Bachelor of Arts

Purpose

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) intends to develop skilled learners who are able to engage critically with the world and apply disciplinary content to the resolution of problems. The intention is that learners will be able to advance disciplinary knowledge in chosen fields of specialisation through postgraduate study and advance their careers if they wish in various professional options. There is a strong focus offered in this Degree in core Humanities subjects, such as multiple languages (English, Afrikaans, Setswana), History, Heritage Studies, Geography, Mathematics, Sociology with various ancillary subjects offered. The inclusion of Heritage Studies as a compulsory 1st year module, is aimed at providing learners with an interdisciplinary academic field that takes a critical look at the way we preserve, present, participate and interrogate heritage, including official and unofficial objects and symbols of heritage.

Rationale

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A) is a three-year qualification that focuses on the development of academically versatile and flexible learners who will be able to analyse, solve and deal with current problems in South Africa and globally in a wide variety of professions. It is envisaged that articulation into postgraduate qualifications will enable further development of the majors or in selected professional fields. Based on a needs analysis, it has been determined that a generic BA Degree will be offered at Sol Plaatje University (SPU). The modules offered are in line with current expertise at SPU as well as taking into account key areas of relevance for the region.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Candidates for RPL admission will be required to demonstrate suitability either through work experience and/or other prior learning that has taken place.

Entry Requirements

Learners are required to have one of the following qualifications in order to be considered for admission

• National Senior Certificate (NSC) allowing entry to bachelor's Degree studies.

Or

• Senior Certificate (SC) with endorsement.

Or

• National Certificate Vocational (NCV) allowing entry to bachelor's Degree studies.

The qualification comprises 4 compulsory modules and elective combinations at NQF Level 5, 6 and 7 totalling 416 Credits.

Year 1

Compulsory Modules at NQF Level 5, 16 Credits

• Heritage Studies 1A, 16 Credits.
• Computer Skills.

NQF Level 6, 32 Credits

- Heritage Studies 1B, 16 Credits

• SCOR, 16 Credits.

Elective Modules

Modules at NQF Level 5, 48 Credits (Learners to choose at least 3 electives)

• English 1A, 16 Credits.
• Afrikaans1A, 16 Credits.
• Setswana1A, 16 Credits.
• History1A, 16 Credits.
• Geography1A, 16 Credits.
• Economics1A, 16 Credits.
• Maths1A, 16 Credits.
• Sociology1A, 16 Credits.
• Anthropology1A, 16 Credits.
• Business Law 1A, 16 Credits.
• Geography 1A, 16 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 6, 48 Credits (Learners to choose 3 electives)

• English 1B, 16 Credits.
• Afrikaans1B, 16 Credits.
• Setswana1B, 16 Credits.
• History1B, 16 Credits.
• Maths1B, 16 Credits.
• Sociology1B, 16 Credits.
• Anthropology 1B, 16 Credits
• Business Law 1B. 16 Credits.
• Geography 1B, 16 Credits.
• Economics 1B, 16Credits.

Year 2

Learners to choose 6 electives and to at least continue with 3 of the 4 modules taken in Year 1. If Geography, Mathematics or Economics were not selected in Year 1, then 1 of these to be selected in Year 2 to meet the requirements of the qualification.

Modules at NQF Level 6, 128 Credits

• English 2A, 16 Credits.
• English 2B, 16 Credits.
• Afrikaans 2A, 16 Credits.
• Afrikaans 2B, 16 Credits.
• Setswana 2A, 16 Credits.
• Setswana 2B, 16 Credits.
• History 2A, 16 Credits.
• History 2B, 16 Credits.
• Geography 2A, 16 Credits.
• Geography 2B, 16 Credits.
• Heritage Studies 2A, 16 Credits.
• Heritage Studies 2B, 16, Credits.
• Economics 2A, 16, Credits.
• Economics 2B, 16 Credits.
• Maths 2A, 16, Credits.
• Maths 2B, 16 Credits.
• Sociology 2A, 16, Credits.
• Sociology 2B, 16 Credits.
• Anthropology 2A, 16 Credits.
• Anthropology 2B, 16 Credits.

YEAR 3

Elective Modules

Modules at NQF Level 7, 144 Credits (Learners to choose at least 6 electives 3 of which must be a continuation of the majors from Year 1 and Year 2):

• English 3A, 24 Credits.
• English 3B, 24 Credits.
• Afrikaans 3A, 24 Credits.
• Afrikaans 3B, 24 Credits.
• Setswana 3A, 24 Credits.
• Setswana 3B, 24 Credits.
• History 3A, 24 Credits.
• History 3B, 24 Credits.
• Geography 3A, 24 Credits.
• Geography 3B, 24 Credits.
• Economics 3A, 24 Credits.
• Economics 3B, 24 Credits.
• Heritage Studies 3A, 24 Credits.
• Heritage Studies 3B, 24 Credits.
• Maths 3A, 24 Credits.
• Maths 3B, 24 Credits.
• Sociology 3A, 24 Credits.
• Sociology 3B, 24 Credits.
• Anthropology 3A, 24 Credits.
• Anthropology 3B, 24 Credits.

1. Demonstrate familiarity with and have informed knowledge and understanding of the content, theories, and scholarly positions of the critical core of a number of disciplines at a basic and intermediate level.
2. Demonstrate an ability to critically question the basic assumptions of the most important theories, scholarly positions and basic methodologies.
3. Show competence with the basic and elementary modes of inquiry.
4. Analyse and locate work in contemporary contexts (such as the South African and African contexts.
5. Interpret topical issues using different perspectives.
6. Interpret, explain and/or develop an argument around and an understanding of newly encountered material and demonstrate an ability to marshal an approach used in one or more disciplines.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• The correct use of the terminology, concepts, principles and theories in written and/or oral communication is demonstrated.
• Recent and relevant research findings are analysed, evaluated and synthesised.
• Solutions to problems are proposed based on theory-driven arguments.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Well-defined and coherent representations of identified problems are presented.
• Appropriate methods, techniques, tools and procedures are selected and applied.
• Possible solutions based on theory-driven arguments are proposed using the relevant modes of inquiry.
• Scholarly and critical reasoning skills are demonstrated.

Associated assessment criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Explicit recognition of the diversity, complexity and multi-dimensionality of a context and how that affects the particular work being undertaken is demonstrated.
• The provision of relevant information pertaining to the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for addressing specific problems is demonstrated.
• Relevant role players and resources that will contribute to resolution of specific problems are identified.
• Relevant factors pertaining to the context and people's performance(s) and how they affect particular work being undertaken are described.
• Critical factors impacting on practical problems to be investigated from the perspective of the discipline are identified.

Associated assessment criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Results of relevant national contexts and research findings are analysed.
• Diverse theories are described and explained.
• The boundaries and limitations of theories are evaluated and defined.
• Scholarly discourse and different modes of communication are examined.

Associated assessment criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Knowledge and comprehension of discipline-specific conventions and scholarly discourse is demonstrated.
• An account of scholarly positions, viewpoints and solutions given
• Current perspectives and scholarly debates are identified and differentiated.
• Appraisal of recent and relevant literature including both primary and secondary sources is reflected upon.

Associated assessment criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Findings from the analysis and evaluation of relevant literature are examined.
• Problems for research purposes are contextualised and identified.
• Essential modes of inquiry relevant to the discipline/s in which the essay/project is developed are described.
• Procedures for undertaking the minor research project in a coherent fashion are described.
• Appropriate research strategies for the writing of the essays are described.
• Ethical accountability and cultural sensitivity is reflected.

Integrated Assessment

Formative Assessments

• Self- and peer assessment.
• Assignments.
• Written work.

Summative assessments

• Examination.