Bachelor of Arts Honours in History

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.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

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. A policy is currently being drawn up.

Entry Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree with at least 60% in History as a major.

This qualification comprises compulsory modules at Level 7 and 8 totalling 144 Credits.

Compulsory Modules Level 7, 36 Credits

• Themes from the History of Africa, 24 Credits.

Compulsory Modules Level 8, 84 Credits

• Research Report in History, 36 Credits.
• Research Methodology in History,12 Credits.
• Forging Southern African Identities, 24 Credits.
• Themes from Modern South African History, 24 Credits.
• Terrorism in Global History, 24 Credits.

1. Identify, analyse, formulate, and solve convergent and divergent problems of living, of individual and societal kinds, creatively and innovatively.
2. Work effectively with others as members and leaders of a team, group, organisation, community, and provide leadership to the group output in tasks growing out of the fields traditionally considered as the humanities.
3. Manage and organise their activities and life responsibly and effectively, including their studies and careers.
4. Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
5. Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation, in sustained discourse.
6. Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health and well-being of others, in community, national and global contexts.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising 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 1

• Identify, analyse and solve complex and advanced abstract problems by drawing on their own experience and theoretical knowledge and on the experiential base of a single discipline or across interdisciplinary lines in the humanities.
• Use their knowledge and experience to offer informed suggestions, or to generate alternative strategies, for dealing with problems at a community, national, international and global level.
• Solve problems by generating alternative strategies for dealing with those problems.
• Critically evaluate various theoretical standpoints and compare them to their own views.
• Offer evidence in a variety of ways (from a theoretical knowledge base, from an experiential base, etc.) to support their stated views.
• Analyse the global, national and local community in terms of problems, needs and opportunities.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 2

• Use and propagate 'people skills' (tolerance, empathy, listening skills, etc.) in group situations.
• Demonstrate respect for the opinion of others through (written and/or oral) reporting without bias.
• Demonstrate tolerance of diversity through (written and/or oral) reporting without bias.
• Undertake projects of a theoretical and/or practical nature to provide evidence of successful interaction with others.
• Use advanced communication skills within the group.
• Act as supportive followers and group participants.
• Organise themselves and others into effective working groups.
• Communicate the evidence of these group interactions through (written and/or oral) reporting.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 3

• Demonstrate the requisite theoretical skills and learning strategies.
• Organise their study plans and engage in effective time management.
• Assess their own strengths and weaknesses and develop organisational strategies.
• Evolve strategies best suited to their personal situations and contexts.
• Think independently, and offer sustained theoretical evidence to support their decisions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 4

• Demonstrate research skills within a discipline or field of study.
• Use library and other resources effectively to suit the needs of the particular area of research.
• Integrate information from a variety of sources.
• Act responsibly as researchers and scholars (e.g. appropriate referencing, avoiding plagiarism, etc.).
• Follow relevant discipline-related conventions and guidelines to their academic and personal purposes.
• Critically evaluate theories, examples, experiences, etc.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 5

• Communicate their ideas logically and provide supporting evidence in a sustained manner.
• Evaluate conclusions and premises in academic arguments and produce sound arguments.
• Use language competently, showing awareness of written (and/or oral) conventions relevant to the discipline.
• Use appropriate models of organisation and presentation as required in the relevant discipline.
• Use statistics (where necessary) effectively in support of their ideas.
• Identify and illustrate discipline-specific jargon.
• Analyse, evaluate and critique the ideas of others.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 6

• Demonstrate a responsible attitude towards scholarship and technology.
• Use scientific methods of investigation, testing and evaluation.
• Select technology to suit the needs of the individual or group.
• Use natural resources in a sustainable way.
• Show respect for and a responsible/ethical attitude towards science and technology.
• Show respect and openness towards the psychological, health and physical environment of others.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 7

• Demonstrate their prior knowledge and experience as it is relevant to their discipline.
• Connect the abstract knowledge of theory to the reality of their individual contexts.
• Draw upon their prior knowledge (personal and abstract) and personal experience as appropriate when investigating and analysing the world around them.
• Look beyond and across traditional disciplinary boundaries for possible solutions.

Integrated Assessment

Summative assessment takes place by means of a written exam at the end of the year. The mark acquired during the exam counts 80% towards the year mark. The research article requires the student to do extensive research. Formative assessment takes place during the year based on two draft papers, which counts 20% towards the year mark. Summative assessment takes place when the completed research article is submitted and the mark counts 80% towards the year mark. The assignments are assessed by an internal examiner. The exams and research article are assessed by two internal moderators and an external examiner. Assessment results are captured according to University of South Africa (Unisa) policies and procedures to ensure validity and reliability. The assessment types are designed test research skills, knowledge, and competence through a range of different tasks that meet national and international standards of excellence in research design and execution. Assessment is done in line with the UNISA Assessment Policy and the Assessment Procedures Manual.

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, essay or a combination. 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.

The development of a research proposal of an approved topic through 4 written assignments and online participation; a research project submitted as a final research report:

• HSY4801 Research Methodology in History:2 written assignments and a final portfolio, comprising revision of written assignments and evidence of online participation and group work.
• HSY4803 Forging Southern African Identities: 3 written assignments and a 3-hour written examination.
• HSY4804 Themes from Modern South African History:3 written assignments and a 3-hour written examination.
• HSY4806 Terrorism in Global History: 4 assignments, each based on online participation and a written component; a final portfolio based on online participation and a final written assignment.