UNISA Politics Course Module 2025-2026

Major Combinations
Any SEVEN (7) of the following:
NQF level 5: PLC1501, PLC1502
NQF level 6: PLC2601, PLC2602, PSC2601
NQF level 7: PLC3701, PLC3702, PLC3703, PSC3701, PSC3702, PSC3703
PLUS and THREE (3) modules selected from the remainder above, or any second or third level module in African Politics and International Politics. At least FIVE (5) modules should be taken at the third level (NQF level 7). Students are advised to give preference to PLC modules and to follow a 2+3+5 structure – that is 2 modules at NQF level 5, 3 modules at NQF level 6, and 5 modules at NQF level 7.

Research Report – HRPSC82
Honours	NQF level: 8	Credits: 36
Module presented in English	Module presented online
Purpose: The aim of this module is to equip students with research skills relevant to the Political Sciences in order to enable them to produce a research report based on their independent critical exploration of phenomena relevant to the Political Sciences.

Theory, Philosophy, and Ideology – PLC4801
Honours	NQF level: 8	Credits: 24
Module presented in English	Module presented online
Purpose: To enable students to identify, analyze and critique empirical theory (such as rational choice theory and neostatism), philosophy (such as ideas on the open and closed society) and ideology (such as nationalism), within discourses on politics.

Political Dynamics – PLC4802
Honours	NQF level: 8	Credits: 24
Module presented in English	Module presented online
Purpose: To enable students to identify, analyze and critique the nature, behavior, roles, and functions of political parties, party systems and elites in the dynamics of politics.

South African Political Issues – PLC4803
Honours	NQF level: 8	Credits: 24
Module presented in English	Module presented online
Purpose: Choose ONE option: Option (a): This option entails an analysis of political development. The subject matter is approached by way of the study of theoretical orientations such as political modernization and the dependency theories. The objective of the second part of the course is to focus on the important relationship between political and economical development. Option (b): In this option South African political issues are examined, like: the land question; ANC politics; affirmative action; crime and corruption; macro-economic strategy; single dominant party system.

Politics in the Twenty-First Century: National, African and International Perspectives – PSC4802
Honours	NQF level: 8	Credits: 24
Module presented in English	Module presented online
Purpose: An advanced study of the main characteristics and tendencies in politics in the 21st century as influenced by the fall of the Berlin Wall, 11 September 2001 and globalization.

Conflict, Peace and Security Studies – PSC4803
Honours	NQF level: 8	Credits: 24
Module presented in English	Module presented online
Purpose: An advanced study of the origins of conflict and the attaining of peace.

Politics as Social Activity – PLC1501
Under Graduate Degree	Semester module	NQF level: 5	Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Purpose: To enable students to demonstrate an understanding of the nature and scope of politics and the study of politics: and to be able to describe the nature and characteristics thereof.

Understanding the State – PLC1502
Under Graduate Degree	Semester module	NQF level: 5	Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Purpose: To enable students to demonstrate an understanding of the state and state institutions and to describe the nature and characteristics thereof.

Understanding Political Behaviour and Participation – PLC2601
Under Graduate Degree	Semester module	NQF level: 6	Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Purpose: To enable students to analyze and describe the nature and characteristics of political dynamics, political actors (e.g. political parties and interest groups) and processes (e.g. political communication and public opinion); and to apply the fundamental theories in this regard.

Politics and Public Policy – PLC2602
Under Graduate Degree	Semester module	NQF level: 6	Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Purpose: To enable students to describe and analyze the nature, characteristics, and impact of public policy; and to apply the theories on the formulation of public policy and the political impact thereof.

Political Ideas – PLC3701
Under Graduate Degree	Semester module	NQF level: 7	Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Purpose: To enable students to describe, analyze, evaluate and apply the contributions by various political thinkers on the great issues of politics such as the origin and purpose of the state, authority, accountability, justice, rights, freedom and equality. The contents will enable students to make a meaningful contribution to current political debates.

Democracy and Other Forms of Regime – PLC3702
Under Graduate Degree	Semester module	NQF level: 7	Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Purpose: To enable students to identify, analyze, describe, classify and compare various forms of the regime and in particular democracy.

Political Development and Political Economy – PLC3703
Under Graduate Degree	Semester module	NQF level: 7	Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Purpose: To enable students to identify, analyze and describe the relationship between political and economic development, as well as to apply the theories and strategies pertaining thereto.

Comparative Politics: Africa and Beyond – APP4801
Honours	NQF level: 8	Credits: 24
Module presented in English	Module presented online
Purpose: To enable students to identify and explain the similarities and differences of political systems by applying theoretical knowledge to practical case studies in Africa and the world.

Political Sciences and Research – HPPSC81
Honours	NQF level: 8	Credits: 12
Module presented in English	Module presented online
Purpose: The purpose of this module is to equip students with the knowledge of philosophy of science, that is, metatheory and the ontological, epistemological and methodological issues informing research in the Political Sciences, and to enable them to reflect and think critically about them. These issues will assist students to make informed choices about research problems and research in general.