WVES 222 SEMESTER TEST PRACTICE QUESTIONS

PRACTICE QUESTION 1:

1.1 Discuss the three main functions that Universities play in modern society. (3)

MEMO:
 The education and training of professionals and high-level human resources for the
wide range of employment needs in the public and private sectors. (1)
 Production of new knowledge and finding new applications for existing knowledge. (1)
 Providing opportunities for social mobility and simultaneously strengthening equity,
social justice, and democracy. (1)

1.2 Explain how Friedrich Schleiermacher and Wilhelm Dilthey’s theories contributed to the
practice of interpretating and understanding various texts. (4)

MEMO:
 Friedrich Schleiermacher’s contribution emphasises that an author produces text from
within a specific time, language and culture. (1) Therefore, the reader from their own
time, language and culture must reconstruct the world of the author to effectively
understand the author’s text and by extent their intent. (1)

 Building on Schleiermacher’s work, Wilem Dilthey’s contribution emphasised the need

to account for the subjective intentions of the author (1), or more specifically, an
empathetic understanding/reliving of the authors emotions and experiences. (1)

1.3 Compare key characteristics of Feudalism, Mercantilism and Capitalism as economic

eras.

Feudalism: Mercantilism: Capitalism:

Socia economic system that Improved quality of life
Proto capitalist system
emerged between the 16th through advanced medical
between 11th to 14th century.
to 18th centuries. (1) treatment, enhanced
(1)
production and supply of
Significant focus was placed
It is a socio-economic goods etc. (1)
on long
system based on social
distance/international trade The emergence of private
hierarchy. (1)
and trade routes. (1) property rights. (1)
Most wealth including land,
Technological innovations Limited government
labour and production were
were predominantly based intervention coupled with
 owned by the lords. (1) on the production of goods self-sustained market
for long mechanisms. (1)
Peasants/vassals occupy
distance/international trade.
and work the land and in Free market trade driven by
(1)
exchange pay rent, taxes rational passions, self-
and goods to the lord. (1) Countries accumulated interest and sympathy. (1)
wealth through the
Acquiring land and
circulation of precious
promoting agriculture serves
metals and the exportation
as focus of wealth. (1)
of goods. (1)

Disrupted the feudal system

as lords were now
dependant on merchants to
accumulate wealth. (1)

PRACTICE QUESTION 2 (efundi):

Case Study: Ethical Challenges in Land Redistribution

In the wake of apartheid's end, South Africa is grappling with the legacy of racial injustice
and land dispossession. Land redistribution policies aim to restore historical inequities by
returning land to indigenous communities that were forcibly removed. Amid these efforts, a
prominent mining corporation owns substantial amounts of land including areas claimed
by indigenous communities. The land in question is located in a remote and ecologically
rich region, known for its biodiversity and historical significance. The indigenous
communities at the centre of this case study have a profound cultural and spiritual
connection to the land. They view it as the repository of their ancestors' history and
traditions. The land is not merely a physical asset but an embodiment of their identity and
heritage. These communities emphasise communal ownership and sustainable land use
practices that respect the interconnectedness of people and nature. The history of
colonialism and apartheid in South Africa led to the displacement, dispossession, and
marginalisation of indigenous populations. Land, central to their culture and livelihoods,
was seized from them, leading to deep-rooted socioeconomic disparities. The post-
apartheid era seeks to address these injustices, with land redistribution as a core
principle. The mining corporation is confronted with ethical complexities that intersect
property rights, social justice, and indigenous rights. Balancing its corporate interests with
the historical and cultural significance of the land claims requires a thoughtful approach.

2.1 Name the four aspects of the contextual approach and discuss which elements of the
case study above can be categorised under these aspects. (12)

MEMO
History: (1)
 After apartheid ended, South Africa faces the consequences of racial injustice and
 land loss due to colonialism and apartheid. (1)
 Indigenous populations were displaced, leading to socioeconomic disparities. (1)
 The post-apartheid era aims to rectify this through land redistribution. (1)
Culture: (1)
 The indigenous communities have a strong cultural and spiritual bond with the land.
(1)
 They see it as their heritage and identity, highlighting communal ownership and
sustainable land use that respects people and nature. (1)
Values: (1)
 These communities value communal ownership, sustainable land use, and the land's
role in their heritage. (1)
Location: (1)
 The land in question is in a biodiverse, historically significant, remote region. (1)

PRACTICE QUESTION 3 (efundi):

Case study: Ethical Choices in Urban Development

In the heart of Durban, South Africa, lies a historically significant district with rich cultural
heritage. The community of Zulu descendants has preserved their traditions and identity
for generations. However, an international real estate developer is eager to transform the
district into a luxury commercial hub. This redevelopment could bring economic growth but
may erase the community's history and disrupt their way of life. The Zulu community's
heritage is interwoven with their ancestors' struggles for survival and identity during
colonial times. The district's architecture, landmarks, and stories stand as testaments to
their past. Zulu customs, language, and rituals form the cornerstone of this community.
Their collective identity emphasizes unity, respect for elders, and reverence for the land.
The Zulu community values cultural preservation and harmonious coexistence.
Sustainability is a guiding principle, both environmentally and socially. Durban's coastal
beauty frames the district, with the ocean's breeze carrying echoes of the past. The
community's connection to the land is manifested in community gardens, historical sites,
and local markets. The real estate developer faces an ethical dilemma—should they
pursue economic growth by transforming the district, potentially erasing cultural heritage
and disrupting the community's way of life, or should they find a way to honour the
community's history while seeking balanced development?

2.1 Name the four aspects of the contextual approach and discuss which elements of the
case study above can be categorised under these aspects. (12)

MEMO
History: (1)
 A historically significant district with a rich cultural heritage. (1)
 The Zulu community's heritage is intertwined with their ancestors' colonial struggles,
 evident through the district's architecture, landmarks, and stories. (1)
Culture: (1)
 The Zulu community, descendants of the Zulu people, has upheld their traditions and
identity across generations. (1)
 Zulu customs, language, and rituals are central to their collective identity,
emphasizing unity, respect for elders, and reverence for the land. (1)
Values: (1)
 The Zulu community values cultural preservation and harmonious coexistence.
Sustainability, both environmentally and socially, guides their way of life. (1)
 They face the dilemma of balancing economic growth through redevelopment with
preserving their cultural heritage and way of life. (1)
Location: (1)
 The district is located in the heart of Durban, framed by the coastal beauty and
carrying echoes of the past through ocean breezes. (1)
 The community's connection to the land is evident in community gardens, historical
sites, and local markets. (1)

PRACTICE QUESTION 4:

Case Study: GreenTech Innovations Inc.

Incident Report: Workplace Harassment Complaint
Date of Incident: 11/15/2022
Location: GreenTech Innovations Inc., Silicon Valley Campus, 123 Tech Boulevard
Summary:
On the 15th of November 2022, an incident of workplace harassment was reported at
GreenTech Innovations Inc. involving Mark Davis, a Senior Software Engineer, and Lisa
Martinez, a Junior Project Manager. This report aims to provide a detailed account of the
incident for appropriate action and resolution.
Description of Incident:
The incident occurred in the open workspace area of the Silicon Valley Campus during
regular working hours. According to witness statements and security camera footage,
Mark Davis engaged in a series of inappropriate and offensive comments directed at Lisa
Martinez. The comments made by Mark Davis were of a sexist and derogatory nature,
creating a hostile and uncomfortable work environment for Lisa Martinez.
Despite attempts by Lisa Martinez to address the issue privately and request that Mark
Davis cease his inappropriate behaviour, the harassment continued. This caused
significant distress to Lisa, affecting her ability to focus on her work and causing emotional
distress.
Actions Taken:
As per company policy, Lisa Martinez immediately reported the harassment incident to her
immediate supervisor, who then escalated the matter to the Human Resources
 department. The HR team conducted a thorough investigation into the matter, which
included interviews with both Mark Davis and Lisa Martinez, as well as gathering
statements from witnesses who corroborated Lisa's account of the incident.
Based on the findings of the investigation and the severity of the harassment, Mark Davis
was suspended from work pending further investigation. Lisa Martinez was provided with
counselling and support to help her cope with the emotional distress caused by the
incident.
An all-staff meeting was held to reiterate the company's commitment to maintaining a
respectful and inclusive workplace. Employees were reminded of the zero-tolerance policy
towards harassment and were encouraged to report any such incidents promptly.
Conclusion:
GreenTech Innovations Inc. is dedicated to fostering a safe and inclusive work
environment for all employees. This incident is being treated seriously, and appropriate
disciplinary action will be taken after the investigation is completed. The company
emphasises the importance of treating all colleagues with respect and dignity, and
harassment of any form will not be tolerated.
This incident report will be shared with relevant authorities as necessary, and updates or
further actions will be communicated accordingly.
Sincerely,
Emily Rodriguez
Head of Human Resources Department
Tel: 555-123-4567
Email: [email protected]

3.1 Analyse the report above and indicate what role of hermeneutics will play in addressing
the incident. (6)

MEMO
 Traditionally, hermeneutics has a dual role, it firstly, refers to understanding the text
itself ‘how to interpret its meaning’ (1) and secondly, understanding the practical
consequences or application of the text. (1)
 Therefore, The HR practitioner must first interpret the meaning of the text (i.e., incident
report) to gain a meaning full understanding of the incident. (1) Furthermore, the HR
practitioner must understand the incident report by looking to the codes of conduct,
policies, values etc of the company and interpret the meaning of those documents to
make an informed decision. (1)
 Secondly, the HR practitioner must understand the practical consequences or
application of the incident report. In other words, the HR practitioner must determine
what the personal consequences is for Jane Miller and what must be done to ensure
her well-being and safety in the workplace as it aligns with the policies, codes, and
 values etc of the company. (1) Then, to ensure appropriate actions are taken against
James Hudson she must decide on the appropriate action according to corporate
policies, codes, values etc. (1)

3.2 Provide an analysis of the Human Resources incident report by referring to the theories
of philosopher Friedrich Schleiermacher. How can Schleiermacher's ideas, particularly
his concept of "hermeneutics of understanding," be applied to gain a deeper insight into
the incident report and the HR practitioner's decision-making process?
(6)

MEMO

 Friedrich Schleiermacher argues that an author produces text from within a specific
time, language and culture. (1) Therefore, the reader from their own time, language
and culture must reconstruct the world of the author to effectively understand the
author’s text and by extent their intent. (1)
 In the case study, the HR practitioner can apply Schleiermacher's ideas by striving to
comprehend the author's intention behind the incident report. (1) This involves delving
into the report's context/time, language, and underlying culture to gain a deeper
understanding of what the author, (i.e. Lisa Martinez), intended to convey. (1) By doing
so, the HR practitioner can make informed decisions and take appropriate actions
based on a more nuanced understanding of the incident and its implications. (1)
Schleiermacher's hermeneutical approach encourages a holistic interpretation that
goes beyond the surface-level content of the report, allowing for a more empathetic
and context-aware analysis. (1)

PRACTICE QUESTION 5:

Case Study: TechCom Solutions Inc.

Incident Report: Employee's Insensitive Remarks about Co-Worker's Hijab
Date of Incident: 11/15/2022
Location: TechCom Solutions Inc., Silicon Valley Campus, 456 Innovation Drive
Summary:
On the 15th of November 2022, an incident involving an employee making unintentionally
insensitive remarks about a co-worker's use of a Hijab was reported at TechCom Solutions
Inc. This report aims to provide a detailed account of the incident for appropriate action
and resolution.
Description of Incident:
 The incident occurred during a team meeting in a conference room at the Silicon Valley
Campus. Employee John Smith, while engaging in a discussion, made remarks that were
inadvertently insensitive regarding his co-worker Sarah Ahmed's choice to wear a Hijab.
These remarks were perceived as disrespectful and culturally insensitive by Sarah Ahmed
and other team members present.
Actions Taken:
As soon as the incident was reported, the Human Resources department conducted an
investigation. Both John Smith and Sarah Ahmed were interviewed separately to
understand their perspectives on the incident. It became evident that John Smith had no
intention of being disrespectful and was unaware that his comments could be hurtful.
In line with company policies, John Smith was provided with sensitivity training to raise his
awareness of cultural diversity and to ensure such incidents do not recur. He also issued a
written apology to Sarah Ahmed, expressing his regret for any offense caused.
Sarah Ahmed was offered support and counselling to help her cope with any emotional
distress resulting from the incident. She expressed her willingness to work together with
her colleagues to foster a more inclusive and culturally sensitive work environment.
An all-staff communication was issued to remind employees of the importance of
respecting cultural and religious diversity and avoiding insensitive comments or actions in
the workplace.
Conclusion:
TechCom Solutions Inc. is dedicated to fostering a respectful and inclusive work
environment that values diversity. The incident involving insensitive remarks was
addressed promptly and in accordance with company policies. It serves as a reminder to
all employees about the importance of cultural sensitivity and the need to create a
harmonious workplace for all.
This incident report will be retained in the employee records as a reference, and efforts to
promote cultural sensitivity and diversity awareness will continue through company-wide
initiatives.
Sincerely,
Emily Rodriguez
Head of Human Resources Department
Tel: 555-123-4567
Email: [email protected]

4.1 Provide an analysis of the incident report by referring to the theories of philosopher
Jürgen Habermas. How can Habermas' ideas, particularly his views on dialogue and
consensus be applied to gain a deeper insight into the incident report?
(6)

MEMO

 Habermas through his interactions with Gadamer, developed the theory of

 communication (1) in which he explored the influence of consensus on hermeneutical
interpretation through communication. (1) Habermas argued that mutual
understanding obtained through communicative reasoning/rationalising is an important
element of hermeneutics. (1)
 The incident report for TechCom Solutions Inc. aligns with Habermas's theory of
communication and hermeneutics by emphasising the significance of mutual
understanding through effective communication. (1) It presents the incident's context,
conducts interviews to gather perspectives, resolves the issue through dialogue and
training, communicates company-wide expectations, and provides counselling support.
(1) These actions collectively reflect a commitment to achieving consensus and mutual
understanding, in accordance with Habermas's principles of communicative reasoning
and interpretation through communication. (1)

PRACTICE QUESTION 6:

Case Study: Transition in the Kingdom of Veridia

For generations, the Kingdom of Veridia had adhered to a deeply ingrained socio-
economic system characterised by rigid hierarchies, where power and resources
(particularly land) were concentrated among a select noble class. However, as external
influences and changing trade patterns began to exert pressure on this established order,
a shift in economic ideologies took root. Advocates of this new economic philosophy
promoted state intervention, protectionist policies, and strategic trade as the means to
accumulate wealth and prosperity. This shift was enabled by various factors, including the
increasing interconnectedness of Veridia with neighbouring kingdoms, which exposed the
limitations of the existing system. Additionally, the emergence of overseas exploration and
the growth of trade networks provided fertile ground for the propagation of these new
ideas. This transformation sparked resistance from traditionalists, predominantly the
nobility, who sought to maintain the existing socio-economic structure. In contrast, a rising
middle class, composed of merchants, traders, and skilled artisans, embraced the
evolving ideals that emphasised individual initiative and dynamic markets. They saw these
ideals as a path to personal economic empowerment and a more inclusive society.
Nonetheless, as Veridia transitioned from one era to the next, concerns began to emerge.
Some foresaw potential disparities in wealth, societal divisions, and the concentration of
power among the emerging middle class, casting shadows of uncertainty over the promise
of transformation.

5.1 Identify the transition between economic eras taking place in the case study above.
(1)

 Feudalism to Mercantilism (1)

5.2 Identify the key characteristics from the case study that can be associated with the
initial/first economic period. (3)

MEMO
 Focus on land as a source of wealth. (1)
 Socio-economic system characterized by rigid hierarchies, (1)
 Power and resources were concentrated among a select noble class. (1)

5.3 Critically discuss the aspects that laid the foundation for the emergence of the new
economic era mentioned in the case study above. (4)

MEMO
 External Influences and Trade Patterns: Increased trade and exposure to global
influences prompted a revaluation of the existing economic system. (1)
 Overseas Exploration and Trade Networks: Exploration and trade with distant
regions introduced Veridians to new economic models and practices. (1)
 Advocates of New Economic Philosophy: Individuals and groups promoted
new economic ideologies centered around state intervention, protectionism, and
strategic trade. (1)
 Rising Middle Class: A burgeoning middle class, including merchants, traders,
and artisans, embraced the ideals of individual initiative and dynamic markets. (1)