Bachelor of Commerce in Law

Purpose

This qualification is aimed at producing a well-rounded graduate who has the option either of entering the world of work immediately, or of continuing with further study.

The Bachelor of Commerce: Law (BCom Law) contains the following characteristics

• A solid grounding in the academic theory underpinning the main concepts of commerce and law, including a significant experiential component, culminating in an internship which forms part of the final year curriculum.
• A range of relevant generalised modules which aim to broaden the knowledge base of the Bachelor of Commerce Law student such as Business English, Computer Skills, Economics and Quantitative Techniques.

The specific skills acquired by the learner will depend on which business or commerce modules are chosen as majors. The learners have the option of majoring in business management, human resources management or accounting. Each major will ensure efficient and effective use of resources to achieve organisational objectives.

Rationale

The business environment in South Africa is complex, dynamic and fast-changing, necessitating the need for business people to acquire sophisticated management skills to compete in local and global markets. In addition, the legal knowledge gained will ensure graduates are aware of any and all legalities in the business world with which they need to comply.

The Bachelor Commerce: Law contributes to regional and national goals in a variety of ways, including

• Broadening access to and success in Higher Education through flexible entry and fixed exit standards and through the inclusion of academic support components.
• Recognition of multiple exit points.
• Inclusion of certain generic competencies.
• Encouragement of social responsibility by ensuring that learners will be employable on graduation but, at the same time, have the knowledge base to continue with further learning.

• Communication at NQF Level 4.
• Mathematics at NQF Level 4.
• Given that the language of instruction is English, a learner entering the programme must be competent in reading, writing and speaking English.

Recognition of Prior Learning

The principles of Recognition of Prior Learning are subscribed to, and will be implemented in a flexible manner. The principle of flexible and open access, will, however, be offset against the provision so that this is not to the detriment of the potential learner and that his/her chances to succeed are reasonable.

Learners may also be given credit through Recognition of Prior Learning 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.

Access to the Qualification

A National Senior Certificate or recognised NQF Level 4 equivalent, with Degree-entry rating.

Mature Age applicants or applicants with non-South African school-leaving qualifications or with previous tertiary experience will be considered individually on merit.

The qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF level 5, 6 and 7 and elective modules grouped into specialisations at NQF Level 7. Learners are to complete all the compulsory modules, choose a specialisation and complete the modules laid down for that specialisation.

The specialisations are

• Business Management and Human Resources: 104 Credits.
• Human Resources and Accounting: 98 Credits.
• Business Management and Accounting: 98 Credits.

Minimum Total Credits required for the qualification: 403

Compulsory Module at Level 5 (11 Credits)

• Computer Skills, 11 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at NQF Level 6 (143 Credits)

• Business English, 11 Credits.
• Economics IA, 11 Credits.
• Economics IB, 11 Credits.
• Business Management IA, 11 Credits.
• Business Management IB, 11 Credits.
• Financial Accounting IA, 11 Credits.
• Financial Accounting IB, 11 Credits.
• Human Resource Management 1, 11 Credits.
• Industrial Relations 1, 11 Credits.
• Introduction to Law A, 11 Credits.
• Introduction to Law B, 11 Credits.
• Law of Persons, 11 Credits.
• Family Law, 11 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at NQF Level 7 (151 credits)

• Research Methodology, 15 Credits.
• Entrepreneurial Law, 12 Credits.
• Law of Succession, 12 Credits.
• Law of Negotiable Instruments, Intellectual Property and Competition, 12 Credits.
• Individual Labour Law, 12 Credits.
• Law of Property, 12 Credits.
• Law of Contract, 12 Credits.
• Collective Labour Law, 12 Credits.
• Law of Delict, 12 Credits.
• Law of Sale and Lease, 12 Credits.
• Insolvency Law, 12 Credits.
• Research Project, 8 Credits.
• Internship (Undergrad), 8 Credits.

Elective Specialisations and their modules (Choose one specialisation group)

Business Management and Human Resources: 104 Credits

> Business Management IIA: Entrepreneurship, 14 Credits.

> Business Management IIB: General Management, 14 Credits.

> Business Management IIIA, 12 Credits.

> Business Management IIIB, 12 Credits.

> Human Resource Management IIA, 14 Credits.

> Human Resource Management IIB, 14 Credits.

> Human Resource Management IIIA, 12 Credits.

> Human Resource Management IIIB, 12 Credits.

Human Resources and Accounting: 98 Credits

> Business Management IIIB, 12 Credits.

> Human Resource Management IIA, 14 Credits.

> Human Resource Management IIB, 14 Credits.

> Human Resource Management IIIA, 12 Credits.

> Human Resource Management IIIB, 12 Credits.

> Management Accounting, 14 Credits.

> Cost Accounting, 14 Credits.

> Financial Management, 18, Credits.

Business Management and Accounting: 98 Credits

> Business Management IIA: Entrepreneurship, 14 Credits.

> Business Management IIB: General Management, 14 Credits.

> Business Management IIIA, 12 Credits.

> Business Management IIIB, 12 Credits.

> Management Accounting, 14 Credits.

> Cost Accounting, 14 Credits.

> Financial Management, 18, Credits.

1. Communicate in English in a business-orientated environment.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the academic theory underpinning the main concepts of Business Management, Human Resources and Accounting.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of the main concepts of Human Resources.
4. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the main concepts of relevant Law.
5. Carry out a mini research project.
6. Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between theory and practice.
7. Demonstrate sound understanding of entrepreneurship.
8. Demonstrate sound understanding of general management.
9. Demonstrate sound understanding of business management strategy.
10. Demonstrate a how the business organisation operates in a changing environment.
11. Demonstrate a sound understanding of Human Resource planning in the workplace.
12. Demonstrate an understanding of human behaviour in a workplace.
13. Demonstrate a sound understanding of business practices.
14. Demonstrate sound understanding of management accounting.
15. Demonstrate sound understanding of cost accounting.
16. Demonstrate sound understanding of financial management.

Critical Cross-field Outcomes

All the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are addressed in this qualification.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

1.1 Demonstrate correct and accurate use of Information Technology (IT) programmes.

> Range of programmes include, but are not limited to: Word processing, spread sheets, active presentations.

1.2 Utilise the English language correctly in all communications within and outside the organisation.

1.3 Read and create synopses of various reports or presentations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

2.1 Demonstrate a sound knowledge of the main issues, concepts and tools of economics.

> Range includes but is not limited to: Measuring the performance of an economy, price theory, perfect and imperfect competition, the interdependence between the major sectors, markets and flows in an economy, and production and costs.

2.2 Demonstrate a sound knowledge of the theoretical principles underlying the overall functioning of an economy.

> Range includes but is not limited to the: Labour market, monetary sector, public sector, foreign sector and macro-economic problems.

2.3 Demonstrate a sound knowledge of the theoretical principles underlying business management, general management and the functional management of an enterprise.

> Range of understanding includes but is not limited to: Business organisation and its environment, leadership and control in management, public relations, the integrated marketing strategy, general business management, financial management, asset management, financing decisions, operations management, purchasing management, human resource management and contemporary issues in management.

2.4 Demonstrate a sound understanding of the basic principles of accounting.

> Range of understanding includes but is not limited to: Compiling income statements and balance sheets, proper recording of assets, and proper record of liabilities.

2.5 Demonstrate a sound understanding of the theoretical principles underlying the concepts of companies, close-corporations, partnerships, manufacturing, non-profit organisations and branches.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

3.1 Demonstrate a sound understanding of the employee as an individual and the differences between employees from a psychological perspective.

3.2 Demonstrate a sound understanding of the labour relations management process in terms of the individual employee.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

4.1 Demonstrate an appreciation of the influences of Roman Law, Roman-Dutch Law and English Law on South African Law.

4.2 Demonstrate understanding of the authoritative and secondary sources of law and how to utilise them in practice.

4.3 Demonstrate the ability to distinguish between the different Courts in South Africa and also know how to read and summarise a court case.

4.4 Demonstrate an understanding of the legal profession and the structure of our Courts.

4.5 Demonstrate an understanding of the different branches of South African Law.

> Range of branches of Law includes but is not limited to: Law of persons, family and succession, criminal law, commercial law, the law of evidence, criminal procedural law, civil procedural law, the law of property, intellectual property and obligations.

4.6 Demonstrate an understanding of public law, private law and procedural law and explain the differences between them.

4.7 Demonstrate the ability to solve legal problems relating to the above aspects of law.

4.8 Explain the Law of Persons in terms of how a legal subject comes into being, what its legal position will be, how a legal subject comes to an end in the eyes of the law, the concept of legal status and the various factors which have an effect on legal status.

4.9 Demonstrate a sound knowledge and understanding of the different branches of family law in South Africa.

> Range of knowledge and understanding includes, but is not limited to: Engagement and marriage, dissolution of marriages, the matrimonial consequences of such dissolution, the differences between a civil marriage, a Muslim marriage, a customary marriage and a life partnership, the implications of each, the rights of children and parental rights and responsibilities.

4.10 Identify and compare the basic characteristics of partnerships, companies and close corporations and determine which of these forms of business enterprise is the most suitable in specific circumstances.

> Range: Solve legal problems relating to the three entities studied with regard to their formation, membership, capital structure, internal and external relations, financial regulation and accounting procedures, management and personal liability of members.

4.11 Demonstrate sound understanding of the principles of the law of succession.

> Range includes but is not limited to: Devolution of a deceased estate either in terms of the Law of Intestate Succession or Testate Succession, requirements for a valid will, to be a beneficiary in terms of a will, what kind of provisions may be included in a will, the regulation of a deceased estate after death.

4.12 Demonstrate a sound understanding of the different aspects of negotiable instruments and intellectual property in South Africa.

> Range: Types of instruments available, the requirements for and types of a negotiable instrument, the law applicable to each, the principles of the Law of Intellectual Property.

4.13 Demonstrate a sound understanding of the employment contract.

> Range: parties to the employment relationship, the content of the employment contract, breach of the employment contract, remedies, termination of the employment contract, discipline in the workplace, unfair dismissal, unfair labour practices, the Employment Equity Act, discrimination at the workplace, Basic Conditions of Employment Act, Labour Relations Act.

4.14 Demonstrate sound understanding of topics underlying the law of sale and lease.

> Range: Nature of the agreements, "essentialia", "naturalia" and "incidentalia", formalities, specific rights and obligations of parties to such contracts, relevant legal remedies.

4.15 Demonstrate a sound understanding of topics underlying the law of property.

> Range: General principles relating to goods, property rights, real rights, creditor's rights, ownership, possession, holdership, limited real rights and other rights in property and constitutional property law.

4.16 Demonstrate a sound understanding of topics underlying the law of contract.

> Range: Requirements for a valid contract, general contractual terms, breach of contract and termination of a contract.

4.17 Demonstrate a sound understanding of topics underlying the collective labour law.

> Range of topics includes, but is not limited to: Freedom of association, organisational rights, collective bargaining, picketing and protest action, workplace forums, dispute resolution procedures.

4.18 Demonstrate a sound understanding of topics underlying the law of delict.

> Range of topics includes, but is not limited to: Elements of a delict, namely act, wrongfulness, fault, causation and damage, delictual actions, namely the "actio legis aquilliae", breach of contract, "actio iniuriarum" or action for pain and suffering.

4.19 Demonstrate sound understanding of the law of insolvency.

> Range: Process of obtaining a sequestration order, effects of sequestration, collection of estate assets, composition and rehabilitation.

4.20 Identify and analyse legal problems and solve these accordingly with reference to case law.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

5.1 Demonstrate a sound knowledge of the theoretical principles underlying calculations of quantities that describe the nature of a population, grouping of data, probabilities, consequences of the actions of decision-makers, hypothesis testing and research.

5.2 Demonstrate a sound understanding of the synergy between quantitative and qualitative approaches to form a single research process.

5.3 Explain the process of a research project from the design through to data analysis and research reporting.

5.4 Apply theory to a selected case study by carrying out a sound research process.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

6.1 Apply academic knowledge to practice in a real world context by working under supervision in an organisation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

7.1 Explain entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurial process.

7.2 Explain how to integrate functional area material as it applies to new venture creation and growth.

7.3 Demonstrate an understanding of the role of entrepreneurship and new venture creation in economic development.

7.4 Demonstrate an understanding of the role and activities of entrepreneurship in a global setting.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

8.1 Demonstrate a sound understanding of the South African management environment and how to systematically apply general management principles.

8.2 Explain the various functions performed by managers and the skills needed to perform optimally, including planning, organising, leading and managing.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

9.1 Explain the decisions executive management should take to define a workable business strategy which will guide functional managers in formulating their own strategy in line with the business strategy.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10

10.1 Explain the concept and consequences of a constantly changing business environment.

10.2 Describe the approaches that could be applied by managers, within both small and large business organisations, to successfully adapt to these changes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 11

11.1 Demonstrate a sound understanding of the various aspects of Human Resources.

> Range: Diversity management, human resource planning, job design and job analysis, internal and external staffing, performance appraisals, health and safety issues in the workplace.

11.2 Demonstrate practical skills with regard to human resources.

> Range includes, but is not limited to drafting of: A job analysis programme, an appraisal interview guide, an induction programme for new employees.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 12

12.1 Demonstrate understanding of the behaviour of individuals and groups in organisations, with regard to organisational culture, change and stress management.

12.2 Explain the role and importance of communication and leadership and how motivation works for both individuals and work teams.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 13

13.1 Demonstrate thorough knowledge of key trends in remuneration and reward and how these can be applied to best suit the strategy of a business.

13.2 Demonstrate a sound understanding of the global context of business practices and how to scan the environment in terms of best practices.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 14

14.1 Explain the concepts, principles and procedures of managerial and cost accounting.

> Range: Cost elements, cost behaviour, calculating the cost of a unique job, contract costing, process costing, joint costing, compiling financial statements according to the absorption and direct methods, designing of a decision and compiling a financial budget.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 15

15.1 Apply various cost calculations related to management accounting to assist management in their decision-making processes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 16

16.1 Explain the theoretical principles related to the time value of money

16.2 Explain how the concept of the time value of money affects the capital investments, financing, analyses, valuations and restructuring of businesses.

Integrated Assessment

Midrand Graduate Institute practices an integrated system of assessment, in terms of which students are assessed on an ongoing basis. Both formative and summative assessment methods are used. Students are required to complete class tests, assignments (including practical work and projects) and examinations, the results of which count towards the final mark for each module. The components of the final mark are determined separately for each module.

Specifically there are a number of modes of assessment included in each component of this programme

• Written: Learners are required to submit traditional written assignments which evaluate the learner's ability to meet the requirements of written performance at the undergraduate level.
• Oral presentation: All components of the programme include some form of oral presentation to either other learners, lecturers, or the faculty. During research proposal presentations or discussion groups the individual learner's eloquence and ability to competently communicate salient information is assessed.
• Applied skills: Most theoretical components have an integrated applied component which assesses the ability of the learner to put into practice the theoretical constructs taught.
• Sustained written and applied skills: Learners are required to submit a dissertation which should demonstrate their ability to sustain an intellectual argument having integrated, synthesised, analysed and critiqued the body of literature available to them.
• Research Skills: Learners are required to propose and design an original research study which is then passed by faculty and higher degree readers. Once the proposal has been passed learners are required to conduct the research and produce a dissertation.