SAQA 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: 

Master of Arts: Politics 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
4339  Master of Arts: Politics 
ORIGINATOR
Rand Afrikaans University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
Was CHE until Last Date for Achievement  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 07 - Human and Social Studies  Public Policy, Politics and Democratic Citizenship 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  256  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 2663/05  2006-07-01  2009-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2010-06-30   2013-06-30  

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 is replaced by: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
73961  Master of Arts in Politics  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  180  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifying learners with:

The learner acquires specialised competence in both Politics and Public Administration, with:

*Research skills
*Theoretical and intellectual knowledge
*Problem solving
*Analysis
*Interpretation
*Evaluation
*Communication
*Understanding the normative dimensions of politics. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
A potential learner should demonstrate the following competencies:
  • The ability to write academic texts;
  • The ability to write a research proposal and report;
  • The ability to orally present and defend an argument that is supported by evidence
  • The ability to engage with and critique the ideas of his/her peers in a constructive manner;
  • The ability to design, plan and execute research tasks based on theoretical frameworks on an intermediate level, to reflect on his/her own research and to report on research findings;
  • The ability to search for, access, organize and interpret information on an intermediate level;
  • The ability to use various information and communication technologies in an academic environment.

    A potential learner should be in possession of an Honours degree in Politics/International Relations/African Politics. In addition, a prospective learner must meet the outcomes set for RAU's BA Honours in Politics.

    Recognition of prior learning:

    Current competence in the fields of Politics and Public Administration that has been acquired by prior learning through applicable and relevant qualifications and experience will be assessed according to the regulations of the Faculty of Arts. Such competence may provide access to a Master's programme in Politics and Governance. Status recognition on the basis of relevant prior learning will not entitle the learner to receive a formal qualification without following the required MA programme in Politics and Governance at RAU. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    The should be able to:

    1. To evaluate and, where relevant apply specialized theoretical concepts and approaches to real world political situations.

    2. To demonstrates a specialized ability at problem identification and problem-solving by using and applying relevant theories in the fields of national and/or international politics.

    3. To analyse various dimensions of governance and to evaluate and apply specialized theoretical knowledge based on diverse global contexts to South African and foreign case studies and policy contexts.

    4. To identify relevant means of action in the field of politics.

    5. To plan and execute specialised research in the political field

    6. T o use advanced information technology effectively.

    7. To collect, analyse, organize and critically evaluate information with regard to ethical problems in politics based on a relevant theoretical framework.

    8. To reflect on the governance of polities and explain what types of political and administrative transformation are possible.

    9. To communicate effectively orally, in writing and to some extent visually in the political field with all role players.

    10. To demonstrate a specialized analytical approach towards political communities and sensitivity for the social, economic and cultural differences within the communities.

    11. To assess the implications of government interventions in the political environment.

    12. To apply specialised learning strategies to the demands of a dynamic political context. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Assessment takes place in terms of the following:

    1. Can the learner evaluate and, where relevant apply specialized theoretical concepts and approaches to real world political situations?

    2. Does the learner demonstrate a specialized ability at problem identification and problem-solving in the fields of national and/or international politics?

    3. Is the learner able to analyse various dimensions of governance and to evaluate and apply specialized theoretical knowledge based on diverse global contexts to South African and foreign case studies and policy contexts?

    4. Is the learner able to identify relevant means of action in the field of politics?

    5. Can the learner do specialised research in the field of politics?

    6. Can the learner used advanced information technology effectively?

    7. Is the learner able to collect, analyse, organize and critically evaluate information with regard to ethical problems in politics based on a relevant theoretical framework?

    8. Can the learner reflect on the governance of polities and explain what types of political and administrative transformation are responsible?

    9. Can the learner communicate effectively orally, in writing and to some extent visually in the political field with all role players?

    10. Does the learner demonstrate a specialized analytical approach towards political communities and sensitivity for the social, economic and cultural differences within the communities?

    11. Is the learner able to assess the implications of specific government interventions in the political environment?

    12. Is the learner able to apply specialized learning strategies to the demands of a dynamic political context?

    Formative assessment practices that will be implemented

    For both the full dissertation and the mini-dissertation learners must present their research proposals for the mini-dissertation in seminar form to a full meeting of teachers in the Department. Learners also conduct their research and writing under close supervision so as to assess their progress on a continuous basis.

    Summative assessment practices that will be implemented

    Learners are subjected to a 3-hour written examination for each of the four papers of the structured MA programme. Mini-dissertations and full-length dissertations are also formally examined. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
  • Articulation with other qualifications on a lower level:

    These would be a related BA Honours qualification or other related 4-year qualifications.
  • Articulation with other qualifications on a higher level:

    Having completed either a structured or dissertation-based MA in Politics, a learner may seek admission to a doctoral programme in Politics/international Relations at any university. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • What external examination processes to be implemented?

    Appropriate external examiners are appointed by the Department of Arts Faculty and thereafter formally appointed.
  • How many external examiners/moderators that will be appointed for this qualification and from which the type of institutions or professional bodies from which they will typically be?

    Between one and four, chosen from other tertiary institutions, for a structured MA programme. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
  • Criteria regarding formal qualifications that assessors should have:

    An MA or equivalent in Politics or Public Administration or a related field; relevant teaching experience in the discipline of Politics or Public Administration or a related discipline.
  • Job or learning area experience as for a) and c)
  • Criteria regarding experience of or exposure to assessment

    Experience of the relevant post-graduate assessment practice at universities. 
    		•

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

    NOTES 
    Formerly registered as MA in Political Studies (structured) and MA in Political Studies (dissertation), respectively. This MA (in politics) with endorsement qualification is registered as a separate qualification only with SAQA. At the Deparment of Education it is not registered separately, but is included in the registration of the generic MA. 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some of their learning programmes are moved to being recorded against the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replacement.
     
    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.
     
    NONE 


    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.