Bachelor of Science Honours (BSc Hons) Degree in Peace, Conflict and Governance
Preamble
• These regulations should be read in conjunction with the Faculty and General Academic Regulations for Undergraduate Degree Programmes, which have precedence over Departmental Regulations.
• A student who has started a programme following one set of regulations will not be affected by regulations adopted subsequently unless agreed to in writing by the student.
• The Senate has the authority to exempt a student from any of these regulations.
General Description of the Programme
This programme provides a perceptive of the intricacies surrounding issues of peace, conflict and governance around the world. This is an interdisciplinary field that focuses on understanding the root causes of conflicts, violence and wars as well as the ways in which individuals, communities, institutions and states are involved in peace building and propagation good governance. This programme draws on diverse insights from fields such as history, political science, sociology, anthropology and law in order to make sense of governance as well as how and why conflicts and violence occur. Some of the key areas covered in this programme include conflict management and mediation, leadership, African political systems as well as governance and political transitions among other areas. This programme explores the enduring questions of the origins of war and maintenance of peace, the nature and exercise of power and governance.
Rationale
There is need to introduce the aforementioned degree programme basing on the following points. It adds dynamics and complete the programmes offered in the Faculty of Social Sciences. Very few Universities offer this programme at under graduate level yet there is need for experts and graduates well versed in issues of Peace and Conflict and Governance. The job market for those graduates is wide locally and within the region, in National Healing Commission. It’s relevant considering conflicts in Africa. Governance is important also because it’s a way addressing the conflict. It prepares students for administration and proper structures of governments, NGO and private enterprises.
Objectives
• Equip practitioners in Peace, Conflicts and Governance with theoretical and practical knowledge of advocacy and dispute resolution.
• To assess the operations of Supra-territorial Institutions and their role in sustainable development.
• This programme seeks to develop students who are relevant to the career demands and challenges of governance bodies both locally, regionally and internationally.
• This programme equips students with requisite knowledge and skills that will enable them to provide strategic and meaningful advice on issues relating to peace management, conflict resolution and good governance globally.
• This programme enable students to gain critical understanding of governance problems and their relationship to conflicts in Africa and globally as well as helping to create a world where all humanity lives together in peace and harmony.
Career Prospects
Graduates of this programme will find employment in a range of areas. This programme will create career opportunities in the area of peace, conflict and governance. Graduates will have career opportunities in both the public and private sector. Institutions that will absorb graduate of this programme include the civil society, academia, NGOs, local government both rural and urban government ministries (International Affairs) consultancy, firms and research institutes, political parties, international organizations (UN, SADC, AU) and academic organizations etc.
Consultations
Midlands State University – Department of Gender Studies
UNISA – Department of Development Studies
Ministry of Gender
University of Venda
Women University in Africa – Department of Gender and Development Studies
Entry Requirements
Normal Entry
• At least five (5) ‘O’ level passes with Grade C or better including English Language.
• At least two (2) ‘A’ Level passes.
• Attained a satisfactory standard or any entrance test the University may deem necessary.
• Specific qualifications or work experience deemed necessary by the host department.
Special Entry
A candidate who does not meet normal entry requirements may subject to the approval of the Senate be admitted to a programme on special grounds.
Mature Entry
Shall be obtained by applicants who have five (5) ‘O’ levels including English Language and have a demonstrable work experience during the last five years before the academic year in which admission is sought, and aged 25 years and above. They may be required to attend an interview to assess their suitability for University education.
Structure of the Programme
Duration
The normal duration of the BSc Honours Degree in Peace, Conflict and Governance shall be four (4) years.
Degree Structure
The Degree follows a 1.1.1.1 structure.
Each student will be required to take a minimum of forty-two (42) modules in accordance with the following breakdown:
- At part one a student shall register for a minimum of fourteen (14) modules.
- At part two a student shall register for at least 12 modules.
- At part three a student shall register for two (2) double modules and is required to spend a minimum of 10 months on work related learning experience.
- At Part four a student shall register for a minimum of twelve (12) modules
- A module shall be taught in at least thirty-six (36) contact hours a semester.
- Not all optional modules may be on offer at any one given time.
- New modules may be added from time to time.
Part I Semester I
Core Modules
Code Module Description
HPCG101 Introduction to Peace, Security Studies
HCESDM101 Communication Skills
BHS110 Introduction to Zimbabwean Cultures and Heritage
HPCG102 Culture and Governance
HPCG103 Economy, Society and Governance
HSOC 101 Introduction to Sociology I
HPCG104 Introduction to Negotiation and Conflict Management
Part I Semester II
Core Modules
Code Module Description
HPCG106 Human Rights Law
HPCG105 Introduction to Diplomacy and Negotiation
BAC101 African Philosophy and Thought
HPCG106 Human Rights and International Institutions
HSOC 109 Introduction to Sociology II
HPCG108 Transforming Violent Conflicts
HUDM 101 Introduction to Information Technology
Part II Semester I
Core Modules
Code Module Description
HPCG201 Conflict Resolution Theory
HRMSP204 Research Methods and Statistics
HPCG203 Gender, Conflict and Development
HPCG214 Humanitarian and Refugee Studies
Optional Modules
A student may choose any one (1) module from the following:
Code Module Description
HPCG204 Governance and Politics in Africa
HPCG205 Leadership, Theory and Practice
HPCG212 Institutions and Conflict Transformation
Part II Semester II
Core Modules
Code Module Description
HPCG210 Security Studies
HANTH207 State Identity and Nationalism
HPCG208 Politics, Governance and Conflicts in Africa
HPCG207 Religion, Conflict and Peacemaking
Optional Modules
A student may choose any one (1) module from the following:
Code Module Description
HPCG206 Public Administration
HPCG211 Election Management
HPCG213 Comparative Peace Building
Part III
Core Modules
Code Module Description
HGCS301 Work Related Learning Report
HGCS302 Continuous Work Related Learning Assessment
Part IV Semester I
Core Modules
Code Module Description
HPCG401 Refugee Management
HPCG402 International Organizations in Peace, Conflict Management and Resolution
HPCG404 Policing and Law Enforcement
HSOC403 Democracy and Human Rights
Optional Modules
A student may choose any one (1) module from the following:
Code Module Description
HPCG405 Ethnic Conflicts in Africa
HPCG406 Globalization, Culture and Conflicts
HPCG407 Humanitarian Aid in War Zones
Part IV Semester II
Core Modules
Code Module Description
HPCG408 Research Project
HPCG409 Civil Society and Governance
HPCG410 Environmental Politics
HPCG416 Trauma and Peace Building
Optional Modules
A student may choose any one (1) module from the following:
Code Module Description
HPCG412 Politics of Social Policy
HPCG413 Migration and Cultural Identities
HSOC418 Special Issues in Gender
Assessment
- To be admitted to an examination a candidate must have been registered for that module with the University and completed the module work in accordance with the General Academic Regulations.
- Each module in the programme is assessed on the basis of a three (3) hour written examination and by module work undertaken during the period of study.
- The Research Project must be completed and submitted for examination by end of the semester in which the module is taken. Usually the Research Project submission date will be announced by the Department before the start of the final examinations.
Weighting
Each taught module shall be given a percentage mark. The weighting shall be:
Module work 30%
Examination 70%
Determination of Results
- To successfully complete a part a candidate must pass all the modules examined in the two semesters of that Part.
- A candidate who fails one (1) or two (2) modules in Part I or Part II may be allowed to proceed to the next Part carrying the failed module(s).
- A carried module may be repeated when next on offer.
- A candidate who fails three (3) or more modules in Part I or Part II shall be deemed to have failed that Part and may be allowed to repeat the failed modules in that Part.
- A candidate who fails one or two modules within the supplementable range in Part 1V will be allowed to sit for a supplementary examination. A candidate who fails a supplementary examination within the supplementable range may be allowed to repeat the module when next on offer.
- A candidate who fails a supplementary examination below the supplementable range may be asked to withdraw.
- No candidate will be allowed to carry a Part I module to Part 1V.
- The results for each examination shall be published in accordance with the provisions of the General Academic Regulations.
Degree Classification
The final classification for the degree shall be calculated by averaging Part II, Part III and Part 1V module marks.