IR3211 South African Political Development, From Apartheid to the Rainbow Nation

Academic year

2026 to 2027 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 9

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

Tue - 1 - 3 or Thu - 1 – 3

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr A P Dyzenhaus

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Alex Dyzenhaus

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

The oppressive form of racial autocracy known as Apartheid led South Africa to define generations of global political discourse and activism. In the module, we will cover a series of broad questions. How do autocratic and racially repressive regimes develop? What are the effects of colonialism, repression and segregation on the citizens of a state? How do anti-colonial movements campaign for democracy? And what does democracy look like after regime change? This module will provide a deep reading of a case study that has important implications for confronting issues of colonialism, racial and spatial injustice, autocratic rule and our own hope for guaranteeing democracy, reconciliation and human dignity. The module will be broken up into three historical periods: the evolution of Apartheid rule (1913-1953), the local and international forces that dismantled Apartheid (1953-1990) and the struggles of the new democracy (1990-the present day).

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS IR1005 AND PASS IR1006 AND PASS IR2005 AND PASS IR2006

Assessment pattern

Coursework - 100%

Re-assessment

Exam - 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2 hour seminar x 11 weeks, 2x 1-hour office hours x 10 weeks, 2x2-hour film screenings

Scheduled learning hours

26

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

280

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.