Short Learning Programme on the Challenges of the New Constitutional Democracy to Traditional Leaders in South Africa.

In the new dispensation, roles and responsibilities of traditional leaders have the capacity to deal with increasingly complex issues. Therefore a radically different approach is needed to ensure they have the capacity to deal with these issues. Traditional leaders have to act locally but think globally. With these kinds of skills filling the ranks of traditional leadership, the Houses of Traditional Leaders would be able to start taking greater ownership of issues that directly affect their communities to meet challenges head on. The short course is a direct drive of the NWU’s commitment to community engagement and development in the Province.

Purpose of the course

The learners will be able to solve problems created by the challenges of constitutional democratic South as guided by appropriate teaching materials prepared for them.

Admission requirements

Admission requirements
None
Learning assumed to be in place
Grade 10 and or Experience in leading local communities

Course outcomes and assessment criteria

Course outcomes and the associated assessment criteria

Study Unit

Outcomes

Assessment Criteria
  After completion of this course, participants will: Participant will be assessed on the following criteria:

MODULE 1  (US 119507 ):

Apply advanced legal concepts, principles, theories and values of specialised law within a paralegal sector 

At the end of the learning cycle the learners will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

  • Key institutional, procedural, substantive and normative aspects of specialised law.
  • Sources of specialised law.
  • Jurisdictional matters that apply to specialised law.
  • Ethical and professional conduct when applying specialised law.
  • Theories and debates on the social impact of specialised law.
  • Appropriate research methodologies and discourse of specialised law
 1. Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of specialised law within the South African legal context. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 

Explain key concepts with respect to specialised law

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 

Clarify the purpose of specialised law

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 

Discuss aspects of specialised law in relation to other areas of law and other social systems

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 

Identify jurisdiction matters that apply to specialised law

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 

List the fora that address specialised law

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 

Deliberate on case law that applies to specialised law

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 

Identify and discuss Controversial or complex aspects of the specialised law

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 

Research updates on specialised law
2. Analyse specialised law in terms of contemporary social context

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 

Discuss issues in society that impact on the application of specialised law

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 

Analyse legal consequences of identified issues in society

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 

Explain legal and other solutions to contemporary issues in society

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 

Discuss synergy between contemporary issues and relevant law

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 

Demonstrate the impact of diversity in society on social and legal issues
3. Apply advanced understanding of specialised law in order to solve problems

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 

Identify relevant facts within the problem

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 

Apply specialised law to the facts presented

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 

Research specialised law applicable to the problems

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 

Explain possible solutions for the problem, from specialised law and other sources

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 

Analyse possible solutions to identify the most appropriate solution (s). 
4. Recommend appropriate solutions for problems to client

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 

Address questions of a client seeking solutions to the problem

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 

Evaluate advantages, consequences and values of solutions

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 

Provide advice in a professional and ethical manner

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 

Take and confirm clear instructions from client

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 

Update client frequently on progress

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 

File a concise record of the consultation appropriately

MODULE  2  (US 117322 ):

Understand and apply knowledge of African Traditional Religion 

At the end of the learning cycle the learners will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

  • African Religion
  • Appropriate Terminology
  • Followers and Non Followers
  • Multiplicity of interpretation
  • Major Beliefs
  • Topics of Debate between sub groups
  • Myths and Rituals
  • Observe rituals
  • Specialist Followers
  • Role of Traditional Leaders
  • Role of Traditional diviners
 1. Understand and respect African Traditional Religion. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 

Communicate, explain and discuss the religion while exhibiting the social skills of courtesy, civility, respect, tact and thoughtfulness

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 

Use appropriate terminology to convey information, ideas and insights. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 

Discuss African Religion without using any pejorative language or attitudes

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 

Reflect and take critical position to those who distance themselves from prior knowledge and knowledge in texts
 
 
 
 
2. Explain the differences in interpretation that emerge when African traditional religion is analysed in various ways

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 

Distinguish between the perspectives of followers and non-followers

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 

Indicate how different methods of study and research lead to different results

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 

Reflect on acceptance of a multiplicity of 'correct' interpretations

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 

Select an appropriate method for a given project
3. Explain and evaluate the traditional beliefs of a variety of African peoples

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 

Access and communicate information on the major beliefs and the relevant variations on these

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 

Indicate how changes in the belief system have at times been derived from extra-religious factors. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 

Identify unresolved topics of debate between sub-groups

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 

Articulate his/her own position on the belief system, with confidence
4. Classify, analyse and integrate information on the rituals, myths and celebrations of African Traditional Religion and explain how these do or do not reflect the main features of its belief system

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 

Access information and describe the main rituals, festivals and myths of the specific religious system, if any. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 

Indicate how these rituals, festivals and myths are relevant to the followers of the specific religious system at the time of their origin, and how they figure in the lives of the followers of the specific religious system today

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Engage in observation of rituals and festivals and communicate this effectively 
5. Collect, describe and evaluate information on the role of ethics in African Traditional Religion

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 

Identify the source(s) of ethics in African Traditional Religion

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 

Outline the practices connected with various life stages of individuals

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 

Explicate the code of conduct for both lay and specialist followers

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 

Reflect on the implications of the ethics of African Traditional Religion for their personal ethical beliefs and conduct.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 

Interpret the contribution of African Traditional Religion ethics to local and global cultures
6. Integrate information on religious experience in African Traditional Religion into a body of knowledge on African Traditional Religion. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 

Describe, analyse and explain the role of the traditional diviner/healer

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 

Reflect on the relation between religious experience in African Traditional Religion and his/her personal experience

 

Assessment
Formative and Summative
Method of assessment
Summative: Examination/ Case studies
Formative: Class tests/Group or individual assignments

Additional information

Mode of delivery
Contact
Target group
Traditional Larders, members of Traditional Council & House of Traditional Leaders

Contact us

Contact person name
Prof Philip Iya
Contact person e-mail
Philip.Iya@nwu.ac.za
Contact person telephone number
018 389 2832