Master of Arts in Public Sociology and Anthropology

Purpose

The purpose of the qualification is to develop students' capacity to investigate and think critically about a range of questions. More specifically the qualification aims to:

• Encourage students to reflect on the social, ethical, and political dimensions of their work in order to deepen their practice and sharpen their analytical skills.
• Provide students with an overview of the main approaches and paradigms for understanding the social, historical, and political dimensions of critical issues facing societies like (South) Africa.
• Provide students with the necessary conceptual training to improve the quality of their research, writing, and critical thinking skills to enable them to analyse complex social problems related to a society undergoing transformation.
• Offer students the opportunity to develop their abilities through focused research assignments which culminates in a final thesis.
• Allow students to gain valuable work experience and exposure to learning opportunities outside of academia though an internship qualification and to integrate it with their research.

This qualification also to provide students with the necessary requirements to enter into a career outside of academia in the public sphere or embark on further Postgraduate/Doctoral studies.

Rationale

The rationale for this qualification is to

• Educate, train and develop a new generation of South African and African social researchers with the necessary skills to allow them to engage critically, astutely and sensitively with important issues of social transformation.
• Develop the abilities and skills of students to enable them to address the challenges facing society in an informed and robust manner, so that they are in a better position to inform decision makers, clients and the general public about social problems.
• Develop the graduate attributes that 'better fit' the changing economic situation and societal developments, within a highly competitive global environment which requires both discipline-specific knowledge and professional skills in order to engage, interact and effectively communicate in the workplace.
• Provide a learning and teaching environment where students from all sectors of society feel included and supported and are able to overcome the feelings of isolation and alienation by forming part of a Postgraduate cohort.
• Ensure a high degree of scholarship that will enable students to successfully complete their postgraduate and further studies and in so doing, contribute to the next generation of scholars.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The University considers students applying for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) in terms of the "Policy for the Assessment and Recognition of Prior Learning". RPL requests will be handled according to the institution's RPL policy.

Entry Requirements

The following minimum admission requirements will apply to this qualification

Postgraduate Diploma or an Honours Degree on Level 8 in Sociology, Anthropology or a cognate discipline (Political Science, Psychology, Education, Development studies, History, Philosophy) An average of at least 65% in the relevant subjects, with demonstrated academic ability and evidence of adequate English language and writing proficiency are required.

This qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

Compulsory Modules

• Social Theory, 30 Credits.
• Research Design and Ethics, 30 Credits.
• Critical Transformation Studies, 30 Credits.

Elective Modules

• Thesis (Public Sociology), 90 Credits.
• Thesis (Public Anthropology), 90 Credits.

Students may select one of the electives listed above.

1. Demonstrate the ability to reflect on the social, ethical, and political dimensions in order to deepen practice and sharpen analytical skills.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the main approaches and paradigms for the social, historical, and political dimensions of critical issues facing societies like (South) Africa.
3. Demonstrate the ability to improve the quality of research, writing, and critical thinking skills to analyse complex social problems related to a society undergoing transformation.
4. Demonstrate the ability to develop abilities through focused research assignments which culminates in a final thesis.
5. Gain valuable work experience and exposure to learning opportunities outside of academia through an internship qualification and to integrate it with the research.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Evaluate conceptual texts in relation to specific sociological issues.
• Interpret a major body of classical theoretical literature.
• Locate key social scientific concepts and be able to assess their relevance and value in relation to the Global South and post-colonial worlds.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Critically assess issues of social transformation in the field chosen, through a synthesis of contemporary materials in the field.
• Demonstrate an in-depth mastery of the role of theory in sociological and anthropological practice, and the interaction between theory and practice.
• Compare and contrast basic theoretical perspectives of sociology or anthropology with particular emphasis on those that relate to social action, change, and intervention.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the micro, meso, and macro levels of analysis;
• Assess the role of practice in the modification of theory.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Demonstrate an in-depth mastery of the role of evidence as it relates to qualitative and quantitative methods in sociology and social anthropology.
• Complete a research proposal that is able to synthesise concepts and methodology.
• Develop and apply different genres of proposal writing, from an academic thesis through to research grants.
• Reflect critically on the ethics of conducting research.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Master the research process, which includes selection of a topic in the field of public sociology or public anthropology; self-driven but supervised investigation; the application of ethnographic and other qualitative methods of data collection and management; assimilation, analysis, interpretation and critical discussion; understanding and coherent presentation.
• Apply ethnographic data collection and analysis techniques on a research topic in the field of public anthropology.
• Organise and manage time and activities effectively.
• Use visual, oral and written skills to communicate effectively.
• Demonstrate in-depth, specialised knowledge of a topic relevant to public sociology or public anthropology, and advanced applied skills in conducting social scientific or ethnographic research.
• Demonstrate an in-depth mastery of the role of theory in sociological or anthropological practice, and the interaction between sociological or anthropological theory and practice.
• Write up a research thesis that illustrates skills in the application of sociological theory and relevant social research methods to a topic in public sociology.
• Write up a research thesis that illustrates skills in the application of social theory and relevant anthropological research methods (in particular ethnography) to a topic in public anthropology.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Apply both theoretical Sociological and Anthropological knowledge and research skills in order to evaluate specific issues.
• The ability to learn more about Sociological and Anthropological practice in a variety of fields, to network with potential future employers, and to obtain practical on-the-job experience is demonstrated.
• Practical work experience is gained in order to facilitate learners' transition into the job market.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment formats include short assignments centred on case studies and longer written assignments based on the material presented during a particular module. Students are required to read assigned texts before each class session. Assessment activities during each contact week are structured to inform the development of the larger assignment. All modules are examined by lecturers responsible for the module and subject to internal and external moderation. The thesis is subject to internal and external examination, which includes the internship qualification.

Consistent with the institution's policy, the qualification coordinator will ensure that the outcomes of the qualification are achieved; that appropriate assessment criteria and methods are used; that Integrated Assessment takes place; and that student feedback on modules and the qualification as a whole is followed up. The Department will ensure that assessment standards are upheld and that lecturers have sufficient and appropriate training and/or experience.