Bachelor of Arts Honours

Purpose

The world is changing at an incredible pace computer capacity almost doubles every two years and knowledge increases just as quickly. The Bachelor of Arts Honours prepares learners for research-based Postgraduate study by enabling learners to produce creative solutions to complex problems within a specialist area of their and to conduct and report research under supervision. The successful learner is ready to enter further study or the world of work in a variety of fields. Subjects offered in the qualification include Communication/Cultural Studies, Economics, Geography, History, Law, Literature in English, Mathematics, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Religious Studies, Anthropology, Tshivenda, Xitsonga, Sepedi and IsiNdebele.

The qualification focuses on the African context in the exploration of the liberal arts disciplines. Learners will possess the cultural fluency necessary to function in and lead the multicultural society that is not only South Africa's hallmark, but also the global context. It aims at fostering ethically-based leadership abilities centred on human dignity and the common good-principles needed in all sectors of our society. Our learners develop essential skills in interdisciplinary critical thinking and problem-solving.

Rationale

The modern knowledge economy in which our learners compete expects learners to have a social and human element to succeed in a technological world. We know that the contemporary globalising world requires more than mere technological progress. Human behaviour, attitudes and values must change if the world is to continue to exist and to manage the challenges of our times creatively. The emphasis, therefore, falls precisely on this need to develop this Postgraduate qualification. The main aim is, thus to offer learners training in the humanities that prepares them to contribute to this new world. Research shows that the best approach is to develop both general and specific skills. This qualification focuses on helping learners along this path. Knowledge of the social sciences, languages and arts offers an indispensable key to building a developed and just society in South Africa and Africa. The qualification will produce learners who:

• Think independently,
• Ask the right questions so that they can analyse, weigh up ideas, come to logical conclusions and place solid arguments on the table.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

In addition to the admission requirements, the structure of this qualification makes the Recognition of Prior Learning possible. Learners may achieve this qualification in part through the recognition of prior learning, which includes formal, informal and non-formal education and work experience. The learner will be assessed using the institution RPL policy and the school's processes for gaining admission to a qualification. The department will evaluate the academic background and acquired experience based on the merit of the case. The department committee after evaluation where necessary will arrange oral/written interview for each applicant. Learners may provide evidence of prior learning for which they may receive credit towards the qualification using portfolios or other forms of appropriate evidence. If the learner has been able to demonstrate competence in the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes implicit in this qualification, the proper credits will be assigned to the learner and used to achieve accelerated access to this NQF level.

Entry Requirements

The minimum admission requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Arts, NQF Level 7.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Human Sciences

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 75 Credits

• Research Methodology for Human Sciences, 15 Credits.
• Africa in World Economies: Prospects and Apprehensions, 15 Credits.
• Research and thesis writing, 30 Credits.
• Africa in World Politics, 15 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 8, 45 Credits

Stream 1: African Studies Stream.

Elective Modules, Level 8, 30 Credits: (Choose two modules)

• Colonisation and Foreign exploitation of African Resources, 15 Credits.
• African Traditional Scientific Practices and Technology, 15 Credits.
• African Traditional Religious Practices and Philosophy, 15 Credits.
• African Archaeology, Anthropology and History, 15 Credits.
• African Languages, Literature and Education, 15 Credits.

And

Elective Modules, Level 8, 15 Credits: Choose one module

• Ancient Egyptian Civilisation and South African Civilisation.
• West African kingship, 15 Credits.
• African Renaissance and other Developmental Ideologies, 15 Credits.
• Indigenous medical practices and curative sciences, 15 Credits.
• Indigenous cosmology, agricultural practices and technology, 15 Credits.

Elective Modules for Stream 2: English Stream.

Elective Modules, Level 8, 30 Credits: (Choose two modules)

• Poetics, Modern Theory and Practice, 15 Credits.
• Black South African literature in English, 15 Credits.
• Backgrounds to Modern African Literature in English, 15 Credits.
• Shakespeare: Background and Plays, 15 Credits.
• The Romantic period: Background and Essays, 15 Credits.
• Literary research methods: Theory and Practice, 15 Credits.

And

Elective Modules, Level 8, 15 Credits: (Choose one module)

• Liberalism and Protest in South African English Literature, 15 Credits.
• Post-colonial African Literature in English, 15 Credits.
• Shakespeare sonnets, 15 Credits.
• The Romantic period: Poetry, 15 Credits.
• Mini dissertation, 30 Credits.

Archaeology Stream

Compulsory Modules, Level 8: 75 Credits

• Archaeological Methods, 15 Credits.
• History and Theories of Archaeology, 15 Credits.
• Contemporary Debates and Professional Codes and Ethics, 15 Credits.
• Research Project, 30 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 8: Choose 45 Credits

• Cultural Resource Management, 30 Credits.
• Topics in Paleo-Environmental Studies, 15 Credits.
• The Origins of Complex Societies.
• Studies in Early Trade and Exchange Systems, 15 Credits.

Anthropology Stream

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 60 Credits

• Qualitative Research, 15 Credits.
• Anthropological Theories, 15 Credits.
• Selected Studies in Culture and Technology, 15 Credits.
• Research Project, 15 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 8, Choose 60Credits (Choose 2 modules)

• Selected Studies on Cultural Interaction, 15 Credits.
• Museum Anthropology, 15 Credits.
• Culture, Power and Politics, 15 Credits.
• Urban Anthropology, 30 Credits.
• Communications Anthropology.
• Ethnicity and Nationalism.

Gender Studies Streams

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 60 Credits

• Mini-dissertation (Compulsory), 30 Credits.
• Theories of Gender and Social inequalities (Compulsory), 15 Credits.
• Research Methods in Gender Studies (Compulsory), 15 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 8, 15 Credits (Choose one module)

• Gender Issues in Science Education, 15 Credits.
• Gender and Health, 15 Credits.
• Gender and Religion, 15 Credits.
• Gender and Economic Development, 15 Credits.
• Language and Gender (Tshivenda), 15 Credits.
• Gender in the Novel: Post-colonial and Reconstruction, 15 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 8, 30 Credits (Choose two modules)

• Gender and Agriculture, 15 Credits.
• Gender and Violence, 15 Credits.
• Gender and Law, 15 Credits.
• Gender and Environment, 15 Credits.
• Strategies for Empowerment, 15 Credits.
• Language and Gender (Linguistics), 15 Credits.

1. Demonstrate the ability to communicate information and ideas, opinions using relevant analytical discourse.
2. Ability to identify, examine and reflect complex problems by presenting evidence to corroborate their arguments underpinned by an understanding of the theories and ethics.
3. Demonstrate integrated knowledge in human and social sciences and the ability to apply and evaluate concepts, key terms, facts, principles in those disciplines as well as in the areas of specialization.
4. Demonstrate their understanding that knowledge is a contested terrain. They should be able to examine the different types of knowledge and explain contexts within which such knowledge is produced.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Establish their communicative ability by examining the way in which they take decision in their context.
• Develop problem solving skills through communication.
• Exposed and guided towards understanding the importance multidisciplinary ways of solving a problem.
• Sharpen argumentative skills from a range of fields in the programme.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Show exposure to human sciences ethics and professional practices as well as evaluating their skills to understand ethical considerations.
• Complete an extended essay on a chosen topic to show evidence of their ability to process information and craft it in a logical and academic language.
• Engage in debates about the various philosophies in their disciplines.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Assist learners to see the world as an integrated whole and opens their knowledge base to pursue diverse fields of study.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding in their different fields in which they will have to master the registers and theories thereof.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Discern and validate different areas and knowledge.
• Show exposure to divergent methods, procedures to distinguish the contextual framework of knowledge.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment of learners is through formative and summative assessment. It comprises of course work and a research component. The research component will include a taught research methodology module. Learners produce a research proposal and carry on research. Formative assessment will be in the form of test, presentations and assignments. Summative assessment will be in the kind of an exam and submission of a mini-thesis.