Master of Arts in English Studies

Purpose

The qualification provides training in disciplines of specialisation counting English Literature and Language, and in research methodology to equip the learners with the skills necessary either for employment in a variety of fields or for further independent research in the same or a related subject area. The mini-research dissertation must reflect professionalism in research expertise and skill within English Studies.

Rationale

The qualification is responsive to the identified national priority of providing improved and expanded provision of educational services and opportunities. It is intended to enhance the basic knowledge and skills of learners majoring in English Language and Literature by providing an opportunity to develop a specialised skills set to apply to a rapidly changing world work. Typically, learners are existing education practitioners wishing to advance their specialisation and educational careers. Opportunities of employment in teaching English Language and Literature at both basic and higher education levels are available to qualifying learners.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is guided by the institutional policy and is aligned to the objectives of the NQF. Entry into the qualification is possible via RPL as well as indicating advanced standing, provided that it is aligned to the institutional policy and that the applicant is evaluated by a qualified RPL assessor in a manner that is free from any form of discrimination. RPL practices also include standard Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT) practices of equivalent modules that may have been achieved in the course of the applicant's studies.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

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

Or

• Relevant Bachelor Honours Degree, Level 8.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and/or elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 200 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Language Stream, 128 Credits

• Mini-Dissertation (English), 100 Credits.
• Research Methods in English and Applied Linguistics, 28 Credits.

Elective Modules, Language Stream, 72 Credits

• English in Africa, 24 Credits.
• English Second Language Acquisition, 24 Credits.
• Issues in Language Education, 24 Credits.
• Special Topics in English Language Studies, 24 Credits.

Or

Compulsory Modules, Literature Stream,128 Credits

• Mini-Dissertation (English), 100 Credits.
• Critical Theory, 28 Credits.

Elective Modules, Literature Stream, 72 Credits (Select three)

• The Literary Voice of Africa, 24 Credits.
• South African Literary Expression, 24 Credits.
• Gender Studies: Women and Literature, 24 Credits.
• Topics in Western Literature, 24 Credits.

1. Demonstrate specialist knowledge and be able to critique and evaluate current research or practices that are pertinent to the specialisation area.
2. Demonstrate a command of and the ability to design, select and apply appropriate and creative methods, techniques, processes or technologies to complex practical and theoretical problems in the specialisation area.
3. Solve problems in the field of chosen specialisation.
4. Access, manage and produce information ethically in the context of the specialisation practitioner's profession.
5. The learner is sensitive to and understands the contexts and systems of the profession.
6. Manage his or her own learning and takes accountability for his or her own work.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Demonstrate familiarity with contemporary philosophical and theoretical issues in the fields of specialisation.
• Debate complex issues orally and in writing.
• Display specialised knowledge in a critical and comparative manner, depending on the particular field of focus in the courses selected.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• The learner drafts a research proposal of acceptable standard in line with the faculty guidelines for the chosen specialisation.
• A research mini-dissertation of the required length and complexity is produced that demonstrates the application of the research design to the identified problem.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• The learner produces a research dissertation that reflects on current research, problem analysis and implementation of strategies to solve problems.
• Solutions to problems posed in the assessment of the structured part of the course are indicative of the learner's mastery of the complexities that characterise the field of specialisation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• The research dissertation contributes to the understanding, analysis and resolution of identified research areas in an ethically appropriate manner, aligned to the Faculty requirements for ethical knowledge production.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Responses to assessment tasks in the structured part of the course, as well as the research mini-dissertation, are properly contextualised and rooted in the specialisation area.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• The learner applies him/herself to the researching and writing of the mini-dissertation in the prescribed time frame.
• Modular components of the course are completed with due observation of Formative and Summative Assessment requirements.

Integrated Assessment

Assessments are based on Formative Assessments which are in place to assure continuous learning and feedback to learners and Summative Assessments which ensure a judgement of learning at exit level outcomes.