SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Masters of Philosophy: Ethics

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
49944	Masters of Philosophy: Ethics
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		Religious and Ethical Foundations of Society
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 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

Purpose:

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

Identify and address context specific ethical dilemmas e.g. fraud in various guises, issues of diversity in employment, issues of access to information and decision-making, justice and democracy in the workplace.

Progress to a more general level of analysis and understanding by developing a multi-disciplinary approach in conjunction with inputs from specialists in ethical theories, ethical management, labour law and human resource management.

Utilize both specialized applied knowledge and more general theories, by which learners are trained to understand, contextualize, design and apply procedures to solve the specifically identified moral issues in the workplace.

Further study at NQF level 8 on a doctoral degree program.

Rationale:

Combating corruption and fraud is a priority in the public sector. The government has committed itself to the UN project to fight corruption in the public sector. The private sector Business Against Crime Initiative to combat economic crime and unethical corporate behaviour attests to the moral nature of the crisis in business culture. The second King report on Corporate Governance requires both public and private companies to manage their ethical performance. There is a serious lack of relevant training for managing ethical performance. This M Phil program in Ethics provides in this need on a regional and national basis.

This qualification opens career possibilities in managing and auditing the ethical performance of organisations.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Potential learners need to demonstrate the following competencies:

Proficiency in English and the ability to interpret texts (writing and communication skills), the ability to do research, assess arguments and formulate independent views.

Recognition of prior learning:

Recognition of prior learning in the case of learners not complying with the formal entry requirements will be conducted in accordance with the policy and guidelines of the University concerning the recognition of other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. Recognition takes place only where prior learning corresponds to the required NQF-level, and in terms of applied competencies relevant to the content and outcomes of the programme. Through recognition of prior learning learners may gain access, or advanced placement, or recognition of status, on condition that they continue their studies at this University.

Access to the qualification:

Admission requirements/Rules of access

Learners with any four-year degree (i.e. Honours, four-year Bachelor's degree or Bachelor's degree plus Higher diploma) may apply for M Phil (Ethics).

Selection criteria and procedures

The following is recommended:

Two years work experience, for example, in areas such as labour relations, actuarial and auditing practices, as well as managers, directors, compliance officers and other private and public officials who have to take responsibility for the ethical performance of their organizations.

Proficiency in English (as the course is offered in English only) and access to the Internet.

Prospective learners are requested to submit an essay of 2000 words on a moral dilemma in their workplace. We assess the candidate's writing skills (the ability to clearly formulate ideas and to coherently structure an essay) in the light of the important role these skills play in higher level training.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

Fundamental: 30 credits; Level 8
Total: 30 credits

Core: 90 credits; Level 8
Total: 90 credits

Total: 120 credits; Level 8

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Problem-solving skills

Utilize various theories of business ethics, justice, gender, as well as different methodological approaches from relevant specialized disciplines other than ethics to identify and analyze moral problems in the workplace, and to formulate and reflect on appropriate responses.

2. Teamship

Identify the various levels and the various aspects of a moral dilemma in the workplace in order to define the relevant role player(s) with whom plans of actions will have to negotiate and with whose assistance procedures will have to be implemented.

Listen attentively and interpret incisively, through the fair and accurate presentation and evaluation of arguments.

Cooperate in team research.

3. Self-responsibility skills

Organize and manage study processes, research, information and available resources.

4. Research skills

Conduct an independent research on a specialized topic within each of the designated fields of the course, utilizing the methodological, conceptual and historical background knowledge acquired during the course, as well as electronic and other technologies to gather information, and present the results of that research in an accessible and concise manner.

Design, and reflect critically upon applications of ethical theories in our local context and current situation.

5. Communication skills

Communicate effectively with colleagues and clients by using language skills in the modes of oral and written presentation.

6. Technological and environmental literacy

Explicate the impact of the solution of moral dilemmas in the workplace on the physical, social and humane environment.

7. Developing macro vision

To work constantly in a two-way direction between specific problem and broader context, specialized knowledge and more general theories in order to cultivate macro vision.

8. Learning skills

Demonstrate their ability to think independently, creatively and critically and to use logical, interpretation, human relations and knowledge assessment skills in order to formulate and reflect upon policy, legal and other relevant solutions to moral dilemmas in the workplace, including the promotion of entrepreneurship and self-reliance where appropriate to empower people previously disempowered by social injustices.

9. Citizenship

To participate in constructive dialogue concerning the moral dimension of public issues.

10. Cultural and aesthetic understanding

Display an on-going and thorough-going moral sensitivity towards and tolerance of cultural, religious, gender, class, race and other differences as the basis of people's different experiences, histories and principles, without falling into moral relativism, i.e without excluding the possibility of moral judgment.

11. Employment seeking skills

Expand and reinforce existing entrepreneurial opportunities.

12. Entrepreneurship

Expand and reinforce existing entrepreneurial opportunities.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Demonstrate the ability to utilize different theories of business ethics, justice, and gender, as well as various methodological approaches to identify and analyze moral problems in the workplace.

Suggest appropriate responses to moral dilemmas thus identified.

2.

Demonstrate the ability to break problems and solutions down to significant constituent parts.

Assign constituent parts of a solution to appropriate role players or agents.

Demonstrate an understanding of the coordination of the constituent agents in the action and apply it to self.

Demonstrate their ability to listen attentively and read incisively, through the exploration and solution of moral dilemmas in the workplace.

Demonstrate the ability to cross-customary and disciplinary boundaries in the exploration and solution of moral dilemmas in the workplace.

Demonstrate the ability to cooperate with team members by participating in the logistics of research.

3.

Demonstrate their ability to gather information and obtain required answers from designated sources.

Demonstrate the capacity to do research by presenting an essay on a topic in the manner of a contribution to a scientific journal.

Write a research essay according to set standards which:

> Identifies the issues / problems at stake.
> Situates those issues / problems within the wider context of the field of research, both historically and methodology.
> Clarifies / analyses the issues indicated and arguing for a certain understanding / hypothesis / solution.
> Presents and evaluates available sources used to further the argument.
> Demonstrates the theoretical and practical workability or unsuitability of proposals towards the solution of moral dilemmas in the workplace.

5.

Demonstrate communication skills by oral and written presentations to audiences.

6.

Demonstrate the ability to justify designs for the solution of moral dilemmas in the workplace in terms of sustainable environmental and human resources development policies.

7.

Demonstrate the ability to link specialized knowledge to larger contexts, and to identify, manage and channel impacts from larger contexts to specialized fields of involvements.

8.

Demonstrate the ability to think independently, creatively and critically and use logical, interpretation, human relations and knowledge assessment skills in order to formulate and reflect on policy, legal and other relevant solutions to moral dilemmas.

Demonstrate the ability to formulate appropriate solutions to moral dilemmas, including the promotion of entrepreneurship and self-reliance where appropriate to empower people previously disempowered by social injustices.

9.

Demonstrate the ability to participate in public dialogue through the assignment of defending or opposing given viewpoints.

10.

Display a good balance between tolerance of diversity and diverse viewpoints on the one hand, and sound moral judgment on the other.

Demonstrate an ability to reflect critically and creatively on the role of identity differences in a democracy.

11.

Demonstrate the ability to assess careers in terms of real and possible codes of conduct.

12.

Demonstrate the ability to found entrepreneurial opportunities on existing and possible national and international moral codes of conduct.

Integrated assessment:

Formative assessment practices that will be implemented:

Learners are continuously assessed via written assignments. Two essays are handed in electronically, annotated by the lecturer, mailed back to the learner, who, if she/he wishes, can revise and resubmit the essay. The extent of all assignments prior to the final research essay amounts to approximately 6000 words. Credits gained on this basis count for 50% of the marks for each semester course. Learners must also present a research proposal in lieu of the final research essay.

Summative assessment practices that will be implemented:

Integrated assessment, focusing on the achievement of the exit-level outcomes, is done through a final research essay of 6000 words. This essay is also assessed externally.

Pass requirements that will be implemented:

> Pass: minimum of 50% on an average between semester marks composed of the marks of the first two essays (50%), and the aggregate of the research essay (50%).
> Distinction: minimum of 75% on an average between semester marks (50%) and the aggregate of the research essays (50%).

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The qualification has been compared to other equivalent internationally to ensure that graduates meet globally recognized standards. As such, learners who obtain the qualification are expected to contribute to the ethical performance and ethical reputation of the organizations that they work for in both the private and public sector of the economy. In doing so, they will provide an impetus for improved organizational performance and sustainability. The qualification will equip to students to deal with important ethical issues that are emerging in the local and global economy.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Access to qualifications on a lower level:

It should be possible to gain access to undergraduate diploma's and certificates on NQF level 5 at this University or elsewhere depending on the rules of access of the qualification.

Access to qualifications on the same level:

Learners who are (or have been) registered for this or other related qualification at another higher education or accredited training institution will be allowed to enter or exit on the same level, given the rules of access have been complied with. Such learners will therefore, retain credit for relevant modules that have been passed, at the previous institution. The recognition of modules is subject to the approval of the Dean of the Faculty of Arts.

Access to qualifications on a higher level:

Having obtained this qualification, the following possibilities for further study in higher education exists: Doctorate Degree in Philosophy on NQF level 8 or related learning areas at any higher education institution.

MODERATION OPTIONS

Recommendation of a moderating body or bodies (internal and external)

For each research essay one internal and one external assessor will be appointed (both must have at least a Master's degree in Philosophy), as well as an assessor from a discipline other than Philosophy (with at least a Master's degree in a relevant discipline).
There is currently no professional body in South Africa to approve this degree course.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

Assessors must have a minimum of an MA in Philosophy and/or an MA in a relevant, specialized field of study, e.g. Human Recourses, Labour Law, etc.

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

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

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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