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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Social Science 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
7963  Bachelor of Social Science 
ORIGINATOR
Rhodes 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
National First Degree  Field 07 - Human and Social Studies  General Social Science 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Level 6  NQF Level 07  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   2033-06-30  

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 
1. The overall purpose of the degree is to produce high-quality graduates within the liberal arts tradition who can apply fundamental and specialist knowledge to solve problems in their specific disciplines.

2. A second purpose of the degree is to produce graduates who are equipped for a variety of careers, depending on the specific disciplines they have studied. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Candidates are not normally admitted to the BSS unless they are in possession of a matriculation exemption certificate.

Special provision is made in the Faculty of Humanities to accommodate learners who would not normally be admitted to the curricula for the degree of BSS, or who are identified as having potential but as lacking an adequate educational background in certain key subjects. A number of special credit earning courses are offered, from which a curriculum suited to the needs of each learner admitted to the foundation programme will be drawn up by the Dean in consultation with the learner.

Candidates should be able to communicate in English. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
N 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
Learners will be able to:

1. Analyse studied material or situations critically, imaginatively and independently.
2. Communicate effectively.
3. Co-operate with others to pursue the common good.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the ever-expanding and ever-changing nature of knowledge and appreciate the need for life-long learning.

Specific outcomes.

1. Analyse studied material or situations critically, imaginatively and independently.
In order to meet this outcome, learners will:
  • acknowledge the moral, socio-cultural, political and economic dimensions of that material /those situations;
  • read sympathetically (i.e. taking care to understand the author 's perspective) as well as critically;
  • listen carefully to a variety of 'voices' in text and in situations;
  • appreciate multi-cultural values;
  • make a reasoned judgement /construct an argument on the basis of this analysis.

    2. Communicate effectively.
    In order to meet this outcome, learners will:
  • use oral and written forms of language appropriately and effectively;
  • present material /construct arguments in an organised and articulate manner;
  • use appropriate technology to facilitate communication;
  • demonstrate sensitivity to the multi-cultural and multi-lingual nature of South African society.

    3. Co-operate with others to pursue the common good.
    In order to meet this outcome, learners will:
  • work as a member of a team or group;
  • recognise and acknowledge different perspectives and values;
  • be aware that judgements have moral and ethical implications and will act accordingly where appropriate.

    4. Demonstrate an understanding of the ever-expanding and ever-changing nature of knowledge and appreciate the need for life-long learning.
    In order to meet this outcome, learners will:
  • demonstrate an awareness of the limits of their own knowledge;
  • demonstrate an awareness of human fallibility;
  • search for and find relevant information;
  • demonstrate an understanding of the role of research in academic enquiry as well as an awareness of a range of research approaches and techniques;
  • be able to apply basic research techniques under guidance. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    After the First Year:

    1. Learners should be able to demonstrate an understanding, both in theory and practice, of the basic principles, theories and facts that are central to a set of subjects that form the core of a particular social science curriculum. Learners will have a broad knowledge base with substantial depth in some areas.
    2. Learners should be able to use available resources to gain access to information.
    3. Learners should be able to interpret and summarise information from a variety of sources in the form of a logically structured and well-written essay.

    After the Second Year:

    1. Learners should be able to demonstrate an understanding, both in theory and practice, of the principles, theories and facts that form the core of one or two major sub-disciplines of social science.
    2. Learners should be able to use all available library and other information resources to undertake independent study.
    3. Learners should be able to analyse and evaluate a wide range of information and present the results as a logically structured and well-written essay.

    After the Third Year:

    1. Learners should be able to demonstrate a detailed understanding, both in theory and practice, of the principles, theories and facts that form the core of one or two major sub-disciplines of social science.
    2. The learner will be required to demonstrate basic research, creative problem solving and critical thinking skills, as individuals and in groups.
    3. The learner will have well-developed communicative skills and should be able to structure a logical argument both in writing and in the spoken form.

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

    1. Assessment procedures adhere to Rhodes University Assessment Policy.

    2. Assessment entails three elements:
  • Continual formal assessment both formative and summative;
  • Continual informal assessment (formative);
  • Formal end of course assessment (summative).

    The course work on which continuous assessment is based includes work done individually and in groups, and may consist of combinations of tests, essays, practical reports and seminars. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    1. Candidates with credits from other universities may be given credit for equivalent courses at Rhodes University and may be able to complete a degree in less than the minimum three years.

    2. Similarly, learners with credits from Rhodes University may be able to move to any other university in the country where they may be given credit for equivalent courses at that university.

    3. The programme is designed so that learners may proceed in a variety of different directions at the end of their first year.

    4. Learners with a BSS may be able to continue with an Honours degree in one of the subjects in which they have majored, or they may be able to undertake postgraduate training in education, law or commerce. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    No information 

    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. Rhodes University 


    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.