Higher Certificate in Heritage Studies

Purpose

The purpose of this Higher Certificate is to equip learners with the entry-level skills and knowledge needed to perform key tasks in heritage-related environments by providing a good grounding in the natural, pure and applied sciences as related to the sub-discipline. Furthermore, the qualification will ensure that learners have an appropriate awareness and knowledge of the legal, regulatory, management and ethical issues needed to function in the field of Heritage Studies. Finally, the qualification will enable access to higher education to Bachelor and Diploma level.

Rationale

This qualification forms an important part of the evolving academic plan of the new Sol Plaatje University (SPU) in Kimberley in the Northern Cape. The academic posture adopted by the University has been to focus on the unique characteristics and needs of the general Northern Cape region in a manner that raises intellectual matters of local and global interest. The Northern Cape region - and Kimberly in particular - is rich in its formal and informal archival holdings of human heritage. Sol Plaatje University is therefore keen to develop a capacity of academic engagement in Heritage Studies that is both wide in its reach and deep in the levels of intellectual competence.

Although well-established in international higher education institutions, the field of heritage studies at the undergraduate level is presently non-existent in South Africa. Aside from a very small number of Postgraduate qualifications offered by local universities, no undergraduate, or entry level qualification exist to prepare skills and intellectual capacity in the general field of heritage studies. This level of skill and competence is needed, in the museum sector for example; staff members are mostly trained on-the-job, with the usual limitation of narrow skills development, unacknowledged competence and little to no transferable knowledge to allow such people access to higher level academic qualifications.

Within a radius of three kilometers around SPU in Kimberley are five outstanding museums that are marked not only for the intellectual value of their collections but also for the high quality of their curatorship. Some like the McGregor Museum, the Sol Plaatje Museum and the William Humphries Art Gallery carry international reputations as good, research-based museums, and regularly host local and international research visitors who work with their collections. These museums are available as learning platforms to learners and academic staff who will join the Heritage Studies qualification at our university.

This introduction of a Higher Certificate in Heritage Studies is therefore designed to create a qualification that will enable those currently under- or un-qualified but working in the sector, the opportunity to obtain a qualification, as well as to provide school-leavers with entry into post-school studies in a discipline that is presently academically under-developed. The qualification articulates well with national imperatives in the areas of indigenous histories and cultures, and is designed to produce learners with the vocational skills needed to begin working in the field, as well as with the foundations for further higher education study.

This Higher Certificate is structured to allow a range of sub-disciplines within the field of Heritage Studies to be offered. This is arranged through a qualification of four core and compulsory modules together with three elective modules. The elective modules will focus on museology and museum studies.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Admission via RPL is possible in limited cases. Candidates for RPL admission will be required to demonstrate suitability either through work experience and/or other prior learning that has taken place. The institution makes provision for RPL admission in line with the policies of the institution.

Entry Requirements

The minimum level of learning required for a learner to enter and complete successfully the Higher Certificate in Heritage Studies is:

• A National Senior Certificate with higher certificate endorsement.
• A National Certificate (Vocational).
• The National Senior (Certificate) NS(C).
• Applicants with NQF Level 4 qualifications may be approved for entry by the Registrar.

This qualification comprises 8 compulsory modules at NQF Level 5, totalling 120 Credits

• Mathematics, 24 Credits.
• Basics of Material and Earth Sciences, 24 Credits.
• Ethics and Regulation in Heritage Work, 12 Credits.
• Curation techniques and Object Conservation, 12 Credits.
• Natural History, Prehistory and History of Southern Africa, 12 Credits.
• Museology and Curatorship, 16 Credits.
• Museum and Project Management, 12 Credits.
• Practical /Work Integrated Learning, 8 Credits.

1. Operate, act, and perform the tasks of preparatory and curator in the field of museum studies.
2. Demonstrate an informed understanding of the structure and nature of the historic and pre-historic past in Southern Africa.
3. Write record and present the results of the varied activities constituting the tasks of curation and preparation.
4. Work as a member of a team.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Knowledge of relevant techniques and skills as applied to the various materials in the preservation of heritage items is demonstrated.
• The relevant legislative and ethical parameter within which the work of curation is conducted is understood.
• The impact of the different materials and techniques on the varied items for preparation is understood.
• Approaches to work problems using techniques learned is developed and new approaches are applied in a scientific manner.
• From a range of technical or practical approaches is chosen and the choices made are accounted.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• A basic knowledge of the prehistory and history of Southern Africa demonstrated.
• Knowledge and understanding of the key aspects of the natural history of Southern Africa is demonstrated.
• An understanding of the significance of Southern Africa's histories on its present preservation initiatives and objectives is demonstrated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Language is used clearly and effectively.
• Accurate record-keeping techniques is applied in all work conducted.
• Communicate with others about one's activities and work is displayed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• The roles and functions of the activities in museology and curation is identified and explained.

Integrated Assessment

Quality assessment is central to credible certification and recognition of student achievement. The Institution University will ensure credibility in assessment through the application of clear and rigorous procedures and practices, in keeping with the principles of fairness, validity, reliability and practicability.

Integrated assessment is used extensively across the qualification, including in the WIL. Self- and formative assessment takes place in various ways in the face to face context, including through classroom activities, assignments, and written work. Summative assessments are integrated into the learning in that they take place at the end of each of the constituent modules of the qualification.