Master of Arts in English

The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifying learners with the ability to conduct advanced research, to employ analytical insight within defined area of textual investigation, to record the results of the research in an acceptable format, and to employ these skills in such a way as to promote his/her opportunities for intellectual development, gainful employment and meaningful social activity.

Recognition of Prior Learning

All learners who claim that they have achieved relevant prior learning which should give them access to the qualification need to apply to the Accreditation Committee of the Faculty of Arts for recognition of prior learning.

Potential learners who want to be credited for prior learning and or experience for a particular module or modules need to apply in writing to the Departmental Chairperson of the department offering the module the learner wishes to be credited for, clearly stating the title(s) of the module or modules they want to be credited for as well as the basis on which they believe the accreditation should be granted.

The principles of RPL are subscribed to and will be implemented in a flexible manner. The principle of flexible and open access will, however, be offset against the provision that this is not be to the detriment of the potential learner and that his/her chances to succeed must be reasonable.

The Committee will assess learner's competences in order to determine whether they are eligible for a) access to, b) advanced placement in or c) recognition of status for this qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Arts Honours in English, NQF Level 8.

Or

• Bachelor of Arts Honours in English Literature, NQF Level 8.

Or

• Postgraduate Diploma in English Language Teaching, NQF Level 8.

1. Manage his/her time productively and organise his/her context effectively.
2. Identify and access relevant information using applicable research techniques, will be able to analyse and reflect on this information insightfully using an appropriate theoretical framework and will be able to present his/her findings according to acceptable methodological procedures.
3. Demonstrate the ability independently to generate a plan of work that includes all aspects of the research project such as statement of aims, motivation for the study, identification of theoretical scheme, description of analytical method, dermacation of scope of investigation, presentation of findings, and recording of bibliographical material.
4. Demonstrate the ability to identify and access relevant information and to record his/her findings in an acceptable format.
5. Display skills of clear and effective oral and written communication, including the presentation of ideas in a reasoned and systematic manner.
6. Demonstrate an ability to use the appropriate technology in accessing and recording information.
7. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the nature and scope of textual studies and must locate his/her specific area of study within this field.
8. Display knowledge of a variety of research strategies and the ability to choose the correct strategy for the specific aims of the study.
9. Demonstrate the value of textual analysis to cultural understanding.
10. Display an understanding of how the analytical and communicative skills acquired in the course of the research may be applied in a variety of career contexts.
11. Display an understanding of how the analytical and communicative skills acquired in the course of the research may be applied in a variety of career contexts.
12. Display an understanding of how the critical and communicative skills acquired in the course of the research may be used for self-development.

The learner can: / Does the learner

1. Display both a broad knowledge of the given field of textual study and a specific knowledge of the area under investigation and its associated problems of textual meaning.
2. Display skills of interpersonal communication, and must listen to and speak to others with understanding and sensitivity.
3. Demonstrate the ability independently to generate a plan of work that includes all aspects of the research projects such as statement of aims, motivation for the study, identification of theoretical scheme, description of analytical method, demarcation of scope of investigation, presentation of findings, and recording of bibliographical material.
4. Demonstrate the ability to identify and access relevant information and to record his/her findings in an acceptable format.
5. Display skills of clear and effective oral written communication, including the presentation of ideas in a reasoned and systematic manner.
6. Demonstrate an ability to use the appropriate technology in accessing and recording information.
7. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the nature and scope textual studies and must locate his/her specific area of study within this field.
8. Display knowledge of a variety of research strategies and the ability to choose the correct strategy for the specific aim of the study.
9. Display the ability to use techniques of textual analysis as a tool for understanding forms of social communication.
10. Demonstrate the value of textual analysis to cultural understanding.
11. Display an understanding of how the analytical and communicative skills acquired in the course of the research may be applied in a variety of career contexts.
12. Display an understanding of how the critical and communicative skills acquired in the course of the research, may be used for purposes of self-development.

Integrated Assessment

Continuous assessment practices form an integral part of the design of this qualification. Learning outcomes are made explicit to learners, and there is a coherent assessment strategy in place for each module, with a fair balance between formative and summative assessment strategies.

Formative assessment practices that will be implemented

Interaction between supervisor and candidate and assessment of the candidate's progress will occur from the time of submission of the proposal through to the completion of the dissertation, the presentation of the seminar, and the publication of the article.

Summative assessment that will be implemented

The candidate will be assessed on the written dissertation, final examinations, the seminar, presentation and the article produced for publication.