Bachelor of Arts Honours in Islamic Studies

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)

This qualification recognises

Formal prior learning

• Students need a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree to register for the 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. A policy is currently being drawn up.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement is

• An appropriate Bachelor's Degree.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Modules

• Qur'anic Sciences, 24 Credits.
• Research Report, 36 Credits.
• Hadith Literature and Criticism, 24 Credits.
• Contemporary Islam, 24 Credits.
• Research Methodology and Religious Hermeneutics, 12 Credits.

1. Identify, analyse, formulate and solve convergent and divergent problems and issues related to the natural and human environments.
2. Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community.
3. Manage and organise own activities and life responsibly and effectively, including own studies within the open and distance learning context.
4. Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information, as required.
5. Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and for written presentation, often in pieces of 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 context.
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 own responsibilities to those in the local and broader community.

Associated Assessment Criteria are applied in an integrated manner to the Exit Level Outcomes

• Explain methods of assessing trends in contemporary Quranic sciences.
• Explain the interaction between Quranic sciences and current human sciences.
• Explain the methodological tools developed and used in Quranic sciences.
• Display a firm understanding of Hadith literature and criticism.
• Display a firm understanding of methods of assessing specialized literature pertaining to Hadith literature and criticism.
• Demonstrate insights into Muslim and Western approaches to research within Hadith literature and criticism.
• Display a firm understanding of meta-textual issues like the criteria for authenticating Prophetic literature.
• Show evidence of a strong understanding of either Shariah and Islamic jurisprudence; Philosophy, theology and mysticism; or Islam and the state in the Horn of Africa.
• Plan and execute a research strategy appropriate to the discipline.
• Produce an article-sized work of original research within the boundaries of the discipline.

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 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.
• 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. 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.