Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Policy and Development Studies

To realise a high Degree of sustained proficiency in both scholarship and professional training at all Postgraduate level in a combination of policy and development studies.

The aims to produce skilled practitioners who can help attend to the needs of governance and development, especially in South Africa, but also incomparable societies. Consequently, this qualification is both academic and vocational in its thrust.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Arts in Social Science and Development Studies, NQF Level 7.

1. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of issues, problems, ideas, discourses, processes, structures and trends pertaining to both policy and development, especially in relation to South Africa and comparable societies.
2. Demonstrate a full understanding of various models of public policy analysis and development.
3. Demonstrate a comprehension of different research methods, techniques and methodologies applicable to the fields of policy and development studies.
4. Demonstrate an acquired critical awareness and capacity for research so as to be able to investigate and understand issues, problems and trends in policy and development studies.
5. Demonstrate independent and original research that can advance scholarship would be the ideal here.
6. Demonstrate an ability to present research findings that meet appropriate academic and professional standards in policy and development studies.
7. Demonstrate the attributes to become a scholar: to inculcate a passion for learning and to appreciate the necessity for accuracy, honesty, fairness, generosity, integrity in the context of policy and development studies.
8. Demonstrate an acquired appreciation of the virtues of being an independent learner, as well as recognising the value of cooperating and collaborating with others in policy and development studies.
9. Demonstrate an ability to respond to the challenges of democracy and development in South Africa in relation to policy and development studies.

1. Demonstrate knowledge of issues, problems, ideas, discourses, processes, structures and trends pertaining to policy and development.
2. Demonstrate the extent to which models of public policy analysis and development are understood.
3. Present arguments, policy designs, reports competently inclusing other written and oral assignments.
4. Comprehend and apply of research methods, techniques and methodologies.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated assessment appropriately incorporated to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved

The institution is currently reforming its assessment strategies to include the assessment for each qualification. In the meantime, a combination of continuous assessment and traditional written examinations serve to assess the integration of almost of the learning outcomes for each module in a qualification.

Seminars;

Exercises (research methods, policy designs);

Visual material;

Oral presentations Essays;

Reports;

Portfolios;

Research project, dissertation, thesis;

Examinations;

These are the various methods that will be deployed. In the case of coursework, differently in a system of continuous content and skills more generally.