Bachelor of Arts Honours in International Relations

Purpose and Rationale of the Qualification

Graduates will

• Be able to develop knowledge and skills for career opportunities in academic and research institutions, consultancy, military affairs, diplomacy particularly foreign affairs, national and international law, national, regional and international organisations, multinational corporations, national and provincial governments and non-governmental organisations.
• Be able to contribute towards the development and expansion of capacity building in peace studies and international relations essential for South Africa to achieve and expand the interests of its people in its participation in regional, continental and international affairs.
• Be competent in specialised theoretical knowledge and experience as well as analytical and technical skills in peace studies and international relations.
• Be competent in establishing linkages with individuals, governmental and non-governmental organisations ( such as the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Defence, Africa Institute of South Africa, Institute for Security Studies, Institute for Global Dialogue, Nigerian Institute of International Relations) and other academic and research institutions at national and international levels, involved in the study of such linkages so as to co-operate on the promotion of inter- and multi- disciplinary perspectives on issues of peace, wars, security, unity and sustainable development in Africa and the South in general.

Recognition of Prior Learning

• Access may be gained to the qualification through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Entry Requirements

• Undergraduate Degree in Peace Studies and International Relations, International Relations, Political Studies, Development Studies, Population Studies, Sociology, Public Administration, Communications and other related fields of study.

N/A

On completion of this Degree qualification, the graduates will be able to

1. Demonstrate ability to conduct inter-disciplinary analytical solutions for peace, security and international relations issues and developments.
2. Demonstrate competence to participate actively in inter-and multi-disciplinary teams to address peace, security and international relations issues and developments.
3. Conceptualise the significance and use of intermediate social science research methods and techniques, computer, internet and geographic information system technologies in investigating and analysing peace, security and international issues and developments.
4. Use inter-disciplinary theoretical perspectives critically to explain the nature and the role of peace, security, unity and sustainable development in Africa and the South in general.
5. Demonstrate critical comparison and appreciation of the role of indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) and appropriate technologies in addressing issues related to peace, security, unity and sustainable development in Africa and the South in general.
6. Initiate linkages with individuals, governmental and non-governmental organisations involved in peace, security and international relations issues and developments.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria are assessed in an integrated manner across all the Exit Level Outcomes

• Inter-disciplinary theoretical approaches on peace, security and international relations issues and developments are analytically applied.
• Peace, security and international relations issues and developments are critically understood.
• Strategies for peace, security and international relations issues and developments are comparatively interrogated.
• Peace, security and international relations issues and developments are critically evaluated.
• Inter-disciplinary strategies for peace, security and international relations issues and developments are systematically formulated.
• Inter-disciplinary solutions for peace, security and international relations issues and developments are realistically suggested.
• Inter-disciplinary solutions for peace, security and international relations issues and developments are clearly presented.
• Competence to participate actively in inter-and multi-disciplinary teams to address peace, security and international relations issues and developments is demonstrated.
• Constructive ideas for the sustainable development of inter-and multi-disciplinary teams to address peace, security and international relations issues and developments are provided.
• Leadership in inter- and multi-disciplinary teams to address peace, security and international relations issues and developments are demonstrated.
• Interest in promoting inter- and multi-disciplinary teams to address peace, security and international relations issues and developments is shown.
• Competence to co-ordinate activities of inter- and multi-disciplinary teams to address peace, security and international relations issues and developments is demonstrated.
• The significance of intermediate social science research methods and techniques, computer, internet and geographic information system technologies in investigating and analysing peace, security and international relations issues and developments is demonstrated.
• Appropriate intermediate social science research methods and techniques, computer, internet and geographic information system technologies in investigating and analysing peace, security and international relations issues and developments are used.
• The critical use of different theoretical perspectives to explain the nature and role of peace studies and international relations in promoting peace, security, unity and sustainable development in Africa and the South in general is demonstrated.
• The nature and significance of peace studies and international relations in promoting peace, security, unity and sustainable development in Africa and the South in general is critically and comparatively explained.
• The form and content of the position of Africa and the South in general in international politics and in the international political economy is critically evaluated.
• The objectives and goals of the quest for peace, security, unity and sustainable development strategies in Africa and the South in general are critically understood and appreciated.
• The political economy of peace, security, unity and sustainable development strategies in Africa and the South in general are comparatively and critically evaluated.
• Critical comparison of the role and significance of indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) and appropriate technologies in addressing issues related to peace, security, unity and sustainable development in Africa and the South in general are identified and demonstrated.
• Indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) and appropriate technologies in addressing issues related to peace, security, unity and sustainable development in Africa and the South in general is critically appreciated.
• Knowledge of current utilisation of indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) and appropriate technologies in addressing issues related to peace, security, unity and sustainable development in Africa and the South in general is stipulated with examples.
• Sensitivity to the significance of indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) and appropriate technologies in addressing issues related to peace, security, unity and sustainable development in Africa and the South in general is demonstrated.
• Ability to initiate linkages with individuals, governmental and non-governmental organisations involved in peace, security and international relations issues and developments is demonstrated.
• Competence in analysing the significance of networking in addressing peace, security and international relations issues and developments is reflected.
• Competence in promoting linkages with individuals, governmental and non-governmental organisations involved in peace, security and international relations issues and developments is demonstrated.
• Interest in promoting linkages with individuals, governmental and non-governmental organisations involved in peace, security and international relations issues and developments is demonstrated.
• The significance of promoting linkages with individuals, governmental and non-governmental organisations involved in peace, security and international relations issues and developments is appreciated and encouraged.

Integrated Assessment

• Portfolios.
• Simulations.
• Work-place assessments through practical application.
• Written examinations.
• Oral examinations.

Other

• The modalities for integrated assessment permit the learner to demonstrate applied competence and use a wide range of formative and summative methods set according to specific guidelines for developing particular assessment tasks and allowing assessors to develop formative and summative methods related to credentialing purposes appropriate to contextual and situational readings of candidates presenting themselves for the recognition of learning achievements.
• In addition to the above, modalities such as continuous assessment with feedback to students through class tests, group discussions, tasks, writing of reports on clients, oral tests in groups and individually, observation by tutor of all forms of clinical practicum and scheduled feedback both orally and in writing. Peer assessment is incorporated where possible.