SATS/UNIZUL

Extensively discussed on on Bor Tom's Lagleys Rridge topic.

Peter

 

Hey North I thought i read that you were inrolled in American Bible College and Seminary. What happen? did i read wrong.
I would like to know why you chose something else.
At any rate congrats,and best wishes

Robert

 

Peter,

I must admit that the University of Zululand name was not a top choice. One of the reasons of course is cultural bias. When you think about it, the University of Maryland might well sound funny to someone outside of the US. Not to mention the University of Wollongong in Australia (I'm having visions of Rolf Harris), or Slippery Rock in the USA, or University of Saskatchewan in Canada.

University of Zululand began life in the 1960's as a constituent college of the University of South Africa before being granted autonomy.
http://studysa.co.za/uni/zulu.htm

The other issue you mentioned is one of answering questions about degrees obtained from countries that we have never set foot in. I suppose it comes with the territory and can be said for any number of situations from H-W to the University of London. The fact is however that issues can be brought up by almost anyone with regard to institutions for one reason or another. I have heard RA institutions maligned when I was in Denver in terms of academics between the institutions and people's perceptions. Uof Phoenix is maligned (somebody called it the MacDonald's of Higher Education). I have spoken with a couple of Ph.D.'s who think that DL Ph.D.'s are bought and not earned. That was their reaction to the idea of a DL Ed.D. at the U of Sarasota. One was a graduate of Cornell and the other Texas A&M. Both were young (30's).

So for me the issues are, is the school credible, is it accredited (equivalent), and is it affordable.

By the way, is Rolf Harris still alive. I used to get a kick out of him as a kid.

North

 

When I mentioned to a British acquaintance of mine that I was considering an Australian program, his response was "Dear lord! They graduate aborigines!"

I've read some English-language Zulu poetry, and much of it is really quite good. Very earthy and unpretentious, though a vast amount of it is (quite understandably) activist poetry, which I seldom like. All the same, I think if I were to go with Zululand, I would want to play that up as much as possible -- perhaps even learning a little Zulu (it's a beautiful spoken language and appeals to me far more than Afrikaans, which I probably would have eventually talked myself into learning had I been accepted ot UNISA).


Peace,

------------------
Tom Head
www.tomhead.net

 

I was interested in them but they have not been approved yet for VA benefits for the independent study portion of their program. UNIZUL ended up being perfect in terms of my area of interest and it was affordable. I have not ruled out ABCS in the future when I am done at UNIZUL as I will still need to use up my VA benefits. On the other hand if Oxford Graduate School has their DPhil approved by TRACS that may be interesting. The only thing there is that I do not like OGS's name becasue I do not want to have to keep explaining "No not that Oxford".

North

 

Quite right, North!

One thing is certain, one would never have to say "No not that Zululand" or "No not that Potchefstroom." Right?

Russell

 

North,

Forgive me if you've told us this before, but what is your area of interest?

 

The thing with the U. of Zululand is that it was created during the apartheid period to serve as a university for the Zulu ethnic group. There may still be a bit of stigma attached to it as a (former) SA "Bantu" university. I have heard that many of the top black students from these former segregated schools have moved on to the more prestigious former white universities.

I suppose that the Zulu connection could be a significant advantage for some people in some situations. Studying at such a place might look good on the resume of a political activist.

And more substantively, the U. of Zululand is (or should be) the top university in the world for studying Zulu-specific topics. Zulu language, Zulu history, all the social sciences as applied to them.

I would think that the theology department of the U. of Zululand would want to place a much greater emphasis on those Zulu-specific items. It could be the world leader in its own specialized area, rather than merely positioning itself as another obscure mainstream evangelical protestant seminary, just one out of thousands.

It could offer work in Zulu traditional religious belief (who else specializes in something like that?) It could offer a concentration treating the many syncretistic sects that have arisen among Africans in response to the inroads of Christianity. In SA alone, millions of people follow these things to a greater or lesser degree.

I don't know. I just get the feeling that studying at Zululand could be something very special if the university were prepared to exploit its natural strengths. It would be the best university in the world in its own presently underserved specialties. In that case studying at Zululand would be an occasion for pride rather than embarassment.

 

My interest lies in theology and psychology. I want to focus my studies in Christian Counseling.

North

 

Judging by what I read the University of Zululand was at one point a hot bed of student activism. I believe there were three segregated universities in SA (two for blacks & one for coloured), the others have more generic names like University of the Western Cape (?) and University of the North (?). I may not have those names correct.

I agree that UNIZUL could well exploit an expertise in Zulu culture (if I remember the language is spoken by 8 million). However, the development of other areas is important. I seem to remember that I turned up many references on yahoo to biology (sciences) at UNIZUL. Indeed, even historically black universities in the United States may well have a niche market in terms of African American Studies but the development of other academic areas of expertise within the institution is important for reputation and growth.

I don't think UNIZUL should pigeon hole itself anymore than the University of Maryland or Arizona should restrict themselves to the study of state issues.

North

 

I agree completely that UNIZUL would benefit from using its natural strengths to serve an ethnic "region." It also serves a geographical region and may have obligations in that sense as well. There may be a strong correlation between ethnic and geographical regions in this example, but the obligations nevertheless may be tangibly different.

 

I know that the University of the North is a historically black university and was an activist school during the apartheid days. Its chancellor now is Nelson Mandela.

I'm not sure about the University of the Western Cape. BTW, I've e-mailed them about their MTh but haven't heard from them yet.

 

Indeed, Michael! The chancellor of Potchefstroom University is F. W. de Klerk, both Mandela and de Klerk are Nobel prize recipients.

Actually, my PU promoter (tutor) is Dr. Ben de Klerk, 3rd cousin to F.W.

Russell

 

Several have mentioned Professor Song. He is okay, but he was beset upon by five armed bandits at home. They took his car but left him unharmed.

 

Indeed, that is what I was told as well.
He is going to be my promoter.

North

 

So, apart from North, who on this forum is currently enrolled with SATS/UZULU? Anyone? Or, North, are you the only one? Do you happen to know if they have other American students enrolled in their programs presently?

 

Not yet enrolled, but currently pulling together my research proposal.

Kevin

 

I have not asked but it would be an interesting question.

North

 

What area are you looking at doing research in?

North

 

Ditto? I was preparing to ask the same question! Also, what's your motivation for pursuing this degree program? In other words, what do you hope to "do" with it? Also, what led you to choose UZULU/SATS? I would love it if you'd respond to these questions and share anything else that you think might be of benefit to us.