Bachelor of Science Honours (BSc Hons) Degree in Local Governance Studies
Preamble
- These regulations should be read in conjunction with the Faculty Regulations and General Academic Regulations for Undergraduate Degree Programmes which have precedence over Departmental Regulations.
- The student who has started a programme following one set of regulations will not be affected by regulations adopted subsequently unless agreed to in writing by the student.
- The Senate has the authority to exempt a student from any of these regulations.
General Description of the Programme
As people become more politically active, they need to know how government works. Most people seek to make an impact at the national level and local level. Prior to attempting to influence local government systems, it is necessary to understand how local government operate and the statutes which guide them, local government structures and how they compare to other governing styles as well as how local governments can generate their funds for their operations. These issues are the focus of this programme.
Rationale
There are ninety five (95) local authorities in Zimbabwe and only one University is offering the programme. These local authorities are experiencing problems of governance and administration. Due to the demand in this programme, there is need for Great Zimbabwe University to introduce Local Governance so that students, practitioners, like councillors and local administrators understand local government administration, elections, local government financing, socio-economic transformation, traditional authorities, local government functions and supervision of local government operations so that there is efficiency and effective management of local authorities.
Objectives
The programme attempts to achieve the following objectives:-
• To enhance efficiency and effectiveness of the administration of local authorities.
• To foster stakeholder participation in the governance of local authorities.
• To capacitate institutions in local governance with the theoretical and practical understanding of local governance system.
Career Prospects
Local Government Practitioners, Disaster Management Project Officers, GIS and Remote Sensing Practitioners, Monitoring and Evaluation Officers, Policy Development Practitioners, Environmental Management Officers, Research Officers
Consultations
Ministry of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Department of Physical Planning
University of Venda
North West University – Department of Local Governance
UNISA – Department of Development Studies
Midlands State University – Department of Local Governance
Entry Requirements
Normal Entry
- At least five (5) ‘O’ level passes with Grade C or better including English Language.
- At least two (2) ‘A’ Level passes
Special Entry
A candidate who does not meet normal entry requirements may subject to the approval of the Senate be admitted to a programme on special grounds.
Mature Entry
Shall be obtained by applicants who have five (5) ‘O’ levels including English Language and have a demonstrable work experience during the last five years before the academic year in which admission is sought, and aged 25 years and above. They may be required to attend an interview to assess their suitability for University education.
Structure of the Programme
Duration
The normal duration of the BSc Honours Degree in Local Governance Studies shall be four (4) years.
Degree Structure
The Degree follows a 1.1.1.1 structure.
Each student will be required to take a minimum of forty-two (42) modules in accordance with the following breakdown:
• At part one a student shall register for a minimum of fourteen (14) modules.
• At part two a student shall register for at least 12 modules.
• At part three a student shall register for two (2) double modules and is required to spend a minimum of 10 months on work related learning experience.
• At Part four a student shall register for a minimum of twelve (12) modules.
• A module shall be taught in at least thirty-six (36) contact hours a semester.
• Not all optional modules may be on offer at any one given time.
• New modules may be added from time to time.
Part I Semester I
Core Modules
Code Module Description
HLGS101 Introduction to Public Administration
HCESDM101 Communication Skills
HLGS102 Principles of Local Government Administration
HLGS103 Principles of Economics
HLGS104 Gender and Local Governance
BHS110 Introduction to Zimbabwean Cultures and Heritage
HLGS106 Traditional leadership Systems and Local Governance
Part I Semester II
Core Modules
Code Module Description
BAC 101 African Philosophy and Thought
HLGS107 Public Sector Accounting
HLGS109 Local Governance and Development
HLGS111 Democracy and Human Rights
HLGS112 Environmental Health
HLGS113 Introduction to Rural and Urban Development
HUPD108 Development Theory
Part II Semester I
Core Modules
Code Module Description
HLGS201 Comparative Local Governance Systems
HLGS202 Rural and Urban Structures and Policy
HLGS203 Project Planning and Development
HLGS205 Local Governance Legislations
HRMSP205 Research Methods and Statistics
Optional Modules
A student may choose any one (1) module from the following:
Code Module Description
HLGS206 Principles of Public Relations
Part II Semester II
Core Modules
Code Module Description
HLGS207 Local Government Finance
HLGS208 Civic Society and Local Governance
HLGS209 Public Policy Analysis
HLGS210 Spatial Analysis
Optional Modules
A student may choose any two (2) modules from the following:
Code Module Description
HLGS211 Human Resources Management
HLGS204 Public Sector Auditing
HLGS212 Local Governance and Land Management
HLGS213 Participatory Planning and Administration
Part III
Core Modules
Code Module Description
HLGS301 Work Related Learning Report
HLGS302 Continuous Work Related Learning Assessment
Part IV Semester I
Core Modules
Code Module Description
HLGS401 Administration Law
HLGS402 Local Economic Development
HLGS403 Disaster Management
HLGS404 Public Sector Corporate Governance
HLGS406 Local Government Institutions
Optional Modules
A student may choose any one (1) module from the following:
Code Module Description
HLGS405 Human Rights and Culture
HLGS407 Strategic Management
Part IV Semester II
Core Modules
Code Module Description
HLGS408 Local Governance Ethics
HLGS409 Recreation and Amenities
HLGS410 Housing and Governance
HLGS411 Development Planning and Administration
HLGS412 Research Project
Optional Modules
A student may choose any one (1) module from the following:
Code Module Description
HLGS413 Politics and Governance
HLGS414 Contemporary Issues in Local Governance
Assessment
To be admitted to an examination a candidate must have been registered for that module with the University and completed the module work in accordance with the
General Academic Regulations.
Each module in the programme is assessed on the basis of a three (3) hour written examination and by module work undertaken during the period of study.
- The Research Project must be completed and submitted for examination by end of the semester in which the module is taken. Usually the Research Project submission date will be announced by the Department before the start of the final examinations.
Weighting
Each taught module shall be given a percentage mark. The weighting shall be:
Module work 30%
Examination 70%
Determination of Results
To successfully complete a part a candidate must pass all the modules examined in the two semesters of that Part.
A candidate who fails one (1) or two (2) modules in Part I or Part II may be allowed to proceed to the next Part carrying the failed module(s).
A carried module may be repeated when next on offer.
A candidate who fails three (3) or more modules in Part I or Part II shall be deemed to have failed that Part and may be allowed to repeat the failed modules in that Part.
A candidate who fails one or two modules within the supplementable range in Part 1V will be allowed to sit for a supplementary examination. A candidate who fails a supplementary examination within the supplementable range may be allowed to repeat the module when next on offer.
A candidate who fails a supplementary examination below the supplementable range may be asked to withdraw.
No candidate will be allowed to carry a Part I module to Part 1V.
The results for each examination shall be published in accordance with the provisions of the General Academic Regulations.
Degree Classification
The final classification for the degree shall be calculated by averaging Part II, Part III and Part 1V module marks.
