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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Social Science in Sociological Analysis and Social Research 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
81201  Bachelor of Social Science in Sociological Analysis and Social Research 
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
National First Degree  Field 07 - Human and Social Studies  Environmental Relations 
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 
This is an academic and vocational qualification in Sociological Analysis and Social Research programme which provides students with a theoretical understanding of the processes and structures of society, and an understanding of the principles and practice of social research as the empirical means for investigating these processes and structures of society. Students will be encouraged to acquire an understanding of the vision and limitations of Sociology as a discipline, and social research as an empirical mode of investigation, within the framework of multi-disciplinary approach. Students will be encouraged to acquire a firm grasp of theoretical traditions in Sociology from with explanations can be drawn. Students will be encouraged to acquire the skills required to conduct sociological analysis and research. The social research component of the programme is inter-disciplinary and vocational, with the intention of leading to employment in a variety of fields needing this type of experience, or as a foundation for a specialist professional degree.

Such education is crucial in South Africa given the multiplicity of social problems faced in the implementation of South Africa's developmental goals, and the widespread need for a critical evaluation of South African society. In particular, graduates can be expected to find a considerable demand for their skills in the areas of the expanding social, market, developmental, medical and political research industry in South Africa, as the country emerges as a major market, and as the Government, NGO's and overseas donors are each more interested in research based development of policy teaching of social studies as this emerges as the result of curriculum change in secondary schools. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Matric exemption or equivalent. Entry is also possible through Senate approved alternative access routes recognising age, experience or other prior learning equivalents. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
  • Demonstrate an understanding of social processes and structures.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the role and the potential role of Sociology as a discipline.
  • Demonstrate a knowledge of current issues which are being debated in Sociology, in terms of theory, methodology and substantive areas.
  • Identify sociological issues and develop appropriate research designs which could be used to study these issues empirically.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the social context of human social activities, and a concern with enhancing the life chances of all persons.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity amongst and within societies, and the causes of inequality.
  • Demonstrate some familiarity with information technology, and the ability to make use of the Internet in conducting research.
  • Present arguments and perspectives both orally and in written form.
  • Work constructively within groups. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • Demonstrate capability of analysing and understanding social structures and processes.
  • Demonstrate capability to determine the role of sociological analysis in the social sciences.
  • Demonstrate competence to debate current sociological theory and methodology.
  • Demonstrate capability of identifying a social issue and applying an appropriate research design.
  • Demonstrate capability of identifying the social context of human social groups and their life chances and demonstrating a concern for the enhancement of those chances.
  • Demonstrate competence to engage in academic discourse and perform this both verbally and in written form.
  • Demonstrate capability of identifying diversity and the causes of inequality in human society.
  • Demonstrate familiarity with information technology.

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

    The University of Natal is currently reforming its assessment strategies to include the assessment of applied competence for each qualification. In the meantime, a combination of continuous assessment and traditional written examinations serve to assess the integration of all/most of the learning outcomes for each module in a qualification. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Vertical:
  • Above: Honours degree
  • Below: Matric Exemption or Equivalent. Entry is also possible through Senate-approved alternative access routes recognizing age, experience or other prior learning equivalents.

    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 ETQA system for HE is not yet fully developed. Until such time as it is, procedures described under assessor criteria suffice. 

    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 qualifications 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.