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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Arts Honours in Media and Cultural Studies 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
81019  Bachelor of Arts Honours in Media and Cultural Studies 
ORIGINATOR
University of KwaZulu-Natal 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Honours Degree  Field 02 - Culture and Arts  Cultural Studies 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  128  Level 7  NQF Level 08  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   2031-06-30  

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 
The two-year integrated course work programme in Cultural and Media studies is an interdisciplinary programme covering the Honours and Master's degree. Developed after consultation with the media industry, the graduate programme's primary aim is to educate media professionals who will obtain (a) critical conceptual skills; (b) strategic knowledge of how media (both deregulated and public service) interface with other social and economic institutions in the global information economy; (c) Skills in policy making and (d) Exposure to practical skills in the areas of information technology, web design and video production. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Postgraduate - Honours (including Postgraduate Certificate)
Appropriate Bachelor's degree. Entry is also possible through University of Natal's Rule 33 for postgraduate study. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
N 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
  • Demonstrate an ability to undertake self directed study.
  • Write a comprehensive assignment in a standardized, academic convention.
  • Summarize and critically engage with substantial bodies of information.
  • Engage at an advanced level with the concepts, philosophies and concerns of media and cultural theories.
  • Work both individually and as members of a group.
  • Demonstrate familiarity with information technology, the ability to manipulate at least one word processing programme, and the ability to make use of the Internet in conducting research.
  • Use advanced communication technology either in the form of Desk Top Publishing or Video Production, with the purpose of appreciating how these technologies contribute to the making of meaning within the media.
  • Demonstrate the capacity to actualise the skills acquired in the theoretical components of the course work in both the private and the public sectors. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the cultural studies appropriate for the particular exit level.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of specific areas of inquiry in the programme.
  • Understand the interrelationships amongst various areas in the field.
  • Analyse data appropriate to cultural and media studies.
  • Grasp the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of the area of study.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of current critical debates.
  • Locate cultural studies within the social and historical context of South Africa and the global order.
  • Understand the nature and effects of linguistic diversity.
  • Demonstrate a capacity for individual sturdy.
  • Work efficiently within groups.
  • Present findings both orally and in writing.
  • Demonstrate command of academic English at an appropriate level.
  • Demonstrate familiarity with information technology at an appropriate level.


    Integrated assessment:

    At Honours level learners are assessed by cooperative class work and presentations on theory and practice. Two essays and regular written work per course are required. Sometimes an applied team research project will substitute for one essay. Exams are set on completion of each module, in terms of Faculty rules. On the professional skills courses continuous assessment applies.
    a) Video production: Team production projects, class assignments, a viva and examination occur. Desk-top Publishing: regular individual projects and exam. Learning Technologies: class assignments, projects, exam, plus a 4-6 week professional internship. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    BA (Honours):
  • Vertical - below: recognised Bachelor's degree
  • Vertical - above: Masters
  • Horizontal - within the University: with the approval of the programme directors, modules from other approved disciplines may be incorporated into this qualification, and modules from this discipline may be incorporated into other approved qualifications.
  • Outside the University: subject to University recognition of qualifications and/or credits obtained at other institutions. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The programme makes use of both internal and external examiners, and is subject to Faculty requirements and rules. The Programme nominates examiners and motivates each specific nomination to the Faculty's Higher Degrees and research Committee. All examiners nominated are appointed on the basis of their academic qualifications, professional expertise, local and international reputations, and their specialist knowledge of the topic. The International Advisory Committee moderates course content, structure and standards. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Until the HEQC establishes a registration system for assessors in the HET Band, the University of Natal assumes that, on the basis of its rigorous selection criteria for the appointment of academic staff (who also have opportunities for staff development in assessment), staffs are competent to assess students on the modules they teach. This assessment is quality assured via a university system of internal moderation and external examination. External examiners are appointed for their teaching and disciplinary expertise and subject to the approval of Faculty Boards. The University of Natal ruling is that 66 % of all assessments at exit level, i.e. leading to a qualification, are externally examined. 

    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: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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 KwaZulu-Natal 


    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.