SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Master of Social Science: Communication Policy Studies

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
3919	Master of Social Science: Communication Policy Studies
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
Master's Degree	Field 04 - Communication Studies and Language		Language
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	120	Level 8 and above	NQF Level 09	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		2027-06-30

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 (first) purpose of the qualification is to provide qualifiers with advanced graduate level knowledge, research skills and competence in the Social Sciences with focus on Communication Policy and related issues; provide opportunities for life long learning and personal intellectual growth and equip learners with skills for a successful career in the fields of communication policy formulation, analysis, research and academia.

The (second) purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa with highly qualified graduates who will become leading professionals and researchers in the ever-growing communication and management policy professions in the public and private sectors.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

A Post-Graduate Diploma in Telecommunications and Information Policy or in International Communication or equivalent.

B. A. (Hons.) or B. Soc. Sc. (Hons.) in Communication or equivalent.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Communication Problem Solving

The M. Soc. Sc. (Communication Policy) graduate is competent to

1.1 Identify, understand, analyse, review and resolve fundamental communication policy problems creatively and innovatively.

1.2 Recognise the import of and make use of research skills, in the study and understanding of communication policy problems.

2. Application of fundamental and specialist knowledge
The M. Soc. Sc. (Communication Policy) graduate is competent to

2.1 To demonstrate advanced knowledge and critical understanding of communication policy issues in the global, African and South African contexts as well as the extent and impact of the global information economy on business and society.

2.2 Apply knowledge of the fundamentals of communication policy and the information economy in the analysis of the communication strategies and problems of African and developing countries with special reference to South Africa.

2.3 To demonstrate advanced knowledge of the social, political, cultural and economic variables affecting communication policy formulation and implementation and the information economy.

2.4 To demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the impact of telecommunications and information technology on the mass media, organisations, information flows, business and society in general.

2.5 Apply the acquired research skills in writing a communication policy research proposal, carrying out the research project and writing it up in line with academic writing standards.

3. Professional and General Communication

The M. Soc. Sc. (Communication Policy) graduate is competent to

3.1 Communicate effectively and professionally, both verbally, non-verbally and in writing, with or without communication and information technology, in interpersonal, group and mediated communication contexts.

3.2. Read and understand communication research reports of others and communicate own research findings in line with academic writing standards.

4. Impact of communication on people and general society

The M. Soc. Sc. (Communication Policy) graduate is critically aware of

4.1 The import and impact of policy frameworks on communication activity in various contexts; group and organisational management and society at large.

4.2 The import and impact of communication and information technology on group and organisational contexts and society at large.

4.3 The import of research and research literature in understanding the impact of communication policy frameworks on people, organisations and the general society.

5. Team and multi-disciplinary working

The M. Soc. Sc. (Communication Policy) graduate is competent to

Work effectively as an individual, in teams and in complex multidisciplinary environments showing leadership and performing critical (especially communication policy) functions.

6. Lifelong Learning

The M. Soc. Sc. (Communication Policy) graduate understands

1. The requirements to maintain continued competence and to keep abreast of up-to-date communication policy and research skills, technology and techniques; and is competent to

2. Engage in lifelong learning through well-developed learning skills.

7. Professional ethics and practice

The M. Soc. Sc. (Communication Policy) graduate is critically aware of

1. The need to act professionally and ethically and to take responsibility within own limits of competence; and is competent to

2. Exercise judgement commensurate with knowledge and experience.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Integrated Assessment Criteria:

1. Students write individual assignments to demonstrate and illustrate their understanding of the fundamental communication and information policy concepts, theories, and dynamics that have been learned.

2. During group discussions and seminar preparation and presentations, students develop creative thinking plus analytical and problem-solving skills.

3. Students demonstrate a healthy curiosity and enthusiasm to communicate their acquired communication knowledge and skills to their peers in a variety of modes and are able to assess the performance of others in this regard.

4. Students demonstrate their basic research competence by writing, under close supervision, a research proposal, carrying out a research project and writing it up in line with academic writing standards.

Integrated Assessment Methods

Assignment essays and seminar papers for which students do individual and group library work shall be used to test comprehension of subject matter plus referencing, citation and academic writing skills.

Seminar and group work (presentation and discussion) assessed by Lecturers and peers. These shall be used to test various analytical, critical and presentation skills.

Practical assignments and projects shall be used to test learners' competence, teamwork and creativity.

Formal university examinations shall be used and these will weight half of the final result in each module.

A completed dissertation of limited scope will be used to assess the learner's research competence.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Students with this qualification may enrol for the Ph.D. Degree in Communication in this or any other university.

MODERATION OPTIONS

Internal and external examiners shall assess all papers. The supervisor plus at least one external examiner will examine the mini-dissertation. The faculty HODs and Professors' committee will moderate and make a final recommendation to the university's SENEX for final decision.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

A supervisor appointed as an internal university examiner, and duly appointed external examiners, shall be assessors in line with the quality assurance and management system of this university. Examiners should each have a Ph. D., or a Master's degree plus extensive teaching, publications and research experience.

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 Fort Hare