The Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS) is a leading research institute within the School of Government, in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. The key focus areas are poverty, inequality and vulnerability; land, water and resource rights; farming, agro-food systems and agrarian reform; as well as social dimensions of fisheries and ecosystem management.
Those who seek to progress in their careers and improve their knowledge and skills in the following sectors, are invited to apply for this postgraduate programme, which is aimed at professionals working in government, NGOs or the private sector in poverty, land and agrarian reform, rural development, natural resources and gender issues.
Admission Criteria
- An undergraduate degree, with an average of 60% in the final assessment of the exit-modules in Sociology, History, Economics, Political Science, Agriculture, Public Administration, Geography and Environmental Studies, with at least three years’ relevant experience in poverty, land reform and sustainable natural resource management.
- For those applicants without a first degree, recognition of prior learning (RPL) procedures will apply to candidates with extensive work experience (at least ten years) in land and agrarian reform, rural development, natural resources and gender issues, and with good writing abilities.
Course Structure
- Teaching and learning will take place at PLAAS, UWC over two teaching blocks, consisting of three weeks each (in March and July)
- Attendance of these teaching blocks is compulsory
- All modules are compulsory
- Each module comprises of a pre-contact assignment, structured teaching and a post-contact assignment (long essay)
- Academic writing workshops will be presented during block weeks to assist students with the academic writing process.
Course Modules
- LAS711: Structural Poverty and Marginalised Livelihoods in Southern African Agro-Food Systems (30 credits) - Prof Andries Du Toit
- LAS712: The Political Economy of Land and Agrarian Reform in Southern Africa (30 credits) - Prof Ben Cousins and Associate Prof Ruth Hall
- LAS713: The Economics of Farming and Food Systems (30 credits) - Dr Michael Aliber and Dr Gaynor Paradza
- LAS714: Social and Ecological Dimensions of Ecosystems Management (30 credits) - Dr Moenieba Isaacs and Associate Prof Mafa Hara
Application Procedures
Complete the UWC Online Application
Download the PLAAS Application Procedures document here.
Download the Writing Sample Article here.
Download the RPL Article here.
Enquiries may be directed to Ms Carla Henry, the Postgraduate Programme Administrator:
Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS)
E-mail: chenry@uwc.ac.za
Tel.: +27 21 959 3727/3733
Fax: +27 21 959 3732
University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, 7535, Cape Town, SOUTH AFRICA
Closing date for applications: 31 October 2012