Master of Philosophy

This qualification includes the various specialisations in Philosophy. Please refer to "Notes" for details on the specialisations.

The overall purpose of this qualification is to provide persons, who have already obtained a Post-national first degree (Honours Bachelor degree) or equivalent tertiary qualification, but did not receive any previous tertiary training in the Faculty of Humanities, with the opportunity to gain access to postgraduate training in this Faculty.

Specific purposes of this qualification include

1. To provide learners with integrated knowledge, skills and interdisciplinary application on postgraduate level.
2. New knowledge to be developed through career oriented core modules and reinforced through a problem-solving approach and results-oriented teamwork. Partnerships with business and industry are built through practical work and external quality assurance.
3. To contribute towards facilitating social and economic transformation and co-operation by equipping learners with a variety of knowledge, skills and attitudes. This includes linguistic, interactive, technological, ethical, managerial, and practical skills to function effectively in the interface between Social Sciences, Languages and the Arts without prior training in the Faculty of Humanities.
4. To deepen knowledge in various disciplines and serves as an extension of a number of undergraduate modules.
5. To provide easy access and user-friendly modules in a variety of disciplines contributing towards better understanding between members of different groups, decreases different kinds of risks (technical communication), minimises possible litigation actions, and facilitates optimal use of time and resources.

Matriculation certificate

First degree: Any Post-national first degree (Honours Bachelors degree) or equivalent qualification

M Phil

Learning outcomes

Knowledge of the discipline

The M Phil graduates will acquire sound knowledge of the principles, major theories, paradigms and methods in a major discipline, and an awareness of the variety of contexts in which these may apply.

Processes

The M Phil graduate has gained highly specialised scholastic or technical skills, developed advanced research expertise, and can apply the full range of advanced procedures across a major discipline within complex, variable and highly specialised contexts.

Information processing

The M Phil graduate can analyse, transform, and evaluate a wide range of abstract data directed towards creative and appropriate problem-solving in response to contextual abstract problems.

Responsibility

The M Phil graduate can take responsibility for the planning, resourcing, and managing processes within the broad parameters and functions, accepting complete accountability for determining, achieving, and evaluating personal and/or group output.

Information technology

Graduates are competent to use computers and information infrastructures for accessing, processing, storing and managing information, with the view to conduct research, write reports and referrals, and manage a information effectively.

Life-long learning

M Phil graduates have developed scholastic expertise for entry to doctoral and further research education, and research-based occupations which will advance his/her professional practice and/or senior managerial expertise.

Critical cross-field outcomes

The graduate is able to

• identify and solve problems by making use of critical and creative thinking;
• work effectively with others in teams (teams of document designers as well as multidisciplinary project teams);
• collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information;
• communicate effectively using technological, visual, mathematical and language skills;
• use science and technology effectively and critically;
• demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation;
• develop fully as an individual, and as a member of society at large, by:
• participating as a responsible citizen in the life of the local, national and global community;
• being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts;
• utilising entrepreneurial opportunities.

To meet the requirements of a M Phil degree the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values of the learner will, on a continuous basis, be assessed. The learner will be subjected to portfolio assessment, work-place assessment, assessment of research reports, and written examinations, to:

• Determine whether a specialised knowledge of the major discipline has been acquired;
• Assess the learner's sensitivity and adaptability to context, medium and style;

Assess the learner's competence in applying the acquired knowledge and skills appropriately to a variety of contexts.

Integrated assessment

Simulations

Written examinations

Oral examinations

Other

A mini-dissertation or research essay is written on a topic related to the student's specific field of specialisation.

The modalities for integrated assessment permit the candidate to demonstrate applied competence. Mainly formative methods set according to specific guidelines and methods related to credentialing the critical exit-level and cross-field outcomes appropriate to contextual and situational achievements are recognised.

In addition to the above, modalities such as group discussions, and presentations in front of peers and experts may also be used. Final assessment by expert external assessors, both academic and non-academic, will be done.