University of Fort Hare UFH Postgraduate Courses in History
POSTGRADUATE
HISTORY HONOURS
Research Project – Mini Dissertation (HIS501/501E)
Philosophy of History – Method, Technique and Historiography (Compulsory)(HIS502/502E)
Purpose: Learners are introduced to the significant trends in the study of history as an academic discipline. They are also equipped with skills that they will be required to apply when they embark upon historical research.
Content: The course deals with two main sets of issues that are involved with the study and production of history. These are basic questions that relate to methodology. Questions about what it is that the historians actually do; their reasons for doing it; the sort of evidence they use and the location of such resources as well as the way in which the historians use the evidence at their disposal. The course also examines the broad historiographical themes in a way that addresses the questions of how, when, and why changes have taken place in the ways in which history is researched, written and understood.
A theme from South African History – The Eastern Cape: Society And Politics (19th century) (HIS503/503EA)
Purpose: Learners will see the critical role of the European missionary as both an agent of change and/or socio-cultural transformation and a key factor in the development of the relationship between the natural rulers and the Colonial government in the 19th century Eastern Cape.
Content: An analysis of the interactive factors and various forces (religious frontiers, cultural frontiers, political frontiers that were instrumental in the evolution of the race relations in the Eastern Cape primarily and greater South Africa secondarily.
A Special Theme from African History – Environmental History (HIS504/504E)
Purpose: Learners will be aware of both the issues relating to society and the environment in Africa and the impact of politics, economics, social structures, technologies and other value systems on the natural environment.
Content: An Introduction to African Environmental history and theories of
management of natural landscape and ecology as well as an examination of pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial conservationist discourse; human dynamics and ecology in Southern Africa.
A Special Theme on International Relations – 20th Century Africa and the World History (HIS505/505E)
Purpose: Learners will see the changing nature of Imperial pattern and transformation of colonial Africa to independence in the post WWII period, as well as the interaction of Africa with the international world in this period.
Content: Examination of the changing colonial order and Africa independence from the late 1950s to the 1990s. Content also offers a study of Africa in the expanding arena of international politics and an examination of Africa as an active international force in the post – colonial period. The course also offers a brief background to the initiatives of the Africa Union and NEPAD.
HISTORY MASTERS AND DOCTORAL DEGREE BY RESEARCH
A Masters degree in History by research is offered to suitable candidates (HIS700)
Research topics for these degrees are chosen in consultation with the Head of Department and are subject to the final approval by the Faculty Research and Higher Degrees Committee.
A Doctoral degree in History by research is offered to suitable candidates (HIS900 )
Research topics for these degrees are chosen in consultation with the Head of Department and are subject to the final approval by the Faculty Research and Higher Degrees Committee.