Bachelor of Arts Honours in Biblical Studies

Purpose and Rationale

The primary purpose of the qualification is to provide Honours Bachelor of Arts (BA) graduates with systematic knowledge, specialised skills and theoretical competence focusing on or within a particular discipline or within an interdisciplinary framework to prepare them for specialist training at an advanced level.

A second purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa (and other countries) with graduates who have in-depth knowledge and the confidence to identify and define complex problems and to apply their skills in finding solutions to those problems, especially within unfamiliar contexts.

A third purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa (and other countries) with people who can demonstrate thorough familiarity with a particular discipline or interdisciplinary framework and have the ability to perform independently as intellectual leaders in their society.

This qualification recognises formal prior learning and non-formal and informal prior experiential learning

Formal prior learning

• Students need a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree to register for the Honours Bachelor of Arts (Hons BA).
• Students' prior accredited learning at tertiary level in relevant domains which constitute credit-bearing units is recognised.

Non-formal and informal prior experiential learning

• Students will be given RPL for individual modules if they can produce a portfolio of evidence or undergo any other recognised means of assessment that shows that they meet the outcomes and associated assessment criteria specified for that module. They may also be awarded blocks of credits towards elective modules in line with the institutional RPL policy.

Entry Requirement

A Bachelor's Degree with at least 60% in Biblical Studies as a major.

This qualification comprises of compulsory modules at Levels 8 totalling 120 Credits

• Understanding the Old Testament, 24 Credits.
• Reading the Old Testament, 24 Credits.
• Contextualising the Old Testament, 24 Credits.
• Research Proposal in the Old Testament, 12 Credits.
• Old Testament Research Report, 36 Credits.

1. Identify, analyse, formulate and solve convergent and divergent problems and issues related to the human environments.
2. Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organization or community.
3. Manage and organise her or his activities and life responsibly and effectively, including her or his studies within the open and distance learning context.
4. Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information, as required in the pursuit of the Degree.
5. Communicate effectively using visual and/or language skills in the modes of oral and for written presentation, often in pieces of sustained discourse.
6. Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognizing that problem solving contexts do not exist in isolation, and by acknowledging their responsibilities to those in the local and broader community.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes

• Demonstrate appropriate knowledge, the required skills and theoretical competence to ensure adequate interpretations of Old Testament texts.
• Assess the reading, writing, interpretive and evaluative skills that are required for doing independent research in the form of a research proposal and a research essay/report.

Integrated Assessment

Formative Assessment is done by means of activities in study guides, self-assessment questions in study guides and self-assessment assignments as well as written assignments that have to be submitted for assessment. The assignments are either in the form of multiple-choice questions (MCQs), short questions, essays or a combination. Students must submit at least two to three assignments for each module. The marks obtained for these assignments contribute a minimum of 20% towards the final mark for the module. The remaining mark is made up of the examination mark. Feedback on activities and self-assessment questions are provided in study guides and tutorial letters. Individual feedback on assignments is provided by assessors in marked assignments while general feedback on these assignments is provided in tutorial letters.

Summative Assessment is conducted by means of a two to three-hour examination per module. Feedback on summative assessment (examinations) is provided to individual students upon request. Internal moderators for assignments are usually course coordinators and for examinations are second examiners.