Universities and Online Degrees Guide

Nelson Mandela University

Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies in Economics is offered by Nelson Mandela University.

Program Length: 3 YEARS.

Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies offered by the Nelson Mandela University at the Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences

The Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies is an inter-disciplinary undergraduate programme which provides students with a foundation in Development and Economics

Development is one of the greatest challenges nationally and globally, and graduates from the programme will find a significant and expanding range of job opportunities in the public, private and civil society sectors.

The programme integrates a deep understanding of development and economic development with an accompanying set of skills – assets which are crucial in the job market of the future.

Purpose of the Learning Programme

The programme aims to provide candidates with a sound theoretical grounding in the principles and practices of economic development as it pertains to policy, research of policy and implementation of policy in a development context. Candidates will demonstrate the following exit-level competences:

• An in-depth knowledge and understanding of the complexities of policy theory as it applies to the principles and practices of economic development as well as the roles played by different stakeholders and drivers in policy development and implementation;
• A clear understanding of and the ability to apply the concepts of methods of analysis;
• The ability to design and implement appropriate research projects, apply relevant research methods and present reports in appropriate format in a development context;
• The ability to measure the performance of different areas, countries and institutions in terms of economic development by applying appropriate criteria.

Duration
The qualification shall extend over a period of three years of full-time study.

Curriculum
Compulsory modules

YEAR 1
Economics

Introduction to Microeconomics

Economic History A

Introduction to Macroeconomics

Economic History B

Development studies

Development Issues in Contemporary Africa

Empire, Capital and Development

Development Communication

Computer Science

Computer Literacy

Select one of the following groups:
A Sociology

Sociology: An Introduction

Groups and Organisations

Social Structure and Change

B Industrial and Organisational Psychology

Introduction to Organisational Psychology

Introduction to Organisational Behaviour

YEAR 2
Economics

Macro-economics

Project Appraisal

Demography and Population Economics

Development studies

Contemporary Development Theories

Development Planning

Global Development Studies

EIA and Land Planning for Development

Select one of the following groups corresponding to the group selected in the first year:

A Sociology

Social and Environmental Issues

Group Dynamics

Contemporary Labour Studies

Women in Africa

B Industrial and Organisational Psychology (both 1st-semester modules and any two 2nd-semester modules):

Human Resource Management: Procurement

Labour Relations

Human Resource Management: Development

Human Resource Management: Reward Systems

Workplace Negotiations and Dispute

YEAR 3

Economics (select six modules)

Public Economics

Economics and Financial Markets

Econometrics

Development Economics

International Economics

Labour Economics

Economic and Development Ethics

Development studies

Development Policy

Research Methods for Development

Case Studies in Developing and Transitional Countries

Select one of the following modules:

Development Studies

Security, Peace and Reconstruction

Political Economy of Development