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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Master of Arts: Development: Media and Arts 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
81237  Master of Arts: Development: Media and Arts 
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
Master's Degree  Field 02 - Culture and Arts  Performing Arts 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  128  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 091/21  2021-07-01  2023-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

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 replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
14633  Master of Arts: Development: Media and Arts  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  128  Complete 

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 degrees. 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 - Masters (Including Advanced Postgraduate Diploma and Certificate)

Appropriate Honours 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.
  • Understand the way in which media implicated in the global economies of money, power and the circulation of meanings.
  • Appreciate of the degree to which ownership and control of the media can affect the social and political outcomes of public / national media policies.
  • Understand the roles and limitations of the media in the processes of forging democracy and development, particularly in less developed and peripheral countries.
  • Undertake independent research through the collection of original data, and their integration into a critical framework of previous acquired theoretical understandings
  • Demonstrate the practical ability to manipulate print and broadcast media, participatory drama, etc and related development support communication issues in the Southern African context.
  • Identify and intervene in developmental issues
  • Demonstrate an empathetic ability to work with grassroots communities. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the field of 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.
  • Construct a sustained argument; formulate questions and work towards solutions.
  • Demonstrate command of the conceptual discourse of the field.
  • 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.
  • Carry out a substantial independent research project conforming to acknowledged scholarly protocols.

    Integrated assessment:

    At MA level learners are assessed by means of two essays per course or one essay and an applied team research project. Students may choose between three courses and a 25% research dissertation, or two courses and a 50% dissertation. Where possible and appropriate, professional internships in industry of between 4-6 weeks are organised for students should such activity be required for their dissertation research.

    All MA students are required to participate in the Graduate School's workshops on research and proposal writing and where necessary, Honours modules on:
    1. semiotics
    2. research methods
    Students are requested to submit work regularly for supervision. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
  • Vertical - below: recognized Honours degree
  • Vertical - above: PhD
  • Horizontally - 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.
  • Horizontally - 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.