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South African Society


Course Description

Social problems and issues in post-apartheid South Africa and how these have been addressed by government and civil society.


Athena Title

SOUTH AFRICAN SOC


Non-Traditional Format

Course includes a service-learning project during the semester that either employs skills or knowledge learned in the course or teaches new skills or knowledge related to course objectives. Students will be involved in the planning and implementation of the project(s) and may spend time outside of the classroom. Students will be engaged in the service-learning component for approximately 25-50% of overall instructional time.


Prerequisite

SOCI 1101 or SOCI 1101H or SOCI 2600 or INTL 1100 or INTL 1100H or permission of department


Semester Course Offered

Offered summer semester every year.


Grading System

A - F (Traditional)


Course Objectives

This course is intended for students studying abroad in South Africa. It has three objectives: First, students will learn about the challenges facing South Africa in overcoming the legacies of apartheid and in building a just and non- discriminatory society. These problems include unemployment, inequality, a lack of housing, poor schools, high crime rates, and crime. Second, students will examine the strategies adopted by government and community organizations to address these problems. Third, students will have the opportunity to learn at first-hand about these responses by conducting service-learning projects in schools and after-school programs. The activities in which students will be engaged for their service-learning projects will include tutoring of children and teaching computer skills. Students will be asked to demonstrate their mastery of the course content in written work that is appropriate for an academic context. This will include a report on their service- learning projects.


Topical Outline

1. South Africa's historical roots 2. Economic growth and racial discrimination 3. Urbanization and the township system 4. Jobs and unemployment 5. Inequality and poverty 6. Education 7. Crime 8. Housing and services 9. Social grants 10. Affirmative action 11. HIV/AIDS 12. Marginal work and the informal sector


Syllabus