Bachelor of Science Honours(BSc Hons) Degree in Politics and Public Administration
Preamble
- These regulations should be read in conjunction with the Faculty and General Academic Regulations for Undergraduate Degree Programmes, which have precedence over Departmental Regulations.
- A 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
The programme seeks to develop students who are relevant to the career demands and challenges of governmental and quasi-governmental bodies either locally, regionally and internationally, through teaching and research, by developing critical thinking and independent judgement around issues of politics, public management and corporate governance issues. The programme will enable graduates to be in a position to efficiently and effectively run the administration function of an organization. They would be able to apply theory into practice in any form of organization, be it private or public. Key elements in politics and administration includes various forms of decentralising management of public services, increasing use of markets and competition in the provision of public services and increasing emphasis on the performance, output and customer orientation.
Rationale
- The degree seeks to fill the existing gaps in the training and development of career public servants/ employees, who are relevant to the demands of governmental and quasi-governmental bodies for example central government, Local government, NGOs and International Organisations
- The degree will create career opportunities in the area of Foreign Relations, Public Management (Central and Local Government Management), and International Organisations Management, National Politics, Academia, Consultancy, NGO Sector and Civil Society.
- The program prepares individuals to serve as managers in the executive arm of local, provincial and national government and also in non profit sectors. It provides training in the public policy field since public management institutions are evolving, maturing and overlapping in services. The program therefore prepares students to excel even in turbulent macroeconomic environments.
Objectives
The programme attempts to advise the following objectives:
- To prepare students for graduate studies and or careers in public service, business, education or law.
- To help students understand the changing political environment and prepare them to take responsibility in their community, nation and world at large.
- To help students communicate clearly and think critically about the role of public organisations in a democratic society.
- To allow students to gain a critical understanding of problems, challenges and dilemmas in contemporary public management.
Career Prospects
- Administrative Officers
- Public Service Commissioners
- Public Service Inspector
- Manager
- Central Government Ministries
- Local Authorities (Rural and Urban)
- Civil Society Organisations
- Non-Governmental Organisations
- International Organisations
- Consultancy Firms
- National Political Parties
- Academia
- Trade Union Movement
Consultations
Civil service Commission
University of Zimbabwe
University of Venda
Ministry of Local Government
Entry Requirements
Normal Entry
- At least five (5) ‘O’ levels including English Language.
- A minimum of 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 Public Administration 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 a minimum of twelve (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
HPML101 Introduction to Public Management
HPML102 Introduction to Political Science
BHS110 Introduction to Zimbabwean Cultures & Heritage
HCESDM101 Communication Skills
HHRM101 Human Resource Management
HPML104 Administrative Law
HIR101 Industrial Relations I
Part I Semester II
Core Modules
Code Module Description
HPLM106 Public Sector Accounting
HPLM107 Economics I (Microeconomics)
HPLM108 Introduction to Development Studies
BAC101 African Philosophy & Thought
HPLM105 International Relations
HIR102 Industrial Relations II
HPML109 Public Policy and Analysis
Part II Semester II
Core Modules
Code Module Description
HPLM201 Economics II (Macroeconomics)
HHRM208 Introduction to Information and Communication Technologies
HRSMP204 Research Methods & Statistics
HPLM205 Planning and development
HPLM212 Corruption and other pathologies of Government
Optional Modules
A student may choose any one (1) module from the following:
Code Module Description
HPLM204 The State, Democracy & Development in Africa
HPLM202 Planning Theory
HHRM206 Training and Development
HPLM 213 Diplomacy
Part II Semester II
Core Modules
Code Module Description
HHRM203 Managing Change
HPLM208 Project Management
HPLM211 Regional Economic Development
HPLM 214 Social Development
HIR204 Labour Law
Optional Modules
A student may choose any one (1) module from the following:
Code Module Description
HPLM207 Political Institutions and Analysis
HPLM209 Management of Non-Profit Organisations
HPLM210 Regional and Local Government
Part III
Core Modules
Code Module Description
HPLM301 Work Related Learning Report
HPLM302 Continuous Work Related Learning Assessment
Part IV Semester I
Core Modules
Code Module Description
HPLM412 Social Welfare Policy
HPLM401 Ethics and Public Management
HPLM404 Public Sector Finance
HPLM405 Leadership in the Public Sector
Optional Modules
A student may choose any two (2) modules from the following:
Code Module Description
HPLM403 Comparative Public Management
HPLM406 Entrepreneurship
HPLM416 Governance, the Public Sector and Corporate Power
HPLM417 International Administration
HPLM402 Public Private Partnership Management
Part IV Semester II
Core Modules
Code Module Description
HPLM407 Comparative Local Government Systems
HPLM408 The Civil Service
HPLM411 E-Governance
HPLM418 Dissertation
Optional Modules
A student may choose any one (1) module from the following:
Code Module Description
HPLM 414 Public Taxation & Fiscal Policy
HPLM415 Public Budgeting Systems
HPLM410 Public Sector Corporate Governance
Assessment
- To be admitted to an examination a candidate must have been registered for that module with the University and completed the coursework 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 course work undertaken during the period of study.
- The research project must be completed and submitted for examination by end of the Semester (s) in which the module is taken. Usually the research project submission date will be announced by the Department before the start of the final examination.
Weighting
Each taught course shall be given a percentage mark. The weighting shall be:
Coursework 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 IV 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 IV.
- 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 IV module marks.
