INTRODUCTION

1.1 These Regulations shall be read in conjunction with the Faculty Regulations and the General Regulations. These regulations should be read in conjunction with the University’s General Academic Regulations for Undergraduate and Postgraduate degree programmes, hereinafter referred to as the General Regulations.

1.2 The Department of Development Studies is concerned with economic, social and political changes in Africa, in particular, and the world in general, the major policy challenges they pose and the various institutions or agencies of development. The Department’s modules are relevant to the changing, Afro-centric approaches to development in the 21st Century. The modules on offer are multi- and inter- disciplinary.

1.3 Visiting School

The Bachelor of Arts Honours in Development Studies- visiting school is a six semester, honours degree programme designed for undergraduates in the Department of Development Studies. The programme offers core modules and optional modules. The programme incorporates a 10-12 months work related learning period which will run concurrently with the second level of studies.

2. OBJECTIVES

2.1 The Department provides a supportive environment for both theoretical and applied approaches, and for open, critical debate of leading development issues both in Zimbabwe and abroad. It offers students the opportunity to design an individual, cross-disciplinary programme of study of selected topics in development. Above all, it seeks to engage students intellectually and professionally in the critical issues. Specifically, the programme will increase opportunities to access education for those that are currently employed in development relevant field.

3. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

3.1 In order to qualify for acceptance to the Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies HonoursDegree, a candidate must have obtained the following qualifications, 5 `O’ level passes including English Language or better. A pass at `A’ Level in at least two of the following subjects:

– History, Geography and any other, Diploma holders working in development related field.

3.2 Special Entry

Refer to Section 3.2 of the General Academic Regulations

3.3 Mature Entry

Refer to Section 3.3 of the General Academic Regulations.

4. CAREER PROSPECTS

4.1 The degree programme prepares students for career options in administrative or research positions with public, private or non- governmental organisations.

Students can also find employment in development planning or with international and regional organisations such as the United Nations, the World Bank, International Labour Organisation (ILO), the African Union (AU), Southern African Development Community (SADC) or government development agencies. The programme prepares students for work in government ministries, particularly those in charge of issues of labour, gender, children and the youth, agriculture, financial institutions, and other economic and social services.

5. GENERAL PROVISIONS

5.1 The degree programme offers pre-requisite, core/compulsory and elective/optional modules.

5.2 At least four of the modules registered per semester should be from within the programme.

5.3 Normally, where a prerequisite module is involved, a candidate will be required to pass it before taking higher modules.

5.4 Students can include in their programme of study, modules offered by other departments, in line with the concept of “Flexible Packaging”.

5.5 Each module is worth four credits except the dissertation which is worth eight (8) credits and to graduate one has to attain a minimum of 180 credits.

 

6. ASSESSMENT

6.1 Overall assessment shall consist of continuous assessment and formal examinations.

6.2 To be admitted for formal examinations, a student must have satisfied continuous assessment requirements for all approved modules of study.

6.3 In the case of a dissertation, the Departmental Board of Examiners shall determine a mark for each student based on the presentation to a panel of the Departmental Board of Examiners and improvements done to the final version of such dissertation, submitted at a date determined by the Departmental Board.

6.4 Each formal examination shall be held during an examination period at the end of a semester in which the module is completed.

6.5 The final mark will be weighted as 25% for continuous assessment and 75% for examination.

7. WORK RELATED LEARNING GUIDELINES

Refer to Section 10 of the General Academic Regulations.

8. FAILURE TO SATISFY EXAMINERS

Refer to Section 9 of the General Academic Regulations.

9. GRADING AND DEGREE CLASSIFICATION

Refer to Section 10 of the Faculty Regulations.

10. DEGREE WEIGHTING Refer to Section 11 of the Faculty of Arts Regulations.

11. PROVISIONS FOR PROGRESSION

Refer to Section 6 for the Faculty of Arts Regulations.

 

 

12. PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

CODE	MODULE DESCRIPTION	CREDITS
Level 1 Semester 1
DSH111	Introduction to Development Studies	4
DSH112	Research Methods for Development	4
DSH113	Introduction to Gender Studies	4
DSH114	State and Politics in Developing Countries	4
DSH115	Constitutionalism in Africa	4
HCS115	Introduction to Information Technology	4
CS101	Basic Communication Skills	4
Level 1 Semester 2
DSH116	Economics of Development	4
DSH121	Development Theories and Strategies	4
DSH122	Agriculture and Development	4
DSH123	Multilateral Institutions and Development	4
DSH124	Developing Economies	4
DSH125	Famines and Food security	4
Level 2 Semester 1
DSH211	Political Economy in Zimbabwe since 1890	4
DSH126	Community Health	4
DSH212	Demography Migration and Development	4
DSH213	NGOs and Civil Society in Africa	4
DSH214	Disaster Management	4
DSH215	Peace and Security Studies in Africa	4
GS201	Introduction to Gender Studies	4
Level 2 Semester 2
DSH 220	Counseling and Development	4
DSH 221	Human Rights and Democracy in Africa	4
DSH222	Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation	4
DSH223	Basic Financial Management for Development Practitioners	4
DSH224	Rural Development in Zimbabwe	4
Semester 1& 2 Work Related Learning
DSH301	Work-Related Learning Report	15
DSH302	Academic Supervisor’s Report	15
DSH303	Employer’s Assessment Report	10
Level 4 Semester 1
DSH 411	Gender and Development in Africa	4
DSH 412	Children and Development in Africa	4
DSH 413	International Relations	4
DSH 4I4	Environmental Change and Development	4
Level 4 Semester 2
DSH 421	International Law	4
DSH 422	Financial Institutions and Development in Zimbabwe	4
DSH 423	Peace, Conflict and Development	4
DSH 425	Dissertation	8

13. MODULE SYNOPSES

DSH 111 Introduction to Development Studies

The module introduces students to the discipline of development studies, addressing major theories and themes that have shaped the discipline over time. It begins with classical theories, examining their contribution to growth and development of economies.

DSH 112 Research Methods for Development

The module provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop and conduct research.

DSH 113 Introduction to Gender Studies

The module introduces students to gender concepts, theories of feminism as well as various roles and status of women in African societies.

DSH 114 State and Politics in Developing Countries

The module provides a general overview of the state and politics in developing countries.

DSH 115 Constitutionalism in Africa

The module seeks to examine theories and practice of constitutionalism in different African countries. The module also makes conceptual and normative inquiry into the linkages between constitutionalism, rule of law and democracy.

DSH116 Economics of Development

The Module examines dominant classical and neo-classical theories of economic development. The Module also looks closely at factors and processes that underpin growth and development.

DSH121 Development Theories and Strategies

The module examines dominant theories of development and measurement of development

DSH122 Agriculture and Development

The module locates the centrality of agriculture in promoting development. It will review questions surrounding the agrarian issue and other related agricultural issues that are critical in shaping development.

DSH123 Multilateral Institutions and Development

The module examines the role and activities of leading international institutions in the development of nations of the world.

DSH124 Developing Economies

This module examines the performance of economies of countries of the Developing World since colonial rule.

DSH 125 Famines and Food Security

This module examines and considers a variety of aspects of the problems of famine and food insecurity, both from the perspectives of affected people and agencies attempting to prevent, relieve or mitigate famine

HCS 115 Introduction to Information Technology

Refer to the Department of Science and Technology.

CS101 Basic Communication Skills

Refer to Faculty of Arts Regulations.

CS102 Extended Communication Skills

Refer to Faculty of Arts Regulations.

GS201 Introduction to Gender Studies

Refer to the Faculty of Education Regulations

DSH 126 Community Health

This moduleexposes students to issues of health as an intergral component of development. It demonstrates that an ill health community is not likely to facilitate a sustainable development. It also exposes students to epidemics and pandemics such as HIV/AIDS and how such pandemics rob communities of human capital.

DSH211 Political Economy in Zimbabwe since 1890

The module covers the foundations of Zimbabwe’s political economy from colonial period to the present.

DSH 212 Demography, Migration and Development

The module is designed to give the students the necessary analytical skills to understand demographic and population dynamics of the contemporary world.

DSH 213 NGOs and Civil Society in Africa

This module focuses on the role of non-governmental organisations and civil society in African economies and the implications on governance and development in Africa.

DSH 214 Disaster Management

The module sets out to explore the occurrence of disasters and how they can be contained. The module will deepen knowledge about disasters and related policy, management and relief practices in developing countries.

DSH 215 Peace and Security Studies in Africa

The module starts from the premise that peace and security are matters of life and death for the whole of humanity and that peace and development are inextricably intertwined.

DSH 220 Counseling and Development

The module dwells on key aspects of counseling that are critical in different institutional and organizational environments and also affecting people of different ages.

DSH 221 Human Rights and Democracy in Africa

The module examines notions of democracy and human rights as well as controversies and dynamics of the democracy and human rights debate in Africa. The module introduces the main concepts for the analysis of democracy and human rights such as accountability, consensus, legitimacy, social justice, human dignity, diversity, tolerance, pluralism, civil society, sovereignty, gender etc.

DSH 222 Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation

The module provides a solid foundation in the concepts, tools and techniques of project management, monitoring and evaluation. Other critical aspects of the project cycle will be surveyed.

DSH 223 Basic Financial Management for Development Practitioners

The module introduces the key accounting and financial concepts and surveys the theoretical and analytical foundations of current policy debates relating to financial sector policy and management in developing countries.

DSH 224 Rural Development in Zimbabwe

Key issues addressed by the module include models of rural development, communal leadership, gender equity, land and agrarian reforms, infrastructural development, environmental conservation and sustainable development. It also grapples with issues of devolution and decentralization of services and power

DSH 301Work-Related Learning Report

DSH 302 Academic Supervisor’s Report

DSH 303 Employer’s Assessment Report

DSH 411 Gender and Development in Africa

This module addresses the main debates on gender and development. Topics covered include a survey of conceptual approaches to gender; central themes like the emergence of Women In Development (WID) and Gender and Development (GAD)

as new perspectives in development studies, development policies, as well as an appraisal of prospects for gender-awareness planning in Africa

DSH 412 Children and Development in Africa

The module discusses the growth and development of the African Child.

DSH 413 International Relations

The module addresses relations between nations across the globe, in areas of trade and economic cooperation in general; scientific, technical and cultural exchange; diplomatic ties and military alliances. Emphasis is on North-South relations

DSH 414 Environmental Change and Development

odule will focus on the implication of environmental change on development.

DSH 421 International Law

The module seeks to expose students to the dynamics of public international law.

DSH 422 Financial Institutions and Development in Zimbabwe

The module deals with the role of financial institutions like commercial banks, building societies, and insurance companies in the development of various sectors of the Zimbabwean economy.

DSH 423 Peace, Conflict and Development

The module seeks to expose to students aspects of peace building, conflict transformation, post war reconstruction, mediation, rehabilitation, reconciliation and healing and people centred participatory development.

DSH425 Dissertation

This is a paper of between 15 000 -20 000 words in the area of development studies.