UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS

May/June 2024

PLS1502

Introduction to African Philosophy

100 Marks
Duration 4 Hours

First examiners: Ms. G. Ndlazi Second examiner: Dr E Mkhwanazi

Ms. T Modiselle
Mr. M Lepuru
Mr. F Mokasi
Ms. S Ndlovu

This paper consists of seven (7) pages.

Particular instructions for this examination question paper:

1. This is a “take home” open book examination. You have 4 hours to complete it.
2. This examination covers one (1) section.
3. The Question Paper (QP) comprises of 4 topics/questions. Write any TWO (2) questions of your
choice.
4. Each essay should be between 700 - 1000 words in length.
5. Write/type your name, student number and the module code on your examination script. Also
number your answers correctly.
6. Do not copy work from other students else.
7. Provide appropriate references using the Harvard Method.
8. If possible, please type your examination.
Your examination script should be uploaded in PDF format.
9. Your examination script should be uploaded within the allocated time, on the myExams Tool
(Course: PLS1502-24-EX06 (unisa.ac.za)). Please submit one version of your script and
ensure that your script comprises of just one document.

10.Take a screenshot of your confirmation of submission as evidence of your submission.

11.This module is invigilated via the Invigilator App, and you must follow the instructions
pertaining to the Invigilator App.
12.An Honesty Declaration should be submitted with this “take home” examination.
13.All Examination rules apply.

Additional student instructions (from the University):

1. Students must upload their answer scripts in a single PDF file on the official myExams platform
(answer scripts must not be password protected or uploaded as "read-only" files). The university
only marks one submission received from a student. Priority is granted to scripts received via
the myExams platform.

2. NO e-mailed scripts will be accepted.

3. Students are advised to preview submissions (answer scripts) to ensure legibility and also to
ensure that the correct answer script file has been uploaded.
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4. Students are permitted to resubmit their answer scripts, but only within the stipulated submission
duration, should they regard the initial submission to be unsatisfactory. Resubmissions after an
examination's closing time are not permitted.

5. Uncollated answer scripts and scripts with an incorrect file format will not be considered.

6. Wrong answer scripts that are uploaded, that is, any file other than the exam answer script (eg
uploading the exam question paper instead of the exam answer script) will not be marked and
no opportunity will be granted for resubmission.

7. Unisa relies on an automated synchronisation system that elects scripts to be marked in

accordance with its prioritisation rules. Unisa awards 0% to incorrect submissions made on the
official platform irrespective of the correct submissions made on alternative platforms.

8. A mark awarded for an incomplete submission will be the student’s final mark. No opportunity
for resubmission will be granted.

9. A mark awarded for an illegible scanned submission will be the student’s final mark. No
opportunity for resubmission will be granted.

10. Only the last answer file uploaded within the stipulated submission duration period will be
marked.

11. Submissions will only be accepted from registered student accounts.

12. Students who have not utilised invigilation or proctoring tools will be deemed to have
transgressed Unisa’s examination rules and will have their marks withheld. If any student is found
to have been outside the Invigilator App (by exiting or minimising the Invigilator App) for a total
of 10 minutes during their examination session will be considered to have violated Unisa's
examination rules and their marks will be withheld. For examinations which use the IRIS
invigilation system, IRIS must be recording throughout the duration of the examination until the
submission of the examination script.

13. Assessments invigilated by the Invigilator App require a student to activate the QR code. The
QR code is available for activation 15 minutes before the start time of the examination and 30
minutes after the official start time of the examination. Students who fail to activate the QR code
within the available 45 minutes will be deemed not to have utilised the invigilation or proctoring
tools and will have their final marks withheld.

14. Students are advised to complete writing at the scheduled examination end time. Students have
10 minutes after their scheduled examination end time to upload their scripts on the Invigilator
App. Failure to upload within the stipulated 10 minutes will result in the Invigilator App being non-
responsive. In such cases, students are advised to stop attempting to upload their answer scripts
on the Invigilator App and immediately submit their answer script via the myExams platforms.

15. Students who complete their assessment earlier than their stipulated examination duration
period should confirm the completion of their assessment by clicking the "finish assessment
button" on the Invigilator App. Failure to do so will result in students been flagged as being “Out
of App” for the remaining duration of their assessment and rule 12 above will apply.

16.Students have 48 hours from the completion of their examination session to upload their invigilator
results from the Invigilator App. Failure to do so will result in students deemed not to have utilised
the invigilation or proctoring tools and their final marks will be withheld.
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17.Students must complete the online declaration of their work when submitting their examination
script. Students suspected of dishonest conduct during the examinations will be subjected to
disciplinary processes. Students may not communicate with any other person or request
assistance from any other person during their examinations. The use of Telegram, WhatsApp or
any other instant messaging services with any other person (except when asking for technical
assistance via official channels of the SCSC or the Invigilator WhatsApp line) are strictly
prohibited. Plagiarism is a violation of academic integrity and students who plagiarise, copy from
published work or use Artificial Intelligence Software (eg ChatGPT) or online sources (eg course
material) will be in violation of the Policy on Academic Integrity and the Student Disciplinary Code
and may be referred to a disciplinary hearing. Unisa has a zero tolerance for plagiarism and/or
any other forms of academic dishonesty.

18. Selected honours and postgraduate-level assessments requiring the usage of Turnitin software
will require students to submit typed responses only (scanned handwritten scripts or scanned
typed scripts will not be accepted for marking). Any students whose module has indicated, prior
to the examination sitting, that the use of Turnitin software is a requirement and fails to provide a
typed response, will have their submission disregarded. In such cases, students will be awarded
a non-compliance with proctoring tools outcome on their academic records. Students are also
required to accept the mandatory End User License Agreement (EULA) pop-up to activate the
Turnitin software. Students who have not accepted the EULA will be considered to have violated
Unisa's examination rules and their marks will be withheld.

19. Listening to audio (music) and making use of audio-to-text software is strictly prohibited during
your examination session unless such usage of the software is related to a student’s assistive
device which has been so declared. Failure to do so will be a transgression of Unisa’s examination
rules and the student's marks will be withheld.

20. Students who are differently abled, have a disability or who are incarcerated are exempted from
using proctoring tools. Only students who have declared their disability with supporting
documentation (doctor's note indicating the disability and the additional time that will be required
for the completion of the examination) during registration will be exempted. Students who have
not so declared may provide the declaration (doctor's note indicating the disability and the
additional time that will be required for the completion of the examination) to
[email protected] 7 days prior to their examination sitting for processing of their
exemption. Incarcerated students are advised to submit their proof of incarceration to
[email protected] 7 days prior to their examination sitting for processing of their
exemption.

21. Students who are negatively affected by their examination scheduling on religious/holy days are
requested to apply for alternative examination arrangements. A student's religious organisation
must communicate directly with Unisa on a letterhead informing Unisa of (1) Name, surname and
student number of the enrolled member of the religious organisation; (2) Module code affected
by the examination scheduling (dates of religious days) on the holy day; (3) Nature of objection.
The letter should be sent to [email protected] 7 days prior to the examination sitting
for processing. Letters received directly from students will not be processed.

22. Students are provided 30 minutes to submit their answer scripts after the official examination
time. Students who experience technical challenges should report the challenges immediately to
the SCSC telephonically on 080 000 1870 and choose option 4 for exams, or their College exam
support centres (refer to the Get help during the examinations by contacting the Student
Communication Service Centre [unisa.ac.za]) within 30 minutes. Queries received after 30
minutes of the official examination duration time will not be responded to. Submissions made
after the official examination time will be rejected according to the examination regulations and
will not be marked. Only communication received from your myLife account will be considered.

23. Non-adherence to the processes for uploading examination responses will not qualify the student
for any special concessions or future assessments.
24. Queries that are beyond Unisa’s control include the following:
a. Personal network or service provider issues
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b. Load shedding/limited space on personal computer

c. Crashed computer
d. Non-functioning cameras or web cameras
e. Using work computers that block access to the myExams site (employer firewall challenges)
f. Unlicensed software (e.g., license expires during exams)

24. Postgraduate students experiencing the above challenges are advised to apply for an aegrotat
and submit supporting evidence within ten days of the examination session. Students will not be able
to apply for an aegrotat for a third examination opportunity. Postgraduate/undergraduate students
experiencing the above challenges in their second examination opportunity will have to re-register
for the affected module.

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PLS1502

Date: 21 May 2024

INSTRUCTIONS ON THE DAY OF ASSESSMENT:

Ensure you are connected to the internet in order to log into the YOUR EXAM QR CODE & EXAM
Invigilator App and scan this QR code. ACCESS CODE

If you encounter difficulty in scanning the QR code, you can

alternatively enter the Exam Access Code below the QR code
to start the invigilation.

If you finish your assessment before the app timer has run out,
you need to press the ‘Finish Assessment’ button and follow
instructions before you exit or minimise the app.

Scan the QR code at the start time of the assessment, unless

otherwise specified by your institution, note that you can only
scan this QR code once. Exam Access Code: 5ba8da79

The QR code is only scannable for a limited time, and it

should therefore be scanned as soon as possible after the
assessment commencement time.

Keep the Invigilator App open on your smartphone for the full
duration of the assessment. You are not allowed to minimise or
leave the app during your assessment.

You must adhere to the assessment time limit communicated

to you by your institution. The timer displayed in the Invigilator
may vary depending on the start time of invigilation.

FURTHER GUIDANCE

If you only have one device, you may access your assessment in the application by pressing the ‘Access
Browser’ button in the top right corner of your app.

Once the QR code is scanned, ensure your media volume is turned up and place your smartphone next to you.

The Invigilator App will notify you with a notification beep when you are required to action a photo request,
which you should then perform as soon as possible.

We recommend that you keep your smartphone on charge for the duration of the assessment.

Ensure you are connected to the internet when commencing invigilation. You also need to be connected to the
internet at the end of the assessment in order to upload the app data.

If your assessment has multiple online sections, tests or attempts, you should NOT finish the invigilation until
your entire assessment has been completed.
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Should you encounter any technical difficulty, please WhatsApp The Invigilator Helpdesk on +27 (0)73 505 8273

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Please ensure you adhere to the instructions on page 1.

Choose TWO questions and answer in Essay Format

1. Osuagwu identifies four factors which he argues characterize Africanity in African

Philosophy. Discuss these four factors identified by Osuagwu and argue whether these
factors are unique to African Philosophy when compared to other philosophies. [50
marks]
OR

2. Compare and contrast Mazrui’s “classes of Africans” and Osuagwu's factors that
determine Africanity of African Philosophy. Which of the two accounts is most plausible
for you? Argue in support of your answer. [50 marks]

OR

3. Critically discuss the notion of personhood in African culture in light of Gyekye’s

moderate communitarianism and Menkiti’s radical communitarianism. In your
discussion indicate which version of communitarianism is suitable for contemporary
South Africa and why? [50 marks]

OR

4. Compare and contrast Francophone African Philosophy and Anglophone African

Philosophy and critically discuss the significance of philosophical debates in relation to
approaches to classification of African philosophy. [50 marks]
[100] marks

(50) + (50) = [100] Total marks

©
Unisa 2024

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