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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Arts in Rock Art Studies 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
12089  Master of Arts in Rock Art Studies 
ORIGINATOR
University of Witwatersrand 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 07 - Human and Social Studies  Traditions, History and Legacies 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
The purpose of the qualification is to produce a graduate who is able to demonstrate a high level of specialised knowledge and strong analytical ability in Rock Art.

The purpose of the qualification is also to enhance the career of the postgraduate by preparing him/her to use higher order and lateral thinking, and specialist knowledge in the discipline, profession or field of enquiry related to Rock Art.

Further, the purpose of the qualification is to produce researchers and leaders who thus contribute to the economy of South Africa. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Formally Accredited Learning and Other Qualities:
The typical applicant has a Bachelor of Arts with Honours degree in Archaeology or a cognate discipline, which needs normally to have been achieved with a certain minimum percentage, or an equivalent University-approved qualification in a relevant discipline - consult the admissions information of the University for the year of study for which application is being made.

Recognition of Prior Learning:

Applicants who fall outside of the normal admissions process who can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the University that they have a qualification or experiential- or work based learning which has taken the learner to an equivalent level of a qualification specified above (under Formally Accredited Learning), may be considered for admission and/or for the recognition of prior accredited and/or prior experiential learning. Applicants who, after such assessment, are deemed to have sufficient potential but are in need of further academic development, may be required to broaden their curriculum to include preliminary programmes prior to admission or parallel programmes after admission. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
The qualifying learner is able to:

1.1 Apply knowledge of the full range of terminology and key concepts in the discipline in South African and international literature
1.2 Use specialist primary and secondary research resources, materials, methodologies
1.3 Show extensive in-depth meta-cognitive understanding of own position in relation to debates within a text.

2.1 Show sophisticated understanding of generic, academic, oral and written conventions for discipline-specific content
2.2 Understand current debates and research findings necessary for research report.

3.1 Apply knowledge of critical and analytic approaches to subject matter of discipline
3.2 Apply knowledge of a range of problems and possible solutions within the field.

4.1 Apply knowledge of research methods and their application
4.2 Show an in-depth understanding of relevant literature.

5.1 Apply knowledge of the importance of individual responsibility in generating ideas and executing a research study
5.2 Possess advanced knowledge needed for self directed autonomous learning.

6.1 Understand group dynamics and processes and roles when to use them for desired outcomes
6.2 Demonstrate an awareness of diversity in own and other contexts.

7.1 Have an in-depth knowledge of the world ecosystemically
7.2 Have an understanding of the relationship between your discipline and others.

8.1 Understand and use the concepts, methods, theories, skills and analytical processes which are accepted and/or contested in the discipline
8.2 Demonstrate competence in advanced disciplinary knowledge and specialised knowledge in focused area of research.

Critical Cross-field Outcomes:

a) "Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made" - see Exit Level Outcomes (ELO) 3 & 4.

b) "Working with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community" - see ELO 6.

c) "Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively" - see ELO 5.

d) "Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information" - see ELO 1.

e) "Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion" - see ELO 2 & 4.

f) "Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others" - see ELO 1, 2, 4 & 7.

g) "Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts does not exist in isolation" - see ELO 7.

h) "Contributing to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of society at large, by making it the underlying intention of any programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of:
  • (i) "Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively" - see ELO 5.
  • (ii) "Participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities" - see ELO 7; note also that learners act in accordance with the code of conduct of the University and, where relevant, that of the professional discipline being studied.
  • (iii) "Being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts" - see ELO 6.
  • (iv) "Exploring education and career opportunities" - see ELO 5.
  • (v) "Developing entrepreneurial opportunities" - see ELO 7 & 8. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The qualifying learner is able to:

    1.1 Use sophisticated selection and search strategies for appropriate databases and information resources
    1.2 Find information in order to articulate own position within debates
    1.3 Use sophisticated critical evaluation of different kinds of Rock Art images, data and texts
    1.4 Process an in-depth volume of texts and data across a wide range.

    2.1 Use appropriate written conventions and representational technologies to sustain clear coherent argument throughout the report
    2.2 Present effectively in oral form, ideas, theories, discipline specific information.

    3.1 Develop and critically examine innovative approaches
    3.2 Integrate information, theory and context to solve problems
    3.3 Critically evaluate limitations of different theoretical models and suggest alternatives.

    4.1 Assess significance of findings in published research
    4.2 Design, execute and write-up a scholarly research report that contributes to the advancement of knowledge
    4.3 Show competence in reflective research.

    5.1 Show the ability to be a purposeful, self directed scholar and researcher
    5.2 Demonstrate a capacity to balance and manage a range of academic and life commitments.

    6.1 Solve problems effectively and demonstrate leadership, independence and purposefulness when appropriate
    6.2 Working constructively with diversity within a dynamic situation.

    7. Plan, execute and evaluate research and practice within an eco-systemic paradigm.

    8.1 Apply concepts, methods, theories and analytical processes to new information and situations
    8.2 Apply disciplinary knowledge to self-motivated enquiry
    8.3 Understand the connections and conflicts between writers in the field
    8.4 Apply knowledge and methods from related fields, where necessary.

    Integrated Assessment:

    The research report is a form of integrated assessment.

    ASSOCIATED VALUES:
    The qualifying learner is aware of the importance of the need to:

    1. Commit him/herself to evaluate published research.

    2.1 Produce a research report which respects and acknowledges the ownership of intellectual and creative property (Bibliography).
    2.2 Adhere to ethical standards of discipline applicable to research project.

    3.1 Commit him/herself to responsible decision-making
    3.2 Be sensitive with regard to different ways of constructing knowledge and the ethical application of knowledge.

    4. Commit him/herself to ethical research and responsible decision-making.

    5. Pursue excellence, accountability and resourcefulness.

    6. Commit him/herself to collaborative processes.

    7.1 Appreciate and deal sensitively with the multiple perspectives of people
    7.2 Value the ability to adapt and live with change.

    8.1 Adhere to the ethical standards of the discipline
    8.2 Be sensitive to the ethical implications of their own practices. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This section specifies with which other qualifications of the University the qualification was designed to articulate, i.e. formal articulation; therefore the qualification can articulate informally with equivalent qualifications offered by the University, or with other qualifications offered nationally and internationally.

    Entry to the qualification:
    The applicant should have a Bachelor of Arts with Honours degree or a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts in Archaeology or a cognate discipline, which needs normally to have been achieved with a certain minimum percentage, or an equivalent University-approved qualification in a relevant discipline.

    Articulation during the qualification:
    The PGDA is an exit point from the Master of Arts in Rock Art. The holder of a PGDA has passed the coursework component of the MA(Rock Art) but does not continue to the research report component of the MA (Rock Art).

    On completion of the qualification:
    A qualifying learner may normally proceed to PhD if the standard of research competence demonstrated by the research report or dissertation for the Masters degree suggests the required competence necessary for PhD research. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Internal University requirements govern how and by whom moderation is performed. For example, external examiners are appointed. Such moderation seeks, inter alia, to ensure that, where appropriate, our graduates will be able to comply with professional and statutory requirements. Further, whether an academic entity has a professional orientation or not, the University ensures that its activities are moderated by internal and external review quinquennially. The moderating body for qualifications of the University is the Higher Education Quality Committee of the Council on Higher Education, currently represented by the Interim Higher Education Quality Committee. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Internal University quality requirements govern how and by whom assessment may be performed to ensure that assessors have the competence required to assess a qualification of this nature. Once the Higher Education Quality Committee of the Council on Higher Education is constituted and ready to pronounce on issues of quality, the University will respond the HEQC guidance on the registration of assessors. In the interim, the academic staff of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, are regarded as registered assessors since SAQA has registered the institution as a public higher education provider. 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015. 

    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. University of Witwatersrand 


    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.