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Apartheid to Democracy-What the South African Experience Has Taught Us Self Pace

Exploring the history of apartheid in South Africa provides the backdrop for learners to consider democracy today in South Africa, both it’s roots and it’s future.
Kirsten Bowman JD
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:
(765)
Popular
Class

What's included

4 pre-recorded lessons
4 weeks
of teacher support
1 year access
to the content
Homework
2-4 hours per week. There will be homework assigned each week based on the materials given. Learners will present their homework in class and engage in online discussion and debate. Beyond the weekly homework, there will be one final project to be posted for critical analysis from all the learners.
Assessment
If requested, grades and assessments are available. All assignments must be completed in order to receive grade or assessment.
Grading
If requested, grades and assessments are available. All assignments must be completed in order to receive grade or assessment.

Class Experience

US Grade 7 - 10
When we think about the question, “What makes democracy work?” it’s important to remember that not all democracies are the same. In this four week class, we turn to voices from South Africa, a relatively new and fragile democracy, to ask what can make democracy work in countries with different cultures and histories.

The class begins with the first half of the course focused on apartheid. Learners will focus the first two weeks on the definition and understanding of apartheid generally and how it manifested within the South African context as well as gaining an understanding of the struggle to end apartheid within the country. 

The second half of this class will shift to focus on South Africa post apartheid, with students gaining an understanding of how democracy developed within the fragile structure of a society trying to rebuild after the struggle of apartheid. Finally, the last class will focus on an understanding of how democracies can vary from country to country and culture to culture, based on a cultural and historical context. The learner will leave the course with gained knowledge not only about the history of South Africa and an understanding of apartheid within a societal structure, but will gain abilities in critical analysis and work to understand how these factors can work to influence the democracy that developed from South Africa’s painful history. 

The course is a Self Paced course so there will be no live lectures.  Rather,  via video lecture from the teacher and outside readings, including, among others, primary source materials and video links of those who created and led the fight against apartheid and other social justice movements, learners will gain a deeper understanding of the history and mechanics of apartheid in South Africa.  Learners will  engage in critical thinking through projects and assignments developed to engage greater analysis on the issues presented and their consequences in societies.
Learning Goals
A deeper understanding of the history of South Africa
Critical understanding of apartheid as a government policy and the harms of the institution.
learning goal

Syllabus

Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum
4 Lessons
over 4 Weeks
Lesson 1:
The early history of colonized South Africa
 In order to be able to spend the next three weeks really delving into apartheid, how it began, was implemented and ended in South Africa and the democracy that developed from the apartheid system, we must understand the history of South Africa's European inhabitants, from Dutch colonies, British inhabitants, the Boer wars and the conflicts in the country leading up to the 1960s when apartheid became an official government policy. 
Lesson 2:
Apartheid as a government policy
 We will study the government documents that lay out the apartheid plan and position, understand clearly the effects of apartheid on society and will be introduced to the resistance leaders of the apartheid movement. 
Lesson 3:
The movement to end apartheid
 This week we understand how the resistance movement made decisions and what, in fact, led to the end of apartheid in South Africa. This week we will also study the South African constitution and analyze the wording, understanding how South Africa's history influenced its present governing document. 
Lesson 4:
After apartheid
 We will look to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and study what has happened since then into present day South Africa to critically consider the future of the country. 

Other Details

Parental Guidance
The painful and sometimes ugly details of apartheid are necessary to discuss in order for learners to understand what came before and developed from South African apartheid. If your learner is particularly sensitive to these issues or you are uncertain if the material may be too mature, this may not be the right class for you. However, the material will be presented as respectfully as possible.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
We will look to the original documents of South Africa to include the National Party of South Africa's Statement on Apartheid, statements and speeches from Nelson Mandela, the South African Constitution, The South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission Statute and Report and a checklist for healthy democracies.
Joined May, 2018
4.9
765reviews
Popular
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
I am an international human rights lawyer and have engaged in this material for decades.  As well, I have taught these concepts at the University level, in law school and now on Outschool for the past two years in the Live version of this class.  

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Self-Paced Class
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$13

weekly or $50 for all content
4 pre-recorded lessons
4 weeks of teacher support
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1 year of access to the content

Completed by 7 learners
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