Bachelor of Arts Honours in Tourism

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to provide students with specialised knowledge of concepts, theories, models, laws, principles, skills, research methods and applied competence in advanced tourism enabling them to pursue rewarding careers in the changing tourism environment within the national and international context and thus provide in the shortage of trained managers in the tourism and heritage industries, which has been identified by government as a scarce skill.

Rationale

The rationale behind this qualification is to provide graduates who have the necessary advanced knowledge and skills to function effectively as leaders in the field of tourism.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The North-West University subscribes to the principles underlying outcomes based, source-based and lifelong learning. In this context, considerations of articulation and mobility play an important role. The NWU endorses the view that Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) constitutes an essential element in deciding on admission to and awarding credits in an explicitly selected teaching-learning programme at Honours Level. RPL does not only imply assessment to determine the level of skills and knowledge comparable to Level 7 the candidate already possesses, but also the skills and knowledge the candidate has to master additionally prior to being accepted for the honours qualification. The assessment processes involved with RPL are the same as those followed for awarding credits in the formal graduate setting. An RPL candidate seeking credits for previously acquired skills and knowledge, must still comply with all the requirements as stated for modules, programmes and qualifications. The difference lies in the route of the assessment, since RPL assessment may be holistic in nature taking the context of the programme as well as the prior knowledge and experience of the person who is being assessed into account.

Entry Requirements

A prospective student should already be in possession of an applicable Bachelor's Degree, or equivalent qualification as approved by Senate, and should adhere to all the requirements related to majors for the primary part of the proposed Bachelor of Arts Honours (BA Hons) Degree, which includes an average of at least 60% for the relevant major/s in the final year. The general capability and academic performance of the student in each of the modules of this/these major(s) should be to the satisfaction of the relevant director.

This qualification comprises of compulsory and elective modules at Level 8.

Compulsory Modules

• Research Project: Heritage and Cultural Tourism (HIST671), 32 Credits.
• Heritage and Cultural Tourism: Theory and Practice (EKTP611), 24 Credits.
• Internship (EKTP621), 8 Credits.

Elective Modules

• Advanced Tourism Management and Development (TMBP671), 32 Credits.
• Advanced Tourism Marketing (TMBP673), 32 Credits.
• Conservation Management (EKTP622), 32 Credits.
• Heritage Impact Assessment (EKTP612), 32 Credits.

• Knowledge of and an ability to identify concurrent and divergent problems in the field of tourism.
• Comprehension and an informed ability to approach and solve problems within the tourism field by means of basic and applied research methods.
• Function effectively as an individual and within a group in a multi-cultural environment.
• Demonstrate self-discipline, integrity and commitment as a leader within the tourism environment.
• Collect, analyse, order, critically evaluate and apply knowledge with regard to tourism on an advanced level.
• Demonstrate accountability with regard to the attainment and communication of information and research results by means of utilising advanced information technology programmes.
• Demonstrate responsibility towards the environment and the health of others by means of the effective and critical use of science and technology.
• Demonstrate the application of self-critical and ongoing learning strategies that build on the attained foundation knowledge and active interest in the dynamics of the tourism context in order to enhance his or her own competence with regard to new methodologies, techniques and competing challenges in the changing tourism environment.
• Apply comprehensive and systematic knowledge with regard to heritage and cultural tourism to address specific research problems by means of utilising context specific research methods and procedures.
• Demonstrate lucid insight in the interpretation and practical application of ethical and historical issues within the context of tourism.
• Demonstrate the verbal and written application of attained knowledge and skills to assess, develop and present products for the tourism sector in an effective and responsible manner. These products include amongst other things tourism packages, excursions, data bases, publications and information material.
• Demonstrate a creative individual or group approach to address, report and present feasible solutions to existing or new problems and challenges in the tourism context of South Africa with specific focus on the North West Province.

Integrated Assessment

As stipulated in the Assessment and Moderation Policy of the North West University (NWU), qualification, programme and module outcomes and assessment criteria are clearly formulated according to the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) Level Descriptors and correctly communicated to students as guiding principle for assessment practices at the NWU. At least one opportunity for integrated assessment, where the main purpose and key outcomes of the qualification are assessed, is included in the assessment activities for this qualification. The following formative assessment modes are used, namely class tests and integrated assignments, which form a maximum of 50% of the pass mark. Summative assessment consists of a 2 to 3 hour written examination per module with a weight of 50%. Part of the integrated assessment is the research report or mini-dissertation with a credit value of 32 which the student must submit under the guidance of a supervisor.