Study Notes on Citizenship, Public Participation, and Democracy (CPD) Module

Overview of the Module CPD

The module CPD (Citizenship, Public Participation, and Democracy) is designed to help students analyze citizenship concepts and their implications on democracy and public participation in South Africa. Students will learn to extract, evaluate, and present these concepts effectively, utilizing a variety of legal sources.

Objective of the Module

  • To identify and extract concepts, principles, and rules of citizenship, democracy, and public participation.
  • To analyze and judge relevant judgments from various South African courts.
  • To apply legal concepts and demonstrate problem-solving skills in legal contexts.
  • To achieve at least a 50% score to pass the module.

Study Materials

  • No prescribed textbook; the module uses a study guide divided into two parts:
    • Part A: Focuses on Citizenship Law
    • Part B: Focuses on Democracy and Public Participation

Study Units

Part A: Citizenship Law
  • Legislative history of South African citizenship law.
  • Acquisition of South African citizenship.
  • Legal consequences of loss and resumption of citizenship.
  • Rights, privileges, and benefits of citizens, including rights of migrants, immigrants, and refugees.
Part B: Democracy and Public Participation
  • Introduction to democracy and public participation.
  • Government structures at national, provincial, and local levels.

Teaching Methods

  • The module is delivered fully online with no physical classes.
  • All study materials and resources will be available on the UNISA online platform.

Assignments and Assessments

  • Students are required to complete two formative assessments (assignments) contributing 40% to the overall mark.
  • One summative assessment (exam) contributing 60% to the overall mark.
    • Assignment 1: Worth 50 marks.
    • Assignment 2: Worth 50 marks.
    • Examination: Worth 100 marks.
  • Adherence to the prescribed referencing style is crucial to avoid penalties.
Referencing Style
  • Students must use the university's prescribed referencing style, which is detailed in tutorial letters (101, 302).
  • Importance of proper citations for primary and secondary sources of law will be emphasized.

Important Dates and Submission Guidelines

  • Assignments will open and close as per updated rules, with a narrow timeframe, hence students are advised to apply for leave to complete assessments if necessary.
  • Students can seek supporting letters from the instructor if they require extensions.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

  • Students must maintain academic integrity; copying online material constitutes plagiarism.
  • Using artificial intelligence to generate answers breaches academic policies, with potential disciplinary action including suspension.
  • Emphasis is placed on originality and strict adherence to academic honesty.

Examination Protocols

  • The exam will be invigilated through the Invigilator App, and students must log in 15-30 minutes before the exam begins.
  • Four hours are allocated for written examinations.
  • Instructions for using the app will be provided, including preparation steps to ensure functionality during exams.
  • Students must familiarize themselves with technical requirements ahead of time.

Sources of Law

Primary Sources:
  • Constitution
  • Legislation (statutes, subordinate legislation, regulations)
  • Case law (court judgments)
  • International and regional legal documents
Secondary Sources:
  • Scholarly articles, books, legal commentaries, and reliable online resources.
  • Students are encouraged to conduct independent research beyond the provided study materials.

Learning Strategies for Success

  • Students advised to spend at least 8 hours per week studying for the module.
  • Emphasize self-directed learning and collaborative study groups for engagement.
  • Importance of developing concise yet comprehensive legal arguments in writing while avoiding legal jargon and complex sentences.

Conclusion

  • Active communication and collaboration among students is encouraged to build a supportive learning environment.
  • Proper preparation for classes and assessments is vital for understanding content and meeting learning outcomes.
  • Students are reminded to maintain consistent engagement and ask questions for clarification when necessary.

Questions and Answers

Reflecting on student inquiries, discussions covered various topics including specific mechanisms of the invigilator app, special provisions for students with disabilities, and the importance of comprehensive preparation for examinations and assessments. Students are encouraged to share experiences and support one another in navigating the challenges of the online learning environment.