Bachelor of Arts Honours in Integrated Organisational Communication

Purpose

The Bachelor of Arts Honours in Integrated Organisational Communication is to provide learners with a theoretical knowledge of the nature of communication, as it exists in the context of the organisation. Learners will demonstrate theoretical and practical knowledge of the strategic role of communication; knowledge of the fields that exist in the study and practice of communication in the context of the organisation; a knowledge of the benefits of integrating the communication of an organisation and the ability to practice techniques of integration.

This qualification will equip learners with innovativeness, problem-solving competencies, and the ability to operate in multidisciplinary teams designed to manage organisational communication matters.

Rationale

The qualification is best categorised, following international practice, as "Integrated" as it takes an integrated view of the broad discipline. It recognises the existence and interdependence of all organisational communication, internal and external; and it recognises the validity of all fields that address the communication phenomenon in the context of the organisation, including the often-overlapping fields of advertising, public relations, business communication, general marketing communication and corporate communication.

The design of the qualification is such that it offers semi-advanced research training in areas of integrated organisational communication. The qualification also aims to provide South Africa and the rest of the world with significant number of candidates that are ready to pursue advance postgraduate degrees in the areas of communication. In its nature, the qualification is broad as it encompasses marketing communication, business communication, public relations, advertising and corporate communication. Qualifying learners are thus trained in all areas that pertain to integrated organisational communication.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The RPL procedures manual for the institution governs and guides the RPL strategy of the implementation of the RPL policy in the college of Human Science. The RPL procedures are implemented for the purposes of providing alternative admission routes into formal qualifications for learners who do not meet the statutory admission requirements, granting of subject credits towards a Unisa qualification or can be used as a career development tool. Recognition of Prior Learning at the institution serves a social justice function based on the premise that people learn both inside and outside formal learning structures and that this learning can be worthy of recognition and credit.

RPL application and pre-assessment phase

In this phase, learners would apply for admission into an undergraduate qualification and consult with the institutional counselling department for guidance on the chosen qualification as well as the RPL processes. Pre-screening of the RPL application for completeness would commence. Once applications have been deemed viable, learners will be informed and taken through the portfolio development workshop before the assessment processes commence.

Assessment phase

In this phase, the learner would complete their portfolio and submit evidence to be assessed for RPL recognition. The submission by the candidate would then be assessed, a report on the submission will be compiled and finalised before it is sent for verification and ratification at the Executive Dean's office. Once verified, the learner will be notified of the outcome.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor's Degree in the Communication Science, NQF Level 7.

Compulsory Modules

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

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 96 Modules

• Organisational Communication Research, 12 Credits.
• Organisational Communication Theory, 24 Credits.
• Marketing Communication, Advertising and Public Relations, 24 Credits.
• Advanced Research Report, 36 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 8, 24 Credits

• Integrated Communication and the Organisation, 24 Credits.
• Decoloniality: Africana Thought, Discourse and Critique, 24 Credits.

1. Identify, analyse, formulate and solve convergent and divergent problems and issues related to the natural environment.
2. Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community, and contribute to the group output in tasks within the field of environmental management.
3. Manage and organise activities and life responsibly and effectively.
4. Communicate effectively, critically solve problems and possess the necessary oral, written and presentation skills that are required in the integrated organisation environment.
5. 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 locally and the broader community.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Identify, analyse and solve complex and advanced abstract problems by drawing on own experience and theoretical knowledge and on the experiential base of a single discipline or across interdisciplinary lines in the humanities.
• Use 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 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 Outcome 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 other.
• 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 Outcome 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 Outcome 4

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

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Demonstrate 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 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

Learners will be assessed in terms of their ability to complete assignments which provide evidence of their understanding and ability to:

• Describe and interpret integrated organisation communication questions/issues with their own examples and against the background of their theoretical knowledge of integrated organisational communication issues.
• Critically evaluate and compare various viewpoints on integrated organisational communication, also with their own views.
• Communicate their ideas logically and provide supporting evidence.

In terms of the assessment structure, the formative assessment and summative assessment contributions vary as per arrangement on each module. For instance, three modules are designed in the following formats - formative assessment counts 25% whilst summative assessment counts 75%. In terms of one module assessment structure, formative assessment contributes 40% whilst summative assessment contributes 60% of the total mark. The formative assignments/assessments are written assignments whilst the summative assessments are also written portfolio submissions.