Master of Arts

Purpose

The Master of Arts by dissertation will allow for the training of researchers in Human and Social Sciences, Heritage Studies and Languages who would be able to contribute to the development and advancement of knowledge in their respective disciplines nationally as well as globally. This will be achieved using a single advanced peer-examined, peer-accepted full dissertation in which learners will provide evidence of their ability to independently and intellectually engage with and critically reflect on theory, critiquing, evaluating and appraising research and research practices. With their specialised knowledge candidates will expand the pool of professionals in their respective disciplines such as historians, archaeologists, anthropologists, curators, archivists, public servants and language practitioners. Qualifying learners will be able to think critically, strategically and analytically when dealing with challenges in an ever-changing society the career prospects of learners will also increase giving them an edge over competitors in the job market.

Learners will be able to demonstrate specialist knowledge through independently identifying and conceptualising a problem, designing and writing a research proposal, conducting a literature review, engaging with and using theoretical frameworks, choose and use the most appropriate research design and methodology (-ies) or process of inquiry for their research, present and communicate their results clearly and draw conclusions from the data they have analysed.

The qualification will support the intended outcomes and enable graduates to demonstrate

• The specialist knowledge of and engagement in human and social sciences, heritage studies and languages as well as an understanding of the methodological procedures, theories and techniques relevant to these disciplines to apply them when critiquing, evaluating and appraising current leading scholarship and research practices in a disciplinary or interdisciplinary context.
• The ability to use a range of specialized skills to identify, conceptualize, analyse and address complex or abstract problems drawing systematically on the body of theoretical knowledge and methods appropriate to heritage studies, human and social sciences and languages.
• The ability to ethically present and substantially communicate or defend academic, professional or occupational ideas and texts effectively to a differentiated range of audiences with various expertise, offering creative insights, rigorous interpretations and solutions to complex contextual practical and theoretical problems and issues.
• The ability to access, manage and process information or data; analyse, synthesise and evaluate data and by doing so maintain autonomous ethical decision-making standards to develop creative solutions to problems; thus contributing to the production of significant insights.

Rationale

The qualification will provide access to learners such as teachers, lecturers at tertiary colleges, and government officials with relevant qualifications. The curriculum is developed for three separate fields of specialisation in the three broad disciplines offered at BA and BA Honours levels, i.e. Human and Social Sciences, Languages and Heritage Studies. The qualification also derives from national priorities which are to augment the pool of outstanding South African graduates to conduct high-level research that would impact the numerous key challenges faced regionally, nationally and globally. After completion, the learners are expected to play key roles in a range of occupations in domains such museums, provincial and national heritage organisations and bodies, the diplomatic service, public relations, the public service, archives, archaeology, schools and universities, research agencies, journalism and publishing houses.

The qualification will vertically articulate to a Doctor of Philosophy in the different disciplines of Human and Social Sciences, Heritage Studies and Languages.

The qualification is beneficial for the learners, society and the economy. For learners, it means that they will be equipped with specialised knowledge which will give them an advantage over their competitors in the job market. Having this qualification also means that learners will be in a position to advance their careers and be a great asset to employers in the fields of archaeology, anthropology, museums and archival services, media and language-related fields, and the public and diplomatic services since they will be able to think critically, strategically and analytically when dealing with challenges faced in the work environment and ever-changing society. It will also equip them with the necessary skills to become lifelong learners able to engage in research, exploring new avenues and apply what they have learned in different contexts.

Benefits for society and the economy mean that graduates would be better equipped to address those challenges impacting the provinces, national and global communities in general. It is anticipated that the learners through research would draw from communities and contribute to their well-being using reciprocal relationships which would not only be beneficial to the graduate but also the community in which the research was undertaken. These endeavours would be in line with the principles of the National Development Plan 2030 (2012), where universities are seen to be key to national development (p.262) and responsive to national priorities and societal needs.

The economic benefits of this qualification to learners will be to advance their career aspirations impacting on their families and the communities from where they come.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The formal RPL policy of the institution will be applied in instances where learners do not meet the minimum admission requirements for entry into the qualification. As such the following stipulations regarding RPL as contained in the policy document will apply:

• The institution acknowledges that RPL can only be applied where applicable to a specific discipline or qualification offered at the institution. Learning from other qualifications will be treated under the credit accumulation and transfer policy and are subject to the admission and selection criteria for the specific qualification.
• Learners seeking access to higher education without a formal school leaving certificate or equivalent must be referred to the relevant Programme Head. The Programme Head will determine in consultation with the relevant sub-committee of the department to the Registrar.
• There must be an assessment focusing on whether the applicant could reasonably be expected to complete the qualification in question. Applications for Mature Age exemptions will be referred to the Matriculation Board.
• Appeals against RPL decisions will be made to the Registrar and responded to by the relevant Head of Department in writing. The Registrar will be the final arbiter in the decision making. All learners admitted via RPL must be flagged in the ITS system as such and a record of such admissions and the learners' progress thereof must be maintained and monitored.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Arts Honours in relevant fields, NQF Level 8.

Or

• Postgraduate Diploma in relevant fields, NQF Level 8.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory module at National Qualifications Framework at Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

Compulsory Module, Level 9, 180 Credits

• Dissertation, 180 Credits.

1. Produce and defend a single advanced full dissertation based on the selection of a feasible topic.
2. Provide evidence of their ability to independently and intellectually engage with and critically reflect on theory, critiquing, evaluating and appraising current leading scholarship and research practices.
3. Identify, conceptualize, analyse and address complex or abstract problems drawing systematically on the body of theoretical knowledge and methods appropriate to heritage studies, human and social sciences and languages.
4. Apply appropriate research methodologies in the respective fields of Human and Social Sciences or Heritage Studies or Languages.
5. Present ethically and substantially communicate or defend academic, professional or occupational ideas and texts effectively to a differentiated range of audiences with various expertise.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be applied across all the for Exit Level Outcomes

• Provide evidence of the understanding of and insight into the topic under investigation; nature, purpose and scope thereof.
• Review related literature and relevant sources with a view of determining a gap in research within the discipline.
• State the research problem, research questions, aims and objectives.
• Provide evidence of specialist knowledge of and engagement in human and social sciences, heritage studies or languages in terms of the understanding of concepts, models, theories and theoretical frameworks relevant to these respective disciplines.
• Apply specialist knowledge when critiquing, evaluating and appraising current leading scholarship and research practices in a disciplinary or interdisciplinary context.
• Use knowledge to justify and support their lines of argumentation, dialectics and discourse.
• Show understanding of scientific research methods (qualitative and quantitative), methodologies, approaches and techniques such as processing, interpretation and analysis of data taking into account ethical considerations relevant in the respective disciplines; and presentation of results.
• Recommend or provide guidelines for the solution of problems investigated.
• Present and discuss knowledge and insights gained regarding their topic to audiences at seminars and colloquia.
• Organise and structure ideas, arguments, facts and statements systematically, logically, coherently, and take into account correct language usage and style.
• Pay attention to technical detail in terms of the table of contents, drafting of an abstract, grouping and balancing of chapters, bibliography, consistent use of in-text referencing, use of illustrations, graphs and tables.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment of dissertations will take place in terms of the Exit Level Outcomes and associated assessment criteria of the qualification. The institution policies are applicable to guide the assessment of dissertations.

A learner's dissertation written under the guidance of a supervisor must demonstrate that the learner can independently conduct scientific research and communicate the findings of the research adhering to academic standards. The dissertation will be peer-evaluated by two external examiners and one internal examiner nominated and appointed in terms of the institution's and faculty's rules for the nomination and appointment of internal and external examiners.