Master of Arts in Rock Art Studies

The purpose of the qualification is to produce a graduate who is able to demonstrate a high level of specialised knowledge and strong analytical ability in Rock Art.

The purpose of the qualification is also to enhance the career of the postgraduate by preparing him/her to use higher order and lateral thinking, and specialist knowledge in the discipline, profession or field of enquiry related to Rock Art.

Further, the purpose of the qualification is to produce researchers and leaders who thus contribute to the economy of South Africa.

Formally Accredited Learning and Other Qualities

The typical applicant has a Bachelor of Arts with Honours degree in Archaeology or a cognate discipline, which needs normally to have been achieved with a certain minimum percentage, or an equivalent University-approved qualification in a relevant discipline - consult the admissions information of the University for the year of study for which application is being made.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Applicants who fall outside of the normal admissions process who can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the University that they have a qualification or experiential- or work based learning which has taken the learner to an equivalent level of a qualification specified above (under Formally Accredited Learning), may be considered for admission and/or for the recognition of prior accredited and/or prior experiential learning. Applicants who, after such assessment, are deemed to have sufficient potential but are in need of further academic development, may be required to broaden their curriculum to include preliminary programmes prior to admission or parallel programmes after admission.

The qualifying learner is able to

1.1 Apply knowledge of the full range of terminology and key concepts in the discipline in South African and international literature

1.2 Use specialist primary and secondary research resources, materials, methodologies

1.3 Show extensive in-depth meta-cognitive understanding of own position in relation to debates within a text.

2.1 Show sophisticated understanding of generic, academic, oral and written conventions for discipline-specific content

2.2 Understand current debates and research findings necessary for research report.

3.1 Apply knowledge of critical and analytic approaches to subject matter of discipline

3.2 Apply knowledge of a range of problems and possible solutions within the field.

4.1 Apply knowledge of research methods and their application

4.2 Show an in-depth understanding of relevant literature.

5.1 Apply knowledge of the importance of individual responsibility in generating ideas and executing a research study

5.2 Possess advanced knowledge needed for self directed autonomous learning.

6.1 Understand group dynamics and processes and roles when to use them for desired outcomes

6.2 Demonstrate an awareness of diversity in own and other contexts.

7.1 Have an in-depth knowledge of the world ecosystemically

7.2 Have an understanding of the relationship between your discipline and others.

8.1 Understand and use the concepts, methods, theories, skills and analytical processes which are accepted and/or contested in the discipline

8.2 Demonstrate competence in advanced disciplinary knowledge and specialised knowledge in focused area of research.

Critical Cross-field Outcomes

a) "Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made" - see Exit Level Outcomes (ELO) 3 & 4.

b) "Working with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community" - see ELO 6.

c) "Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively" - see ELO 5.

d) "Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information" - see ELO 1.

e) "Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion" - see ELO 2 & 4.

f) "Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others" - see ELO 1, 2, 4 & 7.

g) "Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts does not exist in isolation" - see ELO 7.

h) "Contributing to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of society at large, by making it the underlying intention of any programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of:

• (i) "Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively" - see ELO 5.
• (ii) "Participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities" - see ELO 7; note also that learners act in accordance with the code of conduct of the University and, where relevant, that of the professional discipline being studied.
• (iii) "Being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts" - see ELO 6.
• (iv) "Exploring education and career opportunities" - see ELO 5.
• (v) "Developing entrepreneurial opportunities" - see ELO 7 & 8.

The qualifying learner is able to

1.1 Use sophisticated selection and search strategies for appropriate databases and information resources

1.2 Find information in order to articulate own position within debates

1.3 Use sophisticated critical evaluation of different kinds of Rock Art images, data and texts

1.4 Process an in-depth volume of texts and data across a wide range.

2.1 Use appropriate written conventions and representational technologies to sustain clear coherent argument throughout the report

2.2 Present effectively in oral form, ideas, theories, discipline specific information.

3.1 Develop and critically examine innovative approaches

3.2 Integrate information, theory and context to solve problems

3.3 Critically evaluate limitations of different theoretical models and suggest alternatives.

4.1 Assess significance of findings in published research

4.2 Design, execute and write-up a scholarly research report that contributes to the advancement of knowledge

4.3 Show competence in reflective research.

5.1 Show the ability to be a purposeful, self directed scholar and researcher

5.2 Demonstrate a capacity to balance and manage a range of academic and life commitments.

6.1 Solve problems effectively and demonstrate leadership, independence and purposefulness when appropriate

6.2 Working constructively with diversity within a dynamic situation.

1. Plan, execute and evaluate research and practice within an eco-systemic paradigm.

8.1 Apply concepts, methods, theories and analytical processes to new information and situations

8.2 Apply disciplinary knowledge to self-motivated enquiry

8.3 Understand the connections and conflicts between writers in the field

8.4 Apply knowledge and methods from related fields, where necessary.

Integrated Assessment

The research report is a form of integrated assessment.

ASSOCIATED VALUES

The qualifying learner is aware of the importance of the need to

1. Commit him/herself to evaluate published research.

2.1 Produce a research report which respects and acknowledges the ownership of intellectual and creative property (Bibliography).

2.2 Adhere to ethical standards of discipline applicable to research project.

3.1 Commit him/herself to responsible decision-making

3.2 Be sensitive with regard to different ways of constructing knowledge and the ethical application of knowledge.

1. Commit him/herself to ethical research and responsible decision-making.
2. Pursue excellence, accountability and resourcefulness.
3. Commit him/herself to collaborative processes.

7.1 Appreciate and deal sensitively with the multiple perspectives of people

7.2 Value the ability to adapt and live with change.

8.1 Adhere to the ethical standards of the discipline

8.2 Be sensitive to the ethical implications of their own practices.