Module Descriptions
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology & Community Development
Below is all the Module Descriptions for BA in Sociology & Community Development.
Study Year 1 of 3 (basic level; NQF 5)
This module develops the skills needed for successful tertiary study, particularly listening and reading for comprehension, critical thinking in sourcing and evaluating academic material, structuring academic papers, writing clearly and logically, and referencing sources used. Students develop these essential skills through readings and talks and practise them in a supportive environment with detailed feedback.
Through this module, students will learn to use a computer for emails, internet, word processing, spreadsheet development and electronic presentation suites. This will enable students to access the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) known as Funda, which is used by Cornerstone for communication with lecturers and administrative purposes, as well as research and submission of assignments.
This module is designed to help the student build an ethical framework that considers a holistic understanding of the human person (head, heart and hands). Students are exposed to ethical theories that enable them to reflect on ways in which to respond to current moral, intellectual and social questions. Students work to integrate ethical theory into their experience of life and explore how this contributes to the good of the world.
The module introduces students to the principles, concepts, history, and major approaches to the study of society. It provides an overview of what sociologists' study, the methods they use, the different ways of thinking (paradigms) within sociology as well as the key terminology (concepts) that serve as analytical tools to understand social systems and the social construction of human life.
This module provides students with training in how to develop and design life skills programmes, psycho-educational training and individual counselling interventions. This module provides an understanding of persons, ideas and principles in the sphere of human behaviour and examines how to manage structured psycho-educational activities in personal and group interventions and how to evaluate their success.
This module provides students with an overview of the major theories of Developmental Psychology. Furthermore, the module aims to help the student understand the course of human development from conception to late adulthood. The module also seeks to address contemporary concerns in lifespan development from conception to late adulthood.
This module seeks to introduce the student to the fundamentals of intergroup dynamics and communication in the global context of cross-cultural engagement. The themes of group formation and behaviours, social structure and societal hierarchies will be introduced alongside the themes of intergroup relations and the practice of communication with and between groups with diverse values, belief systems and societal standing. The module will reflect on the demands and required skills for social change interventions when working with diverse cultural, religious, language, socio-economic, and citizen communities, among others, including also the local and global realities of migration and immigrant communities.
This module offers a comprehensive understanding of leadership from various theoretical perspectives, aiming to empower individuals for effective leadership in various contexts, particularly within South African and African settings. It delves into transformative leadership theory and practice, fostering personal and character growth. Additionally, the module introduces students to conflict resolution theory and practice, imparting essential communication skills to enrich inter-group and interpersonal relationships. Students gain insights into their conflict attitudes, self-reflect on approaches, and explore diverse conflict types through case studies. The module underscores the interconnectedness of communication, behaviour, and conflict, with a focal point on reconciliation strategies, enriching the learning experience.
This module aims to provide the student with an understanding of persons, ideas, and principles in the sphere of human behaviour, which we understand as the social sciences. The historical development and current status of psychology, investigative activities, and significant findings are reviewed. Psychology: An Introduction will also engage with psychological thought in relation to the South African context.
This module explores the ways identity shapes and is shaped by diversity in terms of race, culture, class, gender, sexual orientation and disability, and how the social construction of difference can have a significant impact on people’s life opportunities. A fundamental objective of the module will be to develop critical diversity literacy and identify ways to promote mutual understanding, tolerance and cooperation among communities.
This module surveys the themes of marriage development and family issues. The student will be introduced to the dynamics of change within marriage and the family as part of a developmental psychology framework.
Study Year 2 of 3 (intermediate level; NQF 6)
This module reviews several perspectives on community development and social transformation processes. The overall objective is to acquire an understanding of social transformation as it relates to community development and the ability to apply this understanding in working with diverse communities.
Sociology of Development aims to introduce the debate on the development question in Africa. It lays the conceptual foundation for further in-depth discussions on two fields of development research and practice: industrial development, and community development in Africa. The module will, therefore, introduce both macro theories pertaining to development, and the basics of what we understand by industrial development, and community development. The underlying meaning of popular development concepts and strategies will be critically revisited and debated to set the scene for further modules in development. The module explores poverty and exclusion as a developmental concern for Africa, and South Africa in particular.
The purpose of this module is to lay the foundation for contemporary theoretical approaches to reconciliation and peace-making. While this module introduces students to the various models of peace-making at interpersonal levels, it is more specifically aimed at exploring reconciliation in social and political settings. The module is located in the concrete realities of South Africa, paying specific attention to South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). It will also explore themes such as forgiveness, restitution and human dignity.
The purpose of this module is to introduce students to a foundation for conflict management that will guide community leaders in responding to interpersonal conflict. Students are introduced to the theory and practice of conflict mediation, equipping them with specific communication skills to enhance their relationships (interpersonal and intrapersonal). Students explore personal attitudes and approaches to conflict. This module makes use of case studies to assist students to reflect on the strategies, tactics and approaches used during conflict situations and emphasises the link between foundational beliefs, communication, behaviour and conflict.
This foundational module is designed to introduce students to basic concepts in research methodology and quantitative statistics. Students will be able to select appropriate statistical techniques for various research situations, execute these techniques and interpret these results making appropriate inferences.
Sociological theory is applied to important institutions in society such as the family, media institutions, religion, education and political institutions
The module introduces students to resources and community mobilisation, which are key elements within most development projects and programmes. Students will explore real cases of community and resource mobilisation, highlighting the value of community participation as key components of the development process.
In this module students engage in the application of leadership theory as it relates to the three majors, namely Theology, Psychology and Community Development. Here students explore the practice of leadership in the context of the church, faith-based organisations and the public sector. Attention is given to issues such as the process of effectively utilising and developing human resources, sharing control and responsibility, teamwork, conflict management, strategic planning and managing diverse communication styles in the three areas of Theology, Psychology and Community Development.
This module provides students with an introduction to the theories and principles of various current approaches to psychotherapy and brief therapy.
In this module students will gain a theoretical understanding of the dynamics of crisis intervention, crisis and trauma counselling. As a result of this module students should be able to understand counselling principles and have knowledge of practical skills in crisis intervention and trauma debriefing.
- (Psychology) Research Methods: An Introduction OR
- (Counselling) Family Counselling
- (Psychology) Psychotherapy OR
- (Counselling) Crisis Intervention and Trauma Counselling
Study Year 3 of 3 (advanced level; NQF 7)
Fieldwork is a practical extension of the academic programme in a defined module. It is a multidisciplinary application of what has been learned theoretically. It measures the practical capabilities of the student within a field or sphere of learning.
Note: There are two versions: a 24 and 12 credit version of the Fieldwork and Service-Learning Module. Sociology majors are required to do the 24-credit version, whilst international students may choose either the 24 or 12 credit version.
This module is designed to equip students with skills in community-based research (i.e., tools, techniques and methodologies). The module aims to assist students in helping a community identify an issue or problem, collect and analyse information, act upon the problem to find solutions that promote economic, social and political development or transformation. A key focus of the module will be to train students on how to write a research proposal while being exposed to qualitative and quantitative techniques for data collection and analysis for social research. The module will review methodologies and approaches appropriate to community based participatory research and will provide students with opportunities for practical application of acquired knowledge and skills.
This module focuses on social demography, examining such themes as socio-demographic indicators, population profile, health profile, urbanisation and migration profile, education profile, and human development profile. Students focus on local communities, South Africa and the African continent as they analyse the consequences of social demographic factors for research, policy, planning and development.
This module seeks to explore in depth the dynamics that are involved in both cities and rural areas as unique spaces of social interaction. The module accords special attention to the impact of urbanisation on the poor, elderly, youth, other marginalised groups, as well as rural areas. Specific themes discussed are the role of the urban and rural areas in the social and political economy of developing societies, and current approaches toward the management of both rural and urban areas. It also seeks to help students outline the challenges facing urban and rural development in developing countries and in South Africa in particular. Various issues and themes are explored through field-based reflection, lectures and group discussions.
This module looks at community development from a sociological point of view with an emphasis on both the theoretical and practical facets of the developmental process. These themes will be related to current development challenges in South Africa and will be studied against the background of global trends as well as specific community issues. Whilst strong emphasis will be placed on a holistic and people-centred orientation to development theory and praxis, the economic prerequisites and requirements for development will also be stressed. Theoretical insights will be translated into skills required for hands-on community development.
Fieldwork is a practical extension of the academic programme in a defined module. It is a multidisciplinary application of what has been learned theoretically. It measures the practical capabilities of the student within a field or sphere of learning.
Note: There are two versions: a 24 and 12 credit version of the Fieldwork and Service-Learning Module. Sociology majors are required to do the 24-credit version, whilst international students may choose either the 24 or 12 credit version.
This module provides an in-depth exploration of contemporary sociological theory. The implications of these theories for the challenges faced by contemporary society are debated. Students will be encouraged to engage critically with the opportunity to apply sociological theory in understanding contemporary issues. Special focus will be given to South Africa and the African continent.
The senior project paper is a literature report and reflection paper based on the advanced level student’s practical fieldwork experience in a community setting. Students are encouraged to write an empirical research paper using community based participatory research methodologies. Students may alternatively choose to write a theoretical paper. The senior project paper will need to demonstrate the student’s mastery of compiling a literature review informed by her/his empirical research, coherently describe the research problem and successfully apply appropriate sociological theories.
This module introduces students to the policy and legislative ecology that governs the profession of community development and examines the need for and strategic importance of policies and regulations regarding their respective functions and roles in the systemic structuring and application of community development. The impact that relevant policies and regulations have on the practice of community development will be analysed in order to maximise the efficiency and efficacy of community development professionals. Students will also explore legal requirements and procedures to be followed in community development practice.
While post-colonial African is increasingly integrated into the global capitalist economy the challenges of poverty, inequality and environmental degradation continue unabated. The module discusses Africa’s position in the global matrix of economic and political power, which is dominated by the neoliberal and modernist development ideology and practice. The neoliberal/modernist development discourse and practice adopted by (and which characterise) many post-independent African countries’ development trajectories are critiqued. The impact of and capitalist globalisation (global economic factors) on Africa’s development and/or underdevelopment. The module will also explore alternative pathways to development in Africa, and the possibility of micro, people-centred and sustainable development. Development theory from an African perspective will be explored, including but not limited to the African renaissance theory, as alternative development discourse and practice. A comparative approach will be embraced by looking at country-specific case studies, including South Africa. The focus on Africa as a continent will help students to appreciate that South Africa is unique in some ways, but its development challenges are shared by other Africa countries.