Bachelor of Arts in Human and Social Development

Purpose

The purpose of the Bachelor of Arts in Human and Social Development is to develop and produce skilled and competent male and female learners for a career as development practitioners in the NGO sector, local government sector, and providing ethical leadership in communities and societies beyond South Africa and Africa. The seeks to contribute towards the intended outcomes which are to develop the learners:

• Analytical and critical thinking;
• Research and writing skills, and
• A deeper understanding of life-world.

Further, it offers students an opportunity to gain insight into the theory and practice of human and social development, and specific discourses in the field of development studies.

The qualification draws knowledge from different disciplines within the fields of humanities and social sciences. This multidisciplinary nature includes anthropology, psychology, sociology, development, economics, ethics, leadership, religion and governance studies. It is designed to develop the whole person and equip students with the knowledge, critical thinking and understanding of theories and practices involved in specific discourses of human and social development. The qualification will enable learners to evaluate and judge the development needs and effectiveness of development initiatives and interventions in contemporary development practices. The qualification ensures that learners are familiar with and engage with broad issues in the field of development studies.

The qualification "emphasises general principles and theory" as a way of preparing the learner to enter into the job market after graduation or enrolling into a Postgraduate qualification of their choice. Apart from preparing learners to enter into postgraduate qualifications, they will be ready for the world of work in the NGO sector, in the local government and societal leadership in South Africa and beyond.

Rationale

The qualification is a three year full-time and six-year part-time qualification which brings together two interdisciplinary streams of Human Development and Social Development. This multidisciplinary approach of the qualification promotes and empowers men and women to work in governmental agencies and non-governmental organisations. The rationale of the qualification is to build capacity for social change in community and institutional environments, such as social development, advocacy, public participation, poverty eradication and environmental protection and sustainability. A key focus of this qualification is the development of knowledge, skills and competencies for improved development practice, and to further build a strong foundation for academic progress in the field of Development Studies. Therefore, the rationale is to equip men and women with the ability to think critically and independently in a way that interrogates the role of states, religion, civil society organisations and private institutions. This role includes analysing policy implementation at the global, the regional and local levels.

The qualification intends to address the needs of current and former learners who have qualifications in human and social development at a Higher Certificate and Advanced Certificate levels. Therefore, the qualification will be of interest to those learners who wish to be involved in the public sector, Non-Governmental Organisations and private institutions as human and social development practitioners. It will also be relevant to those who want to develop their academic careers in the field of Development Studies. It will serve as a resource to meet the needs of various other stakeholders in human and social development areas including community empowerment, gender-mainstreaming and poverty alleviation qualifications.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The learner will be expected to demonstrate his/her experiences and skills. Such demonstration helps to assess the learner against the standards of the institution in Human and Social development.

The application for RPL for access to the qualification consists of the following procedures

• On request for registration, the learner seeking RPL for access submits the "Application for Recognition of Prior Learning" form together with supporting documents (e.g. secondary education certificate, academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, employment reports, etc.).

RPL for credits: This is to provide for the awarding of credits for, or towards, the qualification or part of qualification registered on the NQF. The procedure is similar to that presented about for RPL for access.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4, granting access to Bachelor's studies.
• Senior Certificate or Equivalent, NQF Level 4 with endorsement.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5: 114 Credits

• Fundamentals of Project Management, 12 Credits.
• Leadership and Development, 12 Credits.
• Cultural Anthropology, 12 Credits.
• Logic and Critical Thinking, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Community Development, 12 Credits.
• Economics I, 12 Credits.
• English Language, 14 Credits.
• Introduction to Development Studies, 12 Credits.
• Psychology I, 12 Credits.
• Sociology, 12 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 144 Credits

• HIV and AIDS and Development, 16 Credits.
• African Philosophy Today, 16 Credits.
• Community Development, 16 Credits.
• Poverty and Social Development, 12 Credits.
• Business Ethics,12 Credits.
• Globalisation and Development Challenges, 12 Credits.
• Economics II, 12 Credits.
• Climate Change and Development, 12 Credits.
• Culture Change in Africa, 8 Credits.
• Civil Society and Development, 12 Credits.
• Social and Economic Justice, 8 Credits.
• Social Moral Theology, 8 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 156 Credits

• Research in Social Science, 12 Credits.
• Gender and Development, 8 Credits.
• Political and Social Philosophy, 16 Credits.
• Monitoring and Evaluation, 12 Credits.
• Theories of Development, 12 Credits.
• Public Participation, Power and Development, 16 Credits.
• Religion and Governance, 16 Credits.
• Project Management, 16 Credits.
• Development and Ecology, 8 Credits.
• Land and Development, 8 Credits.
• Bible, Development and Social Questions, 8 Credits.
• Development Economics, 16 Credits.
• Faith and Development, 8 Credits.

1. Demonstrate competence in applying the basic knowledge of theoretical principles of human and social development by identifying, problem-solving and reflecting on current affairs in the field of development studies.
2. Demonstrate adequate knowledge competence by engaging different role players in human and social development discourses and development studies.
3. Analyse and critically evaluate human and social development scenarios and develop meaningful suggestions and advice to the designing and writing of a full development plan in the field of development studies.
4. Organise and coordinate resources and opportunities in the field of development studies by applying the relevant theoretical aspects of human and social development.
5. Practice acceptable social sensitivity with others and work effectively in self-directed human and social development teams by reflecting on and implementing relevant theories of leadership and teamwork in the field of development studies.
6. Advocate for and promote responsible local and global citizenship by applying the holistic human and social development approaches in the field of development studies.
7. Merge personal and academic development with employability in the field of development studies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Establish integrated knowledge of human and social development and can understand how to apply the basic theoretical principles to problem identification, solving and solution in development studies.
• Determine the application of specialised knowledge to issues of human and social development and relate that knowledge to other fields in development studies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Show in-depth knowledge and understanding of concepts in human and social development and their applicability to development studies.
• Present a critical evaluation of the knowledge acquired and explains it because of development practice.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Understand various methods of enquiry used in human and social development scholarships and the field of development studies.
• Show the ability to select appropriate methods to analyse, and critically reflect on and resolve complex human and social development problems or initiate a process of change.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Synchronise and organise resources and opportunities in the field of development studies.
• Discover the relevant application of theoretical aspects to development resource planning.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Identify complex issues in self-directed human and social development project teams and teambuilding.
• Analyse and critically reflect on problems about building self-directed human and social development project teams and teamwork management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Decide and acts as a responsible and ethical development practitioner.
• Justify, ethically and professionally, some human and social development practices, decision-making and actions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Attribute theoretical human and social development to gaining and maintaining employment in the field of development studies.

Integrated Assessment

Formative Assessment

• Tests, presentations, individual and group assignments.

Summative Assessment

• Examination.