PROGRAMME OFFERED JOINTLY WITH MGI
MA Mauritian Studies – SHGI500 (Subject to Approval)
1.
Options: History
Literature
Social Geography
Cultural Anthropology
2.
Aims of the Programme
The MA Mauritian Studies aims at
3.
(1)
introducing students to a combination of approaches to the study of Mauritian
History, Literature, Society and Culture;
(2)
providing opportunity for applying inter-disciplinary research methods to the study
of specific problems in Mauritian Studies;
(3)
developing competence in research methods relating to one of the disciplines/areas
of specialization of the MA Programme;
(4)
researching an original topic.
General Entry Requirements
Successful completion of an undergraduate degree with
• at least a Second Class or 50%, whichever is applicable or
• a GPA not less than 2.5 out of 4 or equivalent, from a recognised higher education
institution
OR alternative qualifications acceptable to the University of Mauritius.
4.
Programme Requirements
An Honour’s Degree (Single or Joint) in Humanities or Social Sciences or equivalent.
5.
General and Programme Requirements – Special Cases
The following may be deemed to have satisfied the general and programme requirements
for admission:
(i)
Applicants who do not satisfy any of the requirements as per Regulations 1 and 2
above but who submit satisfactory evidence of having passed examinations that are
deemed by the Senate to be equivalent to any of those listed.
(ii)
Applicants who do not satisfy any of the requirements as per Regulations 1 and 2
above but who in the opinion of Senate submit satisfactory evidence of the capacity
and attainments requisite to enable them to pursue the programme proposed.
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6.
Programme Duration
The programme will be offered on a part-time basis. The duration of the MA Programme
should normally not exceed 4 years (8 semesters), with exit points provided at
Postgraduate Diploma and Certificate levels.
Masters
Postgraduate Diploma
Postgraduate Certificate
7.
Normal
Maximum
4 Semesters
4 Semesters
2 Semesters
8 Semesters
8 Semesters
4 Semesters
Semester
15 weeks’ duration (excluding examination period)
8.
Credit System
15 hours of lectures and/or tutorial = 1 credit
9.
Credits Per Semester
Minimum: 3 credits, subject to Regulation 6.
10.
Minimum Credits Required For
Master’s Award
Postgraduate Diploma Award
Postgraduate Certificate Award
36 credits
21 credits
12 credits
Breakdown as follows:
Master’s Award
Postgraduate Diploma Award
Core
Modules
Dissertation
Electives
15 credits
15 credits
15 credits
-
6 credits
6 credits
Postgraduate Certificate Award
either 9 credits
or 12 credits
11.
-
3 credits
-
Assessment
All taught modules will carry 100 marks and will be assessed as follows (unless
otherwise stated):
•
All modules of 45 hours’ duration carry equal weightage of 3 credits. Assessment
will be based on written examinations of 2 to 3 hours’ duration, and continuous
assessment carrying up to 40% of total marks.
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•
Continuous Assessment will be based on seminars and assignments but should
include at least one class test.
•
For a student to pass a module, a minimum of 30% should be attained in each of
Continuous Assessment and Written Examination separately, with an overall
minimum of 40% in that module.
•
All modules carry their own credit value.
•
Where electives are taken from another faculty, department or institution, these will
be assessed as per approved schemes.
•
The dissertation (15,000-18,000 words) will carry a weightage of 5 modules or 15
credits. The assessment will include a viva conducted by a panel of 3, including the
External Examiner and the Supervisor.
Submission Deadline for Dissertation
Last working day of the second semester of the final year.
12.
Choice of Option
Students will be required to submit their choice of Option at the time of application.
Change of Option will be accepted at latest one month after start of the semester. The
University/MGI reserves the right not to offer a given Option for reasons of resource
constraints.
13.
Choice of Electives
Students will be required to submit their choice of Electives in order of priority by the
middle of Semester I. The University of Mauritius/MGI reserves the right not to offer a
given elective module if the critical number of students is not attained and/or for reasons
of resource constraints.
14.
Dissertation
Students will be required to submit their dissertation topic by the middle of Semester II
for consideration and approval by a departmental panel. Approval will be communicated
by the end of Semester II.
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15.
List of Modules
Modules
CORE MODULES
MST 5140
MST 5150
MST 5141
MST 5142
MST 5243
MST 5244
MST 5000
Methods of Research
Themes in Mauritian Studies
History – Theory and Methods
Literature – Reading Texts
Migration,
Settlement
and
Development
Anthropology of Complex Societies
Dissertation
Hr/Wk
Credits
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
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Note: Students will be required to offer 5 core modules including MST 5140 and MST 5150,
as well as 2 Electives. In addition, they will write a dissertation equivalent to 5 modules.
ELECTIVE MODULES
MST 5245
MST 5246
MST 5247
Tourism Studies
Translation Studies
Studying Diasporas
3
3
3
3
3
3
Note: Other electives may be added to the present list, from approved equivalent
programmes offered by the University of Mauritius and the Mahatma Gandhi Institute.
16.
Programme Plan – MA Mauritian Studies
CORE MODULES
SEMESTER I
Hr/Wk
Credits
Methods of Research
Themes in Mauritian Studies
3
3
3
3
MST 5141*
History – Theory and Methods
3
3
and/or
MST 5142*
Literature – Reading Texts
3
3
Migration, Settlement and
Development
3
3
Anthropology of Complex
Societies
3
3
MST 5140
MST 5150
SEMESTER II
SEMESTER III
MST 5243*
and/or
MST 5244*
MST 5000
Dissertation
50
SEMESTER IV
MST 5000
Dissertation
15
ELECTIVE MODULES**
MST 5245
MST 5246
MST 5247
Tourism Studies
Translation Studies
Studying Diasporas
3
3
3
* Students will choose three of the four core modules offered in Semester II and Semester
III.
** The electives offered may be taken in Semester II, III or IV, depending on availability of
choice of student.
17. Outline Syllabus
Core Modules
MST 5140 – METHODS OF RESEARCH
In order to underpin the inter-disciplinary praxis in research methodology, the module offers an
overview of a combination of research methods and approaches pertaining to Cultural
Anthropology, History, Literature and Social Geography. It aims at providing students with
adequate tools to understand, read texts, analyse ideas, develop a coherent and critical
understanding of research methods.
MST 5150 – THEMES IN MAURITIAN STUDIES
The module focuses on viewing Mauritian society through an interdisciplinary approach. Selected
themes will be developed and students will produce a seminar paper on a topic of their choice,
other than the one offered for their final dissertation.
MST 5141 – HISTORY – THEORY AND METHODS
This module will consolidate the theoretical and conceptual background of students in the
discipline of history, particularly as it relates to the study of colonial and plantation societies. The
focus will be on economic and social history.
MST 5142 – LITERATURE – READING TEXTS
The module offers a strategy of analysis and reading of texts that involve the remapping of
theories, the politics of representation, an integration of discourses borrowed from Indian and
Western poetics, an intercultural approach that would enable students to think in the plural.
MST 5243 – MIGRATION, SETTLEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT
This module offers a synthetic approach in analysing human activity in its historical and socioeconomic dimensions as expressed in space. Competence will be developed in the relevant
techniques and methods of Social Geography.
MST 5244 – ANTHROPOLOGY OF COMPLEX SOCIETIES
Theoretical issues pertaining to this fast-evolving discipline as well as its research methods will
be explored, especially those relevant to complex insular societies, in the global context.
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3
3
3
Dissertation
MST 5000 – DISSERTATION
A dissertation equivalent to five modules, of about 15,000 to 18,000 words will be written on the
basis of a piece of original research. The dissertation will demonstrate the student’s firm
grounding in the discipline of his/her choice. Students will be guided by a Supervisor and will be
given intensive sessions in the methods pertaining to their discipline option.
Electives
MST 5245 – TOURISM STUDIES
This module focuses on theoretical modes of questioning the new culture of movement for
leisure, its historical development, organisation, sociological implications for the visiting as well
as the host societies.
MST 5246 – TRANSLATION STUDIES
The module offers an overview of the recent theories in Translation Studies. It allows for the
reading and commentary of a selection of translated literary and non-literary texts.
MST 5247 – STUDYING DIASPORAS
This module will focus on diasporas in the modern world. Two main themes will be explored: the
peopling of the African and Asian Diasporas through the slave trade and labour migration and the
economic cultural and political impact of diasporic communities over time on their host country.
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