SESOTHO Honours Programme

Sesotho honours programme is intended to equip students with knowledge of Sesotho language and literature content, appropriate language skills and basic research skills. The programme offers Linguistic stream that equip students with advanced knowledge and understanding of language structure and usage, through disciplines such as morphology, syntax, semantics and sociolinguistics within the African context. It also offers Literature stream that equip students with advanced knowledge on literary studies, through disciplines such as poetry, novel, drama and oral literature.

This programme can be completed over a period of one year (full time) and there are compulsory contact sessions for lectures and critical discussions, completion of written assignments and presentations by students.

The degree consists of five compulsory modules: Linguistics Option: Research report, morphology, syntax, sociolinguistics and one literature module. Literature Option: Research report, poetry, novel, drama, oral literature and one linguistic module.

Students need BA degree with Sesotho as a major, a minimum average of 60% in Sesotho at third year level. Prospective students should download an application form from the university website and submit it to the university admission office or as directed by the website.

The following modules are offered by the Department of African Languages in the Honours programme:

AFAL 6808 Linguistic Theories and Research Report 32 credits
This module introduces students to the basic areas of descriptive and theoretical linguistics and enhance their capacity to apply linguistic theories to the linguistic analyses of Sesotho.

AFBL 6818 Advanced Morphology in Sesotho 24 credits
This module introduces students to the basic areas of descriptive and theoretical linguistics with a particular reference to advanced morphological theories where Sesotho data is used in the interpretation of various theoretical principles.

AFCL 6838 Advanced Syntax in Sesotho 24 credits
This module introduces students to the basic areas of descriptive and theoretical linguistics with a particular reference to advanced syntactical theories where Sesotho data is used in the interpretation of various theoretical principles.

AFDL 6848 Advanced Sociolinguistics in Sesotho 24 credits
This module introduces students to the basic areas of descriptive and theoretical linguistics with a particular reference to advanced sociolinguistic theories where Sesotho data is used in the interpretation of various theoretical principles.

AFEL 6828 Advanced Semantics in Sesotho 24 credits
This module introduces students to the basic areas of descriptive and theoretical linguistics with a particular reference to advanced semantic theories where Sesotho data is used for the interpretation of various theoretical principles.

AFAT 6808 Approaches to African Literature and Research Report 24 credits
This module introduces students to basic literary theories to enhance their capacity to apply methods and literary approaches in the interpretation of various Sesotho texts.

AFBT 6818 Advance Studies in Sesotho Prose Fiction 24 credits
This module offers an introduction to modern literary theories with a particular reference to the study, evaluation and interpretation of Sesotho prose fiction. The students will apply methods and insights from these theories to various forms of prose fiction.

AFCT 6828 Advance Studies in Sesotho Poetry 24 credits
This module offers an introduction to modern literary theories with a particular reference to the study, evaluation and interpretation of Sesotho modern Poetry. The students will apply methods and insights from these theories to various poetic works.

AFDT 6838 Advanced Studies in Sesotho Oral Literature 24 credits
This module offers an introduction to modern literary theories with a particular reference to the study, evaluation and interpretation of Sesotho Oral Literature. The students will apply methods and insights from these theories to various Sesotho oral types.

AFET 6848 Advanced Studies in Sesotho Drama 24 credits
This module offers an introduction to modern literary theories with a particular reference to the study, evaluation and interpretation of Sesotho modern drama. The students will apply methods and insights from these theories to various Sesotho drama works.

Master's programme by full research dissertation: Sesotho Language Group
The master’s degree entails the completion of a full research dissertation on an acceptable topic, approved by the department, the faculty research committee and the faculty Board. An honours degree in Sesotho or an equivalent discipline with minimum average of 60% is required. This degree can be completed over a maximum of three years. Prospective students should download an application form on the university website. Submit the completed form, together with the necessary documentation to the university’s admission office or directed by the website.

Doctoral programme by full research dissertation: Sesotho Language Group
The doctoral degree entails the completion of a full research dissertation on an acceptable topic, approved by the department, the faculty research committee and the faculty Board. A Master’s degree in Sesotho or an equivalent discipline with minimum average of 60% is required. This degree can be completed over a maximum of five years. Prospective students should download an application form on the university website. Submit the completed form, together with the necessary documentation to the university’s admission office or directed by the website.

The department has academic staff who specialise in the following areas of research:

Research Masters
Sociolinguistics
Modern Literary theories
Oral Literature
Sesotho linguistics

Doctoral Studies
Oral Literature
Modern Literature
Sesotho Linguistics

For more information please contact our departmental office:

Mrs Hannetjie Du Toit
Faculty of Humanities
Department of African Languages
T: +27 51 401 2256
Fax: +27 51 401 3223
E: dutoitjc@ufs.ac.za

Academic Head of Department

Dr Elias Nyefolo Malete
Office: Room 301 Flippie Groenewoud Building, Block B
T: +27 51 401 2178
E: maleteen@ufs.ac.za