Bachelor of Political Science

The first purpose of the qualification is to provide qualifiers with graduate-level knowledge, specific skills and applied competence in a number of fields of Human and Social Studies and Law, Military Science and Security that provide opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and rewarding contributions to society.

The second purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa with significant numbers of graduates in the Political Sciences in order to ensure that the local leadership base of innovative and knowledge based economic and scholarly activity is widened.

The third purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa with a cadre of political analysts, foreign officers, policy developers, and security officers who will have a clear and continuously growing understanding of the methods and progress of political sciences prior to acquiring specific postgraduate qualifications.

In addition to the above, each package (area of specialisation) in this programme has its own further purpose

Matriculation certificate

Other

In order to register for the programme Baccalaureus Politicae Scientiae (B Pol Sc), a candidate should, apart from the required matriculation certificate with matriculation exemption, comply with the particular requirements prescribed in the admission procedures and faculty regulations for the Faculty of Humanities and the respective departments, for admission to a particular package of study.

Those who intend to register at the University for the first time, or who wish to resume their studies after a period of interruption, should apply or reapply for admission. Application for admission to all packages in the programme B Pol Sc closes on 30 September. All candidates will be expected to write an admission test as well as language proficiency and computer skills tests.

A candidate who

• have not obtained matriculation exemption but who are in possession of at least a three-year tertiary qualification, will be considered on the basis of merit, with a view to admission to a degree programme;
• is in possession of another certificate which is accepted by the University as equivalent to the required matriculation certificate with matriculation exemption;
• is a graduate from another tertiary institution or has been granted the status of a graduate of such an institution, may also be considered for admission;
• passes an admission test as prescribed by the University.

A conditional exemption certificate does not qualify a candidate for admission to bachelor's degree study. A certificate of conditional exemption by virtue of mature age is, however, accepted for degree study by certain faculties. Candidates are advised to contact the faculty administration in question in this regard.

Senate may place a limit on the number of students who may be admitted to register for a programme, in which case the Dean concerned may decide who to admit from those who qualify.

B Pol Sc

Learning outcomes

• The learner will have good language proficiency required for the practice of politics, a sound knowledge of South African, African and World politics, and the ability to apply skills effectively in their chosen field of expertise. The learner will have basic computer skills and will have mastered basic critical and creative thinking skills. Knowledge and skills are supplemented with in depth guidance in approaches and methods for analysis, theories and models for application, management and development, growth, ethics, strategy, and achievements which equip the candidate with skills which can be immediately implemented and supplemented by lifelong learning.
• The learning outcomes for the various packages are defined by the contextually demonstrated end products of the learning process within each package.
• The learner will obtain knowledge of content and insight pertaining to the related factual knowledge, concepts and theories.
• The learner will acquire skills and proficiencies equipping him/her to:
• Identify and solve problems related to political, policy and security situations;
• co-operate with others in achieving and/or creating specific end products related to the political sciences;
• organise and manage his or her learning process and applied skills;
• deal with information, communication, the application of science and technology; and
• develop a holistic world view.
• The learner will develop appropriate attitudes, dispositions and/or values concerning various political, policy and/or security practices qualifying him/her for a professional career in his/her field of expertise.

Critical outcomes for the programme in political sciences include but are not limited to various competencies and applied competencies such as:

• identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made;
• working effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community;
• organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively;
• collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information;
• communicating effectively using visual and language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion;
• using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others;
• demonstrating and understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising the problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation;
• contributing to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of the society at large, by making it the underlying intention of this programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of
• reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively
• participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities
• being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts
• exploring education and career opportunities
• developing entrepreneurial opportunities.

The associated assessment criteria are derived directly form the learning outcomes and provide the criteria against which learner performance demonstrating the attainment of learning outcomes can be judged. The assessment criteria involve, at minimum

• that both norm-based and criteria-based modalities are used
• reliability is ensured via internal and external moderation
• the standards and levels of achievement required for "pegging" the qualification at NQF Level 6 are met.

Integrated assessment

Portfolios

Simulations

Written examinations

Oral examinations

Other

Other tasks prescribed by the assessors. The modalities for integrated assessment permit the learner to demonstrate applied competence and use a wide range of formative and summative methods set according to specific guidelines for developing particular assessment tasks and allowing assessors to develop formative and summative methods related to credentialing purposes appropriate to contextual and situational readings of candidates presenting themselves for the recognition of learning achievements.