Master of Arts in Political Science

Purpose

The qualification provides training in the techniques of research, analysis and scholarly presentation appropriate to Political Science. The qualification equips the learners with proficiency in research methodology sufficient to proceed to doctoral level. Successful learners will have acquired skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, collection and organisation of material, and effective written communication.

Rationale

The qualification provides further knowledge in research skills in Political analysis and its application to issues confronting society, in South Africa, Africa and the globe.

The qualification will equip the learners with the skills necessary either for employment in the educational and cultural fields or for further, independent research for the qualification of PhD in the same or related subject area. The qualification will prepare learners for further study, locally or abroad, at Doctoral Level in Political Science.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The admission requirement for the qualification is an Honours Degree in politics and international relations. However, the department is guided by the institution's Recognition of Prior Learning policy. In the field of politics and International Relations, there are learners with prior exposure before taking formal studies and are considered for enrolling for the Master's qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements for this qualification are

• Bachelor of Arts Honours in Political Science, NQF Level 8.

This qualification comprises of compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 9, 180 Credits

• Research and Dissertation, 180 Credits.

1. Demonstrate mastery over the theoretically sophisticated subject matter, exhibiting in-depth and comprehensive knowledge of a field or specialised area, to which s/he can apply relevant theory.
2. Evaluate the literature critically in a field, challenging orthodoxies and redefining existing knowledge, while aware of the nature of expertise in the area, to communicate verbally and orally with professional audiences.
3. The Master's learner will be acquainted with methods of research and specialised knowledge in a chosen discipline.
4. Apply a range of advanced research methods to research problems in a chosen discipline.
5. Conduct advanced literature searches and critique current literature in the form of a review.
6. Prepare a professional paper for peer review; write research and funding proposals.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria applies across all Exit Level Outcomes

• Formulation of research questions and rationale for the study.
• Critical appraisal of recent literature in the area of politics chosen for the study.
• Relate political theory to practice.
• Production of research instruments for primary data collection.
• Creation of a data bank for primary of secondary data on the politics of area of choice.
• Interpretation of results and findings to inform policy.
• Production of a written dissertation.
• Presentation of research methods, findings and policy recommendations using the oral and electronic medium.
• Defend ideas that are outcomes of the research.

Integrated Assessment

The integration of skills learned in the Master of Arts (MA) is assessed by means of a dissertation of a word length stipulated by the School of Human and Social Sciences. Assessment is based on criteria, which include:

(i) Scope and quality of literature reviewed from a variety of text and other media;

(ii) Accuracy with which the literature is represented and applied to the research questions;

(iii) The formulation of a research question and the development of a research proposal based on the literature review. The proposal must specify a research design and the method/s to be applied to answer the research question, and be of appropriate scale and complexity of a Master's dissertation;

(iv) The demonstration of a professional working relationship by responding to the comments of the projects supervisor;

(v) The execution of the research proposed;

(vi) Presentation of the research in a manner which accords with the publication conventions of the discipline.