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The Institute of Social and Economic Development (ISER) at Rhodes University will co-ordinate an Interdisciplinary Honours Degree in Development Studies in the Faculty of Humanities from 2022. This specialised full-time honours degree is aimed at developing highly competent social and economic policy analysts.
ISER director Prof Cyril Nhlanhla Mbatha says, “South Africa needs excellent research and policy analysts more than ever to navigate complexity and guide effective policy action. When faced with the challenges and opportunities of a developing nation, the effective supply and interpretation of research to guide policy, be it demographic, social or economic, is critical. We’re excited to announce a truly interdisciplinary degree to help guide the leaders of the future.”
The honours degree programme has been carefully designed and requires students to register for at varied core and elective semester modules, as well as a research project undertaken in a relevant participating department. Besides the ISER, departments include Political and International Studies, History, Economics and Economic History, Linguistics and Applied Language Studies and Sociology. Modules from the Department of Economics are equivalent to term or quarter modules for the purpose of this programme.
“The ISER currently focuses on multidisciplinary research across varied socio-economic challenges in rural and urban spaces, locally, nationally and on the African continent,” says Prof Mbatha. “Throughout its existence, engagement by academics from a range of departments in the work of the ISER has contributed not only to the quality of the ISER’s research work, but also enriched teaching within those academics’ home departments. This groundbreaking degree brings together essential insights from a range of academic disciplines to create a multifaceted offering.”
Here is an example of module combinations that can be chosen:
Example: Student 1
Degree: Interdisciplinary Honours Degree (Institute of Social and Economic Research)
- Department: Institute of Social and Economic Research SER
- Department: Political and International Studies
Course/Module: Social and Economic Policy
Course/Module: Relevant Politics honours course on African Issues - to be advised in December 2021/January 2022 for what is available in 2022
- Department: Linguistics and Applied Language Studies: Relevant Linguistics course/module – e.g. Critical Discourse Analysis or other relevant course – to be advised on availability for 2022
- Department: Economics and Economic History:
Module combination 1: Development Economics and Trade Theory and Industrial Policy
Module combination 2: Development Economics and Environmental Resources Economics
- A research project (in one of the above departments)
- Department: Institute of Social and Economic Research SER
Example: Student 2
Degree: Interdisciplinary Honours Degree (Institute of Social and Economic Research)
Course/Module: Social and Economic Policy
- Department: Political and International Studies
- Department: Linguistics and Applied Language Studies: Relevant Linguistics course/module – e.g. Critical Discourse Analysis or other relevant course – to be advised on availability for 2022
- Department: Economics and Economic History:
Course/Module: Relevant Politics honours course on African Issues - to be advised in December 2021/January 2022 for what is available in 2022
Module combination 1: Development Economics and Trade Theory and Industrial Policy
Module combination 2: Development Economics and Environmental Resources Economics
- A research project (in one of the above departments)
The programme will accommodate a limited number of students. Applicants require a bachelor’s degree with a good second class pass in a social science discipline, as well as satisfying any honours module pre-requisite requirements. Selection processes will ensure a balance of academic and demographic criteria to ensure diverse representation within the group. Applications for honours study should be submitted to by 15 November 2020.
How to apply:
Please click on the following link : https://ross.ru.ac.za/
a. New students to Rhodes University (i.e. external applicants) need to choose the (not yet enrolled at Rhodes) option
b. A profile must be created - to get username and password - using your email address
c. Login and start application form
d. Fill in online application as required
1. Degree: Choose Bachelor of Arts with Honours
2. Department: Institute of Social and Economic Research
3. Subject – INTERD and this links to 3001701 Interdisciplinary Honours
The module registrations will be done in January for successful applications.
4. Which documents to submit?
These will be indicated to you on the online applications form (for uploading)
5. Can the course be done part time?
Not at the moment, unfortunately. But we hope to be able to offer it part time in the near future.
6. How to apply for funding?
Visit the PostGraduate Studies Website
https://www.ru.ac.za/researchgateway/postgraduates/funding/
Email: pgfunding@ru.ac.za
https://www.ru.ac.za/iser/programmes/interdisciplinarydegreeindevelopmentstudies/
CONTACT: Bulelani Mothlabane, b.mothlabane@ru.ac.za