SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
Cultural and Political Studies
Our Cultural and Political Studies programmes nurture graduates who make significant contributions to society, driving positive change across various sectors.
Warm greetings and welcome to the Department of Cultural and Political Studies at the University of Limpopo.
Dr GS Mrubula-Ngwenya
Acting Head of Department
One of the most unique Department with its Interdisciplinary nature of housing seven disciplines; History, Gender Studies, Political Studies, Philosophy, Indigenous Knowledge Systems, International Politics and Folklore Studies.
Both staff and students are largely committed to fundamental research, teaching and learning, and community engagement on a variety of issues that has a bearing on Africa and/or her people. Research in the Department aims to promote the understanding of the mosaic nature of Africa and to arm her people with the cutting-edge and groundbreaking knowledge base.
This approach to research is premised on safeguarding aspects of human security in the world and the contestation of knowledge base generated from the Global South. To achieve this goal, evidence-based findings generated through research by members and associates of the Department is innovatively shared in the electronic media space, publications, conferences, public lecturers, and other fora that are key to reaching a wider audience.
The latter is central for the enhancement of the impact of the Department’s research enterprise, which span local, national, continental, and global levels. The Department’s research niche area on Africanity is aligned to the University of Limpopo’s institutional research niche area on Indigenous Knowledge System (IKS), particularly on the theme of indigenous epistemologies, cosmologies, and Afrocentric, human-centred, decolonised methodologies.
The Department’s African centred agenda is further guided by the need to position research as an agency for transformation and change, especially the desire to decolonise content, methods, and methodologies.
Pertinent issues of indigenous hospitality, diplomacy including Ubuntu diplomacy are key kernels on which Africalogical discourses map out future directions of the academic vision we pursue. Working closely with the Department of State Security and other strategic partners within the government and civil society circles, we have been able to identify critical areas in African and Human Security Studies which warrant further knowledge development. I invite you to look through the website and learn more about us, our department, and our programs.
The Department of Cultural and Political Studies seeks to provide students with both intellectual and in-depth knowledge to effectively engage with global issues and concerns.
Core values & Services
The Department of Cultural and Political Studies subscribes to the following values which are aligned with the institution’s core values and African distinctiveness:
- Accountability
- Academic excellence
- Cooperation
- Interdependence
- Knowledge sovereignty
- Scholarly integrity
- Togetherness
Mission & Vision
Vision
The Department of Cultural and Political Studies aspires to be an African-centred powerhouse of excellent research, teaching and development in cultural heritage, history, philosophy, political thought and international relations.
Mission
The Department of Cultural and Political Studies is committed to the use of its internal and external strategic links to sufficiently address the academic and professional needs of the university community through cutting-edge teaching, learning, research and civil service.
Teaching and Learning Methodology
The Department of Cultural and Political Studies seeks to provide students with both intellectual and in-depth knowledge to effectively engage with global issues and concerns, with a focus on Africa. It aims to produce students who can contribute meaningfully and globally to discussions on politics, sustainable development, the rights of the marginalized, and development; students who will act as change agents. We use an approach to teaching that is technology-driven, student-centred, and empowers students to actively participate in the learning process and be exposed to multiple of perspectives.
Undergraduate Modules & Duration
| Module Code | Module Name | Duration |
| BA (Cultural Studies) | ||
| HHIS011 | European History | Semester 1 |
| HHIS012 | Early Southern African History | Semester 2 |
| HHIA021 | Modern World History 1789-1900 | Semester 1 |
| HHIA022 | South African History 1800-1900 | Semester 2 |
| HHIA031 | European History Since 1900 | Semester 1 |
| HHIA032 | South African During the 20th Century | Semester 2 |
| HANT011 | Introduction to Socio-Cultural Anthropology | Semester 1 |
| HANT012 | Archaeology and Ethnography of Africa | Semester 2 |
| HANA021 | Kinship and Gender Studies | Semester 1 |
| HANA022 | Economic Anthropology | Semester 2 |
| HANA031 | African Religions Indigenous Knowledge Systems | Semester 1 |
| HANA032 | Political Anthropology and African Political Systems | Semester 2 |
| BA (Political Studies) | ||
| HPOL011 | Introduction to Political Science | Semester 1 |
| HPOL012 | Introduction to Political Science | Semester 2 |
| HIPA021 | Introduction to International Relations | Semester 1 |
| HPOA021 | Political Ideologies and Comparative Politics | Semester 1 |
| HPOA022 | African Politics | Semester 2 |
| HIPA022 | International Organisations | Semester 2 |
| HPOA031 | Political Economy of Africa | Semester 1 |
| HIPA031 | International Political Economy: Diplomacy | Semester 1 |
| HIPA032 | Politics of Developing Nations | Semester 2 |
| HPOA032 | South African Politics | Semester 2 |
Postgraduate Modules & Duration
| Module Code | Module Name | Duration |
| History | ||
| HHIA080 | Research Report (History) | Annual |
| HHIB080 | Social Science Research Methodology | Annual |
| HHIC080 | Histography and Historical Sciences | Annual |
| HHID080 | A theme from Modern or Contemporary History | Annual |
| HHIE080 | A Theme from the Modern History of Africa | Annual |
| HFOA090 | HFOA090 (Folklore Studies) comprises of a MA dissertation on an approved research topic. | 2 Years |
| HHIA090 | HHIA090 (History) comprises of a MA dissertation on an approved research topic. | 2 Years |
| HFLA100 | HFLA100 (Folklore Studies) comprises of a PHD thesis on an approved research topic. | 3 Years |
| HHIA100 | HHIA100 (History) comprises of a PHD thesis on an approved research topic. | 3 Years |
| International Politics | ||
| HIPA080 | Research Report (International Politics) | Annual |
| HIPB080 | Foreign Policy and Diplomacy | Annual |
| HIPC080 | International Political Economy | Annual |
| HIPD080 | International Organizations and Regional Integration | Annual |
| HIPE080 | Strategic Studies and Conflict Management | Annual |
| HIPA090 | HIPA (International Politics) comprises of a MA dissertation on an approved research topic. | 2 years |
| HPOA090 | HPOA (Political Science) comprises of a MA dissertation on an approved research topic. | 2 years |
| HIPA100 | HIPA100 (International Politics) comprises of a PHD thesis on an approved research topic. | 3 years |
| HPOA100 | HPOA100 (Politics) comprises of a PHD thesis on an approved research topic. | 3 Years |
| Philosophy | ||
| HPHA080 | Research Report (Philosophy) | Annual |
| HPHB080 | Trends in Contemporary Philosophy | Annual |
| HPHC080 | History of Philosophy | Annual |
| HPHD080 | African Philosophy | Annual |
| HPHE080 | Bio-Medical Ethics | Annual |
| HPHA090 | HPHA090 (Philosophy) comprises of a MA dissertation on an approved research topic. | 2 years |
| HPHA100 | HPHA100 (Philosophy) comprises of a PHD thesis on an approved research topic. | 3 years |
| Political Science | ||
| HPOA090 | HPOA090 (Political Science) comprises of a MA dissertation on an approved research topic. | 2 years |
| HPOA100 | HPOA100 (Political Science) comprises of a PHD thesis on an approved research topic. | 3 years |
Career Opportunities
Bachelor of Arts (Cultural Studies Stream)
- Cultural Officer;
- Heritage Officer;
- Museum Curator;
- Records Officer
- Knowledge Management Officer
- Community officer
- Development Officer
Bachelor of Arts (Political Studies)
- Political Analyst
- Politician
- Employment in Department of International Affairs, Foreign Missions and NGOs
Academic staff
| Academic staff | Position | Research interest |
|
Dr GS Mrubula-Ngwenya MA Women and Gender Studies (San Francisco State University), PhD Political Science (University of Limpopo), PG Dip (HE) (Rhodes University) Office 5006, New K Building, 5th Floor, University of Limpopo. Tel: +27 (015) 268 2254 Email: samukezi.mrubula-ngwenya@ul.ac.za |
Acting Head of Department (HoD) Senior Lecturer: Gender Politics |
· African Sexualities · Gendered Violence · Feminist Foreign Policy |
|
Prof KB Shai MA (Univen), PhD (UL) Office 4019, New K Block, 4th Floor, University of Limpopo Tel: +27 (015) 268 3231 Email: Kgothatso.Shai@ul.ac.za |
Professor: Political Science |
· African Politics · International Relations · Politics of Scholarship |
|
Prof C Twala MA (UFS), MAdmin (UFS), PhD (UFS) Office 5019, New K Block, 5th Floor, University of Limpopo Tel: +27 (015) 268 2393 Email: Chitja.twala@ul.ac.za |
Professor: History |
|
|
Dr F Mokolo PhD in Translation and Linguistics Office no. 4021 New K block Tel: +27 (015) 268 2941 Email: france.mokolo@ul.ac.za |
Senior Lecturer |
· Home language · The use of multilingualism in education. · Academic literacy skills |
|
Dr S.L Vuma PhD in History Office: 4012 New K Block Tel: +27 (015) 268 3789 Email: lucky.vuma@ul.ac.za |
Senior Lecturer |
· Liberation History · Student Activism · Modern African History · Indigenous Knowledge System (IKS) |
|
Dr Mdhluli TD PhD in African Studies Office: 5011 New K Block Email: Tsetselelane.mdhluli@ul.ac.za |
Senior Lecturer |
· Medical Anthropology · Indigenous Knowledge Systems. · African Studies. · Gender and African Philosophy. |
|
Mr Mtyalela ZT MA in Philosophy (UFH) Office: 5018 New K Block, 5th floor, University of Limpopo Tel: +27 (015) 268 4931 Email: Zolisa.mtyalela@ul.ac.za |
Lecturer |
· Foucauldian Studies · Critical Race Theory · Existentialism · Ethics/Moral Philosophy · Feminism |
|
Dr (Adv) Stewart Lee Kugara LLB, LLM and PhD in African Studies Office: 5011 New K Block Tel: +27 (015) 268 2401 Email: stewart.kugara@ul.ac.za |
Research Fellow |
● Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKSs) ● African indigenous law ● African Studies |
|
Dr MC Tlowane DEd=Doctor of Education Office 5020, New K Block, 5th Floor, University of Limpopo Tel: +27 (015) 268 3741 Email: mapelo.tlowane@ul.ac.za |
Senior Lecturer |
· Language Policy and Planning · Language and Identity · Language rights and Multilingualism in Higher Education |
|
Dr LT Legodi, PhD International Politics Office 5008, New K Block, 5th Floor, University of Limpopo Tel: +27 (015) 268 2711 Email: lebogang.legodi@ul.ac.za |
Senior Lecturer |
· Political Science, · International Politics, · China-Africa Relations, · African Politics |
|
Dr Mbay Vunza PhD Philosophy Office 0061 New K Block, 2nd Floor, University of Limpopo Tel: +27 (015) 268 2602 |
Senior Lecturer Political Philosophy, Philosophy of Science, |
· Existentialism, · African Philosophy, |
|
|
|
|
|
Mr Thabang Dladla MA Philosophy (Cum Laude) Office 5013 New K Block University of Limpopo Email: thabang.dladla@ul.ac.za |
Lecturer |
· Social and Political Philosophy · African Philosophy · Critical Race Theory · Black Radical Historiography · Deconolization · Folklore Studies |
|
Prof Sekgothe Mokgoatsana DLitt et Phil (UNISA), MA [cum laude](UNISA), HonsBA and BA (Unisa), STD (TCE), Management Diploma in Tourism Development and Management (Mancosa) Tv White Space, X3243 |
Professor |
· Folklore Studies · Indigenous |
|
|
|
|
|
Gampi Matheba – BA Hons (UL) MPhil (UNW) MA (Monterey Institute) Certificate in Mine Management (WIts) Certificate in Gender & Development (UB) New K-Block 4017 Ext 2612 Email: gampi.matheba@ul.ac.za |
Lecturer · Knowledge · Afrocentric Thought and epistemologies · Oral History · Intertextuality and textual relations · Postcolonial discourse and literary theories |
Political Science & International Politics |
|
Dr Clare Larkin MA (UCT) D Litt et Phil (UNISA) HDE PG Sec (UCT) Office # 4013, 4th Floor, New K-Block Tel: +27 (015) 2682249 Email: Clare.Larkin@ul.ac.za |
Senior Lecturer History |
· History · South African History · South African Politics · Student Movements |
DEPARTMENT CONTACTS
Acting Head of Department
Dr Samukezi Mrubula-Ngwenya
Tel: +27 (0)15 268 2254
Email: samukezi.mrubula-ngwenya@ul.ac.za
Secretary
Ms Shandu Phalane
Tel: 015268 2569
Email: shandu.phalane@ul.ac.za