The aims and objectives of the programme are to:
a) Provide advanced training in Sociological Theory and Social Research methodologies that are an essential part of the intellectual equipment of practicing Sociologists;
b) Impart the skills necessary to deal with the linkages between conceptual issues and empirical concerns and facts;
c) Produce graduates with analytical and theoretical skills to address different social phenomena from a Sociological perspective;
d) Equip students with strong technical skills and competencies for conducting social research;
e) Produce graduates with the ability to communicate effectively with peers within the discipline and the broader social sciences on topical social issues at local, national and regional levels.
f) Provide students with a broad understanding of individual and societal functions and dysfunctions, and through research the ability to utilize this knowledge in implementing and managing social policy and social programmes.
Subject to General Academic Regulations 40.0, the following Special Regulations shall apply.
2.2.1 The minimum entrance requirements shall be at least a 2 (2) grade degree in Sociology (or a related Social Sciences discipline) from the University of Botswana or an equivalent institution.
2.2.2. Applicants who hold a University degree, other than in Sociology may be admitted to the degree programme provided they meet the requirements stipulated above and/or have at least two years relevant social research experience.
2.2.3. Such applicants may be required to undertake such undergraduate courses as the Department may specify.
The normal period of study for the MA in Sociology shall be in accordance with General Academic Regulation 41.5.1.
a) The assessment of a student shall be based on written work which may include a final examination, as provided under Academic General Regulation 41.7.
b) Assessment of a dissertation shall be in accordance with Academic General Regulation 41.9.
c) Assessment of a research essays shall be in accordance with Academic General Regulations 41.10.
d) Examination of a dissertation or research essay shall be in accordance with Academic General Regulation 41.11.
e) All examination question papers, examination scripts, dissertations and research essays shall be moderated.
f) The ratio between continuous assessment and the final examination shall be 1:1.
g) Successful completion of a course and calculation of cumulative GPA shall be in accordance with the Academic General Regulations 00.86 and 41.7.7.
a) The MA degree shall be offered either by Option One, which will be Coursework and or Option Two, which will be course work and a Dissertation.
b) In the first year of the degree all students shall be required to take and pass a total of eight (8) three (3) credit courses (24 credits) consisting of five (5) core courses of 3 credits each (i.e. 15 credits) and three (3) optional courses of 3 credits each (i.e. 9 credits).
c) A student pursuing Option One (Coursework and Research Essay) shall be required to complete an additional 12 credits of optional courses and a research essay of 12 credits.
d) A student pursuing Option Two (Coursework and Dissertation) shall in addition to the 24 credits of core and optional courses take SOC 701 (Dissertation) which shall be equivalent to 24 credits over 2 semesters.
e) A student who elects to do the MA by course work and dissertation shall normally be expected to complete all the course work before embarking on the dissertation.
f) The courses are divided into core and optional courses. All courses are semester long except the dissertation.
g) A student intending to write a Dissertation or Research Essay shall be required to submit a typed copy of a research proposal to the Head of Department, and shall be required to make a presentation to the Supervisory Committee for consideration and approval.
h) Each student registered for an MA Sociology by Dissertation or Research Essay shall work under the general supervision of a supervisory committee appointed by the Department. The Chair of the supervisory committee will be appointed by the Head of Department.
A student pursuing an MA degree in Sociology through course work and a research essay must take and pass the following Sociology courses:
A student must take and pass the following core Sociology courses:
SOC 601 Classical Sociological Theory
SOC 603 Qualitative Research Methods
A student must take and pass any two of the following optional courses:
SOC 606 Crime and Deviance
SOC 607 Health and Illness
SOC 608 Industry, Organisation and Society
SOC 610 Race and Ethnicity
SOC 609 Political Sociology
DVS 603 The Making of Southern Africa
DVS 605 Globalisation, Culture and Social Change
A student must take and pass the following core Sociology courses:
SOC 602 Modern Sociological Theory
SOC 604 Quantitative Research Methods
SOC 605 Advanced Seminars in Sociology
A student must take and pass any one of the following optional courses:
SOC 611 Religion and Belief Systems
SOC 612 Social Change and Development
SOC 613 Urban Sociology
SOC 614 Environmental Sociology
DVS 608 Rural Development and Agrarian Change
DVS 610 NGOs and Development
A student pursuing an MA degree in Sociology through coursework and a Research Essay must take and pass four of the following optional courses:
DVS 710 Families, Households and Development
DVS 606 Gender and Development
DVS 703 The Social Impacts of Structural Adjustment Policies in Africa
DVS 704 Dynamics of Poverty in the Third World
DVS 715 Communication for Development
DAE 655 Youth and Development
POP 704 Migration, Urbanisation and Development
ENV 627 Urban and Regional Planning
MPA 709 Organisation Theory and Practice
MPA 715 Southern Africa in the World Economy
POL 715 Selected Topics in Political Thought
MSW 606 Poverty and Welfare
A student pursuing an MA degree in Sociology through coursework and a Research Essay must take and pass
SOC 700 Research Essay.
A student pursuing an MA degree in Sociology through coursework and dissertation must take and pass the following Sociology courses in semesters 1 and 2:
A student must take and pass the following core Sociology courses:
SOC 601 Classical Sociological Theory
SOC 603 Qualitative Research Methods
A student must take and pass any two of the following optional courses:
SOC 606 Crime and Deviance
SOC 607 Health and Illness
SOC 608 Industry, Organisation and Society
SOC 609 Political Sociology
SOC 610 Race and Ethnicity
DVS 603 The Making of Southern Africa
DVS 605 Globalisation, Culture and Social Change
A student must take and pass the following core Sociology courses:
SOC 602 Modern Sociological Theory
SOC 604 Quantitative Research Methods
SOC 605 Advanced Seminars in Sociology
A student must take and pass any one of the following optional courses:
SOC 611 Religion and Belief Systems
SOC 612 Social Change and Development
SOC 613 Urban Sociology
SOC 614 Environmental Sociology
DVS 608 Rural Development and Agrarian Change
DVS 610 NGOs and Development
A student pursuing an MA degree in Sociology through coursework and a Dissertation must take and pass SOC 701 Dissertation.
The MA in Sociology degree shall be awarded to the student on successful completion of all the stipulated requirements. To successfully complete the programme a student shall be required to obtain a total of 48 credits.