Postgraduate Diploma in Human Rights

Purpose

The qualification is intended to offer human rights from an interdisciplinary perspective, exposing participants to local, regional and global forces that have shaped and continue to influence the growth and development of human rights, areas of contestation, the institutions and processes involved, as well as problems of ensuring compliance. These attributes have wider application to the individual, workplace and society.

Rationale

Most human rights qualifications tend to focus on the subject almost exclusively from a legal point of view, neglecting that human rights cut across disciplines and human endeavours. This also excludes many would be beneficiaries who, in their daily lives and professional work, require knowledge and sensitivity to human rights. The interdisciplinary character of the qualification, therefore, filled this gap. This was also in line with the philosophy and rationale behind the establishment of a Oliver Tambo' Chair at the University of Fort Hare (UNESCO), and the role that the Chair would play within the institution and the broader South African society.

The qualification is intended to develop requisite skills, knowledge, values, and human rights advocacy among administrators, policymakers and implementers as well as the NGO sector in their professional life and day to day practice and application of human rights. In addition to academic knowledge and skills, the qualification instils democracy and human rights values, of good citizenship and sensitivity to global issues.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning will be provided in accordance with the institution's RPL policy. The RPL policy allows the applicant to be assessed to find out whether, based on the evidence and judgment of the candidates knowledge, skills and experience, s/he/ articulates with the outcome of the qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Relevant Bachelor's degree, NQF Level 7.

Or

• Relevant Advanced Diploma, NQF Level 7.

The qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 8, 120 Credits.

• Human Rights Theory and Practice, 48 Credits.
• Human Rights Research Methods, 40 Credits.
• Human Rights Contemporary Issues, 32 Credits.

1. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge and understanding of the nature and content of human rights.
2. Evaluate and integrate knowledge on rights, obligations and the promotion and protection of human rights.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of human rights in broader contexts and relationships.
4. Ability to articulate orally and in writing knowledge and understanding of phenomena such as vulnerability, poverty, racism, globalisation.
5. Demonstrate competence to integrate human rights into policy, advice and advocacy.
6. Demonstrate the ability to write a good research proposal supported by literature review.
7. Ability to present a coherent and well organised and presented dissertation.
8. Ability to determine and apply rights and obligations to relevant situations.
9. Demonstrate the ability to work with and handle different sources and research methods.
10. Demonstrate critical thinking and academic discipline and timely completion of tasks.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria applies across the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated manner

• Explain the underlying principles, norms and practices of human rights coherently.
• Grasp the unity and universality of rights as well as their interdependence and inter-relationship and can explain this coherently.
• Apply theory in a responsible and integrated way to solving problems.
• Move from the general and abstract level to a particular situation.
• Demonstrate how to construct and use data collection instruments.
• Formulate the research problem and work with literature and other sources.
• Construct data collection instruments and use them to collect data.
• Digest, present and evaluate data and information.
• Competence in writing a coherent and well-presented dissertation.
• Work independently and be able to manage time.
• Apply norms and principles in a focused area.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment is continuous through assignments and essays, presentation of case studies and participation in Seminars. These are internally examined and moderated.