BACHELOR OF ARTS HONOURS AFRICAN HERITAGE AND KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS (HAHKS)

Module Code	Module Name	Description
HAHKS101	Introduction to Heritage Studies	This module provides a foundational introduction to Heritage Studies, positing that the study of heritage must be situated within its proper historical context to be fully understood. It covers the essential definitions and distinct categories of the field, distinguishing between natural and cultural, moveable and immovable, and tangible and intangible forms, while also examining underwater, archaeological, and geological resources, among others. In alignment with the broader programme, special attention is given to Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) and liberation heritage as critical components of the African narrative. Students will evaluate the concepts of heritage values and significance, analyzing how these are determined and contested at local, regional, and international levels.
HAHKS 102	African Societies, Heritage and Indigenous Knowledge Systems	This module employs an interdisciplinary approach, drawing from anthropology, archaeology, and history to explore the depth of African societies and their heritage. It examines the preservation and transmission of knowledge prior to written systems, emphasizing the role of language, socialization, and oral traditions in passing down wisdom. Students will investigate Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) across a broad spectrum of disciplines, including agriculture, metallurgy, environmental forecasting, astronomy, mathematics, and traditional medicine. Furthermore, the module critically assesses the impact of the colonial interface, highlighting the legacy of colonialism and the enduring resilience of African value and thought systems. The module contextualizes all these themes within the African Renaissance, discussing the transformation of beliefs and the relevance of indigenous worldviews in the contemporary era.
HAHKS 105	Heritage of Zimbabwe	The Heritage of Zimbabwe module provides an in-depth analysis of the nation’s identity, weaving together its natural and cultural legacies across both tangible and intangible forms. This study begins with the environment, exploring how Zimbabwe’s unique geology, geography, and biodiversity have historically shaped the symbiotic relationship between nature and human society. In the cultural heritage sphere, students examine population distributions, historical traditions, archaeological remains, the liberation war and its memorialisation, cultural practices with enduring value, and the sophisticated evolution of indigenous architecture, technology and socio-cultural institutions and practices. Ultimately, the module concludes by investigating the dual processes of knowledge preservation and creation, ensuring that Zimbabwe’s rich heritage remains a dynamic and thriving force for future generations.
HAHKS 104	Introduction to Heritage Management	This module traces the global development and growth of heritage management, highlighting its foundational connections to the evolution of archaeology and the post-World War impetus for cultural protection. Students will examine the core technical pillars of the field, including documentation, conservation, and safeguarding mechanisms. The module fosters critical thinking by addressing contentious debates on restoration, reconstruction, and the diverse factors that influence the interpretation and presentation of the past. Central to the module are theoretical frameworks, such as Authorised Heritage Discourse (AHD), Actor Network Theory, and the vital processes of decolonization and value assessment. Participants will exposed to the roles of higher education and international organizations like UNESCO, ICOMOS, and ICCROM in shaping modern practice
HAHKS 106	Heritage Survey Project	This is a project based module where students are expected to visit communities to apply what they would have learnt in their introductory modules. Students are expected to identify heritage places, landscapes, heritage institutions, traditions, protected areas or natural phenomena with heritage value(s) and systematically report and record them using national and international formats of heritage recording. Key issues learnt in the module include heritage site identification, heritage recording, significance assessment and site illustration. The students are expected to research and document oral traditions, cultural practices, acquiring skills in conducting archival research, heritage surveys, documentation, condition surveys, identification of heritage values, interpretation and reporting. Students are expected to complete the module by showing the report of their work.
HAHKS 202	Collections Conservation and Management	This module provides a comprehensive overview of the historical development and functional evolution of galleries, museums, and archives as central pillars of cultural heritage. Students will explore the intricate lifecycle of collections, beginning with the formal procedures for accessioning and the strategic development of acquisition policies. A significant portion of the module is dedicated to the technical requirements of conservation, exhibition and presentation of diverse objects. The module examines the collections environment, focusing on how physical factors such as light, temperature, and humidity are controlled within storage and display spaces. The module also addresses the sensitive and highly regulated procedures for collections disposal, providing students with an ethical and legal framework for responsible deaccessioning. Finally, the module culminates in the interpretation of collections, teaching students how to translate physical artifacts into meaningful narratives that facilitate public engagement and education.
HIA 202	History of Zimbabwe Before 1890	The module dwells on the internal and external dynamics of pre-colonial polities in Zimbabwe. It explores the nature of socio-economic and political organization of these states as well as their interaction with global forces.
HAHKS 201	Research Methods and Field Techniques	This critical module not only equips but also empowers students with life skills-sets to conduct qualitative and quantitative heritage based research relevant for different kinds of sustainable community development. The module also deals with different research methods for data collection and ethical issues involved when researching, especially where individuals and communities are involved.
HIA 208	History of Zimbabwe, 1890 to 1980	The module explores the political, social and economic features of colonial Zimbabwe paying particular attention to the marginalization of Africans. The responses of Africans to colonial domination and the subsequent liberation struggle are also examined. The topics that the module covers are: the occupation of Mashonaland and Matabeleland by the white settlers, African resistance to occupation, the establishment of the colonial economy and political systems, rise of African nationalism and the armed struggle for independence.
HAHKS 204	Safeguarding Intangible Heritage	The range of tourist attractions has expanded to include components of intangible heritage. The module brings to the fore the significance of tourism that is based on intangible cultural heritage. This includes cultural performances, ethnomusicology, indigenous knowledge systems, indigenous lifeways and cuisines. Students will research and present on case studies of this kind of tourism.
HAHKS 203	Heritage and the Law	This module exposes students to the complex intersection of various legal systems in heritage preservation, focusing on the relationship between traditional customary laws and formal national and international legislations. It traces the historical development of these legal frameworks, highlighting how they have evolved over time to meet the growing needs of modern heritage management. Students will critically analyze the impact of regional and international treaties, charters, and conventions that establish the standards for global heritage protection. A central component of the course involves evaluating the adequacy and effectiveness of existing laws in safeguarding both tangible and intangible assets against modern threats.
HAHKS 302	Heritage, Conflict and Peace Building in Africa	This module highlights the intersections between conflict, heritage, and conflict resolutions strategies. Students examine causes of conflicts, theories on conflicts, ethnicity, identity, values, sacredness, beliefs, examples of heritage based conflicts, and heritage-based approaches to conflict management. It also discusses the Hague conventions, the Blue Shield, the 1970 UNESCO convention and the UNESCO convention of 2005 on Cultural Diversity
HAHKS 303	Heritage Risk and Impact Assessment	The module focuses on the origins, aims and practice of Heritage Impact Assessment within the overall context of Cultural Resource Management. These are examined against the background of heritage risks and the need to save the heritage. Risks include development undertakings, climate change, conflicts, wars and various factors that pose different kinds of threats to the preservation of heritage. The module discusses various ways of carrying out impact assessments in order to determine the extent of the risks and generating disaster mitigation strategies.
HAHKS 304	Heritage and Sustainable Development	This module critically examines the intersection of heritage management and sustainable development, utilizing UNESCO and ICOMOS frameworks to explore how cultural assets contribute to economic growth and community well-being. Students will analyze cultural economics, emphasizing heritage-based entrepreneurship, employment generation, and the delicate balance between increasing GDP and preserving the heritage. A significant portion of the module focuses on heritage tourism planning, covering feasibility studies, visitor management, and legal frameworks across niche sectors such as religious, medical, and archaeo-tourism. The curriculum addresses the inherent tensions between development and conservation, evaluating stakeholder interests and the threats tourism poses to fragile sites.
HAHKS 305	Museum Management	Focus on different aspects of the practice of museology including the display and exhibition of museum objects, influenced by the nature of collections and knowledge of visitor learning behaviour. Purpose-built museums should plan for the conservation of collections and visitor safety and learning behaviour. Collections management can be facilitated by designing the museum environment.
HAHKS 306	Heritage Project	Students undertake a heritage project that involves processing heritage materials for purposes of conservation.
HAHKS 401	Cultural Heritage Technologies	This module explores the intersection of cultural heritage and technology, focusing on the role of digital tools and innovations in enhancing visitor experiences, preservation efforts, and destination management. It examines a range of technologies used in cultural heritage tourism, including virtual reality, augmented reality, mobile applications, digital storytelling, and geospatial technologies. The module also addresses the challenges and ethical considerations associated with the use of technology in cultural heritage contexts.
HAHKS 404	Management of World Heritage	Listing places on the World Heritage List is an important approach in the protection, management, and utilization of heritage. This module covers discussion of the significance of World Heritage Places and the complexities surrounding their management. It explores issues surrounding decision-making, international collaboration with organizations such as the World Heritage committee, ICOMOS, ICCROM and national governments. It provides students with a thorough knowledge of the World Heritage Convention and its application in solving heritage conservation problems. It examines the position of African conservation science as science can be exploited at global levels. In addition, the module also critically examines tourism development and management at world heritage sites.
HAHKS 402	Heritage Education and Tourism Planning	Heritage is an important element of education. The memories of the past that are embedded in heritage require an educational strategy for them to be usable. Heritage organisations, including the government should cultivate heritage education for social cohesion, understanding of the other and peace.
HAHKS 403	Heritage Entrepreneurship	Research has shown that the protection and management of heritage for its own sake is not always sustainable. The module is meant to cultivate entrepreneurial skills amongst heritage students. The module may be co-taught with the department of Business Studies. Students can come up with a project that shall reflect their entrepreneurship skills development. The project should be based on an aspect of heritage.
HAHKS 405	Critical Issues in African Heritage and Knowledge Systems	This module provides students with the opportunity to reflect on the programme and identify critical issues that concern African societies and their perspectives on heritage. It prepares the students to face the African realities and think of solutions.
HAHKS450	Dissertation	The dissertation shall be submitted at the end of level 4 second semester.