SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
15835	Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism
ORIGINATOR
Rhodes 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
Postgraduate Diploma	Field 04 - Communication Studies and Language		Communication Studies
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	120	Level 7	NQF Level 08	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 overall purpose of the degree is to provide a candidate with professional media skills and a critical understanding of theories and concepts pertaining to the relationship between media and society.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Candidates are not normally admitted to the Higher Diploma in Journalism unless they are in possession of at least a bachelor's degree in an appropriate discipline.

Persons who are able to give satisfactory evidence of their qualifications (formal or informal) may be specially exempted from the normal entrance requirements for the degree and may register as Ad Eundem Gradum students.

Candidates should be able to communicate in English.

Recognition of Prior Learning:

Candidates are granted credit for equivalent prior learning and experience as determined by the University rules governing the recognition of prior learning and experience.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

Specific outcomes:

1. Manage full origination, production and distribution cycle for a complex media production.
In order to meet this outcome, the learner will be able to:

* Demonstrate in all management tasks, an understanding of current environment and production trends
* Demonstrate an understanding of the necessity for, and an ability to draw up and adhere to time lines
* Demonstrate an ability to negotiate group dynamics
* Draw up and manage a budget
* Demonstrate an ability to devise, write up, present and negotiate project proposals
* Demonstrate an ability to manage complex production processes
* Demonstrate a knowledge of evaluation process and an ability to manage
feedback/debriefing processes.

2. Conceptualise, generate and publish media products, resources for media and analyses of media.
In order to meet this outcome, the learner will be able to:

* Generate ideas for content, informed by knowledge of a well defined audience and sensitive to social contexts
* Demonstrate an ability to decide on appropriate, angles or treatment (choice of genre and formats) for the story/content
* Appropriately select and apply a wide variety of formats, tools and methods for researching and editing content
* Select and utilise appropriate channels of distribution to ensure that the media product reaches its audience and, where appropriate, creates a platform for audience interaction
* Demonstrate an ability to effectively publicise a media product.

3. Demonstrate and articulate a critical understanding of the relationship between media and society.
In order to meet this outcome, the learner will be able to:

* Identify media institutions and explain how they work at micro (internal) and macro (policy, legal, etc) levels
* Identify the contemporary history, political, social, economic and cultural contexts within which the media operate and how these are shaped and shape society
* Identify and critically reflect on the role of journalists and journalism in society
* Analyse the different mediums
* Analyse how media texts represent society
* Identify and interpret media audiences
* Analyse media consumption.

4. Demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively about and through a variety of media at all levels of communication -i. e., Intrapersonal, interpersonal, intragroup, intergroup, institutional and society-wide.
In order to meet this outcome, the learner will be able to:

* Follow complex, logical arguments, readings, and presentations
* Produce complex, logical, persuasive and analytical arguments, presentations and essays, for a variety of audiences and in a variety of contexts
* Communicate at a society-wide level through a variety of media for a variety of audiences
* Communicate effectively under pressure, in exams or exam-like situations
* Communicate effectively within a group
* Communicate verbally to a variety of audiences/individuals
* Demonstrate effective negotiation skills
* Use appropriate technologies to facilitate effective communication.

5. Identify and use appropriate sources and research methods to study a given research problem.
In order to meet this outcome, the learner will be able to:

* Identify research problems and access relevant resources needed to study them
* Critically analyse problematic situations in the relations of media and society
* Critically engage sources of information
* Reflect on/question society-held assumptions about the practice of social/media research
* Reflect on the uses and morality/ethics of the various research practices
* Conduct a disciplined study by assessing research requirements, formulating research questions, selecting appropriate research methods and tools, gathering, evaluating, contextualising data and writing, evaluating and presenting research results
* Work effectively in a team.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

1. Learners should be able to demonstrate an expert understanding, both in theory and practice, of the principles, theories and facts that form the core of the discipline of Journalism and Media Studies.
2. The learner will be required to demonstrate research, creative problem solving and critical thinking skills, as individuals and in groups.
3. The learner will have well-developed communicative skills and should be able to structure a logical argument both in writing and in the spoken form.

Integrated assessment appropriately incorporated to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved:

1. Assessment procedures adhere to Rhodes University Assessment Policy.

2. Assessment entails three elements.

Continual formal assessment both formative and summative

Continual informal assessment (formative)

Formal end of course assessment (summative)

The course work on which continuous assessment is based includes work done individually and in groups, and may consist of combinations of tests, essays, practical reports and seminars.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Learners with a Higher Diploma in Journalism may be able to undertake postgraduate training in education, law or commerce. They may proceed to a Master's degree in Journalism and Media Studies.

MODERATION OPTIONS

Internal and external moderators and examiners are used.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

Academic staff of Rhodes University will be used as assessors. They will preferably have a PhD, but staff with at least an Honours degree and appropriate experiences are acceptable.

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.	Rhodes University