Local Government and decentralisation

The modules offered are

• Module 1: Law of Intergovernmental Relations
• Module 2: Local Government Law
• Module 3: Law of Good Governance
• Module 4: Constitutional Design in Divided Societies
• Module 5: Internship (400 hour internship at an institution of decentralisation in South Africa).

Full time students may do the programme in any one of the following three options:

• Three taught modules, an internship and a research paper; (only for selected South African fulltime students)
• Four taught modules and a research paper of 10,000 words;
• Two taught modules and a mini-thesis 30, 000 words.
• Full dissertation of 50, 000 words

(Full-time students with proven research skills will be eligible to do the programme in option C and D)

Part-time programme

Part-time students complete the programme over a period of 2 years. They may do the programme in either of the following two options.

• Four taught modules and a research paper of 10,000;
• Two taught modules and a mini-thesis of 30, 000 words
• Full dissertation of 50, 000 words

(Part-time student with proven research skills will be eligible to do the programme in option B and C)

Teaching takes place in two blocks of seven weeks during which intensive teaching and research towards assignments and exams are required. Teaching for Module 4 will be carried out during the normal second semester of the university. Both full-time and part-time will attend the seminars on Fridays (9:00-16:00) together.

Recruitment and bursaries

Those with a graduate degree in law, public administration, political science or economics and a proven track record of academic excellence and experience are eligible to apply to the programme. Practical exposure to governance will be a strong recommendation. There will be a pre-selection process in which eligible students will be selected based on their academic excellences and experiences. For the purpose of pre-selection, applicants are required to send their CVs and academic transcripts before 31 October 2011.

Bursaries

There are bursaries for two selected students from elsewhere on the African continent. The bursary will not cover the full-costs. It will however cover – tuition fees, a contribution towards accommodation on UWC campus, a monthly allowance; and all prescribed materials for the three contact modules. Applications for bursaries also need to be submitted before 31 October 2011.

Course Presentation

The courses will be coordinated and presented by Prof Nico Steytler and Prof Jaap De Visser. The module on Law of Good Governance will be presented by Prof Phoebe Bolton. The module on Constitutional Design in Divided Societies will be presented by Dr. Yonatan Fessha.

For more information and application enquiries contact Tinashe Chigwata, phone +2721 959 9287 or visit the website.