Academic Programme Coordinator: Dr. Hermann Swart

Undergraduate Administrative Officer: Ms. Princess Mahlasela: princessv@sun.ac.za; 021 808 3466

Bachelor’s degree programmes

The programmes of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are broadly divided into two categories, namely general programmes and specialised programmes. General programmes offer you a broad background for various careers in related fields while specialised programmes are focused on specific careers.

The following diagrams offer a breakdown of the Faculty’s programmes.

General Programmes

BA (Humanities)
BA (Language and Culture)

Specialised Programmes

B in Social Work
BA (Human Resource Management)
BA (Music)
BA (Law)
BA (Sport Science)

BA (Humanities)
Specific Admission Requirements

  • A National Senior Certificate (NSC) or school-leaving certificate from the Independent Examination
  • Board (IEB) as certified by Umalusi with a mark of at least 4 (50%) in each of the four school subjects from the list of school subjects under “Undergraduate Programmes” in this Yearbook Part.
  • An average final mark of 63% in the NSC or the IEB school-leaving certificate (excluding Life Orientation) for the three-year mainstream programme.
  • An average final mark of 60-62,9% in the NSC (excluding Life Orientation) for the four-year extended curriculum programme.
  • Your National Benchmark Test results may be taken into consideration for placement in the extended curriculum programme.
  • Home Language – code 4 (50%).
  • First Additional Language – code 3 (40%).
  • Mathematics – code 4 (50%) OR Mathematical Literacy – code 6 (70%) (only if you will be taking Organisational Informatics as a subject).

BA (Language and Culture)
Specific Admission Requirements

  • A National Senior Certificate (NSC) or the school-leaving certificate from the Independent Examination Board (IEB) as certified by Umalusi with a mark of at least 4 (50%) in each of the four school subjects from the list of school subjects at the back of this Yearbook Part.
  • An average final mark of 63% in the NSC or the IEB school-leaving certificate (excluding Life Orientation) for the three-year mainstream programme.
  • An average final mark of 60-62,9% in the NSC (excluding Life Orientation) for the four-year extended curriculum programme.
  • Your National Benchmark Test results may be taken into consideration for placement in the extended curriculum programme.
  • Home Language – code 4 (50%).
  • First Additional Language – code 4 (50%).

These specific requirements can be found in the University Yearbook:
http://www.sun.ac.za/english/faculty/Pages/Calendar.aspx

Application closing date:

3 April: Applications open for undergraduate programmes.
31 July: Closing date for undergraduate programmes.

Undergraduate Subjects

Psychology 114: Psychology as Science

Course Coordinator: Dr. Dale Moodley

“Psychology as a Science” introduces students to core psychological concepts and theories, but within the context of thinking critically and reflexively about the knowledge psychology produces and its relevance for the South African context. This module engages with the following topics: the history of South African psychology, the decolonisation of psychology project, issues of race and gender within psychology, psychoanalysis, behaviorism, humanism, and cognitive neurosciences.

Code: 18414-114
Credits: 12
Duration: 1 Semester
Prerequisite Modules: None

Psychology 144: Psychology in Context

Course Coordinator: Dr. Sheena Naidoo

“Psychology in Context” gives students the opportunity to learn about important sub-disciplines within psychology related to human development which are applied and practiced in the South African context; they are developmental, abnormal and personality psychology. Moreover, the module provides a critical contextualisation on thinking about human development through topics broadly related to African psychology and considering issues related to culture and mental health.

Code: 18414-144
Credits: 12
Duration: 1 Semester
Prerequisite Modules: None

Psychology 213: Approaches to Psychological Theories of the Person

Course Coordinator: Professor Desmond Painter

This module addresses psychological theories and understandings of the person with reference to major contemporary approaches. Theories to be considered may include systemic, psychodynamic, behavioural, cognitive and existential components, with consideration of the applicability of psychological theories to African contexts.

Code: 18414-213
Credits: 8
Duration: 1 Term
Prerequisite Modules: Psychology 114, 144

Psychology 223: Human Development in Context

Course Coordinator: Dr. Bronwyne Coetzee

In this module, human development is studied, with specific reference to the South African context.

Code: 18414-223
Credits: 8
Duration: 1 Term
Prerequisite Modules: Psychology 114, 144

Psychology 244: Research Design in Psychology

Course Coordinator: Dr. Zuhayr Kafaar

This module will equip students with knowledge and skills to evaluate the scientific literature in psychology. The module covers the core theoretical elements of both quantitative and qualitative research methodology using examples of current psychosocial issues.

Code: 18414-243
Credits: 8
Duration: 1 Term
Prerequisite Modules: Psychology 114, 144

Psychology 253: Data Analysis in Psychology

Course Coordinator: Dr. Rizwana Roomaney

This module focuses on the statistical procedures that are commonly used in psychological
research. The module will equip students with knowledge and skills to analyse quantitative data and to interpret statistical results.

Code: 18414-253
Credits: 8
Duration: 1 Term
Prerequisite Modules: Psychology 114, 144

Psychology 314: Psychopathology

Course Coordinator: Ms. Mariam Salie

In this module abnormal behaviour is studied, from different perspectives and classification
systems, with specific reference to the mental health context in South Africa.

Code: 18414-314
Credits: 12
Duration: 1 Term
Prerequisite Modules: Psychology 213, 223, 243, 253

Psychology 324: Social Psychology

Course Coordinator: Dr. Hermann Swart

In this module, theoretical and methodological developments in contemporary social psychology are presented. Social relationships and identity are investigated with reference to social categories like sex, race, ethnicity and sexual orientation, with emphasis on the South African context.

Code: 18414-324
Credits: 12
Duration: 1 Term
Prerequisite Modules: Psychology 213, 223, 243, 253

Psychology 348: Psychological Interventions

Course Coordinator: Dr. Sherine van Wyk

Psychologists operate in a range of contexts, from individual psychotherapies to community interventions. This module critically discusses the principles behind the contributions psychologists make to human health, development and individual and collective well-being, with specific reference to the health and mental health context in contemporary South Africa.

Code: 18414-348
Credits: 24
Duration: 1 Semester
Prerequisite Modules: Psychology 213, 223, 243, 253