Bachelor of Philosophy

Purpose

The purpose of the qualification is to provide a well-rounded education that equips learners with a substantial content knowledge base, theory and methodology in Philosophy that will enable them:

• To think clearly and critically about the deepest and broadest questions concerning life.
• Being, knowledge, and value, as well as their connections to the full range of human activities and interests, including the meaning of existence.
• The nature of truth and reality, scientific claims, God, religion and socio-political and cultural beliefs and injunctions.

The qualification enables learners to focus on ideas and their logical structure, including arguments and investigations about abstract and real phenomena. Learners will be able to understand the aesthetics, epistemology, metaphysics of the African Philosophy. They will also apply the theoretical foundations and methods of other disciplines. The qualification addresses the systematic study of the theory of moral good and its application to various theoretical and practical problems. The qualification includes ethical theory, history of ethics, belief and value systems, ethical constructs, and claims to specific topics, issues and problems. It will enable learners to have an open-minded exploration of religion and philosophy.

Given the country's rich and largely diverse historical backgrounds and various philosophical perspectives, it is necessary to:

• Develop skills of reflection that deepen personal understanding, promote autonomy;
• Foster openness to multicultural worldview and multi-perspectival society;
• Allow learners the opportunity to scrutinise the typical structure of genuine philosophical questions.

Learners will develop the ability to

• Apply critical self- inspection;
• Analyse critically and question the status quo, and the philosophical, cultural and theological injunctions and worldviews underlying socio-political, religious and cultural structures.

Rationale

South Africa (SA) is a religious and culturally diverse country where all cultural, religious and other belief systems receive equal constitutional protection. Post-apartheid South Africa's Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of religion, belief and opinion among other freedoms.

Philosophy uses the tools of logic and reason to analyse how humans experience and view themselves and the world around them. This qualification fosters a sense of the value and a reflective attitude and sensitivity to the subtleties and complexities of philosophical judgments, and a life-long commitment to learning and inquiry.

This qualification emphasises general principles and theory in Philosophy as preparation for entry into general employment or Postgraduate qualification.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution provides greater access to education, particularly for individuals from a disadvantaged background.

The institution allows learners who do not meet the formal admission requirements, for alternative admission through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) system. The RPL processes and procedures are guided by the institution's RPL Policy.

RPL learners will prepare portfolios of evidence, containing evidence from three sources, including, but not limited to

• Formal learning (e.g. certificates, academic transcripts);
• Informal learning: job descriptions, employment contracts;
• Work products (e.g. statements from employers, evidence of work performed by the learner).process;

The process entails the following

• Identifying the qualification or module(s) for which the applicant believes they will meet the requirements;
• Matching the applicant's skills, knowledge and experience with the specific requirements;
• Assessing the applicant using appropriate forms of assessment (done by a subject matter expert/registered assessor);
• Crediting the applicant for skills, knowledge and experience attained; and
• Registration of the applicant for the relevant qualification.

The RPL assessment methodologies include, but are not limited to, portfolios of evidence, interviews, demonstrations and simulations, observations, written and oral exams, letters of recommendation and other forms of expert testimony, case studies, and documentation of successful past learning experiences.

The RPL application process and assessment can take up to 4-6 weeks to complete. The applicant will be notified regarding the interview process once the Portfolio of Evidence or Competency Test has been assessed and a decision reached regarding RPL. Once the panel has made the final decision, students will be informed both verbally and in writing.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

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

Or

• National Certificate Vocational, NQF Level 4 granting access to Bachelor's studies.

Or

• Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4, with endorsement.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Levels 5, 6 and 7 totalling 362 Credits:

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 122 Credits

• Philosophy, 10 Credits.
• Critical Thinking, 10 Credits
• English I, 10 Credits.
• Latin I, 8 Credits.
• Old Testament I (Introduction to), 9 Credits.
• Philosophy (Introduction to), 10 Credits.
• Academic Writing, 4 Credits.
• African History, 9 Credits.
• English II, 8 Credits.
• Ethics, 10 Credits.
• Latin II, 8 Credits.
• Logic, 10 Credits.
• Old Testament II (Introduction to), 9 Credits.
• Philosophy of Education, 7 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 120 Credits

• Philosophy, 11 Credits.
• Modern Philosophy I, 10 Credits.
• Patristic and Medieval Philosophy, 10 Credits.
• Philosophical Anthropology, 11 Credits.
• Psychology, 7 Credits.
• Liturgy I, 8 Credits.
• Augustinian and Thomistic Philosophy, 12 Credits.
• Modern Philosophy II, 10 Credits.
• Political Philosophy, 11 Credits.
• Metaphysics, 11 Credits.
• Philosophy of Cosmology, 11 Credits.
• Liturgy II, 8 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 120 Credits

• Contemporary Philosophy, 9 Credits.
• Environmental Philosophy, 11 Credits.
• Epistemology, 11 Credits.
• Philosophy of Science, 11 Credits.
• Science and Religion, 11 Credits.
• Spirituality I, 6 Credits.
• Philosophy of Religion and of God, 11 Credits.
• Philosophical Hermeneutics, 11 Credits.
• Phenomenology of Religion, 11 Credits.
• Philosophy of Culture, 11 Credits.
• Aesthetics, 11 Credits.
• Spirituality II, 6 Credits.

1. Demonstrate critical and analytical thinking skills.
2. Read and interpret philosophical texts.
3. Recognise, critically analyse and coherently express arguments in both verbal communication and written texts.
4. Summarise and explain difficult ideas and concepts through philosophical, critical and analytical debates, class discussions, presentations and argumentations.
5. Demonstrate professional writing skill that reflects careful attention to language, logic, and subtleties of reasoning.
6. Write philosophical essays that have coherent theses and critical supporting arguments.
7. Understand reality from different perspectives and thus be aware of perspectival and diverse approaches to reality from different people across all modules.
8. Demonstrate professional research methodology.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will assess the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated manner

• Assess the extent to which the learner has grasped the concepts.
• Apply the Philosophy theory to a practical context.
• The balance between the conceptual and contextual, and its relevance to the level of the qualification.
• Develop the analytical competence capabilities of the learner.
• Use appropriate technology to ensure effective communication of ideas.
• Ensure effective writing that reflects careful attention to language, logic, and subtleties of reasoning.
• Read and interpret philosophical texts.
• Measure the extent to which the learner has achieved competence in the different areas of study delivered through the qualification modules.

Integrated Assessment

These assessment methods include

• Written assignments;
• Presentations;
• Report writing;
• Interpretative and analytical problem-solving in the written examination;
• Self-assessments activities in the qualification material.

Formative assessment

• The scheme of work includes tests and assignments based on the learning material, and learners receive feedback. The process is continuous and focuses on smaller sections of the work and a limited number of outcomes.

Summative assessment

• Examinations such as a portfolio to determine a representative selection of the outcomes assessed in the formative stage.
• All assessment will attempt to integrate knowledge, critical thinking skills and attitudes and applied competence.