Master of Philosophy in Maritime Studies

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to equip learners with requisite knowledge and skills to participate as specialists in a socio-economic development and socio-ecological context as it applies to maritime security and governance, port management and logistics, maritime socio-economic development, supply chain management and socio-ecological resilience. Qualified learners will contribute to the development, implementation and review of maritime policy, make informed decisions and manage resources accountably and ethically.

Rationale

The Master of Philosophy in Maritime Studies follows on the existing Postgraduate Diploma in Maritime Studies. It constitutes the culmination of a series of initiatives triggered by the Maritime Studies Meeting. The following are pertinent in terms of the rational:

• The Institution has the potential to contribute academically and strategically in respect of Maritime Studies in its broadest, multi-disciplinary sense.
• SAMSA (South African Maritime Authority) is consulting with institutions around the country about the skills needs of the maritime sector.
• There is a need to take stock of policy calls for Higher Education (HE) to become much more involved in skills development for the maritime sector.
• There is currently a low level of maritime consciousness nationally, but there is a growing recognition that there is a need to manage and preserve our marine and coastal resources and promote environmental sustainability.
• Higher Educations (HE) can play an important role in providing scientific expertise to inform the public and policy-makers in respect of economic benefits and environmental considerations to promote informed decision-making.
• In the Eastern Cape, given its location and existing strengths in marine studies, the Institution would have to take a leading role in staking a claim in maritime studies.

He has a competitive advantage as a result of inter-disciplinary and comprehensive programme offerings that could contribute to Maritime Studies in a holistic manner-horizontal and vertical integration of knowledge fields within one institution. The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Maritime Studies aims to take full advantage of the opportunity.

Current academic and strategic initiatives in maritime and marine sciences (MMS) are aligned with key developmental opportunities portrayed in the concept of the "blue economy" which is considered "a multidimensional economic sector" finding expression in multiple initiatives in South Africa and Africa's Integrated Marine Strategy.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Applicants who do not meet the admission criteria as stipulated, but who can demonstrate experiential or work-based learning at an equivalent level may be considered for RPL provided a proper assessment of the prior learning has been conducted. Such candidates may be required to approach the Head of Department (HOD) regarding the Faculty RPL policy and process. The HOD will advise the candidate whether or not the RPL process is an option. Applicants who qualify to pursue this option will complete the standard application form. A portfolio of evidence provided by the applicant will then be assessed to determine whether the required standards are met. The process will be implemented in strict adherence to the relevant Institution and South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) RPL policies and approval by relevant faculty structures.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for access to this qualification is

• A Postgraduate Diploma in Maritime Studies.
• An Honours Degree in Maritime Studies.
• A Bachelor's Degree in Maritime Studies at Level 8.

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

Modules

• Maritime Economic Development, 20 Credits.
• Water-based Tourism, 20 Credits.
• Maritime Governance and Security, 20 Credits.
• Marine Law and Policy, 20 Credits.
• Maritime Socio-ecological Resilience, 20 Credits.
• Maritime Logistics, 10 Credits.
• Port Management, 10 Credits.
• Treatise, 60 Credits.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for access to this qualification is

• A Postgraduate Diploma in Maritime Studies.
• An Honours Degree in Maritime Studies.
• A Bachelor's Degree in Maritime Studies at Level 8.

1. Demonstrate knowledge of and insight into the development of natural resource economics theory by conceptualising and applying new approaches and creating knowledge in the field of Maritime Economics with a view to sustainable local, regional and national development in the maritime sector.
2. Offer and communicate creative insights, make decisions and use resources accountably and ethically during programme planning and delivery with strong emphasis on community buy-in and support.
3. Actively participate in and contribute to the development and review of marine policy and the implementation of marine law with special emphasis on regional issues and concerns.
4. Propose and develop appropriate, effective and sustainable programmes through the use of case studies and other appropriate examples to build and enhance sustainable maritime socio-economic and socio-ecological projects in the region.
5. Access, process and manage information with an ability to design, implement and report research grounded in maritime and economic theory.
6. Integrate maritime theory, policies, principles, concepts, practices and techniques and extend and apply them to the following specialised fields in socio-economic and socio-ecological context to the benefit of the region:

> Security and Governance.

> Maritime Economic Development.

> Maritime Socio-ecological resilience.

> Water-based Tourism.

> Port Logistics.

> Port Management.

1. Manage own learning, conduct critical self-reflection and demonstrate emotional intelligence and accountability.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• The impact of key moments in maritime economic development, both historical and geographical, is analysed, evaluated and reported.
• Economic theory and policy are applied to investigate and explain significant spurts of sustained maritime economic growth across the globe.
• The relationship between ports, transport, economic growth and regional development is clarified.
• The market structure, the geographic structure and the development and profitability of the different parts of the maritime industry are analysed and described.
• Current maritime markets, both regional and international, are explored and analysed to identify and provide qualified explanations and predictions of trends and cycles about the development and sustainability of new markets.
• The regulatory environment in which ship ownership and operations are conducted is analysed and significant aspects described.
• Maritime terminology is applied to the business of shipping, shipping operations, maritime trade and water-based tourism in natural resource and socio-economic context.
• A rationale for the application of economic theory and innovative economic models to sustainable maritime socio-economic and socio-ecological development is presented.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Creativity is displayed in methods and techniques applied to regional maritime socio-economic and socio-ecological problem-solving.
• Decision-making and presentation reflect an ethical stance to complex maritime-related organisational and professional issues in regional context.
• Resources of maritime discourses are managed and used effectively to communicate, defend and substantiate ideas with a range of audiences with different levels of knowledge and expertise.
• Strong emphasis is placed on communities of practice, acceptance and ownership which is reflected in interactions with others.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• The maritime zone(s) relevant to a specific issue is identified and described.
• The legal and/or policy instrument(s) relevant to a specific issue is identified, described and applied.
• Legal and/or policy solutions to specific maritime issues are considered and assessed with a view to a decision or action.
• Potential courses of action to resolve a dispute on a specific maritime issue are indicated and motivated.
• Significant aspects of South African law of the sea are evaluated in the context of the international law of the sea.
• General principles of law regulating transport at sea, the exploitation of marine resources, the protection of the marine environment and maritime security are analysed and appraised.
• Key aspects of/moments in the historical development of marine law and policy are identified, reviewed and evaluated.
• A critical approach to the legal sources in marine law is adopted to identify, discuss and resolve legal issues.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Various management and governance approaches to coastal socio-economic and socio-ecological systems are analysed and evaluated.
• The complex nature of marine and maritime social and ecological systems is investigated, described and the need for an adaptive management approach to the governance of the maritime landscape motivated, with special reference to regional issues of governance.
• Key processes that drive marine and coastal socio-ecological system dynamics in the region are analysed and appraised.
• The influence of policy on managing complex marine and maritime systems is investigated and assessed.
• Regional marine conservation and maritime management problems are identified and investigated, and alternative solutions proposed.
• Governance frameworks in support of regional marine and coastal socio-ecological resilience are developed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Current research and practices are engaged, critiqued and scholarship advanced within the maritime domain.
• Pertinent research problems and/or questions arising in the region in any of the associated fields of Maritime Studies are identified, framed and investigated by means of an appropriately prepared research design and methodology.
• A research report is presented in the format of a treatise that complies with institutional requirements.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• A prototype integrated coastal management plan is produced with the potential to inform regional coastal policies in support of effective management and maritime governance structures and processes reflective of contemporary marine environmental science.
• The scope of maritime logistics and operations management and its impact on overall supply chain performance in regional and international trade is delineated.
• The impact of effective port management on the overall performance of the maritime sector is investigated and elucidated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Own learning strategies reflect independent learning and critical self-reflection as well as the ability to interact effectively with others, both as leader and follower as appropriate.
• The capacity to recognise own and other people's emotions is displayed, as well as the ability to discriminate between different feelings and to use emotional information to guide thinking and behaviour.

Integrated Assessment

A mixed mode type of assessment applies. Formative assessment during the course of the semester constitutes a mixture of short assignments during the course of the semester, coupled with oral presentations, informal tests (progress checks) during contact sessions. The outcomes of these assessments provide feedback to learners and lecturers in order to show progress and identify non-or underperforming learners, the aim being to implement innovative remedial teaching and learning strategies and activities to improve learning.

Summative Assessment will take the form of two formal assignments per module, one each at the end of a set of units of work, and one formal mid-semester test. At the end of the semester, students sit for a formal three-hour examination. The results of the two assignments and mid-semester test will contribute to a cumulative class mark with a weighting of 40 % towards the final mark, and an examination mark contributing a further 60%. A sub-minimum of 40% applies.

In the formal summative assessments students are required to identify key issues to be addressed in problems situated in the field, and solve such problems using critical and creative thinking. In the assignments, the examination as well as the research project, learners are required to relate and integrate knowledge and theory to practical problems and contexts in the fields associated with Maritime Studies.