Master of Arts in Child and Family Studies

Purpose

• Among the myriad problems South Africans faced and continue to face today are high levels of unemployment, crime, HIV/AIDS, drug use and abuse, teen pregnancies, child abuse and neglect, etc.
• Most black families in society, through apartheid policies such as influx control, immorality act, forced removals and labour migrations, suffered various negative social, psychological, and economic consequences.
• The democratic government's efforts to rebuild communities that were torn apart by the nefarious policies of apartheid essentially boil down to ensuring the welfare of families which are the nuclei of such communities. Thus, the research and teaching focus would be based on the centrality of the family as an institution in the social and economic organisation of society.

Rationale

Most black families in society, through apartheid policies such as influx control, immorality act, forced removals and labour migrations, suffered various negative social, psychological, and economic consequences. The democratic government's efforts to rebuild communities that were torn apart by the nefarious policies of apartheid essentially boil down to ensuring the welfare of families which are the nuclei of such communities. Thus, the research and teaching focus would be based on the centrality of the family as an institution in the social and economic organisation of society.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Access to the qualification can also be provided in terms of the University's Recognition of Prior Learning policy and its admission criteria stipulated by Senate. In the Recognition of Prior Learning process learners have to undergo a Portfolio Development Course to support the learner's admission. The PDC will focus on written submission explaining the reasons for the learners' interest in Child and Family Studies as an adjunct to their existing professional competencies and indicating the nature of a possible research project.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is a

• Postlearner Diploma in Child and Family Studies, NQF Level 7.

Or

• Postlearner Diploma in Marriage and Family Counselling, NQF Level 7.

Or

• Bachelor of Arts Honours in Sociology, NQF Level 7.

Or

• Bachelor of Arts in Social Work, NQF Level 7.

Master of Arts: Child and Family Studies, NQF Level 8, 120 Credits.

Learning Components

• Advanced Classical and Contemporary Theories about the Family.
• Advanced Quantitative Research Methods.
• Advanced Qualitative Research Methods.
• South African Families and Households.
• Constructions of Children and Childhood.
• Policies and Programmes for Families in Poverty.
• Child Protection.
• Children's Rights and the Law.
• Mini Thesis.

By the end of the qualification, qualifying learners will

• Do a research project in applied settings to assist political, community, business and other leaders build and manage successful social qualifications, especially family-related qualifications.
• 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.

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

> Analyse the notion of parenthood.

> International and South African childhoods.

> 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 relevant international law.

Display specialised scholastic and basic research skills in Child and Family Studies as outlined in the prescribed module descriptor. Lecturers set assignments, class tests and the final assessment papers in terms of module outcomes viz. Adequate level of relevant text comprehension to be demonstrated, adequate range of relevant sources to have been accessed and relevant problems to have been grasped, and appropriate theoretical and practical assignments and case studies as well as solutions to problems to have been presented.