GGH2601/101/3/2018

Tutorial Letter 101/3/2018

The African Challenge: People and the

Environment
GGH2601

Semesters 1 & 2

Department of Geography

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please register on myUnisa; activate your myLife e-mail address and
make sure that you have regular access to the myUnisa module
website, GGH2601-2018-S1/S2, as well as your group website.

Note: This is an online module and is therefore available on myUnisa. However, in order to
support you in your learning process, you will also receive some study material in printed
format.

BARCODE
 CONTENTS

Page

1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 3
1.1 Getting started … .......................................................................................................................... 3
2 OVERVIEW OF GGH2601............................................................................................................ 3
2.1 Purpose ........................................................................................................................................ 3
2.2 Outcomes ..................................................................................................................................... 4
3 LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS................................................................................... 5
3.1 Lecturer(s) .................................................................................................................................... 5
3.2 Department ................................................................................................................................... 5
3.3 University ...................................................................................................................................... 5
4 RESOURCES ............................................................................................................................... 6
4.1 Prescribed textbook ...................................................................................................................... 6
4.2 Joining myUnisa ........................................................................................................................... 6
4.3 Other resources – printed support material ................................................................................... 6
4.4 Library services and resource information ..................................................................................... 7
5 HOW TO STUDY ONLINE ............................................................................................................ 7
5.1 What does it mean to study fully online? ....................................................................................... 7
5.2 The myUnisa tools you will use ..................................................................................................... 8
6 ASSESSMENT ............................................................................................................................. 8
6.1 Assessment plan .......................................................................................................................... 8
6.2 Year mark and final examination/portfolio ..................................................................................... 9
6.3 How to submit your assignments and final examination/portfolio................................................... 9
6.4 Plagiarism ..................................................................................................................................... 9
6.5 Your assignments and final examination/portfolio ....................................................................... 10
6.5.1 Assignments for the first semester .............................................................................................. 10
6.5.2 Assignments for the second semester ........................................................................................ 12
7 RESEARCH USING DATA FROM MODULE GGH2601 ............................................................ 14
8 CONCLUSION............................................................................................................................ 14

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1 INTRODUCTION
Dear Student
Welcome to the module The African Challenge: People and Environment. W e trust that
you will find this module informative, interesting and useful. We trust that you will enjoy
studying this module; and that the knowledge and skills that you acquire will motivate you
to continue with your geography studies.

This tutorial letter contains important information about the module which you should read as
soon as possible to become acquainted with what is expected of you. On registration, you will
receive a study guide, which contains the learning units that will guide you through the
prescribed book. All your study material is also available on myUnisa from the moment you
register for this module; and you can access any tutorial matter by using the Official Study
Material tool on the GGH2601 module site.

Because this is a blended module, you will need to use myUnisa to study and complete the
learning activities for this course. We urge you to make use of the benefits offered by the online
learning environment of myUnisa. myUnisa allows you to engage with fellow students, your
lecturers and an e-tutor (who will be automatically allocated to you) to create a valuable
collaborative learning experience. Visit the GGH2601 module site and your e-tutor website
regularly. Visit the website for GGH2601 on myUnisa frequently. The website for the module is
GGH2601-18-S1 (for first semester) or GGH2601-18-S2 (for second semester).
1.1 Getting started …
Owing to the nature of this module, you can read about it and find your study material online.
Go to the website at https://my.unisa.ac.za and log in, using your student number and
password. You will see [GGH2601-18-S1/S2] in the row of modules displayed in the orange
blocks at the top of the webpage. Select the More tab if you cannot find the module you require
in the orange blocks. Then click on the module you want to open.

You will receive this tutorial letter and a printed copy of the online study material for your
module. The printed material may appear different from the online study material, but it is
exactly the same, since it has been copied from the myUnisa website.
We wish you much success in your studies!
2 OVERVIEW OF GGH2601
2.1 Purpose
Geographers study the spatial patterns of human and physical phenomena. They extend their
focus to spatial processes that result from spatial patterns over a period of time. The purpose of
this module is to identify phenomena and processes that contribute to ensuring a sustainable
Africa. We will examine solutions to problematic issues; and discuss how some challenges can

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be met. Our overall purpose with this module is to teach you the skills and techniques
geographers use to analyse the human and physical environment.
2.2 Outcomes
For this module, you will have to master several outcomes:

Outcomes Assessment criteria

1 Explain and  Explain the causes of population growth and regional differences
describe the human in terms of population growth on the African continent.
and environmental  Explain the impact of land degradation on Africa’s people and
challenges on the the environment.
African continent.  Explain how population density is increasingly straining the
capacity of natural resources.
 Explain and discuss the implications of population growth on
environmental health and quality, human settlements, social
services, employment and human health.
 Assess the quality of life on the African continent.
2 Identify  Explain and describe the spatial distribution of Africa’s
misconceptions population.
which people from
other continents  Describe the effect that climate could have on the people and
have about both the African environment.
African people and
African  Explain and discuss the spatial distribution of people in rural
environments. areas and their heavy reliance on agriculture as a livelihood
strategy.

 Debate the need for adaptation of food production processes in

Africa to continue changing environmental conditions.

3 Explain and  Describe the impact that colonization has had on the
describe the rate of development of typical urban settlements in Africa.
urbanisation in
Africa and its  Explain the spatial distribution and causes of disease and ill
associated impact health in Africa.
on the settlement
patterns on the
continent.
4 Identify the causes  Explain and discuss the various causes of conflict in Africa.
of conflict in Africa
and discuss their  Explain the impact of conflict on development and daily life of
impact on people African people and their respective environments.
and the
environment.
5 Explore the African  Explain how the legacies of the colonial period affect the present
economies and day character of African economies.
compare the level  Debate “what development in Africa” means and explain how
of development in this concept is applied over time.
different parts of
Africa.

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3 LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS

3.1 Lecturer(s)
The primary lecturer for this module is Mr S Tshabalala. His contact details are summarised
below.

Telephone number +27 (0) 11 471 3136

Email tshabas1@unisa.ac.za
Office number on ground floor of Calabash 023
Building (Florida Science Campus)

Whenever you write to a lecturer, please include your student number to enable the lecturer to
help you more effectively. It also makes it easier for lecturers if you include the module code in
the subject field of emails. When you phone the lecturer, please have your student number at
hand should the lecturer require it.
3.2 Department
You can contact the Department of Geography as follows:
Telephone number: 011 471 3689

Please note the office hours: 08:00 to 15:30.

3.3 University
Follow the instructions in the brochure Study @ Unisa to contact the University. Remember to
have your student number available when contacting the University.

More information for your convenience:

Description of enquiry SMS code E-mail address

Applications and registrations 43578 study-info@unisa.ac.za

Assignments 43584 assign@unisa.ac.za

Examination 43584 exam@unisa.ac.za

Study material 43579 despatch@unisa.ac.za

Student accounts 31954 finan@unisa.ac.za

myUnisa 43582 myUnisaHelp@unisa.ac.za

myLife e-mail 43582 myLifeHelp@unisa.ac.za

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4 RESOURCES
4.1 Prescribed textbook
Prescribed books can be obtained from the university's official booksellers. If you have difficulty
locating your book(s) at these booksellers, please contact the Prescribed Books Section at +27
(0) 12 429 4152 or e-mail vospresc@unisa.ac.za.
The details related to the prescribed textbook for this module are as follows:
Author: Binns, T., Dixon, A. & Nel, E.
Title: Africa Diversity and Development
Year published and edition: 2012, 1st Edition
Publisher: Routledge

Please obtain this textbook as a matter of urgency. Refer to the list of official booksellers and
their contact details in the my Studies @ Unisa Studies @ Unisa brochure or on myUnisa. You
are advised to contact more than one bookseller — our experience is that the price may differ
substantially from bookseller to bookseller. The study material for this module has been revised
with reference to the new prescribed book. Therefore, you will not pass the module when
consulting the previous prescribed book.
4.2 Joining myUnisa
If you have access to a computer that is linked to the internet, you can quickly access resources
and information at the University. The myUnisa learning management system is the University's
online campus that will help you communicate with your lecturers; other students and the
administrative departments at Unisa – all through the computer and the internet.
You can start at the main Unisa website: http://www.unisa.ac.za and then click on the myUnisa
orange block. This will take you to the myUnisa website. To go to the myUnisa website directly,
go to https://my.unisa.ac.za. Click on the Claim UNISA Login on the right-hand side of the
screen on the myUnisa website. You will then be prompted to give your student number in order
to claim your initial myUnisa details and your myLife e-mail login details.
For more information on myUnisa, consult the brochure Study @ Unisa, which you received
with your study material.
4.3 Other resources – printed support material
Because we want you to be successful in this online module, we also provide you with some
study material in printed format; this will allow you to read the study material even if you are not
online.
The printed study material will be sent to you at the beginning of the semester, but you do not
have to wait for it before you start studying; you can go online as soon as you have registered
and you will find all your study material there. The material we will send you is an offline copy of
the formal content for the online module. If you have an offline copy you will be able to study for
this module WITHOUT having to use the internet or going to an internet café. It will save you
time and money; and you will be able to read and re-read the material and start doing the
activities.
It is very important that you log in to myUnisa regularly. We recommend that you log in at least
once a week or every 10 days to do the following:

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 Check for new announcements. You can also set your myLife e-mail account to receive
the announcement e-mails on your cellphone.
 Do the Discussion Forum activities. When you do the activities for each unit, we want
you to share your answers with the other people in your group. You can read the
instructions and even prepare your answers offline, but you will need to go online to post
your messages.

We hope that by giving you extra ways to study the material and practise all of the activities, this
system will help you to succeed in the online module. In order to get the most out of the online
course, you MUST go online regularly to complete the activities and assignments on time.
Remember, the printed support material is back-up material for everything that is found online
on myUnisa. It does not contain any extra information. In other words, do NOT wait for the
printed support material to arrive before you start studying.
4.4 Library services and resource information
For brief information, go to www.unisa.ac.za/brochures/studies
For detailed information, go to http://www.unisa.ac.za/library. For research support and services
of personal librarians, click on "Research support".
The Library has compiled numerous library guides:

 finding recommended reading in the print collection and e-reserves –

http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/request/undergrad
 requesting material – http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/request/request
 postgraduate information services – http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/request/postgrad
 finding, obtaining and using library resources and tools to assist in research –
http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/Research_Skills
 contacting the Library/finding us on social media/frequently asked questions –
http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/ask

5 HOW TO STUDY ONLINE

5.1 What does it mean to study fully online?
Studying fully online modules differs completely from studying some of your other modules at
Unisa.

 All the study material and learning activities for online modules are designed to be
delivered online on myUnisa. Although we give you a printed copy to support your
studies, the module is designed to be delivered online.
 All your assignments must be submitted online. This means that you do all your
activities and submit all your assignments on myUnisa. In other words, you may NOT post
your assignments to Unisa, using the South African Post Office.
 All communication between you and the University happens online. Lecturers will
communicate to you by e-mail, using the Announcements, Discussion Forums and the
Questions and Answers tools. You can use the same tools to ask questions and contact
your lecturers.

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5.2 The myUnisa tools you will use
All the information about myUnisa tools is located under Unit 0 on the myUnisa website for this
module. However, we thought it was important to highlight the tools that will be used for your
formal assignments.

 Discussions: This is the place where the online discussion forums take place and where
you can share your ideas and insights with other students in your group. The discussion
forums are used for discussion questions.
 Assignments: All assignments for this module are written, you have to type these
assignments in a word document and convert them into PDF format then submit them
online on the Assessment Info tab.

Several other discussion forums are available under Discussions, where you can share ideas
and post your opinions online. We have also provided the Social Indaba where you can
socialise with the other students in the course. (In several African languages, an indaba is a
place where people gather to interact socially.)
You may also ask questions, using the Questions and Answers tool. If your question is of
general importance, your e-tutor may publish it for the whole group to see.
6 ASSESSMENT
6.1 Assessment plan
Below we have provided you with a breakdown of the assignments and formal portfolio as they
become due during the semester:

SEMESTER 1
Assignment number Unique number Due date Contribution to year mark

01 884637 23 25%
February
2018
02 589618 26 March 75%
2018
03 (the portfolio) 769985 04 May
2018

SEMESTER 2
01 844341 03 August 25%
2018

02 656461 07 75%
September
2018
03 (the portfolio) 865980 12
October
2018

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6.2 Year mark and final examination/portfolio

The composition of your marks for the module is summarised in the table below:

Assignment number Percentage contribution to Percentage contribution to

your YEAR MARK your FINAL MARK

01 25 45
02 75
03 (Portfolio/non-venue- 55
based examination)

The year mark for your module will be calculated, using your marks for Assignments 01 and 02
and will constitute 45% of your final mark.
You will not write a formal examination for this module. Your final assessment task (assignment
03) is called a portfolio (a non-venue based examination) and is the focal point of the module.
Your examination mark (the final result for assignment 03 – the portfolio) will constitute 55% of
your final mark. Please note that the sub-minimum for your portfolio is 40%. Therefore, you
need to obtain at least 40% for the portfolio to pass the module.
6.3 How to submit your assignments and final examination/portfolio
To submit the assignment via myUnisa, you need to click on the Assessment Info tool and then
go to the relevant number. Click on “submit” and then upload a PDF version of your assignment.
6.4 Plagiarism
No plagiarism will be tolerated in this module. If plagiarism is detected in any of your
assignments, you will receive 0% for the assignment, with NO chance of resubmitting.
Please ensure that you know exactly what plagiarism is! In this regard you should
definitely read the Unisa’s policy for Copyright Infringement and Plagiarism policy. It is
available under Student policies & rules on myUnisa.

You should also include a signed declaration of originality (on page one of your assignment)
regarding the content of every assignment. Please use the example provided below.

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 DECLARATION OF ORIGINALITY
Student Name:
Student Number:
1. I understand what plagiarism is and am aware of the University’s policy in this regard.
2. I declare that this portfolio is my own original work. Where other people’s work has been used
(either from a printed source, Internet or any other source), this has been properly
acknowledged and referenced.
3. I have not used work previously produced by another student or any other person to hand in
as my own.
4. I have not allowed, and will not allow, anyone to copy my work with the intention of passing it
off as his or her own work.

Signature:
Date:

6.5 Your assignments and final examination/portfolio

6.5.1 Assignments for the first semester

Assignment 01 of the first semester

Assignment 01 is based on a YouTube video you need to watch before you can answer the
question. To watch the video, click on the link provided below and listen to it attentively. This
assignment is compulsory and it should be submitted by the stipulated due date indicated in
Section 6.1 of this tutorial letter and on myUnisa in the schedule. The assignment will contribute
25% to your year mark. You need to have internet access to complete and submit this
assignment.
Assignment instructions
You should answer the questions below after watching the video. The length of this assignment
should be two pages; do not exceed the limit. Avoid bullet points; rather use paragraphs.
Students should consult various sources including internet sources to answer the questions in
detail.
Assignment 01: YouTube video- Population and Food Security: Africa's Challenge
(https://youtu.be/g03STZslIac) 6 minutes, 58 seconds.

Number Task Mark

1 Discuss the impacts of overpopulation in terms of carrying capacity and (25)

resource depletion

2 Discuss how overpopulation influences Human Development indicators and (25)

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GDP of African states.

3 Discuss some challenges faced by African women in accessing (25)

contraceptives.

4 Discuss possible strategies that can be put in place to mitigate overpopulation (25)
in Africa.

TOTAL [100]

Assignment 02 of the first semester

Assignment 02 is a research-based essay and you have to consult various sources; mainly
academic journals and books (NB: do not use high school textbooks). You are required to
reference correctly, which includes in-text referencing and compiling a reference list. This
assignment is compulsory and it should be submitted by the stipulated due date, which is
indicated in Section 6.1 of this tutorial letter and on myUnisa in the schedule. The assignment
will contribute 75% to your year mark. You need to have internet access to complete and submit
this assignment. The essay length should be approximately seven pages (1 page for declaration
of originality, five pages for content, one page for the reference list) and should be structured to
include the following:

 Introduction.
 Body with headings for each section.
 Conclusion.
 In-text referencing and reference list.

The tasks

Task Mark

1 Critically discuss the effects of climate change on population, (50)

food security, and the environment in Africa.

2 Critically discuss strategies that can be implemented to mitigate (50)

the impacts of climate change.

Total [100]

Your portfolio: Assignment 03 of the first semester

NB: Portfolio questions will be uploaded on myUnisa under Additional resources and a forum
under Discussions will be created to address portfolio related queries and questions.

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6.5.2 Assignments for the second semester

Assignment 01 of the second semester

Assignment 01 is based on two YouTube videos, you need to watch before you can answer the
question. Click on the link provided to watch the video and listen to it attentively. This
assignment is compulsory; and should be submitted by the stipulated due date indicated in
Section 6.1 in tutorial letter 101 and on myUnisa in the schedule. The assignment will contribute
25% to your year mark. You need to have internet access to complete and submit this
assignment.
Assignment instructions
After watching the videos, students should answer the questions below. This assignment should
be two pages; do not exceed the limit. Write paragraphs and avoid bullet points. Students
should consult various sources including internet sources to answer the questions in detail.
Assignment 01: YouTube video- New South African immigration laws under fire
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daah-MsUW6c) 2 minutes, 26 seconds.
The impact of the new immigration regulations of Home Affairs on economy
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eugBf_D40RA) 8 minutes, 15 seconds.

Number Task Mark

1 Discuss the impacts of South Africa’s new immigration laws on the economy. (25)

2 Discuss, by referring to examples, factors that pull other Africans into South (25)
Africa.

3 How does migration affect human development in Africa? (25)

4 Discuss the strategies that can be used to discourage migration and to (25)
mitigate the effects of migration in both home and destination countries.

TOTAL [100]

Assignment 02 of the second semester

Assignment 02 is a research-based essay; consult various sources mainly academic
journals and books (NB: do not use high school textbooks). You are required to reference
correctly, which includes in-text referencing and compiling a reference list. This assignment
is compulsory and it should be submitted by the stipulated due date, which is indicated in
Section 6.1 stipulated due date indicated in Section 6.1 in tutorial letter 101 and on myUnisa
in the schedule. The assignment will contribute 75% to your year mark. You need to have
internet access to complete and submit this assignment. The essay must be approximately
seven pages (one page for declaration of originality, five pages for content, one page for the
reference list) and should be structured to include the following;

 Introduction.
 Body with headings for each section.
 Conclusion.

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 In-text referencing and reference list.

The tasks

Task Mark

1 Evaluate and discuss the effects of climate change on population, (50)

food, security and the environment in Africa.

2 Discuss strategies that can be implemented to mitigate the (50)

impacts of climate change.

Total [100]

Your portfolio: Assignment 03 of the first semester

NB: Portfolio questions will be uploaded on myUnisa under Additional resources and a forum
under Discussions will be created to address portfolio related queries and questions.

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7 RESEARCH USING DATA FROM MODULE GGH2601
All students who register for this module should take note that your lecturer may or may not
require information from you for research purposes. The information required may be from the
assignments you complete or additional activities your lecturer may asked you to take part in or
comment on or the marks you achieved for your assignment or anything related to the teaching
of the module you registered for. In all these instances the information provided by you will not
identify you in any way. Your identify will remain anonymous and the information you provide
will also remain confidential. The lecturer will not use your information in any way that is
unethical or does not abide by the Unisa Policy on Research Ethics. The lecturer will also apply
to the College Ethics Research Committee for ethics clearance to do research on specific data
from the module after which approval will be obtained from the Research Permission Sub-
Committee of Unisa to use Unisa student data. Through this research the lecturer will be able to
improve and develop this module for future students. If you cannot consent to your lecturer
using the information indicated above, please let your lecturer know via email.

8 CONCLUSION

Do not hesitate to contact us by e-mail if you are experiencing problems with the content of this
tutorial letter or with any academic aspect of the module.
We wish you a fascinating and satisfying journey through the learning material and trust that
you will complete the module successfully.
Enjoy the journey!
Mr S Tshabalala – lecturer for GGH2601
DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY

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