Master of Arts

Purpose

The qualification provides training in the techniques of research, analysis and scholarly presentation appropriate to the chosen discipline. The qualification equips the learner with the skills necessary either for employment in the educational and cultural fields or for further, independent research for the Doctor of Philosophy in the same or related subject area.

Rationale

The qualification prepares learners for further study, locally or abroad, at the Doctoral level in a related field.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Non-Honours learners who show by examination or publication or a record of appropriate training that they have reached a level in the module or a cognate module similar to an Honours qualification can be permitted to register for the qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Arts Honours, NQF Level 8.

Or

• Bachelor of Social Science Honours NQF Level 8.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at NQF Level 9 totalling 180 Credits

• Dissertation, 90 Credits.
• Coursework, 90 Credits.

Or

Dissertation only qualification

• Full dissertation, 180 Credits.

• Demonstrate mastery over the theoretically sophisticated subject matter, exhibiting deep and comprehensive knowledge of a field or specialised area, to which s/he can apply relevant theory.
• Evaluate the literature critically in a field, challenging orthodoxies and redefining existing knowledge, while aware of the nature of knowledge in the field.
• Communicate verbally and orally with professional audiences.
• Be acquainted with methods of research and specialised knowledge in a chosen discipline in the Humanities.
• Apply a range of advanced research methods to research problems in a chosen discipline.
• Conduct advanced literature searches and critique current literature in the form of a review.
• Prepare a professional paper for peer review.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will assess the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated manner

• Conduct independent research in the discipline (or inter-disciplinary field).
• Communicate verbally and orally with professional audiences.
• Apply disciplinary knowledge and research skills.
• Analyse and critique communications of an academic and popular nature.
• Appreciate the ethical issues associated with research and knowledge production in the discipline.
• Challenge orthodoxies and redefine existing knowledge while demonstrating awareness of the nature of knowledge in the field.
• Have mastered a body of knowledge within a specified area of the discipline.
• Have mastered all relevant research techniques, both general and specific concerning a particular field of study.
• Summarise clearly, accurately and comprehensively all relevant aspects of an academic debate.
• Relate or apply existing knowledge in novel contexts.

The dissertation must demonstrate competence in the following areas, assessed in the examination of the dissertation

• Adequate research problem formulation and development.
• Familiarity with and integration of the relevant and specialised literature that informs the research question.
• Application of relevant theoretical approaches and key research techniques at an advanced level.
• Systematic and sustained discussion and argumentation and integration of findings.
• Ability to address the normative issues that might attend the study.
• Appreciation of the methodological of the study.
• Use of the publication and style conventions of the discipline.

Integrated Assessment

Each module in the qualification in common with other qualification in the faculty has one long, or two medium, or three short essays or projects. Details are in the outlines supplied for each module.

Assessment of research outcomes is using a dissertation of a word length stipulated by the faculty (50% of the final result) which normally consist of a substantial piece of work which demonstrates skills of independent research, response to supervisor's comments, mastery of the theoretical base and scholarly literature of a field of study.

Assessment in the full dissertation research Master of Arts Degree is using a supervised dissertation not exceeding 50,000 words.

The Institution has a system of external peer review and evaluation of each course. One of the aspects of the system is an evaluation of the standards and assessment practices of the department. The academic staff of the Institution use this in a manner which is consistent with the quality assurance system of the Institution.