Doctor of Philosophy

Purpose

The qualification is intended to provide the country with learners who have specialised theoretical knowledge and well-developed research and practical skills in a specialised field and can therefore serve the community in a variety of important ways, in both the public and private sectors. The qualification develops research skills with a specialisation within a particular field such as the Humanities and Social Sciences as well as in limited Health related fields. It provides practical experience and development of skills in all aspects of the scientific method including the identification of a problem, literature review, project planning, data collection and analysis, report writing and oral presentation of results.

Rationale

The rationale of the qualification is to recognise learners who have made a considerable research contribution towards the advancement of knowledge in a specific field. The provision of this qualification is in response specifically to the national priority of creating jobs and sustainable livelihoods with a focus on Improving the effectiveness and efficiency of national, provincial, and local government structures in successfully implementing basic service delivery programmes and maintaining governance levels marked by professionalism and integrity.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is guided by the institutional policy and is aligned to the objectives of the NQF. Entry into the qualification is possible via RPL as well as indicating advanced standing, provided that it is aligned to the institutional policy and that the learner is evaluated by a qualified RPL assessor in a manner that is free from any form of discrimination. RPL practices also include standard Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT) practices of equivalent modules that may have been achieved in the course of the learner's studies.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Master's Degree, NQF Level 9.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at NQF Level 10 totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 360 Credits, Choose One

• Thesis (English Studies), 360 Credits.

Or

• Thesis (Tshivenda), 360 Credits.

Or

• Thesis (Xitsonga), 360 Credits.

Or

• Thesis (Northern Sotho), 360 Credits.

Or

• Thesis (Media Studies), 360 Credits.

Or

• Thesis (Communication Studies), 360 Credits.

Or

• Thesis (Criminology), 360 Credits.

Or

• Thesis (History), 360 Credits.

Or

• Thesis (International Politics), 360 Credits.

Or

• Thesis (Political Science), 360 Credits.

Or

• Thesis (Psychology), 360 Credits.

Or

• Thesis (Philosophy), 360 Credits.

Or

• Thesis (Sociology), 360 Credits.

Or

• Thesis (Anthropology), 360 Credits.

Or

• Thesis (Folklore Studies), 360 Credits.

Or

• Thesis (Translation Studies), 360 Credits.

Or

• Thesis (Social Work), 360 Credits.

1. Demonstrate expertise and critical knowledge in an area at the forefront of a field, discipline or practice and the ability to conceptualise new research initiatives and create new knowledge or practice.
2. Ability to contribute to scholarly debates around theories of knowledge and processes of knowledge production in an area of study or practice.
3. Develop new methods, techniques, processes, systems or technologies in original, creative and innovative ways appropriate to specialised and complex contexts.
4. Demonstrate the ability to apply specialist knowledge and theory in critically reflexive, creative and novel ways to address complex practical and theoretical problems.
5. Ability to identify, address and manage emerging ethical issues, and to advance processes of ethical decision-making.
6. The ability to make judgements on incomplete or inconsistent data.
7. Produces publishable works.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Expertise in a theoretically sophisticated subject matter is demonstrated through critical evaluation and argument encapsulated in a Doctoral Thesis.
• Research initiatives are properly proposed and analysed in a research proposal aligned with the Faculty research guidelines.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Theories of knowledge in the area of specialisation are discussed and critiqued in the process of knowledge production.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• The research thesis contributes to existing body of methods, techniques, processes, systems or technologies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Knowledge application is used in the analysis and evaluation of problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• The learner shows ethical awareness in the handling of the research specialisation and reporting thereof, including evidence of ethical decision-making.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Develops significant original insights into new, complex and abstract ideas, information or issues.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Publishes articles or chapters in a book from the Doctoral Thesis.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment takes place across all learning outcomes. Integration of exit level outcomes is assessed in the form of a full research thesis.