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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Arts Honours in Philosophy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
3263  Bachelor of Arts Honours in Philosophy 
ORIGINATOR
University of Fort Hare 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Honours Degree  Field 07 - Human and Social Studies  General Social Science 
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 purpose of this qualification is to give the learner the opportunity to devote an entire year to the exclusive study of philosophy. This specialised focus makes possible a specialized assessment of the learner's development, competence, knowledge and insights, as well as creative and critical abilities with regard to the subject-matter of advanced philosophy.

The levels of demonstration thus required will be of practical importance, in that the learner will be able to show the ability to give an account (in writing and orally) in a coherent and critical manner, and give an account of the relationship between theory (philosophy) and practice (experience). This course is an essential preparation for the Masters programme in Philosophy, as the successful learner qualifies to apply for entry into the latter qualification.

The successful learner is a great potential asset to society in that (s)he can serve as a catalyst for new ideas, analyst of uncritical notion, and someone who can think beyond the confines of the immediate and necessary.

The learner will learn how to empower him-/herself by becoming a true citizen of the world, and is thus a potential leader in society. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
The BA Honours (Philosophy) programme is a continuation of a three year BA Degree in which Philosophy is offered as a major. The prerequisite for this course is the BA Degree (with Philosophy as major), which is on NQF Level 6. This means that a number of minimum credits will already have been obtained by the Honours learner.

Normally an average of 60% in all philosophy modules on the BA level is required for entrance into the Honours programme. In special cases this requirement can be waived at the discretion of the department.

The BA programme consists of a coherent presentation of the following:
  • Systematic philosophy and its basic constituents and aspects,
  • The history o philosophy (of which the documented history covers the better part of 26 centuries, including ancient Greek philosophy, African philosophy, Modern Philosophy, Contemporary Philosophical Trends, and more),
  • The main branches of the philosophical discipline (logic, epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, aesthetics),
  • Various applied philosophical disciplines (applied ethics, philosophical anthropology, social and political philosophy, philosophy of science, philosophy of history, etc.).

    The following basic competences will have been acquired and demonstrated by the successful learner in the BA programme: critical thinking skills, an ability to think dialectically, a basic dialogical competence, appropriate writing skills, the ability to read a variety of texts and interpret various styles of writing, an insight into and proficiency to manage complex concepts, the ability to recognize fallacious arguments, distinguish between valid and invalid arguments, learn to argue persuasively, an ability to reconstruct in his/her own words the arguments of others, and thus also develop the necessary essay writing skills.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    N 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. The learner demonstrates the ability to analyse, integrate and comprehend a variety of texts in the tradition of written philosophy.
    2. The learner demonstrates the ability to deal with the challenging subject-matter of philosophy.
    3. The learner demonstrates the capacity to plan, design, and compose an extended essay that serves as a practice run for a Masters dissertation.
    4. The learner demonstrate an understanding of the theory and methodology of science and an ability to apply basic principles of scientific thinking. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1.1 Detailed study of a philosopher or group of philosophers.
    1.2 Detailed study of a philosophical problem.
    1.3 Critical study of a period in the history of philosophy.
    1.4 Critical analysis of a recognized philosophical work.

    2.In the giving of accounts (written and orally) to give proof of critical thinking skills, conceptual thinking ability, competence to handle philosophical arguments and counter-arguments, reasoning skills, dialogical competence, presentation ability.

    3.1 Plan a research proposal.
    3.2 Design the essay project.
    3.3 Search for and review literature.
    3.4 Utilise library facilities.
    3.5 Utilise internet facilities.
    3.6 Analyse relevant material.
    3.7 Compare various arguments.
    3.8 Construct diagrams (e. g. using mind mapping techniques).
    3.9 Synthesise material read.
    3.10 Critically review evidence in view of hypothesis.
    3.11 Write/type the essay.
    3.12 Make use of IT and word processing.
    3.13 Use appropriate reference techniques.
    3.14 Compile a thorough bibliography.
    3.15 Ensuring to achieve acceptable linguistic and technical standards.

    4.1 Identify the problem of defining science in terms of method.
    4.2 Analyse the scientific method i.t.o. hypothesis, evidence, testing.
    4.3 Meaningfully relate these to the different types of experience in scientific inquiry.

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

    A system of continuous assessment will include the following in the formative stage:
  • Seminars.
  • Discussion workshops and group work.
  • Field work experiments.
  • Written assignments.
  • Seminar presentations.
  • Group work (when possible).
  • Extended essay project.
  • Report writing.
  • Portfolio's and journals.

    A system of summative assessment will include the following in the closing stage:
  • Written examinations.
  • Oral examination(s) (when applicable). 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares with the following international qualifications in terms of the range of competencies in the learning content offered. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers both possibilities of horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Politics in Philosophy and Economics, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Logic and Philosophy, NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Arts in Philosophy, NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    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 Fort Hare 


    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.