Postgraduate Diploma in Defence Studies

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to provide the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) officers and other defence forces with well-equipped knowledge and understanding of defence that will to enable them to enhance their command competencies in the realm of defence studies. This qualification will capitalise on formal and informal learning opportunities that pertains to military professional development provided to senior officers. It will also enhance their insight and experience pertaining to defence studies.

This qualification provides senior officers with the necessary theoretical background and exposes them to the environment within which senior military officers operate, historically, Geo-politically, strategically and socio-economically.

The competencies obtained, will empower senior officers and enable them to manage national and regional defence challenges effectively. This will enable such officers to operate as commanders and staff officers in a joint and multi-national environment towards the promotion of peace and stability on the African continent, and so achieve optimal socio-economic development.

Rationale

The Postgraduate Diploma in Defence Studies is designed to provide learners with academic skills to interpret the security environment and to approach contemporary and future security issues on the various environmental levels. It is aimed at making contribution towards vocational education as it prepares senior officers of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and other defence forces for their professional careers and/or operational application. This qualification was designed in consultation with, SANDF and consequently focuses on the articulated educational needs of the institution. The contents of this qualification focus specifically on the International, Regional and National environment, making it extremely relevant. It is thus strategically positioned and provides access to draw international candidates, especially from the African continent.

The aim and associated outcomes of this qualification is to promote the achievement of the objectives of higher education as stipulated by the White Paper on Higher Education and Defence Review. It is clearly vocational directed, but also contributes to critical discourse and creative thinking by equipping learners with the ability to formulate and defend critical viewpoints. It promotes cultural tolerance and a collective commitment to a charitable, non-racial, and non-sexist social order by inculcating learners with a consciousness of the interdependence of cultures and societies.

The qualification's high-level academic offerings promote academic knowledge and learning in accordance with international standards. It empowers learners for sustained academic and intellectual self-development and also provides the foundation of academic knowledge to be embedded in the Joint Senior Command and Staff programme of the South African (SA) National War College. It also contributes to the creation, transfer and evaluation of knowledge and the pursuit of academic excellence and continuous intellectual investigation.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition will be applied in accordance with the National Policy for the Implementation of Recognition of Prior Learning of the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) of March 2013 that makes provision for RPL for access: "To provide an alternative access route into a programme of learning for those who do not meet the formal entry requirements for admission. RPL for access applies to learning programmes offered by an accredited institution of further learning (including a post-school institution and an adult learning centre) or workplace-based training provider". It will also adhere to the University's policy framework for the Assessment and Recognition of Prior Learning (ARPL).

Stringent assessment criteria are applied to determine whether the applicant has developed the necessary competencies required to enter the PGDip (Defence Studies) through RPL.

Forms of ARPL that may be applied at the Faculty of Military Science include

• Access assessment instruments. Examples include: access or placement tests and challenge examinations that are primarily assessed quantitatively.
• Learning portfolios. Examples include: the applicant submits an extensive set of documents and/or other proof to illustrate his/her prior learning. This documentation is then evaluated qualitatively by expert academic staff at the University and may include:

> Recognition of formal learning in the form of parts or the whole of learning programmes that were taken or completed at other institutions (for example: technikon Diplomas or Degrees).

> Recognition of formal learning in the form of professional short courses, in-service training courses, etc. (for example: learning that is not certified as a qualification or as part of a qualification at another higher education institution).

> Recognition of non-formal or informal learning (for example: learning that was undertaken in work or other environments at the initiative of the individual).

Although the following list may also serve as a form of ARPL, the ARPL assessment done may lead to a decision prescribing one or a combination of the following conditions:

• "Conditional" access. Examples include: a student is granted special admission and then allowed to "perform" himself/herself into a learning programme.
• Supplementary work prior to enrolment. Examples include: a student is granted access to a learning programme on the condition that he/she completes supplementary work according to specific requirements before being allowed to enrol for a learning programme.
• Supplementary work during the learning programme. Examples include: a student is enrolled on condition that he/she will complete supplementary work during the course of a learning programme.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry to this qualification is a three (3) year Bachelor's Degree, Level 7.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Modules

• Corporate Management, 20 Credits.
• Strategic Theory and the Evolution of Modern Warfare 2, 15 Credits.
• Civil Military Relations, 10 Credits.
• Introduction to African Security 1, 15 Credits.
• Introduction to African Security 2, 20 Credits.
• Strategic Theory and the Evolution of Modern Warfare 1, 20 Credits.
• Human Resource Management, 20 Credits.

1. Explain the theoretical aspects of Corporate Management comprising financial, strategic, logistics and project management.
2. Gain knowledge on the theoretical aspects of Human Resource Management.
3. Gain knowledge on the theoretical aspects of Civil Military Relations.
4. Gain knowledge on the theoretical aspects of National and Regional Security.
5. Demonstrate knowledge on the impact of global security trends.
6. Demonstrate knowledge on the theory and evolution of violence, conflict and war and analyse the interrelatedness.
7. Demonstrate an understanding and skills to analyse the geo-strategic interrelatedness of the use of forces and nature of global conflict.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Integrate the principles of this specific field of corporate management in military science within effective management practices.
• Reflect upon his/her own acquired managerial ability.
• Defend the importance of a professional ethical attitude and approach towards effective management in a military environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Demonstrate knowledge in this specific field in military science and acquired managerial ability of the human resource.
• Demonstrate scientific writing skills.
• Develop a professional ethical attitude towards the human capital and an approach of fairness and efficient manage in the military human resource environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Demonstrate knowledge in this specific field in military science and acquired managerial ability of the civil/military relation.
• Develop a professional ethical attitude towards the civil/military relation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Interpret security issues in Africa.
• Develop a professional ethical attitude towards National and Regional Security.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Interpret global security trends and the influence on Africa issues in Africa.
• Develop a professional ability to analyse global security trends and the influence thereof on strategic thinking in Africa.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Interpret the future of violence, conflict and war and military technology from a historical perspective.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Develop a professional ability to analyse and predict the future of violence and to adapt operational leadership.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment will be in line with the Institution's policy. The programme coordinator will ensure that the outcomes of this qualification are achieved and that the appropriate assessment criteria and methods are used.

All qualification modules will be assessed by more than one assessment.

Learners will have to complete all required reading beforehand for each session, write and post weekly responses and participate in class discussions. Grading will be based on class attendance, participation in class presentations and seminars, written and practical assignments based on case studies and a theoretical examination. The assessments will be externally moderated.