Bachelor of Arts Honours in Religious Studies

Purpose

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.

Rationale

The Programme's curriculum has been designed to align with all statutory requirements with regards to the intended purpose, Exit Level Outcomes and Assessment Criteria. The programme's curriculum has been designed to reflect the balance between theoretical, practical and experiential knowledge and skills that is appropriate to the discipline. The adjustments that were made in 2012 concern the credit weighting of HRS411Q (from 24 to 12 Credits) and HRS4805 (from 24 to 36 Credits) in line with Product Quality Management (PQM) adjustments in the institution. The decrease/increase of credits in the two modules led to a modification of the content of the two modules in order to accommodate the changes in notional hours.

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.

Entry Requirements

A Bachelor's Degree with Religious Studies as a major.

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

Compulsory Modules

• Research Report, 36 Credits.
• Religion in Public and Public Life, 24 Credits.
• Theory/Philosophy of Religion, 24 Credits.
• Inter-history of Religion, 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 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 her or his activities and life responsibly and effectively, including her or his studies within the open and distance learning context.
4. Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information, as required in the pursuit of the Bachelor's of Arts Honours (BAHons) (Religious Studies).
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 their responsibilities to those locally and the broader community.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Identify, analyse and solve concrete and abstract problems by drawing on the theoretical knowledge and experiential base of a single discipline or across interdisciplinary lines in science and technology.
• Identify, analyse and solve problems in a variety of routine and non-routine contexts within a discipline or field of study.
• Use their knowledge and experience to offer informed suggestions for solving 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 own views.
• Offer evidence in a variety of ways (from theoretical knowledge base, from experiential base, etc.) to support their stated views.
• Analyse the global, national and local community in terms of problems, needs, opportunities related to science and technology.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Demonstrate respect for the scientific opinion of others 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 scientific communication skills within the group.
• Lead people effectively within the limits of their own competence.
• Organise themselves and others into effective working groups.
• Communicate the evidence of these group interactions through (written, oral, and/or modern data and telecommunication media) reporting.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

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

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Use library and other resources such as computers effectively to suit the needs of the particular area of research.
• Integrate information from a variety of sources.
• Act responsibly as a researcher and scholar (e.g. appropriate referencing, avoiding plagiarism, etc.).
• Follow the conventions of scholarship in the discipline under study.
• Apply relevant discipline-related conventions and guidelines to their academic and personal purposes.
• Critically evaluate theories, examples, experimental results, etc.
• Argue appropriately within the relevant discourse community.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Responsibly use the ideas of others in support of their own (without plagiarism, etc.).
• Evaluate conclusions and premises in academic arguments.
• Follow the literacy and numeracy conventions of written (and/or oral) use in the respective 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.
• Use language to analyse, evaluate and critique the ideas of others.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Select technology to suit the needs of the individual or group.
• Use natural resources in a sustainable way.
• Show respect for and a responsible attitude towards science and technology.
• Demonstrate a consideration of the ethics involved in science and technology issues.
• Show respect and openness towards psychological, health and physical environment of others.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Use interdisciplinary methods to solving science and technology related problems.
• Follow an integrated approach to learning and studying.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment is done in line with the institution's policy.

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. Students must submit at least two assignments for each module. The marks obtained for these assignments contribute a minimum of percentage towards the final mark for the module. The remaining mark is made up of the examination mark.

Summative Assessment is conducted by means of a two-to three-hour examination per module.