Bahir Dar University

Faculty of Social Sciences

Curriculum for MA in Civics and Ethics (summer in service program)

   May 2013

Bahir Dar

Contents

1.    RATIONALE

2.    OBJECTIVE OF THE PROGRAM

2.1. General Objective

2.2. Specific Objectives

3.    Pofiles

3.1. Professional Profile

3.2. GRADUATE PROFILE

4.    ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

4.1 Admission Requirements

4.2 Duration of the Study

4.3 Mode of Delivery, Assessment and Evaluation Policy

4.3.1. Mode of Delivery

4.3.2. Assessment and Evaluation

4.4 Graduation Requirement

4.5 Degree Nomenclature

5. Staff Profile

6 List of Major Courses

7. Course Break Down

8. COURSES

1.     RATIONALE

It is now proved beyond any reasonable doubt that the very aim of Civic and Ethical Education is to prepare academically well informed, rational, competent, responsible and participating citizens who are committed to the values and virtues of democracy. The rational of creating such a type of citizens is further justified by the fact that Ethiopia had experienced decline in public trust of government deeds. Hence the need to effectively face and address such pessimism becomes an immediate task to be accomplished

However, there are a number of factors that hinder the realization of these values efficiently and effectively. Among them, the most crucial factor is lack of trained professionals and teachers of civics and ethical studies who are professionally and academically qualified, competent, well informed and responsible graduates. Though most preparatory and high school civics and ethics teachers might have some training they require to upgrade and to have in-depth capture of the concepts. The preliminary assessment by concerned bodies revealed that to effectively inculcate the values of democracy deep knowledge based on further training and research is required.

It was, however, found out, even at the beginning, that the greater challenge to effectively deal with the teaching of Civic and Ethical Education courses was the lack of teachers who are trained in the discipline itself. Individuals with differing educational backgrounds were and are still teaching Civic and Ethical Education at different levels; some of them even are graduates of Natural Sciences and Computational Science disciplines which have virtually no either vertical and/ or horizontal relation with the subject matter of Civic and ethical Education.

Thus, to successfully and efficiently address this problem the Ministry of Education with the help of some of the Universities hosting the department at the moment that such a postgraduate program is designed. The goal is to provide the necessary civic knowledge and skills to teachers who in one way or another have the experience of teaching Civic and Ethical Education especially at secondary and preparatory levels.

2.     OBJECTIVE OF THE PROGRAM

2.1. General Objective

The prime objective of this program is to upgrade teachers of civics and ethical education who are currently teaching Civic and Ethical Education in preparatory and high schools.

2.2. Specific Objectives

The Program aims to enable graduates To enable graduates appreciate the ideals of constitutional democracy and good governance.

• To deeply understand rule of law, constitution and constitutionalism in general and in the Ethiopian context in particular.
• To develop and demonstrate the courage and ability to fight against unethical practices in the community like corruption, harmful cultural practices, social discrimination etc
• To synthesize institutional opportunities and impediments for the promotion and protection of human rights.
• To examine the role of different actors at national, regional and international level in influencing the process of democratization.
• To instill and demonstrate the values of cultural tolerance and skills of conflict resolution and peace building
• Desirable social, ethical and moral values to forge behavioral and attitudinal changes.
• To identify and evaluate contemporary global issues.

3.     POFILES

3.1. Professional Profile

1. Teachers and researchers in secondary and preparatory and TVET colleges
2. Advisors, Activists and heads at civic issues and undertakings
3. Trainers, educators and promoters of human rights, indigenous culture, historical and natural heritages etc.

1. 4.Futures think–thanks, advisors, grievance analysts, idea providers, etc, at national, regional, district and city level law making councils; executive bodies and the judiciary.

3.2. GRADUATE PROFILE

• Teach civics and ethical education in secondary schools, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions in general and teacher training institutions in particular;
• Portray commitment to the teaching profession, to the code of ethics and exhibit positive behavior towards students;

• promoting, through research and teaching, the values of unity in diversity;

• Play active and exemplary roles in promoting civic and ethical values in the school and the society at large
• Strive to promote gender and minority equality in the economic, social and political lives they encountered;
• Portray commitment to ethical values and principles of professionalism and leadership as they engage in the teaching profession or service delivering institutions;
• Conduct problem solving researches and carry out consultancy and training services in various areas of the Civics and Ethics; and

• Strive to promote gender equality in economic, social and political aspects of life,
• Demonstrate a dynamic view in national, regional and international development
• Play active role and be exemplary in community participation
• Investigate societal problems and are expected to delve them in extensive scientific research pertaining to Civic and Ethical values and cultures.

4.     ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

4.1 Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the program candidates shall:

• Comply with the general regulations for admission to the Graduate Program of the University
• Hold a Bachelor degree in civic and ethical studies, political science and international relations, philosophy , history, governance and development studies, geography and other related fields (as recognized by the Ministry of Education)
• Applicants from natural and computational sciences need to have two years experience of teaching civics and ethics at preparatory and high schools. The same applicants need to take induction courses to continue their study.
• Pass a qualifying examination(if any)

4.2 Duration of the Study

The curriculum extends for three summers of full-time course work and one more year and a summer for thesis writing. Extending the duration beyond four summers requires the permission of the program Council and academic commission of the Faculty.

4.3 Mode of Delivery, Assessment and Evaluation Policy

4.3.1. Mode of Delivery

• Lecture
• Article/book review
• Seminar
• Field work

4.3.2. Assessment and Evaluation

Evaluation will be on the basis of continuous assessment of students on the basis of assignments, presentations, reports, mid exams and final exams. Regarding seminar courses and term papers, the quality/ substantive part/ paper, the skills of presentation and the ability of defending them will be given utmost concern. Unless the graduate council of the program directs otherwise each course must combine assignments, term papers and exam(s). The student's result in a course shall depend on the cumulative performance in these series of activities.

Depending on the nature of the course, the following are some of the minimum evaluation methods:

• Examinations
• Article/book reviews and/or presentation
• Course papers and/or presentation

Grading system

The grading system of the program will be as per University’s grading system.

Assessment of the MA Thesis and defense

The thesis exam session is conducted by an examining board composed of the advisor, internal and external examiners. The result of the student will be determined by the equal vote of the board members.

4.4 Graduation Requirement

• Students will be eligible for graduation upon successful completion of all the courses. The minimum grade point average (GPA) required for graduation is 3.0 with no "F" grade.
• Successful thesis defense (6 credits), which must be preceded by a pre-submission seminar.

4.5 Degree Nomenclature

The degree to be conferred upon candidates who successfully completed their studies in the respective area of concentration shall be entitled: MA in Civics and Ethics in English and የአርትማስተርስ   ዲግሪበስነ-ዜጋናስነ-ምግባርin Amharic.

5. Staff Profile

6 List of Major Courses

• Ethics----0

• Governance and Development ------1

• Constitutional and Multiculturalism------2

• Contemporary Global Issues and dynamics ----3

• Research and Methods-----4

7. Course Break Down

Summer I

Summer II

Summer III

Summer IV