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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Arts Honours in Media Studies 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
111389  Bachelor of Arts Honours in Media Studies 
ORIGINATOR
University of Venda 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Honours Degree  Field 04 - Communication Studies and Language  Communication Studies 
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  2019-08-19  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 primary purpose of the Bachelor of Arts Honours in Media Studies is to prepare learners for research-based postgraduate study and a career in the media industry. Thus, for learners to pursue research-based postgraduate studies when they exit the qualification, they should demonstrate knowledge and understanding of media theories, research methodologies, methods and techniques of research. They should also show by interrogating multiple sources of knowledge an understanding that knowledge production is a complex exercise. The qualification also aims to consolidate and deepen the learner's knowledge and expertise in Media Studies and the work environment. This requires learners to demonstrate an understanding of the complexities surrounding the media industry, as well as an ability to identify, analyse and address the complex problems affecting the 21st century media landscape. The new media technologies and the proliferation of social media platforms in the operations of the media require learners who are ethical and who understand different ethical systems specific to different contexts. To be effective media practitioners, learners are expected to be critical when gathering information, synthesising data, as well as to demonstrate an understanding of management processes in different media settings. The qualification requires a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence on the part of the learner It also develops the learner's research capacity in methodology applications and techniques in the field of Media Studies. Learners must conduct and report research worth 30 credits in the field of Media Studies or related field under supervision.

Rationale:
The Department of Communication and Applied Language Studies identified the need for a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Honours in Media Studies because learners doing a BA in which they specialise in Media Studies do not have an Honours degree to articulate to within the institution. It made sense to introduce an Honours in Media Studies in the institution. Very few universities offered Media Studies qualifications and these qualifications offered were mostly journalism and communication science, meaning that learners were not adequately equipped for a changing global world. The Bachelor of Arts Honours in Media Studies qualification is designed to fill this gap.

The qualification encompasses various aspects that will equip learners with critical and analytical skills essentially to meet the developmental needs of the country. It leverages the university's geographical location (rural Limpopo) to produce media practitioners with critical and conceptual skills geared to spearhead development. The module 'Media and Development', for example, addresses that need and equips learners on how the Media can be used for developmental purposes.

The qualification also responds to the influence of digitisation and globalisation on the current media landscape. To bring this aspect to the centre of the qualification, Digital Media and Society was made a core module in the qualification. The qualification was also reviewed by our peers in other universities in South Africa who both advised and guided the development of the qualification on how to make it relevant in the changing media landscape. It caters for a wide variety of learners, not only from Media Studies but also from related fields such as Journalism, Public Relations and Communication. The qualification will cater for learners who have a BA in which they specialised in Media Studies or a related field, learners with a BA in Media Studies, BA in Journalism or BA in Communication. It will also cater for learners who are admitted via RPL.

This qualification is located within the field of Communication, Media Studies and Journalism, learners will have access to careers in journalism, advertising, editorial work, public relations, television and film, radio, publishing, Internet writing, academia, public service, development programmes to mention a few. To ensure that the learners are prepared for these careers in the media industry, they will follow a learning pathway which will allow them to gain access to a variety of fields in Communication, Media Studies and Journalism. The modules that the learners will learn are varied in nature to encompass the multiplicity of required skills and knowledge, as well as to make them versatile in the industry. For example, knowledge and skills learnt in modules, such as Radio Studies and Television Studies, will equip learners with scriptwriting, and television and radio production skills, while Digital Media and Society will give learners a critical understanding of how new technologies have impacted on the operations of the media industry. This qualification will allow learners to articulate to a Masters in related fields such as journalism and communication.

It caters for a wide range of learners, not only from Media Studies but also from related needs amongst our learners. The qualification will cater for learners who have a BA in which they specialised in Media Studies or a related field, learners with a BA in Media Studies, BA in Journalism or BA in Communication. It will also cater for learners who are admitted via RPL. Career paths for these learners include journalism, advertising, editorial work, public relations, television and film, radio, publishing, internet writing, academia, public service, development programmes to mention a few. This qualification will allow learners to articulate to a Masters in Media Studies or related fields such as journalism and communication. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Learners will be admitted via RPL. Relevant knowledge, skills and competencies acquired through formal, non-formal and informal learning shall be recognised as per the University's RPL policy. Learners who have no formal qualification, but have worked in the media industry for ten years and above will be considered for admission vial RPL. However, before their applications can be considered, prospective learners must provide a portfolio of evidence of prior learning which is relevant to the qualification. This evidence shall be verified by the department and/or the university in line with the university's policy.

The Credit Accumulation and Transfer policy will be applied to learners who have media industry knowledge and experience.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor's Degree in Media Studies or related field, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, 80 Credits:
  • Media Analysis, 25 Credits.
  • Media and Development, 25 Modules.
  • Mini-dissertation, 30 Credits.

    Elective Modules, 40 Credits (Choose two):
  • Mass media Theory, 20 Credits.
  • Advanced Radio Studies, 20 Credits.
  • Media Sociology, 20 Credits.
  • Digital media and Society, 20 Credits.
  • Gender Race, Class and the Media, 20 Credits.
  • Global media Systems, 20 Credits.
  • African media Systems, 20 Credits.
  • Advanced Television Studies, 20 Credits.
  • Advanced Media Management, 20 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of media theories, research methodologies, methods and techniques.
    2. Interrogate multiple sources and evaluate the knowledge learnt and the processes involved in the production of that knowledge.
    3. Demonstrate an understanding of the complexities surrounding the field of media studies.
    4. Identify, analyse and address complex problems affecting media today, drawing from the learnt knowledge.
    4. Identify, and address ethical issues based on critical reflection on the suitability of different ethical value systems to specific contexts.
    5. Critically review information gathering, synthesis of data, evaluation and management processes in specialised contexts in order to develop creative responses to problems and issues.
    6. Operate effectively within a system or manage that system based on an understanding of the roles and relationships between elements within the system.
    7. Apply in a critical manner the learning strategies with the field of Media Studies.
    8. Take full responsibility for his or her work, decision-making and use of resources and full accountability for the decisions and actions of others where appropriate. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be applied in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Plan, carryout and execute a research project.
  • Utilise different methods, designs and methodologies of research.
  • Identify, apply, reflect and critique the theories and approaches for media analysis.
  • Critically review information gathering, synthesise and evaluate data in order to develop creative responses to communication and media problems.
  • Conduct small-scale research group projects on different aspects of the media.
  • Write critical and analytic essays on different aspects of the media.
  • Critique media content.
  • Apply knowledge learnt in Honours classes as well as knowledge gathered independently from other sources.
  • Identify complexities surrounding the field of media studies.
  • Apply the learning strategies within the field of media studies.
  • Respond to critical issues affecting the media and society.
  • Develop knowledge sharing skills through oral class presentations.
  • Conduct case studies of social, economic and political issues affecting the media and people in South Africa, and globally today.
  • Interrogate and examine the role of the media in development.
  • Reflect their understanding of media diversity.
  • Apply and critically reflect on journalistic codes of conduct applied in different media institutions.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of ethical issues which journalists would apply in the communities they operate in.
  • Show sensitivity to the norms and values of the communities they will be engaged in.
  • Gather information to the norms and values of the communities they will be engaged in.
  • Synthesis information in order to respond to problems and issues.
  • Apply evaluation techniques on information gathered.
  • Manage information gathered for their research and course work efficiently.
  • Show an awareness and an understanding of the different environments with which they are likely to operate e.g. political system of a country.
  • Show the different processes within media organisations e.g. broadcasting and print activities that take place within a news room.
  • Show an awareness and understanding on how community systems function e.g. tribal councils and municipalities.
  • Show an understanding of how the local, provincial and global relate to each other.
  • Exhibit the ability to learn independently to achieve set goals.
  • Engage in participatory learning e.g. group work.
  • Use e-learning techniques to achieve all learning goals.
  • Independently search for information.
  • Use the available resources efficiently and appropriately.
  • Take full responsibility for his/her work by observing stipulated time frames for the qualification.
  • Work beyond the qualification's expectations.
  • Take up the leadership responsibility and roles in the learning environment.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The integrated assessment is aimed at achieving the Exit Level Outcomes as spelt out in the Level descriptors for the NQF. To achieve this purpose, learners are tested on materials covered from the beginning of the semester to the end of the semester.

    Formative Assessment.
    Learners will write tests, present seminar papers, and do assignments to assess their progress. To attain this goal, learners will participate in tutorials, present seminar papers, debate issues, and write assignments. Throughout these activities, learners are expected to demonstrate their ability to think critically and to interrogate complex issues in the field of Media Studies. Because learning and assessment will be integrated, learners are continually assessed formatively throughout the semester so that they are given feedback on a regular basis on how they are progressing vis-a-vis specific Exit Level Outcomes.

    Summative Assessment:
    At the end of each semester learners will write in a three-hour examination. The integrated assessment examines the learners' ability to engage in a critical manner complex issues surrounding the field of Media Studies. Learners will be expected to demonstrate their ability to critically review, evaluate, synthesise and manage multiple sources of information to support a thesis.

    Summative assessment concerns itself specifically with the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification. This assessment by its nature integrates assessment to test learners' ability to interrogate, synthesise, and evaluate multiple kinds of information as spelt out in the NQF Level Descriptors. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The comparability exercise of this qualification was done to ascertain its compatibility with other qualifications internationally. Even though as an African university, the aim is to move more towards issues of development as seen in the inclusion of modules such Media and Development and African Media Systems, this qualification is compatible with others of its kind. A look at qualifications of institutions such as the University of Tasmania, Australia, University of Wollongong, Australia, University of Westminster, UK, University of Portsmouth, UK, Sheffield Hallam University, UK, Cardiff University, UK and University of Canterbury, UK show a commonality of modules across the board. These institutions cover aspects such as such as Radio and Sound Production, Global media studies, Film and Television Studies, Digital Media and Society, Mass Media Theory and Mass Media Research. This qualification has also foregrounded these media modules and then added a few modules to suit the African and South African context, for example Media and Development, which is a compulsory module taught in the first semester. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Journalism, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Communication, NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Arts in Film and Visual Media, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Arts in Journalism, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Arts in Communication, NQF 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.
     
    NONE 


    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.