Dimensions of Development Policy
  • Meta-theory and Policy Analysis
  • Policy Actors
  • Development policy process in a Global Context
  • The East Asian Experience
  • National Economic and Industrial Development Policy
  • Remodelling the State
  • Selected Issues in Meso and Micro Development Policy
  • Developmental Local Government: Policy and Practice
 
PREREQUISITE MODULES(S)
None
 
 

DEV302/DEVE311

COMPARATIVE STUDIES OF HIGH GROWTH DEVELOPING AND TRANSITIONAL ECONOMIES
Credits: 15
 
PURPOSE
The module provides students with case studies for research, reflection and critical analysis and synthesis of high growth developing and transitional economies.
 
LEARNING OUTCOMES
The student will be able to
  • Identify cases of and describe the emergence of high growth developing and transitional economies
  • Describe the socio-economic and geopolitical implications of high growth developing and transitional economies
  • Critique and assess high growth developing and transitional economies and their significance in the context of globalisation
  • Compare and evaluate development policy of high growth development and transitional economies.
 
EVALUATION
1 X 3 hour examination, 60% class mark + 40% examination mark.
 
CORE SYLLABUS
  • The emergence of high growth developing economies in the post-war period
  • The decline of socialism and the advent of transitional economies
  • The role of the state in economic development
  • The East Asian development state
  • Models and criteria for classifying and analyzing HPEs (High Performing Economies)
  • Comparative development policy for high growth developing and transition economies.
 
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES(S)
None
 
 

DEV303/DEVE302

SECURITY, PEACE AND RECONSTRUCTION
Credits: 15
 
PURPOSE
The module familiarises students with the challenges of security and security enhancement in post-conflict societies.
 
LEARNING OUTCOMES
The student will be able to
  • Analyse and evaluate conflict situations in the light of the theories covered
  • Formulate conflict management strategies for concrete situations
  • Describe the root causes of conflict and violence
  • Explain the current processes of conflict and security management, developmental reconstruction, intervention and policy development.
  • Explain the key non-violent mechanisms for conflict transformation and prevention
 
EVALUATION
1 X 3 hour examination, 60% class mark + 40% examination mark.
 
CORE SYLLABUS
  • Perspectives on security, peace and developmental reconstruction
  • Security and peace-keeping in post-conflict societies
  • From the Marshall Plan to Darfur: Past and present context of economic reconstruction
  • Integrating conflict and developmental interventions
  • Non-violent mechanisms for conflict transformation and prevention
 
PREREQUISITE MODULES(S)
None
 
 

DEV304/DEVE312

POLITICAL ECONOMY OF DEVELOPMENT
Credits: 15
 
PURPOSE
The purpose of the module is to introduce students to and familiarise them with significant theoretical approaches to and empirical explanations for the understanding of the processes of late development and economic development in transitional and developing economies.
 
LEARNING OUTCOMES
The student will be able to:
  • Distinguish between classical, contemporary discourses on political economy and critical institutionalist approaches. Describe, analyse and critically evaluate major theoretical and empirical approaches to understanding the process of late development and economic development processes in developing and transitional economies
  • Write coherently and persuasively about significant aspects of current theories
  • Identify and describe international economic phenomena, organizations and indicators for development
  • Identify and describe the determining factors of economic development and constraints to these
  • Identify and describe the traits of effective and ineffective development policies
  • Describe, analyse and evaluate the current theories of political economy
  • Explain the links between political economy and development policy
  • Appreciate relevant debates on international and national institutions and by actors in the field of development.
 
EVALUATION
1 X 3 hour examination, 60% class mark + 40% examination mark.
 
CORE SYLLABUS
  • Major theoretical approaches to and empirical explanations for processes of late development and economic development in transitional and developing economies
  • The new political economy, neo institutionalist approaches, regulation theory, 21st century Marxism and development, and complexity theory
  • The debate about social capital
  • Local capitalism, decentralization and deconcentration in economic development
  • Key debates on development aid, development finance and international financial institutions
  • Beyond the Marshall Plan: Economic reconstruction and development in post-conflict economies
  • Institutional building for economic development
 
PREREQUISITE MODULES(S)
None
 
 

DEV305/DEVE300

RESEARCH METHODS FOR DEVELOPMENT
Credits: 15
 
PURPOSE
The purpose of this module is to familiarize students with the knowledge and skills relevant to conducting development-oriented social science research.
 
LEARNING OUTCOMES
The student will be able to:
  • Develop a coherent and relevant research proposal on which to base a basic research project within the field of development studies
  • Complete a mini-research project, within the specified time-frame and appropriate to this academic level
  • Present the research report, including a description of the problem, the research design and method, the data collected as well as the findings, conclusions and recommendations, in an appropriately formatted document.
  • Demonstrate an appreciation of the nature and scope of development and economic development research
  • Apply a range of data gathering and research methods
  • Monitor and evaluate development programmes and projects including participatory research, stakeholder analysis and cost-benefit models and simulation modelling.
 
EVALUATION
Submission of a research report based on a research project.
 
CORE SYLLABUS
  • Philosophical foundations of research
  • The research process
    • The research problem
    • The research plan and research design
    • Methodologies appropriate to economic development
    • Data collection and data analysis
    • The research proposal
    • The research report: conventions and formats in the context of development–oriented social science research
  • Specific research methods for research on development and economic development
  • Participatory and interpretative approaches, focus group analysis, stakeholder analysis, cost-benefit analysis, social capital approaches and social capital indices, simulation modelling
  • Monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects
 
CO-REQUISITE MODULES(S)
None
 
 

ECE101/ECEV101

PROJECT APPRAISAL
Credits: 10
 
PURPOSE
The module provides an introduction to project appraisals by providing an overview of the theory and analysis of case studies in the water/energy/transport development sectors.
 
LEARNING OUTCOMES
  • An ability to assess a project appraisal from the water/energy/transport development sector
  • An ability to write an analysis report of a project appraisal using a case study from the water/energy/transport sectors
  • An ability to determine decision criteria for project appraisal
  • Describe each of the steps entailed in appraising projects
  • Describe the processes entailed in costing of inputs and valuing the outputs required in an appraisal in the energy/water/transport sector
  • Describe the processes followed in including the external effects required in an appraisal in the energy/water/transport sector
  • Describe the method by which income multipliers may be estimated
  • Describe the decision criteria by which projects may be appraised in the energy/water/transport sectors
 
EVALUATION
1 X 2 hour examination, 60% class mark + 40% examination mark.
 
CORE SYLLABUS
  • Project appraisal steps
  • Cost and valuation of projects in the energy/water/transport sector
  • Inclusion of external processes in project appraisals
  • Introduction to the method by which income multipliers may be estimated
  • Introduction to decision criteria by which projects may be appraised in the energy/water/transport sectors
 
PREREQUISITE MODULES(S)
None
 
 

ECE102/ECEV102

DEMOGRAPHY AND POPULATION ECONOMICS
Credits: 10
 
PURPOSE
The module introduces students to demography and population economics by providing a theoretical overview of population and labour supply, migration and urbanisation and gender and development.
 
LEARNING OUTCOMES
The student will be able to
  • Discuss the relation between demography and population in development economic
  • Describe the concept of demographic transition in relation to the developing world
  • Relate and discuss gender as a significant variable in the development equation of developing economies.
  • Describe how world population has been changing and is expected to change
  • Outline and interpret the idea of a demographic transition
  • Describe the bearing of population change on per capita economic growth
  • Describe the concept of internal migration and relationship to urbanisation
  • Analyse gender issues relating to the contemporary development debate
  • Describe the processes entailed in costing of inputs and valuing the outputs
 
EVALUATION
1 X 2 hour examination, 60% class mark + 40% examination mark.

CORE SYLLABUS
  • Demographics
  • The development equation
  • Demographic transition
  • Population, population change and labour supply
  • Migration and urbanisation
  • Gender and development
  • Costing inputs and valuing outputs
 
PREREQUISITE MODULES(S)
None
 
 

ITVL101

COMPUTER LITERACY
Credits: 6
 
Purpose
To enable students to utilise the personal computer as a tool to enhance their capacity for learning and communication
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to
  • Demonstrate an understanding of basic computer hardware and file systems
  • Do basic word processing
  • Do basic spreadsheets processing
  • Write e-mails
  • Use the internet for basic research purposes
  • Generally, utilise the personal computer as a tool to enhance their capacity for learning, solving problems and communication.
 
EVALUATION
100% Continuous assessment
 
CORE SYLLABUS
  • Introduction to a basic computer system – hardware components, architecture, software components, guidelines to the market place
  • Introduction to operating systems concept with special emphasis on file management
  • Introduction to word processing – basic representation and manipulation of text
  • Introduction to spreadsheet processing – basic representation and manipulation of numbers, design, mathematical and statistical functions
  • Problem solving – techniques and implementation
  • Introduction to communications – networks, electronic mail and Internet
  • Tools: Operating system utilities, word processor, spreadsheet, communications software
 
PREREQUISITE MODULES(S)
None
Contact information
Mr Sakhile Phiri
Lecturer and Degree Programme coordinator
Tel: 041 504 2753
sakhile.phiri@mandela.ac.za

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