Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Culture, Communication and Media

Purpose

The purpose of the qualification is to prepare independent researchers in areas of media studies, communication and cultural studies at a higher level than achieved at an undergraduate qualification. The qualification is designed as a bridge to further advance research, or the competency to undertake highly skilled employment in a range of media and communications applications.

Rationale

The qualification is necessary to provide the country with a cadre of researchers competent in approaches to culture, communication and media studies. The qualification aims to provide learners with specialised knowledge and competence in the above areas, and contribute to the pool of capable and thoughtful professional in vital areas of the commercial and public sectors.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution accepts the principle underlying outcomes-based, source-based and life-long learning, in which considerations of articulation and mobility play a significant role, and subscribes to the view that Recognition of Prior Learning, whether acquired by formal education curricula at this or another institution or informally (by experience) is an indispensable element in deciding on admission to and awarding credits in an explicitly selected teaching-learning qualification of the institution. An applicant who falls outside of the formal qualifications system, but who can demonstrate (through the production of substantial and satisfactory evidence) experiential or work-based learning or a non-formal qualification (or a combination), may be considered for admission and/or for the Recognition of Prior Learning for the achievement of the qualification in part or in full. An applicant who after such assessment, is deemed to have sufficient potential, but is in need of further academic development, must be directed to other suitable learning qualifications prior to admission or to parallel qualifications after admission.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is the

• Cognate Bachelors, National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 7.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 128 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 48 Credits

• Methodology for Media and Culture, 16 Credits.
• Special Topics and Research Project in Media and Cultural Studies, 32 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 8, 80 Credits

• Cultural Studies in Practice, 16 Credits.
• Media Theory, 16 Credits.
• South African Mediascapes,16 Credits.
• Social Change and Health Communication, 16 Credits.
• Media in a Global World, 16 Credits.

1. Master a range of theoretically complex approaches to the study of media, communication and culture.
2. Demonstrate an ability to understand and synthesise a significant body of literature both theoretical and content-specific in an academically appropriate manner with due regard to the protocols and conventions of academic style.
3. Apply these theories in a critical and evaluative manner to concrete circumstances and processes in the fields of media, communication and cultural production.
4. Lay a solid foundation in the areas of methodologies, techniques and competencies required to undertake independent research under controlled conditions, and build a sturdy basis for further study in these areas.
5. Identify and manage the ethical issues associated with research and knowledge production in the discipline.
6. Use knowledge sets to design and undertake a limited independent study project under close supervision; and.
7. Develop the requisite confidence in public speaking and presentation skills to impart both learning materials and research findings to their peers within a class setting, and to a wider audience in open forums (School colloquia and School conferences).

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be used in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes

• Demonstrate familiarity with the main theoretical constructs in the areas of communication, culture and media studies.
• Use specialised terminology appropriately.
• Understand the underlying tenants of the field.
• Reflect critically on the social, ethical and moral values that underlie different theoretical approaches within the field; and.
• Write a competent academic research project that includes a literature review and is well structured, accurately and comprehensively referenced, and shows attention to the academic conventions of clear writing and careful copy-editing.

Integrated Assessment

The achievement of learning outcomes will be assessed through the various assessment instruments in the modules undertaken by learners. These include three-hour examination, full-length literature reviews; integrated theoretical and empirical research essays; an application for ethical clearance for a research project; and an independent research project.