Master of Social Science: African Studies

Purpose

This qualification seeks to provide an interdisciplinary platform for the analysis and understanding of Africa as a geographical area that is worthy of exploring as a particular focus of academic enquiry. The qualification is interdisciplinary in nature, but allows for specialisations in the field of cultural studies, gender studies, urban studies and historical studies (which are all well-established fields of academic enquiry in their own right).

The qualification falls within the field of Area Studies which is a well-established and internationally recognised field of interdisciplinary study and research at Postgraduate level around the world. The main purpose of this qualification is to provide an interdisciplinary academic environment for the study of the Continent's cultural, gender, urban and historical dynamics.

The qualification aims to equip professionals and learners from a variety of disciplines with a sophisticated understanding and appreciation of the Continent. As continental integration proceeds rapidly, it is necessary for learners and professionals to develop critical, well-informed regional perspectives on issues of social, cultural and economic change. This qualification will provide such perspectives and enable learners to operate in an inter-disciplinary framework.

The qualification is strongly research focused and is designed to cater to a wide range of learners and professionals working in the private, public and development spheres.

Rationale

There is widespread ignorance in South Africa about developments elsewhere on the African continent. This qualification will help to address this problem as well as train learners for more active and engaged interaction with the rest of Africa at various levels. Finding new and novel ways of achieving social and economic integration and encouraging critical and comparative analysis of the African context and continent is a fundamental challenge for the future. This qualification will provide a foundation for learners to rise to this challenge by preparing them to become advanced critical thinkers and innovative researchers in the African context. African Studies is a vital and necessary field of academic development in South Africa (just as American Studies remains one of the strongest and most competitive programmes at Universities in the US).

For the University of Fort Hare, the qualification is of special relevance because there are currently few interdisciplinary programmes in the Social Sciences and Humanities (outside of Development Studies) which allow learners the opportunity to come together around common themes or issues from different perspectives. This qualification will open up a wide range of viable and stimulating interdisciplinary options for understanding Africa, outside of the established development studies paradigms and perspectives, at the University.

The learner will have achieved all the competencies at NQF Level 8 in the field of Social Sciences, should be familiar with current theories and research methodologies in the Social Sciences and should have completed a research project in their preceding qualification at NQF Level 8.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Applicants who have not completed research methodology in their Honours/Postgraduate studies, but who have acquired relevant research competencies through related practical experience will be assessed against the appropriate outcomes to determine compliance with access requirements. Learners must, at the time of application for Recognition of Prior Learning, provide proof in the form of an academic record or other documentation to substantiate required level of knowledge and expertise. Such proof may help gain access to this qualification, or advanced placement therein.

Access to the Qualification

Learners must have completed a relevant qualification at NQF Level 8, which included Research Methodology and the completion of a research project.

The total number of credits for this qualification is 240, at NQF Level 9. The qualifying learner must successfully complete four courses and the mini-dissertation.

Compulsory

• Research Methodology Course, 30 Credits.
• Mini-dissertation, 120 Credits.

Elective Courses - Choose three

• African Culture Course, 30 Credits.
• African Historical Core Course, 30 Credits.
• African Urban Core Course, 30 Credits.
• African Politics and Development, 30 Credits.
• Social Sciences Course, 30 Credits.

1. Demonstrate advanced application of concepts, ethics, theories and analytical processes in relation to the chosen focus of African Studies.
2. Access, analyse, organise and critically evaluate existing knowledge.
3. Engage in independent research and produce findings in the form of a research report from a range of appropriate research designs, methods, techniques and technologies in African Studies.
4. Demonstrate specialist forefront knowledge and expertise in the chosen field and the competency to apply these creatively within the chosen field.
5. Critically analyse and evaluate the outcomes of interventions, techniques, strategies or processes in the chosen field.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

The Master's learner is able to

• Identify, analyse, formulate and solve highly complex problems creatively, autonomously and responsibly.
• Effectively lead a team, group, organisation and/or, community and provide leadership.
• Manage and organise the activities of others effectively.
• Collect, analyse organise and critically evaluate information at an advanced and specialised level.
• Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in a sustained discourse.
• Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment, health and safety of others.
• Demonstrate understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that the problem-solving context does not exist in isolation, but is interrelated through multi-, trans- and inter-disciplines.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

1.1 Discussions reflect a clear understanding of the context (including policy, legislation and global issues), appropriate concepts, methods, ethics, theories and analytical processes in African Studies.

1.2 Presentations reflect the appropriate application of the relevant concepts, methods, ethics, theories and analytical processes in the chosen field.

1.3 Written work on the chosen field displays critical analyses and a degree of intellectual independence.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

2.1 Current literature and research are accessed, analysed, organised and evaluated systematically in the chosen focus area.

2.2 Evaluations demonstrate clear evidence of effective application of the principles of research practice in the chosen focus area.

2.3 Conclusions and recommendations are justified by the use of appropriate evidence and arguments.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

3.1 The research inquiry is planned and conducted on the basis of a range of appropriate research designs, methods, techniques and technologies for the specific research problem.

3.2 Research themes are appropriately identified and demarcated.

3.3 Analyses of the research themes include a comprehensive and critical review of current literature and investigations.

3.4 Selected research methods, techniques and technologies show evidence of a clear understanding of relevant research theory and practice.

3.5 Research reports critically and coherently describe theoretical arguments, the research process, methodology, results, conclusions and recommendations.

3.6 Research reports display skill in extrapolating key findings, justifiable conclusions and making feasible recommendations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

4.1 Analyses of the problems and issues reflect a purposeful and critical application of advanced theory, current knowledge and expertise in the chosen focus area.

4.2 Interventions and/or recommendations reflect purposeful and creative plans to seek solutions based on theory and proven methods in the chosen field.

4.3 Discussions and/or interventions reflect advanced application of appropriate skills, strategies and techniques in accordance with corresponding theoretical assumptions in the chosen field.

4.4 Research and/or interventions include the appropriate and creative use of tools and/or data relevant to the chosen field.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

5.1 Evaluations comprehensively describe outcomes of interventions, techniques, strategies or processes in relation to the stated goals and in accordance with corresponding theoretical assumptions.

5.2 Evaluations critically analyse outcomes in accordance with the identified needs and issues within the chosen focus area.

5.3 Evaluations are purposefully used as the basis for planning, implementing and making recommendations.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment of competence is done through a combination of formative and summative assessment methodologies, tools and procedures, which will not discriminate against learners in an unjust or invalid way. Assessment practices are fair, transparent, valid and reliable.

Learning and assessment should be integrated. In this regard, continuous assessment using formative assessment methods should be used to ensure that learners have the opportunity to give feedback on progress made in the achievement of the learning outcomes.

Summative assessment is assessment of competencies in terms of the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification.

Both assessment methods should be integrated to assess the learner's ability to integrate the body of knowledge, skills and expertise displayed with the purpose of the qualification. Learners completing learning and demonstrating competence successfully through assessment are credited with such learning.