Master of Arts in Social and Behavioural Studies (HIV/AIDS)

Purpose

The primary purpose of this qualification is to develop the necessary research knowledge and skills in the field of social and behavioural aspects of HIV and AIDS within a multi-, inter- and trans-disciplinary (MIT) context within Africa and globally.

The qualification will also give learners the opportunity to engage critically and systematically with existing and new social and behavioural research in HIV and AIDS; to make judgment on their appropriateness and applicability within the African context. Through their research they will then be able to communicate conclusions and recommendations which are towards the research needs of the AIDS pandemic at an individual, family, community, workplace and society level. This qualification is a Master's Degree by dissertation.

Rationale

Most of the scientific research in the field of HIV and AIDS is undertaken from either a biomedical or psycho-social perspective, and there is a need to integrate these perspectives within a multi-, inter- and trans-disciplinary perspective, thus combining social and behavioural sciences in order to understand the AIDS pandemic in its full context, especially in Africa (Barret and Whiteside 2008). It is also within this social and behavioural context that HIV and AIDS interconnect with other pandemics such as TB, Malaria and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), as well as social issues such as gender, poverty, violence, etc. This has resulted in these social pandemics interconnecting with each other and having a dramatic impact on sustainable development and the quality of life on the African continent and in the Southern African region. This interconnection between these pandemics and social issues is due to the complexity and diversity of social behaviour and interaction at an individual, community and society level (UNAIDS 2010).

Prevention strategies must be directed from a social and behavioural perspective to ensure sustainable mobilisation at the level of the individual, the community, the workplace, the household and society as a whole. Social and behavioural researchers must be developed who can work alongside biomedical interventions towards HIV-prevention and treatment to ensure a more integrated development approach to the impact of the AIDS pandemic on sustainable development and the quality of life in Africa and Southern Africa. This group of researchers will contribute to existing and new knowledge which could reduce the impact of the AIDS pandemic and help develop sustainable prevention strategies. These researchers will also be able to conduct MIT research that is meaningful to policy formulation and programme development - not only in the field of HIV and AIDS, but also in the mitigation and reduction of the impact of other pandemics and social issues.

The Masters of Arts in Social and Behavioural Studies (HIV/AIDS) will provide a cadre of social and behavioural researchers which can combine these two perspectives to ensure sustainable behaviour.

Entry Requirements

For entrance to the qualification

• Learners must have completed a Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in Social and Behavioural Studies (HIV/AIDS), Human and Social Sciences.

Or

• A Postgraduate Diploma with a 36 Credits research project at NQF 8 Level equivalent with an average of 60%.

This qualification Master of Arts in Social and Behavioural Studies (HIV/AIDS) comprises two focus areas namely

• Research Proposal, NQF Level 9, 24 Credits.
• Research Dissertation, NQF Level 9, 156 Credits.

1. Identify an appropriate and applicable research topic within the field of the social and behavioural aspects of HIV and AIDS.
2. Compile a coherent and consistent research proposal for a dissertation on a selected topic in social and behavioural aspects of HIV and AIDS.
3. Produce a dissertation on a selected topic related to social and behavioural aspects of HIV and AIDS which meet the standards of scholarship under supervision.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• A literature review on appropriate and relevant information related to the social and behavioural field of HIV and AIDS is conducted.
• A mind-map on possible research topic on-line is formulated.
• Appropriate theories and/or models on the social and behavioural aspects of HIV and AIDS related to the topic are selected.
• Possible research designs or methodologies appropriateness and applicability to the selected topic are identified.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Resources of academic/professional discourse to plan, execute and produce a sound research proposal are used.
• In an academically coherent and consistent way a sound research proposal under supervision is written.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Draft and final dissertation under the guidance of a supervisor is produced.
• Research is conducted independently in a coherent and consistent way.
• Full responsibility of own work is taken and accountability is shown.
• Ethical decision-making skills throughout research are used.
• Research findings or results to an appropriate audience are presented to promote the implementation of the findings or results.

Integrated Assessment

Students will be assessed through

- Formative Assessment

> 5 research papers towards research proposal.

> Draft and final research proposal.

> On-line group discussions.

> On-line searches.

> Peer evaluation.

> Case studies.

> Experiential Learning.

- Summative assessment

> Dissertation on selected research topic.