Bachelor of Arts Honours in Setswana

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to develop scientific insight into and knowledge of the linguistics and literature of Setswana, which would entail acquisition, control, analysis, integration and application of knowledge independently, as well as to evaluate it in a principled and well-grounded manner. Graduates will realise the need for life-long learning in order to deal critically with different methodologies and come to formulate personal literary and linguistic opinions based on subject-specific and theoretical knowledge. In the process they will come to understand the linguistic and literary phenomena of culturally-diverse South African and world populations and be able to communicate such to others.

Rationale

This Bachelor of Arts Honours in Setswana BA Hons (Setswana) qualification is intended to educate learners in the theory and practice of Setswana and thus to become a relevant role player and practitioner in the South African society. Graduates would be able to play an important role in solving problems within the context of Setswana in different fields of specialisation. This qualification is intended to assist relevant role players, such as potential employers, current learners and their parents, to understand the criteria determining job possibilities in the world of the languages and humanities, more specifically, in Setswana. The term 'generic' is used to indicate that the basic minimum of the outcomes as well as their associated assessment criteria has been identified. In keeping with the points of departure of the generic degrees project, the standards have been developed abstractly. The standard is not bound by discipline-specific knowledge, but rather by consensus on the depth and complexity of learning and competencies to be acquired by learners in such programmes of study. This has the implication that a learner could build a learning programme at the appropriate level by using a wide variety of disciplines leading to the desired outcomes. In the construction of a specific study programme provision should be made for depth and that the level descriptors should be kept in mind very closely so as to allow a student to proceed to more complex post-graduate work. This generic qualification standard proposes a minimum standard for the Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in languages and the Humanities consisting of at least 128 Credits within the 'general track' of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution accepts the principle underlying outcomes oriented, source-based and lifelong learning in which considerations of articulation and mobility play a meaningful role. The institution also underwrites the view that recognition of previous learning, obtained either by formal teaching programmes at this or another institution, or informally (obtained by experience), is an indispensable element in granting admission or credits with the aim of placing in a specifically chosen teaching-learning programme of the institution. In recognising previous learning, it deals with provable knowledge and learning that the applicant obtained by following formal teaching programmes or by experience. At all times the question will be what level of competence was reached, judged in the context of the exit level skills required for the contemplated teaching-learning programmes (or modules therein) or status for which the applicant is applying and not merely about the experience the applicant can prove. Recognition of previous learning takes place in terms of the relevant skills that the applicant demonstrated in the application with reference to the exit outcomes that should be reached in the chosen programme.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement is

• Bachelor of Arts in Setswana.

This qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at Level 8 totalling 128 Credits.

Compulsory Modules

• Setswana: Literary Theory, 24 Credits.
• Setswana Literature: Research Methodology, 32 Credits.

Elective Modules

• Setswana: Poetry, 24 Credits.
• Puo le Setso, 6 Credits.
• Botshomolodi, 18 Credits.
• Bofetoledi, 18 Credits.
• Bobukafoko le Botlhamamareo, 18 Credits.
• Diteori le Ditheo tsa Bofetoledi le Botshomolodi, 18 Credits.
• Puo le Lemorago la Phetolelo le Botshomolodi, 18 Credits.
• Hisetori ya Bofetaledi le Botshomolodi mo Mefameng, 18 Credits.
• Setswana: Prose, 24 Credits.
• Puo le Molao, 6 Credits.
• Setswana: Linguistic Theory, 24 Credits.
• Setswana: Semantics, 24 Credits.
• Setswana: Syntax, 24 Credits.
• Setswana: Morphology and Phonology, 24 Credits.
• Setswana: Drama, 24 Credits.
• Setswana Linguistics: Research Methodology, 32 Credits.
• Setswana Language, 24 Credits.
• Setswana: Childrens Literature, 24 Credits.

1. Demonstrate advanced scholarly and scientific knowledge and understanding of approaches to, as well as terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories typical to Setswana at advanced level within the context of other African languages.
2. Identify, analyse, and solve problems within the context of Setswana in a critical and creative manner.
3. Demonstrate the ability to search for, control, apply, analyse, and integrate knowledge independently, as well as to evaluate it in a responsible and well-grounded manner.
4. Demonstrate competency as effective learners who understand the need for life-long learning.
5. Report on research and communicate it in writing and orally, with the use of appropriate Information Technology (IT).
6. Critically evaluate of ethics and practices akin to the language of Setswana.
7. Articulate and communicate the value of being a competent and critical user of Setswana within a vocational context as well as within a culturally-diverse South African and world population.

Integrated Assessment

Continuous formative assessment ensures feedback to learners on progress towards the achievement of specific learning outcomes. Summative assessment focuses on the exit-Level Outcomes of the qualification and includes integrated assessments, among others a mini-dissertation, which assess the students' ability to integrate the larger body of knowledge, competencies and attitudes that are represented by the Exit-Level Outcomes, either as a whole or as components of the qualification. Integrated assignments focuses on assessing whether the purpose of the qualification as a whole has been achieved, either in to or in the component parts of the programme of study and on the demonstration of applied competence. It is essential that a wide range of knowledge, skills, competencies and attitudes be integrated using innovative methods - and in the assessment of outcomes due recognition should be given to criteria and methods of assessment that assess these appropriately and adequately. The learners are further assessed through a written literature review and project reports, practical tests, oral presentations and final oral and written examinations to assess their holistic knowledge and interpretative skills.