1st Term 2013
General Sociology: Environmental Sociology
Lecturer: Ms Babalwa Sishuta
Welcome to this first term course on environmental sociology. This course follows on from the undergraduate course. Also, the conceptual tools learned so far are relevant here. Hence, it is imperative that you incorporate the theoretical frameworks and concepts studied. Environmental sociology seeks to explore the relationship between society/human beings, their social organization and the natural environment. Environmental sociology recognises the inextricable link between humans and their natural environment. It calls for the urgent need to reconcile humanity with its natural environment. It goes beyond technical and scientific issues to the social roots of the ecological crisis. It is an undeniable fact that our ecological footprint is at odds with the quest to achieve sustainable development. One of the basic premises of environmental sociology is that we cannot satisfactorily understand environmental problems/issues, let alone hope for a solution, without a basic understanding of the wider context within which they occur.
Industrial & Economic Sociology: Economic Globalization, Unfree Labour & Unemployment
Lecturer: Ms. Claudia Martinez-Mullen
Overall, the course looks at the impact of global and national processes on labour re-structuring, with a specific focus on unfree labour and flexible labour and the concomitant consequences on the informal economy in contemporary South Africa. In this context 'unfree labour', flexible labour and unemployment, is considered in relation to structures of informality and exclusion and the multi-faceted (old and new) strategies of survival pursued by informal and unemployed people are also brought to the fore. In addition, the concept of economic globalisation and the political role of its social agencies cannot be separated from the concept of ‘war’ and violence. War as a maximum expression of conflict creates different socio-economic relations and social orders. This phenomenon is analysed as part of global and local social practices.
ECONOMIC GLOBALISATION,UNFREE LABOUR AND UNEMPLOYMENT 2013
2nd Term 2013
Industrial Relations
Lecturer: Gilton Klerck
Welcome to the industrial relations honours course. Our understanding of industrial relations is shaped by the conceptions of the economy and society that we hold. The frame of reference that is adopted – i.e. the way in which we conceptualise the employment relationship – will to a large extent determine how we explain the various aspects of industrial relations. The adoption of structural-functionalist explanations, for example, led to an emphasis on the determinants of stability in social ‘systems’. The notion of an ‘industrial relations system’ was first formulated by Dunlop (USA) and Flanders (UK) in an attempt to delineate the areas concerned with the study of ‘job regulation’. Against the dominant concern with the institutional characteristics of industrial relations, these writers focused on the manner in which outcomes (the rules formulated by the parties) reflect the needs imposed by objective constraints (technical, economic, political) on the environment of labour-management relations. Several writers have subsequently exposed the functionalist implications of this approach and criticised its preoccupation with process at the expense of content. The very notion of a ‘system’ of industrial relations, underwritten by the assumption of a common ideology among the actors, implies that what industrial relations is all about is the maintenance of stability and regularity in industry.
Sex & Gender Studies
Lecturer: Prof M. Drewett
This course is designed to examine sexual inequality in contemporary society with a specific concern for improving the position of women. To begin with this requires consideration of a range of theories which attempt to explain women’s oppression (as well as to contemplate the claim that men might also be oppressed). We will use our theoretical foundation to explore issues concerning sex/gender and development, and sex/gender and popular culture. These are important areas of focus which allow us to apply our theoretical knowledge
3rd Term 2013
Development Studies
The course is divided into two sections. The first will deal with development theory and current issues and will be taught by Professor Monty Roodt. The second section of the course will deal with relations between China and Africa.
Module 1: Theory and Concepts
Lecturer: Professor Monty J. Roodt
More information to be provided.
Module 2: China in Africa
Lecturer: Dr Yoon Jung Park
In the past, Africa has often been cast as poor, underdeveloped, and in need of the West’s assistance. Headlines used to scream of Africa’s pathetic state. In the past couple years, this has changed; today, Africa is often touted at the place for investment and innovation. Economic growth in many African countries has superseded growth in most European countries and foreign investors are flocking to Africa. China leads this charge and can largely be credited with the change in attitude toward the continent – from basket case to miracle zone. At the same time, China is accused of being predatory and neo-colonial, in search of mineral resources to fuel its own growth; markets to dump its excess, cheap manufactured products, and land to grow food for its growing population. And questions remain about lasting development impacts and perhaps, more importantly, poverty alleviation amongst the African masses.
Advanced Sociology of Work
Lecturer: Babalwa Magoqwana
This course is designed to equip you with a comprehensive, in-depth and critical understanding of the sociology of work. While it is designed to develop your conceptual understanding of work, relevant contextual and empirical issues will be brought to bear where necessary. It will enrich your knowledge of contemporary debates on the sociology of work structured around six themes: the meaning of work; work in an industrial context and the labour process debate; the changing nature of work; work in a non-industrial context; emotional labour; and beyond employment: work and social reproduction. Attention will be paid to the development of analytical and conceptual skills imperative for graduate work.
4th Term 2013
Economic Globalisation, War and Unfree Labour
Lecturer: Claudia Martinez-Mullen
Overall, the course looks at the impact of global and national processes on labour re-structuring, with a specific focus on unfree labour and flexible labour and the concomitant consequences on the informal economy in contemporary South Africa. In this context 'unfree labour' is considered in relation to structures of informality and exclusion. The course focuses on, amongst other things: economic and social segregation of informal activities of low productivity and/or extra-legal activities; and state policies and institutional responses to the employment crises at national level.
Economic Globalization, War and Unfree Labour
