Master of Science by Coursework in African Studies

Differences from 2017/18 to 2022/23

  • 1. Each candidate will be required to follow a course of instruction in African Studies for three terms, and will, when they enter their names for the examination, be required to produce a certificate from their supervisors to this effect.

  • 2. Candidates will be required to present themselves for examination in the compulsory paper in Themes in African History and the Social Sciences, and in one optional paper at the end of Trinity Term in the year of registration. In addition, eachEach candidate will be required to submit the following written work:

    • (i) One 4,500 word essay for the compulsory core course in Methodology, Ethics and Research Strategies selected from a list of questions approved by the African Studies Teaching Committee and made available to candidates by theFriday lastof FridayWeek 7 of Michaelmas Term. The essay must be submitted notvia the University approved online assessment platform no later than 12 noon on theFriday, firstWeek Monday0 of Hilary Term in the year in which the examination is taken.

    • (ii) Two Essays of no more than 3,000 words selected from a list of questions approved by the African Studies Teaching Committee on the core course in Themes in African History and the Social Sciences. The first to be made available to candidates by Friday of Week 8, Michaelmas Term for submission via the University approved online assessment platform not later than 12 noon on Friday, Week 1 of Hilary Term. The second to be made available to candidates by Friday of Week 8, Hilary Term for submission via the University approved online assessment platform not later than 12 noon on Monday, Week 1 of Trinity Term.

    • (iiiii) One 12,000 to 15,000 word dissertation, which must include discussion of the comparative reading, historiography, or theory relevant to the dissertation. The title of the dissertation must be approved by the African Studies Teaching Committee not later than 12 noon on the last day of eighthninth week of Michaelmas Full Term in the year in which the examination is taken. TheAn electronic version of the dissertation must be submitted via the University approved online assessment platform not later than 12 noon on Friday of sixthWeek week8 of Trinity FullTerm. TermThe electronic copy must be anonymous and submitted in theWord year in which the examination is takenformat.

    • (iiiiv) One 4,500 word essay for one option paper, selected from a list of threeat least eight questions prepared by the course convenor and made available to candidates by theMonday lastof FridayWeek 6 of Hilary Term. The essay must be submitted via the University approved online assessment platform not later than 12 noon on theFriday, lastWeek Friday3 of Trinity Term in the year in which the examination is taken.

  • Two typewritten or word processed copies of the written work detailed above must be delivered to the Examination Schools, addressed to the Chair of Examiners for the M.Sc. in African Studies, c/o Examination Schools, High Street, Oxford at the times and days specified. One electronic copy of the dissertation must be submitted along with the physical copies to the Examination Schools. The electronic copy must be anonymous, submitted in word format, and identical in content and length to the physical copies of the dissertation.

  • 3.For Astudents candidatetaking mustthe pass“The all componentsPolitics of the examinationFilm in orderAfrica” option, assessment will consist of: 

    1.  i) a 4,500 word essay as described above; 
    2. ii) a short film of about 3-4 minutes on an issue related to passsignificant the degree. A candidate who fails any element of the examination will be permitted to retake or resubmit it on one further occasion within six terms of his or her initial registration. A candidate who fails one or more of the compulsory or optional papers will be required to resit both papers. In the case of a failed essay or dissertation, the resubmitted dissertation can bethemes on the samecourse. 
    3. iii) topica andcritical include2,000 previouslyword submittedtreatment workto accompany the film.

     

  • 4. Candidates may be required to attend an oral examination on any part of the examination.

  • 5. The examiners may award a distinction for excellence in the whole examination.

Schedule

The structure of the course is as follows:

  • (a) Compulsory core course in Methodology, Ethics and Research Strategies: ethics, politics; disciplinary approaches including history, politics, anthropology; conducting interviews: oral traditions, questionnaires, archives on and in Africa; visual materials, photographs and films; practical aspects of research.

  • (b) Compulsory core course in Themes in African History and the Social Sciences: key features of African states; social and economic change and the dilemmas of development; globalisation and conflict in the post-colonial era; environmental history and politics.

  • (c) Optional paper: Candidates must choose one optional paper from a list published annually and distributed to students by the last day of eighth week of Michaelmas Full Term.

Oxford 1+1 MBA programme

  • Candidates registered on the Oxford 1+1 MBA programme will follow an additional two or three-month bridging programme at the end of their third term of the combined programme.  

  • Each candidate will be appointed an academic advisor from the Saïïd Business School to plan an individual course of study which will include as a minimum, the following three compulsory elements:  

  • (i) Normally two meetings during the bridging programme with the senior advisor appointed by the Saïïd Business School at the start of the Oxford 1+1 MBA programme.  

  • (ii) A formatively assessed Integrative Development Plan of up to 3,000 words. Candidates would be required to critically reflect on their learning from the Masters programme and relate this both to their forthcoming MBA programme as well as to their career goals. The meetings with the advisor will frame the design, delivery and discussion of the plan.  

  • (iii) Attendance of the MBA pre-course as described in the joining instructions for the MBA class, unless granted exemption by the MBA Committee on the grounds of prior formal study or work experience.