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.

ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIOLOGY 2013

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

Last Modified: Fri, 19 Jul 2013 10:23:37 SAST

Industrial & Economic Sociology Honours

Lecturer: Babalwa Magoqwana

Work as a main source of identity in the 21^st century has come under fierce attack with surging rates of unemployment and economic instability. In South Africa, more than 30 per cent of the economically active population is unemployed leading to what Standing (2011) calls the ‘precariat’ class. Regardless of the major economic changes in the world, work is still a defining factor in who we are, what we eat, who we socialize with, universities we attend, and so forth.  This course is designed to build on the 3^rd year Sociology of Work course by providing a comprehensive, in-depth and critical understanding of the sociology of work and its current challenges.  While it is designed to develop your conceptual understanding of work, relevant contextual and empirical issues will be brought to bear where necessary. Moving between a macro and micro analysis of work, this course will enrich your knowledge of contemporary debates on the sociology of work and is structured around 6,5 themes: the meaning of work; rationalization of work; the labour process debates; identity at work; and gender at work.  A sub-theme on the ‘future of work’ from a South African perspective will conclude this course. Attention will be paid to the development of the analytical and conceptual skills imperative for graduate work.  

Ind & Eco Sociology honours- Advanced Sociology 2013‌‌

Development Honours

Lecturer: Monty J. Roodt

Welcome to the honours course on Development Theory. The course will commence with a brief introduction to the concept of development and how it has evolved over the decades from the colonial period, through what has become known as the “first development decade” in the period after the Second World War, into the period of neo-liberalism and globalisation where the environmental/food and world capitalist crisis has prompted calls for the whole development enterprise to be abandoned. This introduction will also take a brief look at some of the empirical indicators of poverty and inequality in the world today.

Sociology of Development Honours 2013

Last Modified: Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:38:05 SAST

China in Africa

Lecturer(S): Dr Yoon Jung Park; Prof Herman Wasserman; Dr Doreen Bekker; Mr Harrie Esterhuyse.

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 as 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.

China in Africa 2013

Last Modified: Fri, 19 Jul 2013 10:22:33 SAST

Information coming soon...

Last Modified: Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:40:12 SAST