unisa college of human sciences · unisa college of human sciences 2017 master’s and doctoral...

Unisa College of Human Sciences 2017 master’s and doctoral research focus areas

SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES

• Department of Anthropology and Archaeology • Department of Biblical and Ancient Studies • Department of Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology • Department of History • Department of Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology • Department of Religious Studies and Arabic

• Research Institute for Theology and Religion (RITR)

Unisa College of Human Sciences - 2017 master’s and doctoral research focus areas | of 25

FOCUS AREAS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY AND ARCHAEOLOGY Anthropology Division We can accommodate both M & D projects in the following areas:

• Critical Anthropology • Cultural Heritage • Cultural Resource Management • Decolonial Epistemologies • Earthen Architecture • Educational Anthropology • Ethno-archaeology • Feminist Anthropology • Medical Anthropology • Orality Studies • Performance Studies • Ritual • Sex and Gender • The Anthropology of Development • The Anthropology of Organisations • The Anthropology of Space and Place • Urban Anthropology • Urban Parks

Research projects in which M and D candidates can participate: None

Focussed M and D programmes: None

Individual research interests/fields of expertise of academics/supervisors:

Prof CJ van Vuuren

• Cultural Heritage • Cultural Resource Management • Earthen Architecture • Ethno-archaeology • Orality studies • The Anthropology of Space and Place • Ritual


Dr NL Hlabangane

• Critical Anthropology • Decolonial Epistemologies • Medical Anthropology, including Sex and Gender, Feminism/Womanism • Reproductive Health • The Anthropology of Development • World Anthropologies

Dr IE Marais

• Urban Anthropology • The Anthropology of Space and Place • Educational Anthropology • Urban Parks

Mr GH Maree

• Performance Studies • Ritual

Ms JMF Wouters

• African Initiated Religion Mr JS van Wyk

• Economic Anthropology • Social History • Urban anthropology

Ms NZ Radebe

• Economic Anthropology • Ethnography

Numbers of M and D candidates that can be accommodated in the above:

This will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Appointment of external supervisors will be considered as per UNISA policy and capacity constraints in the Department.

Models of supervision: Direct supervision by designated supervisor.

Opportunities regarding external supervision:

External co-supervisors are appointed if there is a need for expertise that falls outside of the skills base of the department or as per UNISA policy and capacity constraints in the Department.

Departmental contact details:

• COD: Dr Ingrid E. Marais 012 429 6479 • Secretary: Ms DM Skosana 012 429 6418

How to participate:


Minimum (generic) requirements:

MA An appropriate bachelor’s honours degree, or an appropriate postgraduate diploma, or a 480 credit bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 96 credits at NQF level 8 in Anthropology with an average of 60%. A student who is admitted on the strength of a postgraduate diploma or a 480 credit bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 96 credits at level 8 and who has not completed a module in research methodology may be required to complete such a module (HRAAR81) at NQF level 8 for NDP before he/she will be allowed to register for the module in research methodology of which the outcome is the research proposal. International students must meet the English language requirement as provided for in paragraph 2.1 of the Procedures for Studies for Master’s and Doctoral Degrees.

Ph.D. A Master’s degree in Anthropology with an average of 60%. Applicants with a coursework/structured Master’s degree should have completed a research component of at least 60 credits out of the total 180 credits for admission to the doctoral degree, failing which applicants may submit evidence of publication in peer reviewed journals or conference proceedings. Proof of the credits of the research component must be submitted with the application. International students must meet the English language requirement as provided for in paragraph 2.1 of the Procedures for Studies for Master’s and Doctoral Degrees.

College/School/Department/Institute specific additional requirements/ criteria:

Foreign or non-English mother tongue speakers must meet the English language requirement as provided for in paragraph 2.1 of the Procedures for Studies for Master’s and Doctoral Degrees and submit proof of language proficiency on application.

Supporting documentation required:

If the student is from outside the Unisa system she or he should provide a copy of the honours project or equivalent for entry into the Master’s and a copy of the Master’s dissertation for entry into the Doctorate.

Concept document of proposed research with reference to how it fits into the type 1 information:

Students should submit the departmental questionnaire (which will be made available on our website), outlining their area of interest, their potential research question and how they see it fitting within the existing research areas in the department.

Procedure by which selection of candidates will be made, for example, as batches or individual:

Selection of candidates will be made on a case-by-case basis.

When to apply: Application and registration information: www.unisa.ac.za/apply. Archaeology Division Research focus areas/niches for 2016: What is on offer? We can accommodate both M & D projects in the following areas:

• 19th-and 20th-century material culture studies • Archaeological heritage management • Archaeologies of conflict • Archaeologies of identity • Archaeologies of slavery & the slave trade • Archaeozoology/Archaeofaunal studies • The Archaeology of food and foodways


• Colonial frontiers and culture contact studies • Historical Archaeology, with a focus on southern and West Africa • Landscape Archaeology • Mission Archaeology • Pre-colonial (Iron Age) farming societies in southern Africa • Early state formation in southern Africa • The comparative use of written, oral & archaeological sources • The Middle and Later Stone Age in southern Africa

Research projects in which M and D candidates can participate: • The political economy of a nineteenth-century mission station: the archaeology of Botshabelo,

Mpumalanga, South Africa [Please contact the project director, Dr Natalie Swanepoel. [email protected]]

• Collections-based research on the collections held in the Museum of Anthropology & Archaeology [please contact the department for more information]

Focussed M and D programmes: N/A Individual research interests/fields of expertise of academics/supervisors: Prof Jan Boeyens

• Pre-colonial (Iron Age) farming societies in southern Africa • The historical archaeology of nineteenth-century Tswana and Venda towns

Dr Natalie Swanepoel

• Historical Archaeology, with a focus on southern and West Africa • The comparative use of written, oral & archaeological sources • Archaeologies of slavery & the slave trade • Archaeologies of conflict • Landscape Archaeology • Mission Archaeology

Ms Joanna Behrens

• Historical Archaeology, with a focus on southern Africa • The comparative use of written, oral & archaeological sources • Colonial frontiers and culture contact studies • 19th- and 20th-century material culture studies • Archaeologies of identity • Landscape Archaeology • Mission Archaeology

Numbers of M and D candidates that can be accommodated in the above: This will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Appointment of external supervisors will be considered as per UNISA policy and capacity constraints in the Department. Models of supervision: Direct supervision by designated supervisor. Opportunities regarding external supervision: External co-supervisors are appointed if there is a need for expertise that falls outside of the skills base of the department or as per UNISA policy and capacity constraints in the Department. Department:


• Chair: Dr Ingrid E. Marias 012 429 6479 • Head: Archaeology: Prof Jan Boeyens 012 429 6359 • Secretary: Ms DM Skosana 012 429 6418 How to participate: Minimum (generic) requirements:

MA An appropriate bachelor’s honours degree, or an appropriate postgraduate diploma, or a 480 credit bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 96 credits at NQF level 8 in Archaeology with an average of 60%. A student who is admitted on the strength of a postgraduate diploma or a 480 credit bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 96 credits at level 8 and who has not completed a module in research methodology may be required to complete such a module (HRAAR81) at NQF level 8 for NDP before he/she will be allowed to register for the module in research methodology of which the outcome is the research proposal. International students must meet the English language requirement as provided for in paragraph 2.1 of the Procedures for Studies for Master’s and Doctoral Degrees.

Ph.D. A Master’s degree in Archaeology with an average of 60%. Applicants with a coursework/structured Master’s degree should have completed a research component of at least 60 credits out of the total 180 credits for admission to the doctoral degree, failing which applicants may submit evidence of publication in peer reviewed journals or conference proceedings. Proof of the credits of the research component must be submitted with the application. International students must meet the English language requirement as provided for in paragraph 2.1 of the Procedures for Studies for Master’s and Doctoral Degrees.

College/School/Department/Institute specific additional requirements/ criteria:

Foreign or non-English mother tongue speakers must meet the English language requirement as provided for in paragraph 2.1 of the Procedures for Studies for Master's and Doctoral Degrees and submit proof of language proficiency on application.

Supporting documentation required:

If the student is from outside the Unisa system they should provide a copy of the honours project or equivalent for entry into the Masters and a copy of the Master’s dissertation for entry into the Doctorate.

Concept document of proposed research with reference to how it fits into the type 1 information:

Students should submit the departmental questionnaire (which will be made available on our website), outlining their area of interest, their potential research question and how they see it fitting within the existing research areas in the department.

Procedure by which selection of candidates will be made, for example, as batches or individual:

Selection of candidates will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Information: When to apply:

Application and registration information: www.unisa.ac.za/apply.

http://www.unisa.ac.za/apply


FOCUS AREAS IN THE BIBLICAL NEW AND OLD TESTAMENT UNIT

• Biblical archaeology • History of Israelite religion • Prophets • Religion of Israel • Mission archaeology • Historical Archaeology of 19th century in South Africa • Albert Schweitzer • Historical Jesus • Hermeneutics • Historical, early and late Persian period • Minor prophets • Theme: Perpetrators in OT • Judges and the female body • Exegesis of the Old Testament • Counter culture rhetoric • Historiography of the Ancient Near East: pre Islamic history • Wisdom literature • Cognitive science • ODL teaching • Theological Education • Biblical characters • Decoloniality • Racism • Ecotheology • Stewardship • HIV AIDS and religion healing practices • Wisdom • Contextual studies • Qohelet • Proverbs • Jeremiah • Esther • Chronicles • Judges • African biblical hermeneutics • Land restitution and biblical text contextual studies • Ancient Egypt paleodontology • Biblical Archaeo-zoology

ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN STUDIES UNIT • Ancient Gateways of the Near East • Ancient Sports, Games & Recreational activities • Cultural background of the Bible • Western Desert of Egypt in the Persian Period • Ancient Gateways in the Ancient Near East • Law in the Ancient Near East • Neo-Sumerian period


• Phoenician cities • Pre-Dynastic Egypt • Middle Eastern Politics • Medicine in Ancient Egypt NEW TESTAMENT UNIT

1. The Historical Origins and Formation of Christianity in the Early Centuries; 2. Critical Interpretation of Early Christian Literature in Ancient and Modern Contexts; 3. The Reception of the New Testament throughout the Centuries; 4. Gender, Race, and Slavery in the New Testament and Early Christianity; 5. Religious experience and literacy in the New Testament and Early Christianity. 6. Health and disability in the NT and Early Christianity; 7. Space, art and architecture in Early Christianity; 8. Anthropological and Neuroscientific readings of early Christian literature. 9. Archaeology of the New Testament and Early Christianity 10. Sexuality of the New Testament and Early Christianity


DEPARTMENT OF CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY, CHURCH HISTORY AND MISSIOLOGY

CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY Research focus areas / niches: Prof CJS Lombaard

• Biblical Spirituality • The Old Testament and Christian Spirituality • Post-secularism in the Third Millennium • The Patriarchs and the Pentateuch • Theory of Spirituality

Professor Lombaard accepts Master’s and Doctoral students in his fields of specialisation Prof DG van der Merwe

• The New Testament and Christian Spirituality • Johannine texts and spirituality

Professor Van der Merwe accepts Master’s and Doctoral students in his fields of specialisation Research projects in which M & D candidates can participate: See below Focussed M & D programmes An eight-year Honours – Master’s – Doctorate stream specifically designed for our dawning Age of Spiritual Reason. A highly planned, rigorous study programme for you to slot into easily:

• BA Honours Christian Spirituality - Basic research skills in Christian Spirituality: 2 assignments - 2. Introductory issues in the study of Christian Spirituality: 2 assignments and 1 portfolio - 3. History of Christian Spirituality: 2 assignments and 1 portfolio - 4. Christian Mysticism: 2 assignments and 1 portfolio - 5. Research Essay in Christian Spirituality: 2 assignments (1 x 5 page Research Proposal + 1 x

40 page research essay) • MTh dissertation (suggested title: Biblical Spirituality and [your choice of a relevant topic])

- 3 page initial proposal upon registration; 20 page Research Proposal which builds forth directly on your Honours research project, 3–6 months; 150–180 page dissertation, 12–18 months;

• DTh dissertation (suggested title: Scripture and Spirituality in the writings of [your choice of an important figure in your theological thinking])

- 3 page initial proposal upon registration; 30 page Research Proposal which builds forth directly on your MTh dissertation, 6-12 months; ± 300 page dissertation, 2-3 years;

While the Honours gives a broad overview of the field of Christian Spirituality (the programme is outlined below), we encourage our Master’s and Doctoral students to specialise in our niche area of Biblical Spirituality. Within this niche we can assure that you work Individual research interests/fields of expertise of academics/supervisors: As stated above


Numbers of M & D candidates that can be accommodated in the above: 15, on Honours level, to progress to Master’s and Doctorate Model of supervision • High quality research guidance by two internationally recognised scholars in the discipline of Biblical

Spirituality, within the leading research discipline at Unisa. • This support includes an annual “bosberaad” with supervisors and other students, to attend in person or via

skype, to present your work-in-progress and to receive helpful feedback; individual academic discussions and guidance, in person, by e-mail or via skype; intensive feedback on your research writing as your study progresses.

• Depending on your area of direct research interest, you will be guided on: o The New Testament and Christian Spirituality, and o The Bible and faith trends in church ministry, by

Prof. Dirk van der Merwe, BA, BD, DD o The Old Testament and Christian Spirituality, and o The Bible and faith trends in the global 21st century, by

Prof. Christo Lombaard, BA, BA Hons, MA, BD, PhD, DD • Personal, online and postal use of the largest library in the southern hemisphere and on the African

continent, including world-class support from the subject librarian to support academic literature searches; • Unisa bursaries substantial enough to cover most of your study costs (the amount is dependant on students’

marks in their previous qualification); • Flexible study hours to suit your professional and personal circumstances (we have a success history of

requesting e.g. church councils or bishops to set aside dedicated study time as a substantial part of the work week);

• Guidance on reading the most important works in the discipline of Christian Spirituality, so that your study can make a positive difference in the world today;

• The opportunity to attend research conferences or seminars related to your study theme, and at times the possibility of presenting with your supervisor’s guidance your work-in-progress at such meetings;

• The assurance that your studies will be intellectually demanding, to the highest standards, with the result that you receive a qualification of the highest repute;

• The assurance that your studies will be spiritually nurturing – the opposition between the gifts of the mind and the gifts of the spirit are long-debunked;

• The openness to write in your language of choice (though the course material is in English, we at present accept students’ work - listed here in alphabetic order - in Afrikaans, Dutch, English and German; other language possibilities are explored upon request);

• The possibility to publish a scholarly article on your completed research in an accredited journal, locally or internationally, either as sole author or with your supervisor as co-author;

• Examples of published research work for you to use as initial guidance in approaching your chosen study topic;

The assurance that the guidance offered your research is on the quality of your scholarship, leaving you the freedom academically and existentially to explore your ideas fully; During your studies, you will find your theological voice, to make your unique contribution. After eight years, you will leave this Honours – Master’s – Doctorate stream as a matured, specialist voice in our dawning Age of Spiritual Reason. Opportunities regarding external supervision: As required under special circumstances Contact: COD: Dr ZJ Banda 012 429 4377 Subject Secretary: Ms Levona Holmes 012 429 4040


How to participate Minimum (generic) requirements: Visit www.unisa.ac.za/applyMD College/school/department/institute-specific additional requirements/criteria As stated in on www.unisa.ac.za/applyMD Supporting documentation required: See above Concept document of proposed research with references and how it fits into the research focus areas See above Procedure by which selection of candidates will be made, for example, as batches or individual Selection of candidates will be made on a case-by-case basis. When to apply: Visit www.unisa.ac.za/applyMD

CHURCH HISTORY Research focus areas / niches: Prof MJS Madise

• South African Church History • Christianity in Africa • South African Methodism

Prof Madise is able to accommodate three more postgraduate students. Prof E Oliver:

• South African Church History • Early Church History • Reformation • Significance of Church History for the Modern Church and Society • Influence of Christianity on the South African Society • Christian Education • Historiography

Prof Oliver is able to accommodate three more postgraduate students. Prof PH Gundani

• Church State Relations • Catholic History • Mission, State and Land

Due to Prof Gundani’s workload, he is unable to accept any new postgraduate students at the moment. Prof M H Mogashoa

• Historiography • Early Church History • Post-Reformation • South African Church History

Prof Mogashoa, is able to accommodate three more students. Research projects in which M & D candidates can participate: No projects at this stage. Focussed M & D programmes: None

http://www.unisa.ac.za/applyMD




Individual research interests/fields of expertise of academics/supervisors: As stated above Numbers of M & D candidates that can be accommodated in the above: As stated above Models of supervision: Direct supervision by designated supervisor Opportunities regarding external supervision There are a number of qualified external supervisors who could be appointed as external supervisors to M & D candidates in Church History. Contact details: COD: Dr ZJ Banda 012 429 4377 Subject Secretary: Mrs L. Holmes 012 429 4040 How to participate Minimum (generic) requirements Visit www.unisa.ac.za/applyMD College/school/department/institute-specific additional requirements/criteria Visit www.unisa.ac.za/applyMD Supporting documentation required Short CV, proof of registration short abstract on planned study Concept document of proposed research with references and how it fits into the type 1 information

• Cover page • Table of contents • Introduction • Topic • Area of investigation • Justification • Aims and objectives • Research question and hypotheses • Literature review • Research methodology • Chapter outline • Works consulted • All this is explained in the M&D Tutorial letter 101 which students receive after registration

Procedure by which selection of candidates will be made, for example, as batches or individual Selection of candidates will be made on a case-by-case basis. When to apply Visit www.unisa.ac.za/applyMD





MISSIOLOGY Research focus areas / niches: Prof NA Botha

• Theology of Mission • Ecumenical Missiology • Contextualisation • Models of Liberation Theology

Prof Botha is able to accommodate three more postgraduate students. Prof A van Schalkwyk

• Theology of Mission • Women, Gender And Mission • Women’s Theologies • Faith-Based Communities and Sustainable Development • Urban Ministry.

Due to Prof Van Schalkwyk’s workload, she is unable to accept any new postgraduate students at the moment. Dr ZJ Banda

• African Renaissance and the unity of Africa • Evangelism and Mass Media/TV Broadcast • Third Wave Movement/Christianity • African Theology • Intercultural Communication of the Gospel

Dr Banda is able to accept two new postgraduate students. Prof. TD Mashau

• Missional theology • Urban mission • African theology

Prof Mashau is able to supervise three more postgraduate students. Prof. RW Nel

• Children and Youth Movements • Anti-racism and Reconciliation • Social Networking • Emerging and Missional Church

Prof Nel is able to supervise more postgraduate students. Mr KM Makofane

• Theology of Mission • Mission and Power • Mission and Unity

Mr Makofane is not presently in the position to supervise any postgraduate students. Rev CL Mangayi

• Mission and Sustainable community development • Mission and adult education • Transformative urban mission • Transformative rural mission • Oiko-missiology and local economic development


Rev Mangayi is able to supervise more postgraduate students. Rev. E Baron

• Youth Ministry • Mission and Media • Moral/Spiritual Formation

Rev Baron is available to supervise postgraduate students Research projects in which M & D candidates can participate

• Youth on the Margins: A comparative study of the contribution of faith-basd organisations to social cohesion in South Africa and Nordic Europe (acronym YOMA) (2013-2017)

• Theological Dictionary (2016-2017) Individual research interests/fields of expertise of academics/supervisors: As stated above Numbers of M & D candidates that can be accommodated in the above: As stated above Models of supervision Direct supervision by designated supervisor; M&D Seminars and Workshops; Opportunities regarding external supervision There are a number of qualified external supervisors who could be appointed as supervisors to M & D candidates in Missiology Contact details: COD: Dr ZJ BANDA 012 429 4377 How to participate Minimum (generic) requirements: Visit www.unisa.ac.za/applyMD College/school/department/institute-specific additional requirements/criteria: Visit www.unisa.ac.za/applyMD Supporting documentation required

• Complete CV • Research Outline (See below for specifications) • Certified copies of ID document or passport; Birth certificate • Certified copies of all academic records stating all papers passed and percentage obtained

Concept document of proposed research with references and how it fits into the research focus areas

• Proposed Title • Problem statement and rationale of study • Main objective of study • Methodology to be followed • Preliminary literature

Procedure by which selection of candidates will be made, for example, as batches or individual




Selection of candidates will be made on a case-by-case basis. The aforementioned information will assist to make a decision as to a suitable supervisor (and its staff capacity). If a supervisor is appointed, the student will need to commence work on a full proposal, using the documents supplied by the discipline leader. When to apply: Visit www.unisa.ac.za/applyMD



FOCUS AREAS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY

Dr S Chetty

• Social military history - the social and cultural aspects of warfare and the military as an institution with particular emphasis on 20th century conflict

• Gender history – considering both the construction of masculinity and femininity in the 19th and 20th centuries

• Intellectual history – with an emphasis on the Enlightenment and the ways in which it has shaped the modern world

• History of science – the development of science and scientific knowledge from the 18th century to the present

Prof Tilman Dedering

• Namibian Studies • Modern German history (especially German colonial history) • Colonial history of southern Africa • South Africa between the two world wars • The League of Nations and the mandate system • History of technology • Globalisation Studies

Ms HJ Lubbe

• 20th century South African history • ‘Coloured’ politics and identity issues • History education • History of sport • History of the press and other media

Prof FA Mouton

• South African liberalism • Afrikaner nationalism • Segregation and apartheid • Black resistance movements • White parliamentary politics • Press history • Military history • Border conflicts of the apartheid state

Dr F Ntloedibe

• Atlantic African Diaspora and African-American religion • The connections between slave resistance and culture in the early modern Western Hemisphere • Slavery and the slave trade from the 15th to the 19th centuries • African-American cultural/intellectual history to Reconstruction • Student resistance movements in South Africa and the United States


Mr Nicholas Southey

• Southern Africa during the colonial period • Christianity, religion, belief systems and history (southern Africa from the 18th to 21th centuries) • History education and the teaching of the discipline of history (southern Africa) • Historiography (southern Africa and the English-speaking world) • Women’s history, masculinities, gender relations, and gendered identities in history (southern Africa

from the 18th to 21th centuries) • Travel, exploration and tourism (southern Africa from the 18th to 21th centuries) • Heritage and commemoration (southern Africa from the 18th to 21th centuries) • Topics related to the history of cultural expression and sport (southern Africa from the 18th to 21th

centuries) • Connections between southern Africa and Britain, the United States and the English-speaking world

Prof RS Viljoen

• South African colonial history • Church history, missionaries and Christianity in southern Africa • Disease in colonial history • Biographies • Colonial identities in southern Africa • Indigenous music • History of Higher Education institutions • Modern South African history


FOCUS AREAS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PHILOSOPHY, PRACTICAL AND SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY

DISPLINE OF PHILOSPHY Researcher Research Focus Area Prof M. Cloete [email protected]

• Social and Political philosophy Epistemology

Prof MES Van den Berg [email protected]

• Critical reasoning • Merleau-Ponty • Gender studies • Existentialism

Prof P. Mungwini [email protected]

• African Philosophy • Indigenous Philosophies and Epistemologies • Intercultural Philosophy • Philosophy of liberation • Values education and philosophy

Prof C.D Scott [email protected]

• Thomism • Philosophy of Science and Religion • Philosophy of Religion • Philosophy of Science • Catholic Intellectual Tradition

Dr MLJ Koenane [email protected]

• Ethics • Governance • Political Philosophy • Cultural/African philosophy

Dr ESN Mkhwanazi [email protected]

• African philosophy, • Phenomenology, • Social philosophy, • Kwame Nkrumah, • Emmanuel Levinas, • History of Western philosophy, • Aristotelian logic, • Symbolic logic and Ethics.

Ms Y. Coetser Lecturer [email protected]

• Theoretical Ethics • Applied Ethics • Environmental Ethics • Political Philosophy • Animal Ethics

Mr N. Dladla Junior Lecturer [email protected]

• African social, legal and political philosophy • Critical philosophy of Race • Philosophy education

Mr T. Delport Junior Lecturer [email protected]

• Ethics • Political and legal philosophy • African philosophy • Contemporary European philosophy • Aesthetics and literature theory

Ms M. Khosi Junior Lecturer [email protected]

• African philosophy/Ubuntu • Social movements • Popular culture • Gender studies

mailto:[email protected]











DISCIPLINE PRACTICAL THEOLOGY The Discipline of Practical Theology at Unisa studies human actions in church and society from a practical theological perspective. Some examples of the variety of research areas in this discipline are preaching, worship, pastoral care and counselling, Christian leadership and church management, Christian education and ministry, and the theories and methods of Practical Theology as an academic discipline. Research projects in which Master’s and Doctoral candidates can participate Candidates can participate in any of the research focus or niche areas listed below. Research focus / niche areas The following table gives a list of research areas as well as the names of the specialists in the Discipline of Practical Theology whom Master’s and Doctoral candidates can approach for supervision. Rev Garth Aziz

• Youth ministry • Faith formation and spiritual development in adolescents • The impact of faith and/or spirituality on youth identity formation and development • The role of family, culture and youth sub-cultures in youth socialisation • The profession and/or state of youth work in South Africa

Prof M Elijah Baloyi

• Pastoral care and counselling • Integration of psychology and theology • Marriage and premarital issues and gender studies in African context (particularly women’s rights) • Africanisation of pastoral care and counselling • Unity and Injustices within Reformed churches

Dr Gift T Baloyi

• Pastoral care and counselling • Gender studies and sexualities • Intersection of African values and Pastoral care • Women, African culture and human rights

Dr Olehile A Buffel

• Pastoral care and counselling • Ministry in the context of poverty • Community development • Church leadership • Management and administration • Homiletics

Prof Gordon E Dames • Contextual practical theology in Africa • Christian faith and moral formation educational practices • Life narrative research • Multicultural teaching and learning • Spiritual and moral leadership • Pastoral care and counselling • Liberation - contextual practical theology

Prof Jaco S Dreyer

• Empirical research in theology


• The methodology of practical theology • A contextual approach to practical theology • Practical theology and action theories • Practical theology and public theology • Human rights and religion

Prof Elsabe Kloppers

• Liturgical studies • Hymnology and church music • Religious communication • Homiletics and hermeneutics • Worship and spiritual formation • Worship and Identity • Worship and leadership

Prof Matsobane J Manala

• Pastoral care • The church's diaconal service • The Christian ministry to the sick in the African context • Celebration and worship • Religious education • Christian care, human rights, African women and widowhood rites and their consequences • Ecclesiology in African Christian perspective

Prof Marilyn Naidoo

• Religious/Christian education • Spiritual and Faith Development • Theological education in South Africa • Spirituality in the Workplace/ Theological Education • Ministerial Training/ Clergy formation • Diversity issues in Christian communities

DISCIPLINE OF SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY WHAT IS ON OFFER?

• Research Master of Theology (Mth) • Doctor of theology (Dth)

Research focuses areas/niches:

• God, creation and environmental issues. • Faith, church and culture. • Faith, the Spirit and the future • Influence of doctrines in the current church and society • Liberation theology: Black theology, Public theology, feministic theology • Confessions and confessional theology • Feminism • Cultural Hermeneutics • Environmental Theology, • History of Christian Teaching, • Christian Ethics, • Science and Religion, • Nature Conservation, Food Security


Focussed M and D programmes: None Research focuses areas/niches: The following table gives a list of research areas as well as the names of the specialists in the Discipline of Systematic Theology whom M and D candidates can approach for supervision.

Individual research interests/fields of expertise of academics/supervisors Prof LJ Modise

• God, human beings and physical organic environment • Faith and politics • Liberation theology in relation to land and poverty • Black and African theology: Human consciousness • Impact of confessions on society • Church Fathers’ theology

Prof FH Chimhanda

• Christology, • Feminist and • Cultural Hermeneutics

Dr JM Wood

• Ecclesiology • Eschatology, • Feminism, • Experiencing God, • Spirituality

Rev C J an Wyngaard

• Environmental Theology, • History of Christian Teaching, • Christian Ethics, • Science and Religion, • Nature Conservation, Food Security

Research areas Specialist

God, human and environment; liberation; black and African theology; confession and society

Prof LJ Modise Tel 012 4294646 Fax: 012 429 3332 E-mail: [email protected]

Christology; Feminist and Cultural Hermeneutics Prof FH Chimhanda Tel: 012 429 4515 Fax: 012 429 3332 E-mail: [email protected]

Ecclesiology; Eschatology; Feminism; Experiencing God and Spirituality Dr JM Wood Tel: 012 429 4304 Fax: 012 429 3332 E-mail: [email protected]

Environmental Theology; History of Christian Teaching; Christian Ethics; Science and Religion; Nature Conservation, Food Security

Rev Van Wyngaard Tel: 012 429 4738 Fax: 012 429 3332 E-mail: [email protected]






Numbers of M and D candidates that can be accommodated in the above A maximum of 20 candidates per year can be accommodated. Should the need arise to take on more M and D candidates, the Discipline of Systematic theology could, with the necessary approval, outsource M and D supervision to qualified supervisors outside Unisa.

Models of supervision: Although models of supervision differ from supervisor to supervisor, we, in the Discipline of Philosophy, follow the following supervision guidelines: In order to pass the Research Proposal module, M and D candidates need to complete an acceptable research proposal, which is assessed by an academic panel in the Discipline of Systematic theology. When the student pass the proposal he/she then comply with the requirements to register for doctoral thesis.


FOCUS AREAS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES & ARABIC Mr D Chetty Niche Areas:

• Religion, Civil Society and Technology • Religion, Curriculum Development and Technology • Religion, Conflict and Politics (with specialization in Gramscian Thought) • Religion and Marriage Practices • Religion and Gender (Media representations and religious practices) • Religion and Education (Policy and Curriculum Design) • Ritual, Ideology and Power

Tel: (012) 429 4055 Email: [email protected] Prof M Clasquin-Johnson Niche Areas:

• Buddhism in South Africa • Modern Buddhist history (c.1850-current) • Buddhist religious ritual • Research Methodology in Religious Studies • New Religious Movements - 19th century • New Religious Movements - 20th and 21st century

Tel: (012) 429 4793 Email: [email protected] Prof Y Dadoo Niche Areas:

• Arabic syntax and morphology • Modern Arabic poetry • Teaching of Arabic in a non-native environment • Translations of Classical Arabic literary texts • Hadith - the study of the Muslim prophetic tradition • Classical philosophy in Islam • Contemporary Islamic thought, philosophy and law • Islamic Doctrinal Theology • Islam in South Africa • Biographies of selected Muslims • Muslim Minorities in the West • Qur’anic Hermeneutics • Sufism (Islamic mysticism)

Tel: (012) 429 6027 Email: [email protected] Mr E E N Dube Niche Areas:

• African indigenous religion(s) • African indigenous religion(s) and Christianity in Africa • African indigenous religion(s), Christianity and Islam (co-existence of in Africa) • Christianity and African culture • Islam and African culture


PLEASE NOTE: Mr Dube will not be available for M&D supervision for 2015-2017 Tel: (012) 429 3892 Email: [email protected] Prof D P Goosen Niche Areas:

• Metaphysical Thought • Modernism and Religion • Western Philosophy of Religion • Politics of Religion • Postmodernism and Religion • Religious hermeneutics

Tel: (012) 429 4748 Email: [email protected] Dr G J Mason Niche Areas:

• Madhyamaka Buddhist philosophy • Buddhist meditation • Hindu meditation • Religion education, Human rights and values • Representations of Religion in Contemporary Literature

Tel: (012) 429 8983 Email: [email protected] Prof J M Strijdom Niche Areas:

• African indigenous religions and human rights • Early Christianity within its Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts • Human rights, constitutional law and religion • Material religion: objects and senses in religions • Religious nationalism and violence • Critical theories of religion (comparative and historical, colonial and post-colonial, sociological and

anthropological) Tel: (012) 429 6852 Email: [email protected] Dr M A Rafudeen Niche Areas:

• Translations of Modern Arabic religious texts • Contemporary Islamic thought, philosophy and law • Islam in South Africa • Islamic, modernity and secularism

Tel: (012) 429 6307 Email: [email protected]


RESEARCH FOCUS AREAS IN THE RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR THEOLOGY AND RELIGION (RITR)

Staff member Niche areas

Prof Cornel W du Toit • Science and Religion • Systematic Theology • African Philosophy • Cognitive and neuro-science • Consciousness studies • New Biology

Prof Christina Landman • Religion History and Church Polity • Oral History • Gender issues • Religious healing

Prof Victor S Molobi • Theologies and Social Practices of the African Independent Churches (AICs)

• Pentecostalism in Africa • African and Black Theology

Prof Maarman S Tshehla • Bible in Africa • Vernacular theologies • Prophetic Theology • Translation studies

Prof Wessel Bentley • Science and Religion • Church and State • Methodist Theology

unisa college of human sciences · unisa college of human sciences 2017 master’s and doctoral...

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