Doctor of Philosophy: Child and Family Studies

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to

• Provide South Africa with highly skilled human capital in Child and Family studies research to help ensure that the country will be able to effectively solve child and family issues through research findings.
• Create an extensive regional and international network through which researchers can collaborate to investigate child and family well-being and functioning and to enhance the social welfare goals of government, NGO's and non-profit organisations regarding the issues of children and families.
• Build important bridges of learning between developing and developed countries with regard to the acquisition and application of child and family knowledge to eventually benefit people everywhere.

The qualification thus aims to marry excellence in research with the needs of South Africa (as well as Africa and other developing countries) by promoting in-depth investigation of Child and Family studies topics to the benefit of the country and the discipline.

Rationale

This Doctor of Philosophy: Child and Family Studies is the only one of its kind in South Africa. We currently offer the only accredited Master's Degree: Child and Family Studies and it is essential, for vertical articulation purposes, that qualifying learners are able to move into a Doctor of Philosophy in support of the objectives of the NQF and provide local opportunity for further study in the field.

There is a shortage of researchers studying the integration of theory, research and practice applicable to children and families in South Africa. Learners registered for this qualification would be able to pursue in-depth studies in the theory and existing empirical knowledge about child development, family relationships and child and family well-being.

The focus of this Doctoral Degree would be on research and scientific inquiry involving advanced methodologies and strategies to examine basic developmental phenomena and family relationships for improved wellness and health.

A learner should have a

• Good knowledge of children and families in general, as well as any of the specialist areas in child and family studies chosen for Doctor of Philosophy studies.
• Clear understanding of the information systems environment in an academic setting.
• Firm basis to manage information and carry out research.
• Good oral and writing skills.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Access to the qualification can also be provided in terms of the institution's RPL policy and its admission criteria stipulated by Senate. In the RPL process learners can also opt to undergo a Portfolio Development Course (PDC) to support the learner's admission. The PDC will focus on written submission explaining the reasons for the learner's interest in Family Studies as an adjunct to existing professional competencies and indicating the nature of a possible research project. Provision should be made for prior learning to be recognised (credits) if a learner is able to demonstrate competence in the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes embedded in this qualification.

Access to the Qualification

Learners who have completed a relevant research Masters Degree successfully will gain access to do this Doctor of Philosophy qualification in Child and Family Studies.

The qualification comprises a thesis/dissertation worth 360 Credits.

The qualifying learner should, upon completion of this qualification, be able to

• Carry out a research project in applied settings to assist political, community, business and other leaders build and manage successful social programmes, especially family-related problems and issues.
• Demonstrate an understanding of such contemporary family-related problems and issues as child and spousal abuse, poverty, crime, divorce, child custody, marital and extramarital sex, illegitimacy, feminism and teenage parenthood in areas such as:

> Childhood as a social construction.

> Historical notions of childhood.

> Understanding the notion of cultural diversity in South African parenting.

> Analysing the notion of parenthood.

> International and South African childhood.

> The Convention on the Rights of the Child: children's rights as human rights.

> The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and all other relevant international law.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

The Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are embedded in the Exit Level Outcomes of this qualification.

The following assessment criteria are applied in an integrated manner for all the Exit Level Outcomes

• Display specialised scholastic and novel research skills in Child and Family Studies as appropriate to studies at this level.
• Demonstrate an advanced level of relevant text comprehension.
• Access an advanced range of relevant sources.
• Demonstrate a grasp of relevant problems.
• Present appropriate theoretical and practical assessment techniques and case studies as well as solutions to problems.

Integrated Assessment

The learner's knowledge of Family Studies will be assessed by the supervisor and faculty members via a formal proposal for Doctor of Philosophy research by the end of the first year. This will be assessed by a committee of at least three professors, one of whom must be external. The learner will complete a research project to be presented as a thesis/dissertation. Assessment of the thesis/dissertation will be carried out by Faculty members and international external examiners.