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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. |
| SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY |
| REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: |
| Bachelor of Information Science |
| SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
| 13981 | Bachelor of Information Science | |||
| ORIGINATOR | ||||
| University of South Africa | ||||
| PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY | NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK | |||
| CHE - Council on Higher Education | HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework | |||
| QUALIFICATION TYPE | FIELD | SUBFIELD | ||
| National First Degree | Field 04 - Communication Studies and Language | Information Studies | ||
| ABET BAND | MINIMUM CREDITS | PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL | NQF LEVEL | QUAL CLASS |
| Undefined | 480 | Level 7 | NQF Level 08 | Regular-Provider-ELOAC |
| REGISTRATION STATUS | SAQA DECISION NUMBER | REGISTRATION START DATE | REGISTRATION END DATE | |
|
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered" |
SAQA 091/21 | 2021-07-01 | 2023-06-30 | |
| LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT | LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT | |||
| 2024-06-30 | 2029-06-30 | |||
| 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 |
| The primary purpose of the qualification is to provide BInf graduates with foundational, reflexive and practical competence in Information Science with a view to the delivery of comprehensive library and information services to society.
The purpose of the qualification is to provide opportunities for personal intellectual growth and gainful economic activity. The purpose is to provide South Africa and the global community with leaders and scholars in the field of informatisation. The purpose is to prepare graduates who will be enabled to meet the requirements to register for a variety of professional qualifications with a relevant professional body. |
| LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING |
| Learners who register for this qualification can:
Recognition of prior learning: This qualification recognises Students' prior accredited learning at tertiary level in relevant domains, which constitute credit-bearing units, is recognised. Students in possession of a Senior Certificate may register for Unisa's access courses (Language and Learning Skills: LSK 011-9 and Thinking Skills: TSK 011-U). They may also register for one access module and two first-year modules (preferably modules chosen from INS and AIS: AIS101-D; AIS102-E; INS101-U and INS102-V) to gain access. Once the students have passed these access courses, they may register for the BInf. The law currently requires students to have formal qualifications for admission to university. |
| RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
| Y |
| QUALIFICATION RULES |
| The qualification may be awarded in part or as a whole through the recognition of prior learning (RPL). Current legislation requires that students complete 50% of their qualification at the institution which issues the certification, so for now up to 50% of the degree may be awarded through RPL. When it is legally possible to award a whole degree through RPL, we shall do so.
Students will be given RPL for individual modules if they can produce a portfolio of evidence that shows that they meet the outcomes and associated assessment criteria specified for that module. |
| EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
| Critical Cross-field:
All critical cross-field outcomes will be embedded appropriately in the modules, which constitute the programmes that lead up to the qualification. They will be assessed within the context of the programmes. The distance education context has particular challenges, which we try to meet below. 1. The BInf graduate can identify, analyse, formulate, and solve convergent and divergent information problems of professional, personal and social kinds, creatively and innovatively, especially with the help of appropriate information. 2. The BInf graduate can work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organization, community, and contribute to the group output in tasks growing out of the diverse fields of human knowledge and information. 3. The BInf graduate can manage and organize her or his personal, academic and professional activities and life responsibly and effectively. 4. The BInf graduate can collect, analyse, organize, interpret and critically evaluate information, as required in the pursuit of both her/his studies and profession. 5. The BInf graduate can communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/ or language capabilities in the modes of oral and/ or written presentation in often-extensive pieces of sustained discourse. 6. The BInf graduate can use science and technology, but also knowledge and information in general, appropriately and critically, with a thorough understanding of the impact of paradigms and paradigm changes in the socio-intellectual field, showing responsibility towards the well being of others as well as the environment in community, national and global contexts. 7. The BInf graduate can demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems (world views) by recognizing that information- related problem- solving contexts do not exist in isolation, and by acknowledging responsibilities to those in the local and broader community. Developmental: In order to contribute to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of the society at large, it must be the intention underlying any programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of the following developmental outcomes: 1. The BInf graduate can reflect on and explore a variety of strategies to learn more effectively (see Critical Outcomes 3 and 5 above). 2. The BInf graduate can participate as a responsible citizen in the life of local, national and global communities (also see Critical Outcome 2 above). 3. The BInf graduate can be culturally, aesthetically, and informationally sensitive across a range of social contexts (see Critical Outcomes 2 and 7). 4. The BInf graduate can explore education and career opportunities by drawing on the various knowledge, skills and values acquired in the accomplishment of this qualification (see all Critical Outcomes above). 5. The BInf graduate can develop entrepreneurial and info-preneurial opportunities by drawing on the various knowledge, skills and values acquired in the accomplishment of this qualification (see all Critical Outcomes, plus 4 above). Specific: The BInf student is actively engaged in becoming a well rounded, educated person and in preparing for employment in the professions related to the discipline of Information Science, for example librarianship, archivism, etc. As such he/she develops and holds certain values and integrates knowledge and skills to achieve his/her purpose. The specific outcomes show how knowledge, skills and values in general, and those specific to the library and information profession, are integrated in the qualification and have a bearing on the SAQA fields. 1. The Binf graduate can engage in critical, creative thinking within the context of the library and information profession. 2. The BInf graduate can demonstrate an awareness of different forms of knowledge to develop different cultures and play a critical role in society. 3. The BInf graduate can arrive at an informed assessment in terms of what happens to human knowledge in new, technological contexts. 4. The BInf graduate can contribute to the development of pertinent information policies while taking cognisance of the political economy and ethics of information. 5. The BInf graduate can engage with the professional ethos that shapes all perspectives and practices in library and information services. 6. The BInf graduate can identify, describe and evaluate problems and solutions related to different cultures, both locally and globally. 7. The BInf graduate can assist in disseminating appropriate information to ensure a just and democratic society. 8. The BInf graduate can work in library and information service contexts where he/she is recognised and employed as a professional and can apply the knowledge, skills and values acquired during the period of study. 9. The BInf graduate can demonstrate an ability to use information and communication technology in accessing, processing, storing and disseminating information. 10. The BInf graduate can independently and as part of a team, engage with the sources, resources and systems that are part of the information profession to render an information service. 11. The BInf graduate can pursue and promote lifelong learning and participation in continuing education in Information Science and library and information services. |
| ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
| Critical Cross-field:
1. 2. 3. NOTE: These outcomes and assessment criteria may be entry competencies for many distance learners who are already working and have definite goals. 4. 5. 6. 7. NOTE: Some Foundation Courses teach and practise these skills. Developmental: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Specific: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Integrated assessment: 1. Formative assessment: Learning and assessment are integrated: the study guides contain self-assessment tasks with feedback. The scheme of work includes assignments based on the learning material and students are given feedback. The process is continuous and focuses on smaller sections of the work and limited numbers of outcomes. 2. Summative assessment: Examinations, or equivalent assessment such as a portfolio of evidence assess a representative selection of the outcomes practised and assessed in the formative stage. Summative assessment also tests the student's ability to manage and integrate a large body of knowledge to achieve the stated outcomes of a module. It also tests the ability of learners to integrate knowledge and practical skills required for the workplace. |
| INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
| Unisa forms part of an internationally recognized accreditation system whereby university qualifications are evaluated against international comparators and accredited accordingly, for example Unisa's qualifications are accredited in the International Handbook of Universities and in the Commonwealth Universities' Yearbook. |
| ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
| 1. The qualification will articulate with other universities and other qualifications. Recognition will e.g. be given to modules completed at other tertiary institutions and the relationship will be reciprocal.
2. Upon completion of the BInf degree, students have a number of options for further study. Students may proceed to postgraduate study at Honours, Masters and Doctorate levels. 3. Exit levels are built into the BInf degree. After completing 240 credits in a required configuration, students could be awarded a National Diploma in Information Science or a National Diploma in Children's and Youth Information (a transformation of the current Diploma in Specialized Education) depending on their subject combinations. |
| MODERATION OPTIONS |
| 1. Within Unisa, first examiners set and assess assignments and examinations. In the case of assignments, the quality is checked by course co-ordinators or team leaders and by the head of department. In the case of examinations, a system of internal second examiners is used to moderate question papers, the marking process and marked scripts. Such second examiners are senior members of staff.
2. In addition, external examiners act as moderators of examination papers and marked scripts for Unisa fourth-level modules. 3. The Department of Information Science at Unisa was mandated by the now-defunct Professional Association (SAILIS) to offer education and training in librarianship by distance teaching. The link was formalized in the Association's Committee for Formal Education. Such a committee is currently being re-constituted by the new Professional Association (LIASA). This implies that the Department of Information Science will retain a formal link with the new professional association. The Committee for Formal Education requires that a professional Bachelor's degree should aim at shaping a candidate's general or scientific development on the one hand, and as a professional on the other. The first is achieved by presenting general scholarly subjects - sometimes called academic subjects - for example the basic sciences. The second is achieved by presenting professional courses that serve as orientation and are primarily aimed at the general practitioner. A minimum of 50% of general scholarly subjects should be maintained. |
| CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS |
| 1. Our own staff will be used as assessors in a manner that fits into the quality management system of Unisa and accords with the university's tuition and assessment policies. This will also apply to the appointment of outside persons.
2. The quality management system: |
REREGISTRATION HISTORY |
| As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015. |
| 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 South Africa |
| 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. |