SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Bachelor of Journalism

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
111451	Bachelor of Journalism
ORIGINATOR
Durban University of Technology
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
National First Degree	Field 04 - Communication Studies and Language		Communication Studies
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	360	Not Applicable	NQF Level 07	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		EXCO 0821/24	2019-08-23	2027-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30		2033-06-30

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 this qualification is to produce journalists who will have an understanding of the Journalism profession and the ethical principles that inform it.

The qualifying learners of this qualification will be able to demonstrate competencies of general knowledge and intellectual ability as well as professional techniques of research, writing (and other forms of presentation), editing, design and production. The qualifying learners will acquire the ability to use the tools of journalism and to adapt to new technologies and innovative practices.

Arising from this, the curriculum has been designed so that learners achieve the following Exit Level Outcomes:

Access, evaluate, use and source information and language resources effectively and responsibly to create publishable stories and academic writing.

Produce and edit print and broadcast media products by applying knowledge to news and feature genres, visual values and ethics.

Be able to compile, edit and upload multimedia news and feature packages of a professional, publishable standard.

Furthermore, the curriculum has been designed to prepare learners for the industry by giving them knowledge of a journalism's role in society, including journalism's history, the organisation of the news media, and laws circumscribing journalism practice; and knowledge of best practices in journalism.

The curriculum merges theory and practice in this way, the qualification will prepare learners for further study at postgraduate levels.

Rationale:
Journalism is being practiced in an era of profound newsroom transformation resultant of an increasingly technology-driven and audience-centric media landscape. Against this backdrop and in response to it, the institution has been reflecting critically upon its qualifications. A key ensuing consideration is that the institution's qualifications undergo a similar transformation as that reshaping the journalism industry. The institution has to remain relevant, at this time of speedy and seismic digital evolution, as well as economic, political and social changes and challenges within South Africa and globally.

The qualification teaches new ways of thinking and therefore the journalism, qualification will enable learners to acquire digital training and sets of skills that newsrooms need to fully transform into complex digital organisations, yet retaining foundational teaching of core journalism values.

The qualification draws momentum from several strands such as the guidelines offered by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)'s Model Curricula for Journalism Education (2007 and 2013) and its Global Initiative for Excellence in Journalism Education project (2014 - 2021). The aim of the Global Initiative for Excellence in Journalism Education is to produce questioning, independent and informed learners who, through their journalistic outputs, can disseminate quality knowledge for peace, development and democracy. The Bachelor of Journalism is aligned with this aim, which will enable qualifying learners to undertake with competence and confidence journalistic roles in a range of media forms and outlets.

UNESCO's Model Curricula for Journalism Education was the outcome of extensive research on existing journalism offerings, including those at South African universities. UNESCO's has called for journalism schools to renegotiate the future trajectory of journalism education in an increasingly complex social, political and economic global context.

UNESCO encourages the development of curricula in journalism education that include modules in the foundations of journalism, which are designed to promote prerequisite intellectual and craft skills and the qualification is informed by this. These foundations include:

An ability to think critically, incorporating skill in comprehension, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of unfamiliar material, and an understanding of evidence and research methods.

An ability to write clearly and coherently using narrative, descriptive, and analytical methods.

Knowledge of national and international political, economic, cultural, religious, and social institutions.

Knowledge of current affairs and issues, and a general knowledge of history and geography.

In addition to the factors identified, in the development of the this qualification, the needs of the journalism industry in South Africa, the employment needs of the country and of the province, the millennium development goals (including the post-2015 goals), and the development challenges that confront South Africa were considered.

As a result, the decision to offer this qualification is informed by important feedback from industry stakeholders, learners, alumni and the institution's Advisory Board.

A needs analysis and an analysis of relevant trends, including employment opportunities reveal that a qualifying learner of the Bachelor of Journalism qualification will meet the requirements of the journalism industry; the individual will have vocational skills coupled with a discursive edge.

There is a demand in South Africa for journalists who will be media savvy, multimedia specialists yet abide by core journalistic principles and will be critical thinkers. These are quite a few challenging requirements which will be met adequately by this qualification. The qualification will provide a range of job opportunities in the journalism field, across mediums (print, broadcast, online, etc.).

The qualification would be a specialised offering with modules designed to meet the outcomes of a specific discipline. However, a qualifying learner would not be precluded from embarking on postgraduate studies in media studies at one of the other universities.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) in South Africa is critical to the development of an equitable education and to support transformation of the education and training system of the country. The institution therefore strives to build a viable, sustainable and credible system to implement RPL.

The institution's policies and procedures encourage the Recognition of Prior Learning through a process of assessment, in which the applicant's experience is evaluated for similarity to the Exit Level Outcomes of the modules for which the applicant wishes to gain credit.

Prior learning may include formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience.
Successful assessment will enable the applicant to enter the qualification at an appropriate level.
The structure of the qualification allows for the application of RPL to all prospective candidates applying to the institution. Information on the institution's RPL policy and processes will be available to applicants through the institution handbooks and the RPL brochure.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:

A National Senior Certificate (NSC), NQF Level 4, granting access to Bachelor's studies.
Or

National Vocational Certificate (NVC), NQF Level 4, granting access to Bachelor's studies.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Levels5, 6 and 7 totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 68 Credits:

General Education: Cornerstone 101, 12 Credits.

English for the Arts, 12 Credits.

Politics for Journalism, 12 Credits.

Print Journalism 1A, 8 Credits.

Photojournalism 1A, 8 Credits.

Print Journalism 1B, 8 Credits.

Photojournalism 1B, 8 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 5, 48 Credits:
Choose between the following:

Information and Communication Technology Literacy and Skills 8 Credits.
Or

Me, My World, My Universe, 8 Credits.
And
Portuguese, 12 Credits.
Or
IsiZulu, 12 Credits.
Or
French, 12 Credits.
And

KwaZulu-Natal's Maritime Heritage, 8 Credits.
Or
Leadership, 8 Credits.
And

Critical Thinking, 12 Credits.
Or

Social Responsibility and Sustainable Community Development, 12 Credits.
And

Introduction to Technopreneurship, 8 Credits.
Or

The Entrepreneurial Edge, 8 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 120 Credits:

Media Studies 1, 16 Credits.

Court Reporting, 16 Credits.

Media Ethics, 12 Credits.

Print Journalism 2A, 12 Credits.

Radio Journalism 2A, 8 Credits.

Digital Journalism 2A, 8 Credits.

Television Journalism 2A, 8 Credits.

Media Law, 12 Credits.

Print Journalism 2B, 12 Credits.

Digital Journalism 2B, 8 Credits.

Television Journalism 2B, 8 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 100 Credits:

Journalism Research Project, 12 Credits.

Radio Journalism 2B, 8 Credits.

Media Studies 2, 16 Credits.

Print Journalism 3A, 12 Credits.

Digital Journalism 3A, 12 Credits.

Journalism Practice 3A, 8 Credits.

Print Journalism 3B, 12 Credits.

Digital Journalism 3B, 12 Credits.

Journalism Practice 3B, 8 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 7, 24 Credits.

Television Journalism 3A, 12 Credits.
Or
Radio Journalism 3A, 12 Credits.
And
Television Journalism 3B, 12 Credits.
Or
Radio Journalism 3B, 12 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Access, evaluate, use and source information and language resources effectively and responsibly to create publishable stories and academic writing.
2. Produce and edit print media products by applying knowledge to news and feature genres, visual values and ethics.
3. Produce and edit broadcast material applying knowledge to news genres, visual values and ethics.
4. Compile, edit and upload multimedia news and feature packages of a professional, publishable standard.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Formulate own views about media effects against the background of criticism against media effect theory and research; and find their own examples that illustrate the different media effect theories.

Apply their knowledge of ideology to analyse media.

Explain the characteristics and functions of a signs.

Explain key media concepts.

Give an overview of the elements that influence the construction of news.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Source and evaluate critical information and content using established methods.

Write content in accordance with established news values and reflect contextualised background.

Demonstrate understanding of media ethics and media law through the content.

Produce and edit critically sourced information or content to a publishable standard.

Gather, write, edit and produce critically sourced and specialised media content.

Write specialised news or features using established criteria.

Edit specialised news or features using established criteria.

Critically discuss concepts, structure and theory within the area of specialist coverage.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Gather critically sourced material for broadcast news inserts according to established ENG methods and values.

Appropriately script and produce broadcast inserts and according to established criteria.

Edit broadcast content according to established criteria.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Describe how electronic newspapers and online news sites work.

Discuss the impact of technology on journalism and on publishing electronic newspapers and online news sites.

Discuss and justify the editing process in Internet journalism.

Discuss various developments expected in the future of Internet journalism.

Produce news and feature copy for electronic newspapers.

Produce multimedia packages for online news sites.

Integrated Assessment:
The term `Integrated Assessment` implies that theoretical and practical components will be assessed together and this will be the case with the assessments in the qualification.

For this qualification, the number and type of assessments such as written assignments, written tests, oral presentations, simulations and portfolios, among other types of assessments, will vary with each module depending on the nature of the module. All modules will require a portfolio of work to be submitted at the end of the module, which will be used as a summative assessment method. This will be an integrated assessment, which will marry the practical and theoretical components of the qualification.

Formative assessment will be used to support teaching and learning and assist in planning future learning engagements. It will be used to identify the learner's strengths and weaknesses and provides feedback on academic progress during the development of concepts. Formative assessment feedback will be provided by the lecturers during the course of each task in the form of one on one consultations, explanations, group critiques, individual or group presentations, online feedback, feedback on draft submissions and individual responses. Self-assessment and peer assessment are also strategies which would be used in order for the learners to develop critical thinking.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

Journalism qualifications are offered at many institutions internationally. Cardiff University in England, University of Canberra in Australia and the Columbia School of Journalism in the United States of America are among the universities globally that offer journalism qualifications. Such Journalism qualifications comprise modules similar to those that have been included in this Bachelor of Journalism qualification.

In the development of the curriculum, cognisance was taken of the technological developments and advances in the journalism industry and the concomitant ethical challenges that have arisen from such advances. All of these developments have been catered for in the curriculum. Consequently, the Bachelor of Journalism is comparable to the qualifications in other countries. The purpose is to ensure that the qualification/s and training offered in South Africa is internationally comparable.

The following qualifications and institutions, among others, were researched in the development of the Bachelor of Journalism. However, comparison was done on the course content and structure from Namibia. In Namibia the Namibian University of Science and Technology offers the Bachelor of Journalism and Media Technology. In Malawi the University of Malawi offers the Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

The Bachelor of Journalism shows comparability with the course content and structure from Namibia.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for horizontal and vertical articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Bachelor of Arts, NQF Level 7.

Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies, NQF Level 7.

Bachelor of Arts in Communication Science, NQF Level 7.

Advanced Diploma in Journalism, NQF Level 7.

Advanced Diploma in Media Studies, NQF Level 7.

Advanced Diploma in Public Relations and Communication, NQF Level 7.

Advanced Diploma in Public Relations Management, NQF Level 7.

Vertical Articulation:

Bachelor of Arts Honours in Journalism, NQF Level 8.

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.

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