Postgraduate Diploma in Social Impact Assessment

Purpose

The purpose of programme is to assist learners to understand and apply the processes of social impact assessment and public participation. It will equip learners to conduct social impact assessments and public participation processes. The programme has, in the past, and will continue to cater for people from civil service, Non-Governmental Organisations, Universities and Free Lance impact assessors.

Rationale

The qualifying learners will be able to understand the notion of social change through experience and the ability to apply that knowledge to social contexts. It will equip learners to conduct social impact assessments and public participation processes. Learners are expected to use both qualitative and quantitative research methods, and assist learners to develop a research proposal.

Recognition of Prior Learning(RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning(RPL) in the case of learners not complying with the formal entry requirements will be conducted following the policy and guidelines of the institution concerning the recognition of other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. Recognition takes place only where prior learning corresponds to the required National Qualifications Framework(NQF) Level, and in terms of applied competencies relevant to the content and outcomes of the qualification. Through Recognition of Prior Learning students may gain access, or advanced placement, or status recognition on the condition that they continue their studies at this institution.

Entry Requirements

The entry requirements for this qualification are

• A Bachelor in Sociology, Industrial Sociology, Geography, Philosophy, Historical Studies, Development Studies, Psychology, Industrial Psychology, Politics, Public Governance, Social Work, Education and Economics, NQF Level 7.

This qualification comprises of compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework(NQF) Level 8, totalling to 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 120 Credits

• Social Impact Assessment and Public Participation, 120 Credits.

• Discuss the relationship between environmental impact assessment and social impact assessments.
• Analyse and evaluate the challenges of social impact assessments in developing countries.
• Provide a theoretical justification for a Social Impact Assessment that they could do as an independent researcher appraise the issues in the practice of public participation and institutional development.

Associated Assessment Criteria are applied in an integrated manner to the Exit Level Outcomes

• Explain the methodological procedures for the outlined problem.
• Analyse and interpret research data obtained from the field.
• Write a research report about the findings.
• Explain the problem statement correctly and specifically outline research questions.
• Justify and/or motivate their research methods.
• Provide the aims and/or objectives of their research and qualitative research methods (e.g. archival research, large-scale research, sensitive research, sampling, interviews, focus groups, ethics in research) and/or quantitative methods (e.g. census, survey research, formulating hypotheses, constructing a questionnaire.
• Use NU-DIST and/or a thematic analysis for qualitative research methods and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences(SPSS) for the quantitative research methods.
• Interpret data to be linked to the stated research problem answer the outlined research questions support and/or critique the literature review indicate whether the research.

Integrated Assessment

The qualification is coherently aligned in that all teaching, learning and assessment activities are linked to module and qualification outcomes. Assessment methods are varied and includes summative and formative assessment to enhance applied competence from learners and facilitate authentic assessment and learning. Assessment will not only be used to determine whether outcomes were achieved, but also to generate data for grading and provide feedback in order to improve the curriculum. For all the assessment purposes to be achieved, learners are expected to write assignments and research proposal.