Peace, Human Rights and Social Justice (BSc)
September 16, 2026 2026-09-16 13:38Peace, Human Rights and Social Justice (BSc)
Duration 4 years
Actual Credit Load 334
Minimum Credit Load 492
Maximum Credit Load 504
ZNQF Level 9
1.0 Purpose of the Programme
The programme is designed to develop students’ knowledge and skills in issues of peace, human rights and social justice. Peace is a component envisioned and a longing for everyone. Human rights violations are committed by others as they claim to be in pursuit of peace. The violation of human rights will result in social injustice and a lack of peace. All these point to the need of equipping the student with conceptual, analytical and critical skills that are pertinent in the maintenance of peace, human rights and social justice. Practical peacebuilding examples will be studied to award students a real-life situation of working towards peace, human rights and justice. The programme also aims at guiding students through action-oriented research methods, which is very much in line with peace, human rights and social justice. This programme is demand-driven, especially from a peace, security and development studies perspective. In addition, given the socio-economic challenges that societies face, the importance of peace, human rights and social justice becomes a valuable component of the education system. The fact that we live in societies where people have different values, religions and principles makes it crucial that students perfect their skills of relating with others peacefully in observations of human rights and maintenance of social justice. The students of Peace, human rights and social justice will use skills gained during the program to influence decision making at the personal, family, community, national, regional and global levels.
2.0 Entry Requirements
Normal Entry
At least five (5) ‘O’ levels/ National Foundation Certificates including the English Language with Grade C or better and at least two (2) Advanced level passes in Arts, Humanities or Commercials OR Relevant National Certificate.
Special Entry
A candidate who does not meet normal entry requirements may be admitted into a programme provided the candidate has a qualification in line with Zimbabwe National Qualification Framework (ZNQF).
Mature Entry
Mature entry shall be obtained by applicants who have five (5) ‘O’ levels including English Language and have demonstrable work experience during the last five years before the academic year in which admission is sought, and are aged 25 years and above.
3.0 Programme Characteristics
Area of Study
Peace, Human Security and Social Justice Honours Degree focuses on three areas of:
- Peace, Human Rights and Social Justice
The programme focuses on the linkages of peace, human rights and social justice. It explores how human rights violations can hinder peace and results in social injustices. It focuses on transformation of deep rooted conflicts, which usually when not done results in human rights violations and injustices.
- Theoretical Constructs
Peace, human rights and social justice focuses on the need for peace, human rights observance and establishment of social justice through looking at case studies of real life situation where gross human rights violations have been linked to social injustices thereby becoming major hindrances of peace. Students will be equipped with conflict transformation skills aimed at preventing violence and social injustices.
- Research Methods
The programme focuses on different research methodologies, philosophies and approaches that uncover the conflict dynamics within the social, political and economic context and structural systems underpinning them. It is observed that by and large issues of gross human rights violation and injustices are largely linked to social, economic and political injustices.
Specialist Focus
Peace, human rights and social justice
Orientation
Research and innovation-oriented. Teaching, learning and research focus on equipping students with theoretical and practical concepts.
Distinctive Features
The programme instils problem identification skills and explores ways of resolving them.
4.0 Career Opportunities and Further Opportunities
Employability
Graduates have career opportunities in both the public and private sector where they can work as Public Administrators in Central Government Ministries and Local Authorities (Rural and Urban), International and Regional Peace Officers, Community Development Officers and Project Managers in Civil Society Organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations and Lectureship
Further Studies
Master’s and doctoral studies in Peace, human rights and social justice studies
5.0 Programme Delivery
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures, tutorials, seminars, group work, presentations, public lectures, practicals, guest lecturer, dissertation, lecture notes, assisted private studies and field trips.
Assessment Methods
Written and oral examinations, tests, work-related learning, seminar presentations, mini-research dissertations, final year dissertations, continuous assessment, work-related learning reports, work-related learning supervision and assessment
6.0 Intended Learning Outcomes
The programme will:
- i) Train graduates who acquire comprehensive knowledge of peacebuilding, observance of human rights and seeking social justice.
- ii) Produce graduates with the spirit of voluntarism and self-development, which contribute to adoption of more modern ideas, morals and values.
- iii) Produce graduates who have a strong appreciation of the interface between politics and development in communities.
- iv) Produce graduates with skills of conflict transformation engaging in research using relevant methodology, research design and data gathering.
- v) Produce innovative graduates, with much desired skills in handling current social, economic and political problems
- vi) Produce graduates with the ability to apply ICT in data collection, analysis and presentation of research findings.
- vii) Equip graduates with rich appreciation of ethical issues in peacebuilding, conflict transformation and peace studies
- viii) Be able use the necessary tools and skills for conflict management conflict transformation, peace building, peace keeping and human security processes
7.0 General Provisions
- As read in the General MSU Regulations
- The programme shall be completed in 8 semesters
- Work related placements shall be approved by the Department. It must be a minimum of 8 months
8.0 PROGRAMME ASSESSMENT
Coursework: 40%
Written Examinations: 60%
Other: Research Project is assessed on the basis of a research project (75%) and Oral presentation (25%).
9.0 PROVISION FOR PROGRESSION
Refer to section 6 of the MSU General Regulations
10.0 FAILURE TO SATISFY EXAMINERS
Refer to section 9 of MSU General Regulations.
11.0 GRADING AND DEGREE CLASSIFICATION
Refer to section 10 of the social science faculty Regulations.
12.0 DEGREE WEIGHTING
Refer to section 11 of the social sciences faculty Regulations.
13.0 Programme Structure
LEVEL 1.1
HPHS 101 Introduction to Peace, Human-Rights and Social- justice 12
HPHS 102 Human rights and sustainable Development 12
HPHS 103 Peace, leadership and governance 12
HPHS 104 Human Rights Education 12
HCS115 Introduction to Information Technology 12
CS101 Communication Skills 12
LEVEL 1.2
HPHS105 Social justice and development 12
HPHS106 Conflict transformation 12
HPHS 107 Conflict and human displacement 12
HPHS 108 Diversity and Social Justice 12
HPHS 109 International Human Rights Law 12
LEVEL 2.1
HPHS 201 Public policy and Human Rights 12
HPHS 202 Poverty and social justice 12
HPHS 203 Pandemics and Human Rights 12
HPHS 204 Research Methods 12
GSSS231 Gender Studies for Social Sciences 12
ENT205 Entrepreneurship 1 12
LEVEL 2.2
HPHS 206 Gender, Human Rights and Social Justice 12
HPHS 207 Civil Society and human rights 12
HPHS 208 Religion and Principles of Nonviolence 12
HPHS 209 Security alternatives and demilitarisation 12
HPHS 210 Peace and Reconciliation 12
Level 3.1
HPHS 330 Work Related Learning Placement Report 40
Level 3.2
HPHS 331 Work Related Learning Report 30
HPHS 332 Work Related Learning Academic Supervisor Assessment 20
HPHS 333 Work Related Learning Work Supervisor’s Assessment 30
Level 4.1
HPHS 401 International Institutions and peacebuilding 12
HPHS 402 Monitoring and Evaluation 12
HPHS 403 Civil Military Relations 12
HPHS 404 Terrorism and De-radicalization 12
HPHS 405 Disaster Management 12
Level 4.2
HPHS 406 Media and human rights 12
HPHS 407 Applied Ethics of Peace 12
HPHS 408 Diplomacy 12
HPHS 420 Dissertation 24
Total 504
14.0 MODULE SYNOPSES
HPHS-101 Introduction to Peace, Human-Rights and Social Justice
Peace, human rights and social justice are major aspects envisioned by every society. This course introduces students to key components of peacebuilding, which bears a huge influence in the observance of human rights and maintenance of social justice. Focus is given to understanding the nature of conflicts, which when handled well can bring about the desired changed and when not handled well conflicts escalate to violence which results in human rights violation and injustices. This study will focus on nonviolent ways of conflict transformation as strategies of building peace.
HPHS 102 Human Rights and Sustainable Development
The course examines the concept of human rights and development. Underdevelopment has been a major contribution to human right violations. This course seeks to explore developmental strategies, which will foster peace and observance of human right. The course will also consider the role of human rights-based strategies in the pursuit of sustainable development and maintenance of social justice.
HPHS 103 Peace, Leadership and governance
The module introduces students to both the traditional and modern models of leadership. It also focuses on leadership ethics and different forms of governance that either promote or disrupt peace, human rights and social justice internationally and regionally.
HPHS 104 Human Rights Education
Human right educations aim to empower learners with the rights of human beings according to the universal declaration of human rights. The main focus of the course is to help students realise the actions or inactions of both individuals and government that abuse human beings.
HCS 115 INTRODUCTION TO INFORMAION SYSTEMS
Refer to the Department of Information Systems
CS101 BASIC COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Refer to the Department of Communication skills
HPHS 105 Social justice and development
This course focuses on the impact of underdevelopment on social justice and establishment of sustainable peace. Underdevelopment usually results in scramble for available limited resources, which often results in human rights abuse. The course will explore development strategies which can promote sustainable peace.
HPHS 106 Conflict transformation
This course focuses on empowering students with conflict transformations skills needed to address root causes of conflicts. The transformation of the root causes of conflicts are a key factor in the establishment of positive peace. Thus, students need the conflict transformation skills, which enable them to bring about the desired change towards establishment of sustainable peace.
HPHS 107 Conflict and human displacement
Human displacement, dislocation and dispossession are some of the major consequences of violent conflict. This module considers the causes, dynamics and consequences of human displacement. It highlights the tensions that arise between host populations and immigrants. It also considers policies and strategies for rehabilitating both externally and internally displaced persons.
HPHS 108 Diversity and Social Justice
This course is designed to increase students’ awareness, knowledge, and understanding of issues related to diversity and social justice, including race, ethnicity, class, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, ability status, and the intersections between these social identity groups. Additionally, students will gain an understanding of dialogue as a method for peacefully resolving conflict that may emerge due to cultural misunderstandings or oppressive dynamics, as well as skills for effectively engaging in dialogue. The topics of this course include social identity development; difference and dominance and the nature of social oppression; our personal and interpersonal connections to power, privilege, and oppression; understanding and resolving conflicts or resistance; the process of dialogue and coalition building across differences; and its applications in multicultural social work settings.
HPHS 109 International Human Rights Law
The module provides students with an understanding of the nature, sources and institutions of international law. The area of international law is largely concerned with human rights and obligations of states. The question of the sovereign government system vis-a-vis collective governance systems of peace and human rights will be explored.
HPHS 201 Public policy and Human Rights
This module focuses on the study of public policy and Human rights. This module gives students a critical appreciation of the concept, theories, principles, processes and practical issues in public policy making and Human rights. Public Policy experiences within local, regional and global environments are used throughout the module as illustrative cases. Its substantive goal is to enable students relate conceptual and theoretical constructs to global public policy practices and Human right dimensions in relations to national development.
HPHS 202 Poverty and Social Justice
This course seeks to explore the causes, extents and effects of poverty in various society. Poverty is one of the leading problems in the developing world. It is worth noting that there are strong linkages between poverty, human rights violations and social injustice. This course aims at empowering learners with strategies of poverty eradications and ways of supporting people leaving in societies experiencing poverty.
HPHS 203 Pandemics and Human Rights
This course seeks to explore causes, extents and effects of pandemic. Pandemics are a major threat to economic and health security globally and in turn, human rights standards can be lowered due to overwhelming spending on health security. An examination of major contemporary challenges of pandemics on human rights will be conducted, though focusing on multilevel studies on the pandemic in Zimbabwe, Africa and the entire globe. A wide-range of exploring and analysing the converging health crises of the current situations will be explored. . Focus will be given on investigating contemporary strategies that can be adopted to mitigate effects of pandemics on human rights.
HPHS 205 Research Methods
The module focuses on developing students’ advanced conceptualisation of problems and to assist them generate qualitative and quantitative solutions on the basis of empirical evidence. The module equips students with practical research skills and advanced methodological expertise necessary to make a practical contribution to the development of peace studies and social science research in general.
GSSS 231 GENDER STUDIES FOR SOCIAL SCIENCES
This Gender Studies for Social Sciences 231 (GSSS231) module is an introductory module focused on giving students a broad understanding of the discipline of Gender Studies, its subject matter, key issues and concepts. It is designed to help students develop a critical understanding of basic gender issues as well as prepare them to be agents of change, particularly in Southern Africa and Zimbabwe. In so doing GSSS231 adopts an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach that takes as its subject matter all aspects of the human experience in a gendered world, viewing gender as a field of study, analytical tool and a social phenomenon structuring the social world itself.
ENT 205 ENTREPRENEURSHIP 1
Refer to Department of Entrepreneurship
HPHS 206 Gender, Human Rights and Social Justice
The module provides a balance between theory and practical skills relating to gender and human rights. It explores national, regional and international human rights. The module privileges especially the frameworks of minority sectors of society such as women, underprivileged races and ethnic minorities. The module also provides an adequate opportunity to evaluate human rights and challenge obstacles.
HPHS 207 Civil Society and Social Justice
This module explores and analyses the emergence of civil society organizations that focus on social service delivery, development, advocacy and democratization processes of peace. The focus on human security through civil society organizations in communities is emphasized.
HPHS 208 Religion and Principles of Non-violence
The module assesses the linkages of religion and nonviolence. Various approaches to non-violence will be surveyed. Of essence is also the need to understand how non-violence was shaped and has been shaped by religion. This module is designed to provide an in-depth and multi-disciplinary perspective on civilian-based movements and campaigns that defend and obtain basic rights and justice around the world. Students will become familiar with the theory and practice of active nonviolence as a method of social change and a way of life. Students will learn how to apply the tactics and tools of nonviolence to promote peace and justice, safety and equality – personally, locally, in communities and globally. Since nonviolence is about organized activity, this module offers many exercises that require students to embody nonviolence. Thinking and talking about nonviolent protests is one thing, but engaging in the nonviolent action, especially when faced with highly emotional and tense situations, requires practice. Thus the course will focus of religious actors of nonviolence such as Mahatma Gandhi, Abdul Khan, Martin Luther Junior among others
HPHS 209 Security Alternatives and Demilitarization
The military is a common way of maintaining national security-thus it has been maintained as a common was of dealing with disputes. However, it is not the only way and its track record indicates that it is not a very effective way of meeting human security needs. A major emphasis of this course is that there are always alternatives and conflict resolution procedures may be more effective and less costly in dealing with disputes within (often linked to human insecurity) or between countries. As the use of these methods gains strength in a society, the need for force is reduced and demilitarisation can be deemed necessary. Demilitarisation is part of peace building, that is building a social, political and economic environment in which peace can grow. Demilitarisation can also be considered as a conflict prevention measure: if countries do not have large militaries, they will have to use non-military ways of dealing with disputes. It is hoped this course will enable students explore non-military ways of resolving disputes and be able to implement them at personal, communal, national and international levels.
HPHS 210 Peace and Reconciliation
The module explores to understand peace and reconciliation in relation to human rights. Students should be acquainted that reconciliation requires individuals and groups to address past and present inequality, injustice, and violence to construct better futures based on stronger social bonds and a respect for human rights. It also peruses for reconciliation and how advanced post-conflict mechanisms such as truth commissions promote social justice and peace.
HPHS330 Work Related Placement Report
The students will submit a comprehensive work placement report which shows their understanding of the organisation placed.
HPHS331 Work Related Learning Report
As part of the examination the students will be required to submit a comprehensive academic report of their work related learning experience to the department and it will be marked and awarded a mark that will be ratified by the departmental examinations board.
HPHS332 Work Related Academic Supervisor’s Report
As part of the examination the students will be assessed and awarded a mark by the academic supervisor and this will be presented to the departmental examinations board for processing of final marks.
HPHS333 Work Related Learning Supervisor’s Report
The employer will assess the student and award a mark which will be presented to the departmental
examinations board for processing of final marks.
HPHS 401 International Institutions and Peacebuilding
This module identifies the contributions of international institutions to peacebuilding processes. The aim of the module is to equip students with knowledge about international actors and how law is applied and implemented in international politics, with a focus on international peace and security.
HPHS 402 Monitoring and Evaluation
This course in intended to provide training in monitoring and evaluation. The course will help students with skills and knowledge in assessing, collecting and analysing data that is used in designing development programs/projects. Monitoring and Evaluation is increasingly recognised as the cornerstone for effective program management and is critical for organisational sustainability. A continuously increasing need for suitably skilled monitoring and evaluation project managers has been identified as a priority area by various stakeholders active in different sectors and industries; e. g globally – funded sponsorships often require evidence of effective monitoring and evaluation systems prior to awarding funds. This course is structured in such a way that it guides learners to apply monitoring and evaluation principles within the context of their unique work environment.
HPHS403 Civil Military Relations
The module interrogates various areas that concern civil-military relationships such as the manner in which political leaders, societies and military organizations interact. It also explores the attitudes and values of military and civilian populations within a society.
HPHS 404 Terrorism and De-radicalization
The module intends to enhance the conceptualization of ideological, strategic, tactical idiosyncrasy that is posed by global terrorism, radicalization and counter terrorism measures being implored in the 21st century in both spheres of the Globe to ensure prevalence of peace.
HPHS 405 Disaster Management
The module intends to conceptualize disasters as the consequences of events triggered by natural or man-made hazards that create challenges and problems mainly of a humanitarian nature. It also provides enforcement of human rights principles through disaster risk management, including pre-disaster mitigation and preparedness measures, emergency relief and rehabilitation, and reconstruction efforts. Those at risk need to be protected against violence and abuse in these contexts. Lack of social justice is the result of inappropriate policies, neglect or oversight. However, violations could be avoided if both national and international actors took the relevant human rights guarantees into account from the beginning.
HPHS 406 Media and Human Rights
Media and Human Rights is a module that the traditional human rights concerns regarding the media and current debates regarding the role played by the media within the field of human rights. The module also explores issues that include but not limited to issues such as free speech, hate speech, privacy, the protection of journalists in conflict, human rights reportage, fact-finding and witnessing, the internet, social media and human rights.
HPHS 407 Applied Ethics of Peace
The module assesses themes and aspects ethics in peacebuilding these include enforcement of Justice and human Rights upholding. Various ethics approaches will be surveyed. Of essence is also the need to understand how ethics have shaped perceptions of societies in peace processes, Justice delivery and sustenance of Human Rights.
HPHS 408 Diplomacy
The module introduces the student to diplomatic skills that are used in ending conflict. It introduces those to both Western and African indigenous ways of diplomacy. Emphasis will be placed on the modern pioneering influence of diplomacy through the Treaty of Westphalia, Congress of Vienna and Paris Peace Conference to contemporary diplomatic practice.
HPHS 409 Dissertation
Students shall carry out research on a topic of their choice concerning pertinent issues in peace, conflict, reconciliation and related issues. The maximum length of the dissertation should be 20 000 words.
