SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Master of Arts: Historical Studies: Research

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
4479	Master of Arts: Historical Studies: Research
ORIGINATOR
Rand Afrikaans 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
Master's Degree	Field 07 - Human and Social Studies		Traditions, History and Legacies
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 does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifying learners with:

Applied competence:

the ability to demonstrate independent planning and execution of historical research in libraries, research institutions and archives;

the ability to demonstrate independent planning and execution of oral historical research;

the ability to compile an original research proposal on the basis of the scientific historical method, integrating sources of a primary and secondary nature;

the ability to write a dissertation of limited scope, based on independent historical research, analysis and evaluation;

the ability to use computer technology in locating sources, doing research and writing the dissertation;

the ability to demonstrate the use of scientific reference techniques;

the ability to apply the knowledge of theoretical foundation of History, the nature of historical memory and historical consciousness, heritage and historical legacies, to the resolution of the research problem;

the ability to identify critical issues in an historical context;

the ability to demonstrate critical, analytical and reasoning skills by independently compiling research proposals and research reports on a more extensive and advanced level than the Honours degree;

the ability to demonstrate problem-solving skills by conducting independent focused research on the identified critical issues;

the ability to demonstrate advanced analytical skills in selecting relevant historical material, evaluating diverse and contradictory evidence and synthesising research outcomes into a single comprehensive mini-dissertation;

the ability to demonstrate independent critical research skills by interpreting diverse research material, comparing contradictory evidence, evaluating the validity of evidence and finally communicating the synthesised dissertation, either in written or oral form;

the ability to apply historical research methodology to new research problems, historical context and combinations of historical evidence;

the ability to work independently in executing problem solving historical research into new areas of enquiry, linked to social, political and economic issues of their society.

Functional

The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifying learners with:

enhanced personal intellectual development by acquisition of understanding social, economic and political phenomena manifested in historical context, whereby a critical historical and social awareness is established;

enhanced personal development by the acquisition of intellectual analytical skills, skills of critical historical analysis and critical thinking; skills with comparison within historical context; skills of synthesising complex evidence; historical research skills, writing skills,; empathy, skills of critical use of source material; balanced assessment of divergent views, perceptions of evidence; and the national skills of openness in debate;

enhanced marketability in terms of the following employment opportunities: social research, journalism, broadcasting, and communication, social work, heritage tourism, education and training, environmental eco-tourism, civil service, rural and urban development studies, information management, library, museum and archival work.

an elevated academic status;

access to further education in historical studies;

intellectual skills of understanding, empathy and historical contextualisation which are prerequisites for insight into current problems.

Reflective

The primary purpose of this qualification is to prove qualifying learners with:

o the ability to apply the knowledge and understanding of events studied in historical context to the analysis and understanding of current social, political and economic issues (new contexts);
o the ability to apply skills of analysis and comparison in historical context to the formulation of innovative solutions to new contexts;
o the ability to apply the skills of personal motivation, self-directedness and self-discipline as well as historical research skills, to any employment environment;
o the ability to apply the organisational skills acquired through research and study planning to any employment environment;
o the ability to apply personal skills of empathy, openness in debate, rational and critical analysis and thinking to the facilitation of problem solving strategies in communities.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

To enrol for this qualification, potential learners need to demonstrate the following competencies:

o the ability to write research proposals;
o the ability to plan and conduct independent research;
o the ability to apply the historical methodology y in research to a wide range of social, political and economic issues affecting society;
o the ability to think critically, analyse systematically and formulate logically using academic English.

the potential learner should possess an Honours degree in Historical Studies, with a final average mark of 60% obtained from any accredited university;

the learner must have obtained a minimum of 128 credits on NQF level 7;

the potential learner must be fluent in reading and writing in either Afrikaans or English;

Recognition of prior learning:

The potential learner must follow the prescribed procedures of the Rand Afrikaans University, and the Arts Faculty to obtain recognition of prior learning, after which the learner will gain access to the Master's degree by coursework, receive advance placement and recognition of status.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

The learner should be able to:

1. Understand historical context and process as critical historical awareness.

2. Identify a specific/focused research problem within the context of the current disciplinary debate in Historical Studies and the debate amongst South Africa historical practitioners and academics, and then formulate an advanced meaningful research problem based on a through knowledge of fundamental historical methodology.

3. Plan an advanced and comprehensive research strategy based on the problem statement, which would include interested stakeholders.

4. Identify all relevant research sources in archives, libraries, private collections, research collections and oral sources in communities pertaining to the research problem.

5. Conduct independent, systematic research.

6. Evaluate collected information critically applying theoretical concepts of source and information validation.

7. Select all relevant information critically and systematically in order to solve the specific research problem.

8. Write a logical and systematic mini dissertation and conduct seminars, in order to solve the research problem within historical context.

9. Display honesty, conscientiousness, perseverance and empathy in selecting and evaluating all evidence.

10. Formulate the specific research outcome of seminars or a mini dissertation against the background of the macro-vision of social and economic issues confronting communities overtime, in order to contribute towards societal development, leadership and long term solutions to issues.

11. Communicate research outcomes effectively to all stakeholders, keeping in mind cultural, religious, ethnic and gender diversity within the community of stakeholders.

12. Compare the outcome of the historical research with the outcomes of similar studies in historical re-search in order to indicate similarities and differences in context, solutions and future outcomes.

13. Integrate different research techniques, including computers, the internet and conventional document analysis, when conducting the research.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

1. Does the learner display an understanding of historical context and historical process as critical historical awareness in the identification of the research problem, the planning of the research, the selection and evaluation of evidence, the written seminars and/or dissertation and the communication of the outcome of the research to all stakeholders?

2. Can the learner submit a written identified research problem, the relevant to the discipline, and defend it verbally, as well as formulate this research problem based on the historical methodology of inquiry and critical analysis?

3. Can the learner plan and write a simple research strategy for seminars, and a more advanced and comprehensive research strategy for short dissertation, which conveys the inclusion of all interested parties/stakeholders in such historical research strategy?

4. Has the learner identified sources in archives, libraries, private collections, research collections and oral sources in communities pertaining to the research problem?

5. Can the learner conduct and complete comprehensive, systematic research?

6. Has the learner critically evaluated the originally and validity of source material on the basis of historical validation techniques of internal and external criticism?

7. Has the learner selected relevant information to solve the research problem in historical context?

8. Can the learner submit a well written logical and systematic seminar/or dissertation including exposition and findings?

9. Does the learner in the seminar or dissertation, reflect the following values:

honesty in selecting, evaluating and interpreting historical sources

conscientiousness in consulting all relevant sources and stakeholders.

perseverance in conducting research until all relevant material has been consulted,

empathy with all stakeholders in the research, without displaying any form of bias.

10. Has the research outcome been formulated against the social and economic macro-context of the specific historical research problem? Does the research contribute towards a better understanding of related issues affecting communities?

11. Has the learner (individually or in a group context) communicated the outcome of the research clearly in written form, with empathy towards all stakeholders, and published the outcome?

12.Can the learner relate the outcome of the research to similar research outcomes of studies in different historical contexts? Has the learner displayed the intellectual capacity to link historical events over time and interpreted the significance of the comparison?

13.Has the learner successfully utilised different research, evaluation and reference techniques towards the formulation of a well-founded research report?

Formative assessment practices that will be implemented:

Formative assessment is conducted continuously by means of oral evaluation by the lecturer and by means of seminars.

Summative assessment practices that will be implemented:

Integrated assessment, focusing on the achievement of the exit-level outcomes, will be done by means of oral and written examinations after completion of the seminar work and the writing of a short dissertation.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Access to qualification on a lower level:

Articulation is possible with a NQF accredited qualification, with Historical Studies as focus, on NQF level 7, or an equivalent qualification.

Access to qualifications on the same level:

The achievement of this qualification should give learners access to certificates and diplomas in this field on level 8A. Learners who have obtained this qualification may, with the permission of the Dean of Faculty of Arts, enter a range of programmes in the social sciences mid-stream, given that the rules of access have been complied with. Such learners will therefore be credited for prior learning. Learners who are (not have been) registered for this (or a related) qualification at another higher education institution will be accepted, with the permission of the Dean of Arts, m to enter mid-stream, given that the rules of access have been complied with. Such learners will therefore be credited for prior learning.

Learners who have completed part of the Master's degree by coursework of the Rand Afrikaans University Department of Historical Studies, may exit mid-stream, but acknowledgement of completed work to obtain admission to another institution to complete the degree, is the prerogative of that situation.

Access to qualifications on a higher level:

The learner can enter into any Ph'D, D, Litt et Phil or Phil-degree programmes at other universities in South Africa as well as abroad.

MODERATION OPTIONS

External assessors moderate the examination paper, in the case of a formal written examination, to establish the fairness of questions are clear and understandable of the paper complies with NQF 8 assessment.

External assessors mark all the learners' papers independently from the external examiners. The learner's performance is the determined by allocating equal weight to the marks allocated by both the internal and the external assessor.

External assessors also assess oral examinations jointly with the internal assessor.

External assessors assess research essays/mini-dissertations independently from the internal examiner, determining equal marks towards the final mark.

One external assessor is appointed to assess the examination (written or oral)

One external assessor is appointed to assess the mini-dissertation

All examiners are from universities in South and Southern Africa

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

Master's degree in Historical Studies.

At least five years teaching or research experience at a higher education institution, as well as in the depth knowledge of the specialised field of study covered in the specific coursework programmes.

Previous experience with Master's degree assessment.

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

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

NOTES

This is an old qualification that has been recorded in June 1998 under the generic, MA, but the tittle has changed.

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.

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