Bachelor of Social Science

Purpose

The general purpose of this qualification is to provide a well-rounded, broad education in the knowledge base, theory and methodology of the social sciences, in order to deliver leaners that are equipped to use their knowledge in a professional or academic context and, in so doing, contribute to the management of society in the interest of the common good. In addition, the aim of the qualification is to deliver leaners who are able to read and understand a complex world and who are prepared to use this knowledge to build community. The qualification will develop leaners who are able to communicate about social issues, using clear arguments (with a strong theoretical and/or research based foundation).

More specifically this entails

• Educating learners in the knowledge base of the various social sciences providing an opportunity for more in-depth knowledge in two or three social scientific fields. In this the learner will realise that knowledge can be contested and it takes a critical reader to sift through (analyse) and make sense of (synthesis) knowledge.
• Being able to weigh the significance of varies ideas and points of view realising that most questions have several answers.
• Teaching learners social theory underpinning diverse social scientific fields (social theories present varies ideas of social reality inculcating the multi-paradigmatic mentality necessary for critical thought) and providing an opportunity to build on this theoretical knowledge by specialising in two or three fields of knowledge.
• Training social science leaners in the ontology, epistemology and methodology of social research.
• Delivering learners who are able to use their knowledge, theoretical understanding and research skills in order to improve society.
• Learners being able to apply knowledge, skills, principles and methods to identify and analyse the needs and causes of problems relating to individuals, groups and societies.
• Delivering learners who have been given the opportunity explore values (their own included) and who have been given the opportunity to internalise what it means to be an ethical social science.

Rationale

Humans comprise a community and this community should be jointly shared and managed for the common good. A healthy democracy (a fundamental cornerstone of the common good) demands citizens who are informed, interested in the welfare of individuals and society and who are committed to the realisation of the common good. An understanding that a better world is possible is crucial to the long-term wellbeing of individuals and society. Managing society in the common good, building a healthy democracy and believing the world can be a better place, necessitates the cultivation of knowledge that:

• Explores the history and reality of power imbalances.
• Fosters the understanding that exclusion compromises the common good.
• Appreciates various views of reality (including views of what the common good, identity and community is).
• Grasps that these views and concepts are socially constructed, and therefore contestable.
• Emphasises that an in-depth understanding of individuals and society stems from honest rigorous scientific analysis.
• Presumes that the identification and resolution of social challenges (threats to the common good) should be based on balanced, in-depth scientifically grounded considerations.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Where learners do not meet the minimum admission requirements, RPL may be used to grant access to the qualification. RPL will be applied according to the Recognition of Prior Learning, Credit Accumulation and Transfer, and Assessment policy. This will relate to both access to the qualification as well as for credit recognition or exemption towards achieving the qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate, Level 4 granting access to Bachelor Degree study.
• Senior Certificate, Level 4 with matriculation exemption.
• National Certificate (Vocational), Level 4 granting access to Bachelor Degree study.

This qualification consists of the following elective modules at NQF Level 5, 6, and seven totalling 400 Credits. The institution will advise on the choice of modules based on the field of specialisation.

Elective Modules, Level 5

• Basic South African Sign Language II, 16 Credits.
• Afrikaans for the Professions: Effective Written Formulation, 8 Credits.
• Introduction to Anthropology, 16 Credits.
• Basic Afrikaans Language Patterns and Usage, 16 Credits.
• Listening and Reading Skills for the Professions, 8 Credits.
• Afrikaans for the Professions: Persuasive Strategies, 8 Credits.
• Afrikaans for the Professions: Text Logic and Cohesion, 8 Credits.
• Academic Language Course, 32 Credits.
• General Reasoning Skills, 8 Credits.
• Business English 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Verbal and Non-Communication, 16 Credits.
• Intercultural Communication, 16 Credits.
• Business English, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Politics, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to World Politics and Global Governance, 16 Credits.
• Skills and Competencies for Life Long Learning, 32 Credits.
• Sesotho Basic Communication and Culture, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Sesotho Basic Communication and Culture, 16 Credits.
• Mathematical Literacy 32 Credits.
• Academic Language Course, 32 Credits.
• Introduction to Sociology, 16 Credits.
• Grammar of Biblical Hebrew, 16 Credits.
• Classical Myths: Creation Myths and the Origin of Myths, 8 Credits.
• German for Beginners I, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Philosophy: Classical Greek and Roman Philosophy, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Translation and Interpreting, 16 Credits.
• French Language, Literature and Culture, 16 Credits.
• German for Beginners Il, 16 Credits.
• Classical Myths: Gods, Heroes and Monsters, 8 Credits.
• French Language, Literature and Culture I, 16 Credits
• Language Policy, Language Rights and the Language Profession, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Individual Differences, 16 Credits.
• German Language, Culture and Literature Studies I, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Human Resource Management, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Translation, 16 Credits.
• Contemporary Crime Issues in SA, 16 Credits.
• Reading Literature: An Introduction to Reading, Writing and Critical Textual Analysis, 16 Credits.
• Image Interpretation in Art History, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Psychology, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Criminology and Victimology, 16 Credits.
• Sesotho Language Structure and Usage, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to the Twentieth Century History of South Africa and Africa, 16 Credits.
• Art and Architecture in Classical Civilisations, 5 Credits.
• Prose Fiction in Sesotho, 16 Credits.
• Basic South African Sign Language I, 16 Credits.
• Everyday Life in Classical Civilisations, 8 Credits.
• New Testament Greek Language and Cultural-historical background, 32 Credits.
• Basic Computer Literacy, 4 Credits.
• French language, Literature and Culture, 16 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 6

• Culture: Understanding Ourselves and Others, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Afrikaans Linguistics, 16 Credits.
• Developmental Psychology, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Governance and Transformation, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to the Afrikaans and Dutch Literature: Periods of Emancipation, 16 Credits.
• Basic Afrikaans Literature, 16 Credits.
• The Church Fathers and the Middle Ages: Historical and Conceptual, 16 Credits.
• Legal Skills (Legal English), 32 Credits.
• German Language, Culture and Literature Studies II, 16 Credits.
• Literature, Film, Culture: Critical Approaches from Cultural Studies, 16 Credits.
• Studying Visual Culture and Media, 16 Credits.
• Grammar of Biblical Hebrew, 16 Credits.
• Latin Language, Literature, 32 Credits.
• Reading Literature, Film and Culture, 16 Credits.
• Social Institutions, 16 Credits.
• Twentieth Century World History, 16 Credits.
• Persuasive Communication, 16 Credits.
• Communication Science, 16 Credits.
• Grammar of Biblical Hebrew Prophetic Texts, 16 Credits.
• Continued Afrikaans Literature, 16 Credits.
• Peripheral Figures in Classical Civilisations: Women, Children and Slaves, 16 Credits.
• Hellenistic Greek Language and Literature, 32 Credits.
• Language Planning and Language Practice, 16 Credits.
• Symbolic Resources of Culture, 16 Credits.
• The Heritage of Myths in Post-Classical Art, Music and Literature, 16 Credits.
• Afrikaans Morphology and Semantics for Non-Mother Tongue Speakers, 16 Credits.
• Afrikaans Morphology and Sociolinguistics, 16 Credits.
• Strategies in Translation and Interpretation, 16 Credits.
• The Anthropology of Identity, 16 Credits.
• Visual Narratives and Fictitious World, 16 Credits.
• Continued French Language, 16 Credits.
• Twentieth Century Global Clashes, 16 Credits.
• Governance and Political Transformation in Africa, 16 Credits.
• Sesotho Poetry and Drama, 16 Credits.
• Cooperative Governance and Electoral Politics, 16 Credits.
• Early Modern to Contemporary World Literatures, 16 Credits.
• Politics, Law and International Organisations, 16 Credits.
• Phonology, Morphology and Syntax, 16 Credits.
• Practical Sentencing, 16 Credits.
• Intermediate South African Sign Language I, 16 Credits.
• The Rise of Nationalism in South Africa and Africa and the Resistance to It, 16 Credits.
• Creative and Transactional Writing, 16 Credits.
• Theoretical Foundation of Sentencing, 16 Credits.
• Globalisation and World Politics, 16 Credits.
• Early Modern and Modern Thought: From Ockham to the French Revolution, 16 Credits.
• Advanced Communication and Introduction to Reading Skills, 16 Credits.
• Sociolinguistics in Sesotho, 16 Credits.
• The Population-Environment- Development Interface, 16 Credits.
• The Sociology of Family and Domestic Life, 16 Credits.
• Industrial Sociology, 16 Credits.
• Career psychology, 16 Credits.
• Social Psychology, 16 Credits.
• Labour relations management, 16 Credits.
• Advanced Latin Language, Literature and Cultural-Historical Background, 32 Credits.
• Kant and Hegel: Between German Idealism and Romanticism, 16 Credits.
• Consumerism and Consumption, 16 Credits.
• Intermediate South African Sign Language II, 16 Credits.
• Language and Society, 16 Credits.
• Critical Reading, Writing and Analysis of Texts (LINGUISTICS), 32 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 7

• Hebrew in its Ancient Context, 16 Credits.
• Early Modern to Contemporary World Literatures, 16 Credits.
• Advanced German Language, Culture and Literature Studies I, 16 Credits.
• Social Media, 16 Credits.
• Dutch, Dutch Literature and Culture, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Health Psychology, 16 Credits.
• Higher-Intermediate German Language, Culture and Literature Studies II, 16 Credits.
• Image Translations in South Africa, 16 Credits.
• Urban Development, 16 Credits.
• Envisioning Knowledge: Image and Imagination, 32 Credits.
• Advanced German Language, Culture and Literature Studies II, 32 Credits.
• Crime Causation Theory, 16 Credits.
• Classic Greek Language and Literature, 16 Credits.
• Performance management, 16 Credits.
• Myths in Classical Literature: Homer and Vergil, 16 Credits.
• Grammar of Biblical Aramaic, 16 Credits.
• Research Methodology for Classical Languages and Studies, 16 Credits.
• Applied Research for HRM and Industrial/Organisational Psychology, 16 Credits.
• French Language, Francophone Literature and Culture, 32 Credits.
• Social Research and Practice, 32 Credits.
• Personology, 16 Credits.
• Historical Development of Sesotho Literature, 32 Credits.
• Sociological Theory, 32 Credits.
• Training management, 16 Credits.
• Language Management and Language Practice, 32 Credits.
• French Language, Francophone Literature, 32 Credits.
• History of Language Development in Sesotho, 32 Credits.
• Hellenistic Greek Literature with Applied Semantics and Stylistics, 16 Credits.
• Advanced German Language, Culture and Literature Studies II, 32 Credits.
• Modern Translations of the Hebrew Bible, 16 Credits.
• Research in Criminology, 16 Credits.
• How to Make History, 32 Credits.
• Introduction to Latin Literature of the Golden Age, 16 Credits.
• Grammar of Syriac, 16 Credits.
• Early English Literature and Cultures, 32 Credits.
• Ancient Translations of the Hebrew Bible, 16 Credits.
• Semiotics, Semantics and Pragmatics, 32 Credits.
• Crime Prevention and Control in South Africa, 16 Credits.
• Forms of Image Interaction: Key Texts in Art Historical Interpretation, 32 Credits.
• Juvenile Delinquency Theory, 16 Credits.
• Classical Literature and Rhetoric, 16 Credits.
• Organisational Psychology, 20 Credits.
• En Route to the New South Africa and the African Renaissance, c. 1976-2000: A Historical Perspective, 32 Credits.
• South African and African Literature and Culture, 32 Credits.
• Grammar of Ugaritic, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Latin Literature of the Silver Age, 16 Credits.
• Themes in Contemporary Continental Philosophy: Critical Theory, Phenomenology, and Deconstruction, 32 Credits.
• Psychopathology, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Sesotho Oral Tradition and Modern Prose Fiction, 16 Credits.
• Ethnography: Principles and Practice, 24 Credits.
• Anthropology in Action, 16 Credits.
• Advanced Communication in Sesotho, 16 Credits.
• Socio-Cultural Transformation, 16 Credits.
• Political Risk Analysis and Strategic Planning, 16 Credits.
• Ideology and Political Theory, 16 Credits.
• International Political Economy, 16 Credits.
• Security and Conflict Studies, 16 Credits.
• Contemporary Afrikaans Literature and its Historical Background, 32 Credits.
• Community, 16 Credits.
• Communication Law and Ethics, 16 Credits.
• Applied Communication Theory, 16 Credits.
• Development Communication, 16 Credits.
• Philosophy in Africa, Multiculturalism and the Politics of Identity, 32 Credits.
• Advanced Afrikaans Semantics, Pragmatics and Syntax, 32 Credits.
• Applied Urban Development and Spatial Transformation, 16 Credits.
• Biblical Hebrew Poetry, 16 Credits.
• Religion and Magic in Classical Civilisations, 16 Credits.
• Research Methodology, 16 Credits.
• Advanced Afrikaans Literature, 16 Credits.
• Advanced South African Sign Language I, 32 Credits.
• Introduction to Psychotherapy and Ethics, 16 Credits.
• Advanced Afrikaans Linguistics and Language Diversity, 16 Credits.
• Concepts in Translation and Interpretation, 32 Credits.
• Advanced South African Sign Language II, 32 Credits.

1. Demonstrate an understanding and skill in the method and procedures of a specific discipline(s).
2. Identify, analyse, critically reflect on and address complex problems, applying evidence-based solutions and theory-driven arguments.
3. Develop appropriate processes of information gathering for a given context or use.
4. Independently validate sources of information and evaluate and manage the information.
5. Manage processes in unfamiliar and variable contexts, recognising that problem solving is context- and system-bound, and does not occur in isolation.
6. Identify, evaluate and address accurately own learning needs in a self-directed manner and facilitate collaborative learning processes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes

• Demonstrate ability/skill to achieve the major Skills/Applied Competency of the qualification.
• Demonstrate understanding of the embedded knowledge that underpins the end result/outcome.
• Demonstrate ability/skill to integrate or connect performances and to reflect on, evaluate and adopt the competencies require for the specialisation.
• Integrate knowledge of the paradigms related to chosen specialisation apply integrated insight to the South African society.
• Apply, criticise and evaluate different theories/knowledge within the chosen specialisation.
• Describe and critically compare various perspectives.
• Critically discuss the complexity of situating a specific paradigmatic analysis within the broader framework of a multi-paradigmatic approach.
• Evaluate real familiar and unfamiliar scenarios/problems of psychosocial issues within the context of subject specific knowledge and coherently provide, present and communicate possible solutions relevant to the field of study.
• Describe the background of theorists and explain how experiences from their own lives influenced their theories. Apply this understanding to own lives.
• Systematically apply the nature and logic of scientific enquiry (both quantitative and qualitative) and the various phases of the research process in the social and behavioural sciences.
• Distinguish between and apply the research paradigms specific to research scenarios/ problems in the chosen specialisation(s).
• Demonstrate understanding of the logic of the research process by means of a research proposal.
• Evaluate, select and justify methods of analysis, synthesis used in processes of analysis or investigation.
• Evaluate and manage unfamiliar information and personal learning within the context of scientific enquiry.
• Independently analyse, evaluate and apply the ethical principles applicable to research in chosen field.
• Relate and apply theories formulated for other contexts to the unique South African situation.
• Apply evidence based solutions/theory driven arguments to address complex problems/issues in the field of study.
• Apply psychosocial knowledge/theory to important social and political issues such as violence, health, gender, inter-cultural relations/dynamics and legal issues within the South African context.
• Recognise that application of theory is context and system bound.
• Communicate own ideas/opinions in well-formulated arguments using appropriate academic/professional discourse.
• Communicate academic arguments using appropriate academic protocols and processes of gathering information.
• Critically reflect on own personal development.
• Evaluate own learning needs and take appropriate steps to address these in an unstructured, minimally supervised environment.
• Facilitate collaborative learning processes within research and learning contexts.
• Explain in detail and with critical insight paradigms covered.
• Develop and communicate own ideas and opinions in well-formed arguments, using appropriate academic, professional, or occupational discourse.

Integrated Assessment.

Assessment approach

While standard Continuous, Formative and Summative techniques are applied across the qualification, application of theory to familiar and unfamiliar contexts dominates the approach to assessment in the Social Sciences. Social Science is an applied science that requires learners of these sciences to adapt and integrate perspectives and theories in a way that leads to the understanding of real social scenarios and challenges. This understanding creates a context in which unique combinations of insight can provide recommended solutions and actions that ameliorate and/or contribute constructively to complex human challenges.