Bachelor of Arts Honours in Gender Studies

Purpose

The purpose of the Bachelor of Arts Honours in Gender Studies is to prepare learners for research-based postgraduate study. The qualification serves to consolidate and deepen a learner's knowledge of the field and to develop research capacity in the methodology and techniques of that field. The qualification demands a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence.

Upon completion of this qualification, qualifying learners will be able to

• Demonstrate an advanced understanding of and critical insight into the principles, theories and methodological approaches underpinning the field of Gender Studies.
• Apply advanced knowledge and skills to critically discuss and debate complex issues in gender studies.
• Critically reflect on the diversity of approaches to the generation of knowledge and what constitutes knowledge and research in gender studies.
• Access information from a diverse range of sources to address complex problems and issues in gender studies.
• Evaluate the sources and the information and use this information to develop and sustain an argument in which different knowledge perspectives and interests are integrated, multiple views accommodated, and creative tension managed.
• Undertake independent and original research in a specialised area of gender studies, starting from identifying a research problem, collecting data, and analysing the data, to completion of the research and preparation of the research report.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of professional ethics in gender studies and apply this in their work, decisions, and actions.
• Communicate confidently and effectively, orally and in writing, to professional and lay audiences using appropriate language and technology.
• Work effectively as part of a group, taking the lead when required and taking full responsibility for personal work and that of the team members when appropriate.

Rationale

Gender Equality is currently one of the international and national priority areas and a central tenet of the South African constitution. The qualification seeks to build on learners' knowledge and to provide them with specialised skills and theoretical competence in the field of gender dynamics. Furthermore, the qualification provides learners with skills to apply the acquired knowledge to solve complex gender-based problems in contemporary societies. Gender Studies aims to provide learners with an understanding of how gender operates within systems and institutions to create imbalances of power.

The qualification will be transdisciplinary in nature and will draw learners from across various disciplines including Agriculture, Social Sciences, Development Studies and more. The focus of the qualification will be to advance learners' in-depth knowledge of gender theories, praxis as well as a feminist-based research methodology. Such research can inform policy and development strategies specific to the province, country, and continent.

The qualification offers an alternative angle of vision or worldview and understanding of the social world in which we live, and which shapes our lives. It looks beyond normal, taken-for-granted views of reality to provide deeper, more illuminating, and challenging understandings of social life. Through its analytical perspective, theories, and research methods, Gender Studies is a discipline that expands on gender awareness and analysis of the human social relationships, cultures, violence, and institutions that profoundly shape both our lives and human history.

Qualifying learners will be prepared for further postgraduate studies but will also be able to join the workforce and work in Higher Education Institutions, International and Governmental and Non-Governmental Organisations and the private sector.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy which is applicable with equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications. RPL may be applied for access, credits from modules and credits for or towards the qualification.

RPL for access

• Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
• To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations should they be allowed entrance into the qualification.

RPL for exemption of modules

• Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

RPL for credit

• Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.
• Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Social Science in Sociology, NQF Level 7.

Or

• Advanced Diploma in the related field, NQF Level 7.

Or

• Any relevant qualification in the related field, NQF Level 7.

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

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 90 Credits

• Intersectional Feminist Research Methods, 15 Credits.
• Research Report, 30 Credits.
• Gender Theories, 15 Credits.
• Gender and Development in Africa, 15 Credits.
• Gender and Violence, 15 Credits.

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

• Gender and Family, 15 Credits.
• Gender and Institutional Transformation, 15 Credits.
• Queerness in Africa, 15 Credits.

1. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of and critical insight into the principles, theories and methodological approaches underpinning the field of Gender Studies.
2. Apply advanced knowledge and skills to critically discuss and debate complex issues in gender studies.
3. Address complex problems and issues in gender studies to develop and sustain an argument in which different knowledge perspectives and interests are integrated.
4. Undertake independent and original research in a specialised area of gender studies, starting from identifying a research problem, collecting data, and analysing the data, to completion of the research and preparation of the research report.
5. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of professional ethics in gender studies and apply this in their work, decisions, and actions.
6. Communicate confidently and effectively, orally and in writing, to professional and lay audiences using appropriate language and technology.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Review and use relevant gender theories, principles, procedures and practices, research methodologies, methods, and techniques to support the development of convincing arguments and positions in assignments, research reports and examinations.
• Discuss gender studies supported by reference to current literature and case studies and draws on examples from around the world with an emphasis on Africa.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Analyse the interrelationship between gender and socio-economic development with reference to current literature and case studies.
• Analyse and discuss gender-based violence with reference to established theory and current literature.
• Analyse the evolving nature of what constitutes family using gender as the lens.
• Discuss the interrelationship between gender and institutional transformation with reference to current literature and case studies.
• Identify appropriate methods, including statistical methods, where a range of methods are considered, and the appropriate ones are chosen.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Apply perspectives from different disciplines successfully and manage creative tensions such that multiple voices are heard.
• Select and justify given familiar and unfamiliar research topics, an appropriate research paradigm.
• Analyse knowledge and the nature of knowledge in the social sciences and gender studies with reference to relevant theory.
• Access, evaluate and include information from a wide range of sources in the research paper.
• Review and analyse existing knowledge in gender studies.
• Manage contradictory information well, consider alternative viewpoints and reach a balanced conclusion.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Evaluate, discuss, and apply research paradigms used in gender research applications.
• Apply critical awareness of relevant philosophies and research paradigms.
• Use and apply routine and specialised methods in gender studies correctly.
• Understand and describe the inherent weaknesses of an applied or recommended method.
• Use a range of approaches to data collection and recommend and justify an appropriate method.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Identify ethical issues in gender studies correctly and report how best to address them.
• Use a range of information sources and demonstrate a critical evaluation of each source.
• Formulate recommendations, fully supported, and justified by the data.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Communicate results from the research project to both professional and lay audiences using appropriate language and technology
• Communicate oral arguments in a convincing manner.
• Communicate complex concepts, ideas, and theories clearly.
• Work effectively as part of a group, taking the lead when required and taking full responsibility for personal work and that of the team members when appropriate.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

Formative Assessment

Learners will be provided with a minimum of four formative assessment activities and the feedback will be used by the learners to improve their learning. In this developmental approach to assessment, assessment tasks will be provided regularly and will be closely aligned with the learning outcomes; comprehensive feedback is provided to help with learning, and opportunities are provided for learners to demonstrate that their learning has developed or progressed. Through this, learners are empowered in the assessment process and are assisted to monitor their learning.

Summative assessment

The extent to which learners have achieved the outcomes will be assessed in a formal examination. In the Research Report and Intersectional Feminist Research Methods modules, assessment is again formative and summative.

The research project is an excellent tool to integrate learning and assessment.

• Full details of the assessment are included in each of the module outlines, which have been uploaded.

The final module mark is the weighted average of Formative Assessment at 60% and Summative Assessment at 40%. To pass the Honours degree, learners must pass each module with a final mark of 50% or greater.

The single final mark for the Honours degree is calculated as the weighted average of the module marks where the weighting is based on the number of credits for each module.