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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Arts Honours in Political and Conflict Studies 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
109290  Bachelor of Arts Honours in Political and Conflict Studies 
ORIGINATOR
Nelson Mandela University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Honours Degree  Field 07 - Human and Social Studies  Public Policy, Politics and Democratic Citizenship 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2019-03-08  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of the qualification is to provide theoretical knowledge, appropriate research methods and analytical skills to learners to engage in practical work such as policy analysis, diplomacy, international mediation and conflict management, journalistic analytical quests, research, activism and lobbying, and to analyse socio-political and socio-economic development to inform policy directives and future planning in the public or private sector. This qualification facilitates scholarly development with a focus on a body of knowledge in the areas of Politics and Conflict.

The qualification seeks to create a sound foundation for critical academic citizenship through offering different modules that promote the holistic development of future scholars by focusing on key knowledge areas, applied knowledge and skills transfer to allow learners to think about real-world problems in an abstract way. This qualification creates a distinctive knowledge paradigm needed to grow future scholars that transcend traditional specialism with the more holistic focus needed to deal with the political challenges of the 21st century.

Rationale:
The rationale for developing the Bachelor of Arts Honours in Political and Conflict Studies is to bring the qualification in line with new Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework (HEQSF) regulations to include a research component. The qualification will facilitate a vertical articulation path into Masters' Degrees by research. By allowing specialisation in subject-fields related to politics and conflict a balance will be struck between maintaining a subject identity and developing an innovative and interdisciplinary qualification. The qualification will provide the learner with a deepened interdisciplinary knowledge base, who is academically well-rounded, and able to enter the job market.

The qualification provides a deeper theoretical and research base within Political Science and Conflict Studies. This combination enables the learner to apply theoretical knowledge to relevant research questions and practical research in a local, African, and global context. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The Institutional Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy applies. Applicants must provide a portfolio containing sufficient evidence of written material, produced independently. This material must meet the qualification outcomes. The applicant must:
  • Have a basic, general knowledge base in the branches of Political Science and Conflict sufficient to enable them to raise pertinent epistemological, ethical, aesthetic and political questions about issues, artifacts, texts and events.
  • Have developed a sufficient, preliminary level of research related skills, to provide a foundation for developing higher level skills in sourcing and critique of relevant information efficiently and independently.
  • Have developed a sufficient level of analytical skill to provide a foundation for developing higher level skills in identifying, reconstructing and criticizing arguments in Political Science l texts through close reading and careful conceptual analysis, as well as selecting appropriate theoretical frameworks to interpret events.
  • Have developed a sufficient level of skill in academic writing to provide a foundation for developing higher level skills in building extended arguments and communicating insights effectively through academic writing.
  • Have developed a sufficient level of confidence to provide a foundation for developing higher level skills in presenting a philosophical position orally and engage in critical debate.

    The final decision on whether or not the portfolio material meets with the above criteria will be determined by a committee of discipline-based experts. In addition, applicants are advised that they may be interviewed, where they will be required to present their work.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement is:

    A Bachelor Degree with:
  • Major in Political Science.
  • A minimum average of 65 % for third year modules. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at Level 7 totalling 130 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules (110 Credits):
  • Theories and Concepts in Political Science, 20 Credits.
  • International Politics, 20 Credits.
  • Conflict and World Politics, 20 Credits.
  • Research Methodology, 20 Credits.
  • Research Report, 30 Credits.

    Elective Modules (choose one elective-20 Credits):
  • Political Dynamics, 20 Credits.
  • Conflict and Conflict Resolution, 20 Credits.
  • International Political Economy, 20 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
  • Demonstrate a theoretical knowledge in political, conflict and international relations theory to empower students to conceptualise real-world problems in an abstract and interdisciplinary way.
  • Use existing literature and theory to develop important research questions, as well as engage in primary research to answer these questions from a thoroughly interdisciplinary vantage point.
  • Identify appropriate research evidence and apply relevant methods of analysis to Political, International Relations and Conflict issues in order to create a foundation from which students will be able to engage in relevant research and add to the body of knowledge through quality and interdisciplinary scholarship.
  • Apply research and critical thinking skills, laying a foundation for research and/or practical application of knowledge as the student is provided with an interdisciplinary skillset to assess and analyse real-world problems.
  • Critically assess real word problems building on a solid and holistic theoretical base of theory, for relevant analysis and application within research, policy and academic institutions. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be used to assess the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated way.
  • Demonstrate and ability to develop relevant research questions.
  • Select, consult and use various academic resources.
  • Accurately reconstruct theoretical arguments.
  • Compare, contrast, select, apply, and critically evaluate theoretical frameworks.
  • Demonstrate coherence and relevance of arguments.
  • Apply general criteria pertaining to academic writing by presenting a coherent, concise account of main points and enter into critical debate.

    Integrated Assessment:
    All modules in the qualification will be evaluated by formative and summative assessment. Formal examinations will take place at the end of each semester.

    Two formative assessments will take place.

    One extended essay (per relevant module) of 6000 words, guided and assessed by the responsible academic staff and awarded marks. The module lecturer may decide to divide this assessment into smaller units, or offer one assessment of the final product.

    One oral presentation in which students present and debate in a seminar setting ideas developed in relation to the extended essay. These assessments are used to give on-going and formal feedback on performance to students. These formative assessments are intended to prepare students for the summative assessment.

    The summative assessment consists of a formal written exam (per relevant module).

    The 30-credit Research report will be evaluated through two formative assessments and a summative assessment. Formal assessment from the research report supervisor will be offered on the research report proposal.

    The research report construction will be guided by the responsible academic staff. The first draft of the report will be awarded a mark. These assessments are used to give on-going and formal feedback on performance to students. The final research report will be externally examined by discipline experts based at universities elsewhere in the country.

    Final mark assessment is based on a 60/40 proportional ratio of the class mark (Proposal 20% and first draft 30%) to the final research report mark (50%). 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification will be the only entry-level Postgraduate qualification that incorporates political science, conflict and international relations as part of a Honours qualification geared to create a learner that has a holistic and interdisciplinary knowledge base to enter into research Masters qualifications. Internationally, some universities have created graduate qualifications that span politics, conflict and international relations. This includes the University of Leicester (United Kingdom) Honours and Master of Arts (MA) qualification in The Politics of Conflict and Violence, the London School of Economics (United Kingdom) Master of Science (MSc) in Comparative Politics and Conflict Studies, and the Singidunum University (Serbia) MA in Political and Conflict Studies. A graduate from this qualification will be able to enter into a Master's qualification as the Honours curriculum is aligned with national and international standards. The outcomes of these qualifications seek to create graduates that are able to apply the knowledge of the political to various situations spanning interpersonal conflict to state level or world conflict, and the associated political and international relations dilemmas that accompany these contestations. These qualifications adopt an interdisciplinary approach to create graduates with a more holistic frame of knowledge aimed at addressing key challenges (both in global and local contexts) with a broader skills and knowledge base.

    The above qualifications articulate either with an Honours Degree, or alternatively to 2-year M-level Degrees. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers the following articulation possibilities:

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Honours Degrees in Sociology, Anthropology, Journalism and Politics at Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Arts (MA) qualifications in Politics at Level 9. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Nelson Mandela University 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.