Bachelor of Arts Honours

The purpose of the qualification is to produce a graduate who is able to demonstrate a high level of specialisation in a particular discipline, profession or field of enquiry and strong analytical ability in the Arts or Humanities or Social Sciences forming the foundation for a range of professions.

The purpose of the qualification is also to enhance the career of the postgraduate by enabling him/her to use higher order and lateral thinking, and specialist knowledge in a particular discipline, profession or field of enquiry.

Further, the purpose of the qualification is to produce postgraduates who can be employed both flexibly and with a specialisation, and who can contribute to the economy and social well-being of South Africa.

Formally Accredited Learning and Other Qualities

The typical applicant has a Bachelor of Arts degree of the University, or an equivalent University-approved qualification, which needs to have been achieved with a certain minimum percentage for the major subject that the learner intends to pursue at the Honours level. Learning achieved by meeting the outcomes of a qualification of the University listed below (under Formally Accredited Learning) is assumed to be in place. For further information, consult the application information for the year of study for which application is being made.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Applicants who fall outside of the normal admissions process who can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the University that they have a qualification or experiential- or work based learning which has taken the learner to an equivalent level of a qualification specified above (under Formally Accredited Learning), may be considered for admission and/or for the recognition of prior accredited and/or prior experiential learning. Applicants who, after such assessment, are deemed to have sufficient potential but are in need of further academic development, may be required to broaden their curriculum to include preliminary programmes prior to admission or parallel programmes after admission.

The qualifying learner is able to

1.1 Identify specialist research resources, bibliographic and data base searches

1.2 Explain meaning of texts and identify positions of argument.

2.1 Identify appropriate computer software for producing assignments and research

2.2 Identify the appropriate information technology for conducting research.

3.1 Identify and explain appropriate academic conventions with regard to how knowledge is reported

3.2 Identify and explain conventions of critical analysis

4.1 Identify one or more research methods and their appropriate applications

4.2 Identify and outline the relevant literature and information sources.

5.1 Apply knowledge to the challenges and problems posed in the world of work

5.2 Demonstrate self-directed, independent learning

5.3 Identify knowledge that new tasks demand.

6.1 Identify basic group dynamics and processes

6.2 Evaluate own group role and role of others.

1. Identify the relationship between discipline and ecosystemic contexts.

8.1 Demonstrate competence in basic disciplinary and/or professional knowledge and specific knowledge of selected specialisations or professions

8.2 Outline methods of knowledge production.

Critical Cross-field Outcomes

a) "Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made" - see Exit Level Outcomes (ELO) 3 & 4.

b) "Working with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community" - see ELO 6.

c) "Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively" - see ELO 5.

d) "Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information" - see ELO 1.

e) "Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion" - see ELO 2 & 4.

f) "Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others" - see ELO 1, 2, 4 & 7.

g) "Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts does not exist in isolation" - see ELO 7.

h) "Contributing to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of society at large, by making it the underlying intention of any programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of:

• (i) "Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively" - see ELO 5.
• (ii) "Participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities" - see ELO 7; note also that learners act in accordance with the code of conduct of the University and, where relevant, that of the professional discipline being studied.
• (iii) "Being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts" - see ELO 6.
• (iv) "Exploring education and career opportunities" - see ELO 5.
• (v) "Developing entrepreneurial opportunities" - see ELO 7 & 8.

The qualifying learner is able to

1.1 Apply appropriate data base search strategies and read and print electronic texts

1.2 Collect, select, organise, interpret different kinds of data

1.3 Read and critically evaluates texts and data

1.4 Represent own position in relation to debates.

2.1 Use effective argumentation skills

2.2 Apply appropriate word processing technologies for conducting research.

3.1 Interpret and criticise subject matter of a discipline

3.2 Apply critical and innovative approaches to solving problems by integrating information and theory

3.3 Evaluate limitations of different theoretical models.

4.1 Apply an appropriate research method whilst conducting a small scale research project

4.2 Assess the findings by writing research and drawing conclusions arising from the research.

5.1 Set goals and time management with minimal supervision

5.2 Demonstrate the ability to shape one's own learning

5.3 Demonstrate the ability to respond appropriately to feedback from peers

5.4 Demonstrate ability to assess oneself on oral and written presentations.

6.1 Identify and execute tasks responsibly

6.2 Demonstrate the ability to work constructively with diversity

6.3 Demonstrate ability to work collaboratively

6.4 Give effective feedback both as a member of a group and individually.

1. Apply research to relevant social and ecosystemic contexts.

8.1 Identify own lines of enquiry within the discipline and track the necessary information

8.2 Conduct reading in a specialised area

8.3 Demonstrate the ability to engage in higher order cognitive tasks as described under 3 within a selected discipline and/or profession

8.4 Apply academic research and critical evaluation within disciplinary specialisation and/or profession.

Integrated Assessment

The Honours research report and/or a coursework project are forms of integrated assessment used at this level.

ASSOCIATED VALUES

The qualifying learner is aware of the importance of the need to

1. Represent and acknowledge intellectual property of others.

2.1 Apply accurate representation and acknowledgement of the intellectual property of others.

2.2 Identify and evaluate published research in terms of its social effects.

1. Value responsible decisions with respect to knowledge

4.1 Undertake socially responsible research

4.2 Show ethical responsibility to research subjects.

5.1 Evaluate personal opportunities for life-long learning

5.2 Optimise resourcefulness.

6.1 Value collaborative processes

6.2 Value diversity.

1. Value the interconnectedness of social and natural environments.

8.1 Determine the social consequences of disciplinary and/or professional practices

8.2 Respect the integrity of the discipline and/or profession

8.3 Show an open mind to diverse interest at work within the discipline and/or profession.