Global Academy: Afropolitanism, Social Justice and Social Entrepreneurship

Outline

This four-week programme is designed to inspire participants to become global citizens. It connects the past to the present by discussing opportunities and challenges of transformation facing the country, the African continent and the world today.

Students will be encouraged to reflect on values of social justice and gain insights into the interconnectivity between their own societies and the rest of the world. They will also look at ways in which they could contribute to building cultures of equality.
Visits to historical, heritage and entrepreneurial community sites will allow students to experience the vibrant and diverse cultures that influence and shape the character of Cape Town and South Africa. These activities will also allow students to see innovative initiatives that communities are undertaking to seek solutions to social issues.

Topics Covered

• Colonialism, apartheid, heritage and citizenship.
• Understanding South Africa’s recent political history, the political legacies of segregation and apartheid as well as the relationships between politics and broader social life.
• Evaluating the character and significance of South Africa’s democratic transition.
• Analysing and critiquing South Africa’s constitution, electoral system, political parties, party system and associational politics.
• Conceptualising key academic approaches to the study of democracy and comparatively applying these to the study of South Africa.

Field trips

• Zeitz MOCAA.
• Iziko Slave Lodge.
• Robben Island.
• District Six Museum.
• Institute for Justice and Reconciliation.
• Khayelitsha township.
• Community social entrepreneurship sites.
• Cape culture cooking class.