The School

The School for Social and Government Studies of the Potchefstroom Campus of the Northwest University comprises of a group of exciting and complimentary disciplines which include History, Political Study, Public Management and Governance, Social Anthropology and Sociology.  These subjects are represented in both structured and more open-ended programmes in the Humanities Faculty of the Potchefstroom Campus of the Northwest University.  Students are able to register for both undergraduate and post-graduate qualifications.

Why study Social and Government Studies?

The above-mentioned disciplines are broadly referred to as social sciences.  Social sciences provide students with skills which are increasingly sought after in both the public and private sector.  The social sciences prepare students to unpack and understand the social world and how people are embedded in social relationships.  These disciplines train students to analyse and understand the tools which people use to make sense of an ever-changing world.  Furthermore, these disciplines enable students to gain an in-depth understanding of the ways in which government works, and the ability to critically understand and contribute to policy debates in national, provincial and local government.  In South Africa such is a perspective is important as it provides students with an analytical, critical and contextual approach to the South African context, and moreover with skills to understand how the local context articulates with the broader global context.  Given the youth of the South African democracy and the challenges we are faced with in overcoming the legacies of colonialism and apartheid, social science studies provides students the ability to develop a sophisticated understanding of the complexity of the challenges we are faced with.

Students with a background in social sciences are sought after in the fields of research, policy making and planning, development etc.  Social science graduates work in academic departments, in policy units, in NGOs, in research organizations such as the National Research Council (NRF), Medical research Council (MRC) etc. and as consultants.  Furthermore, social science provides students with critical, creative and lateral thinking skills which could be useful and beneficial in any working environment.