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

Higher Certificate: General Philosophy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
83766  Higher Certificate: General Philosophy 
ORIGINATOR
St Joseph's Theological Institute NPC 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Higher Certificate  Field 07 - Human and Social Studies  General Social Science 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 05  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 06120/18  2018-07-01  2018-12-31 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2019-12-31   2022-12-31  

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 purpose of this qualification is the academic development and intellectual formation of the learners. This programme provides learners with a formal and systematic reflection on reality thus assisting them in critical thinking and intellectual development. Critical thinking is a hallmark of philosophy and is a very important aspect of the development of the human mind.

The Higher Certificate: General Philosophy affords learners basic skills for critical reflection on general issues that confront them in life. This qualification offers learners basic tools to develop and sharpen their minds to be able to ask relevant questions not only in their studies but also generally in life. The ability to think rationally, coherently, logically and consequentially is of great importance in life and this qualification offers learners the basic introduction to thinking well, coherently and consequentially.

For a philosophy learner, to think well and live badly does not make much sense and therefore the purpose of this programme is also to transform the lives of those who undertake it. This transformation should lead to living well and contributing better to the social and economic progress and development of our communities.

Rationale:

In general, our society needs more people who can think clearly and reflect on matters from a rational and sound foundation. Studying philosophy gives learners an opportunity to question assumptions that people generally take for granted and to develop critical-thinking skills through reading, writing, research and discussion.

In view of this broader rationale, the Higher Certificate: General Philosophy is designed to offer learners a basic foundation for their intellectual development and for the development of their ability to analyse issues and recognise what really matters and what does not. This is a necessary skill in life and in particular for those in leadership. The Higher Certificate: General Philosophy provides the basic philosophical concepts and basic ability to think critically and reason coherently in a given situation. This is done by exploring the development of the human mind mainly through the history of philosophy from ancient times to contemporary times. Tracing the development of the human mind in history exposes the learners to the different thought epochs and thus challenges them to think beyond just the immediate reality and also to ask relevant questions.

It is assumed that learners grow and develop as human beings in the measure they progress in their thinking; therefore this programme is offered as a basic foundational certificate in philosophy in the hope that those who complete it successfully will proceed to the Advanced Certificate and later possibly, to the Bachelor of Arts: Philosophy. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
It is assumed that learners registering into the Higher Certificate: General Philosophy would have completed basic education (primary and secondary school) with sufficient achievement to enable them to embark on post-matric studies.

Recognition of Prior Learning:

St Joseph's Theological Institute subscribes to the basic principle that learning occurs in various situations, both formal and informal. The Institute thus acknowledges that human development, lifelong learning and experience, though not always academically quantifiable, constitute invaluable learning to be considered as already in place in assessing learners for admission to modules, programmes and qualifications. Recognition of Prior Learning may also be applied to grant learners credits towards the qualification.

Recognition of Prior Learning is the acknowledgment of skills and knowledge already acquired by a person from previous study, work and/or life experience.

Prior learning may include:
  • Courses/modules done at recognised private or public educational institutions, professional bodies or associations.
  • Work or other forms of practical experience.
  • Life experience.

    Recognition of Prior Learning at the Institute is available to learners who have appropriate learning and/or skills in relation to the qualification for which the Institute is accredited, regardless of where or how the learning was obtained.

    Access to the Qualification:

    Learners registering for the Higher Certificate: General Philosophy must have obtained a National Senior Certificate (NSC) or its equivalent and have proficiency in the language of learning and teaching of the provider. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification consists of the following 12 compulsory modules all at NQF Level 5 and totalling 120 credits:
  • Introduction to Philosophy, 12 credits.
  • History of Ancient Philosophy, 12 credits.
  • History of Civilization, 8 credits.
  • Logic, 14 credits.
  • Methodology Seminar 1, 8 credits.
  • African History, 8 credits.
  • History of Medieval Philosophy, 12 credits.
  • Philosophical Anthropology, 14 credits.
  • General Ethics, 12 credits.
  • Applied Ethics, 12 credits.
  • Methodology Seminar 2, 8 credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Upon the successful completion of the programme learners will be expected to:

    1. Demonstrate basic knowledge in the history of Philosophy, Ethics, Anthropology and Civil History.

    2. Demonstrate an understanding of key philosophical terms and concepts.

    3. Formulate meaningful questions on academic and/or life issues.

    4. Demonstrate the methodology of writing a scientific paper. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Explain the subject matter and content of Philosophy, Ethics and Anthropology.
  • Discuss the general identification and description of the main epochs of Civil History.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Define and broadly explain key Philosophical terms and concepts.
  • Discuss given Philosophical topics.
  • Identify important issues contained in a given Philosophical text, topic or issue.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Identify Philosophical questions from non-philosophical questions.
  • Identify important and meaningful questions of life.
  • Discuss specific philosophical positions on issues.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Explain the methods of collecting data.
  • Explain how collected data would be verified.
  • Explain the format of a scientific paper.
  • Present a short research paper.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Examinations:
  • Standard Examinations.
  • Supplementary Examinations.
  • Exit Level Examinations.

    Formative Assessment:

    This form of assessment (sometimes also referred to as continuous assessment) takes place during the process of teaching and learning.

    The purpose of formative assessment is to gauge the learner's ongoing engagement with the teaching and learning process, usually of discrete units of material or of modules.

    Summative Assessment:

    Summative assessment is used to gauge a learner's overall (or comprehensive) engagement with the process of teaching and learning according to the stated outcomes of the module or of the programme.

    Summative assessment is summative of either the discrete units of teaching and learning as these apply to specific modules (this can be at the end of a semester or at the end of the academic year), or of comprehensive assessment usually at exit level. Applied competence is especially important in this form of assessment. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Institute has, through its Quality Assurance and Accreditation Committee (QUAAC) put in place mechanisms to ensure that this qualification meets international standards. A sampling carried out by the Institute's Quality Assurance and Accreditation Committee has shown that the Higher Certificate in General Philosophy is, with the exception of circumstances particular to the African context, on a par with similar programmes in Philosophy offered in the Catholic University of East Africa (CUEA) in Nairobi (Kenya), the Pontifical Urban University in Rome (Italy), St. Augustine's Major Seminary (Mpima) in Kabwe (Zambia) and the Vijnananilayam Institute of Philosophy and Religion in Eluru (India).

    The same study has shown that learners who successfully complete the Higher Certificate in General Philosophy are able to continue to the next tertiary level of Philosophy in the countries indicated above, as well as many others offering other qualifications in the cognate field. The Institute is satisfied that the Higher Certificate in General Philosophy meets international higher education standards in this field. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification articulates vertically with the following qualifications:
  • Advanced Certificate: General Philosophy, NQF Level 6.

    This qualification articulates horizontally with the following qualifications:
  • Certificate: Philosophy, NQF Level 5.
  • Certificate: Sociology, NQF Level 5. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The primary locus of moderation of assessment is at the level of the Department. It is the responsibility of the Head of Department to ensure that assessments are conducted in line with the stated policies of the Institute, and that assessments are fair, reliable and valid.

    External examination is mandatory at exit level. The nature, form and substance of external examination is determined by the Departments in consultation with the Academic Dean. It is the responsibility of the Head of Department to ensure that, in all instances, academics of quality are appointed as external examiners.

    In order to safeguard the high quality and international status of the Institute's programmes, all persons appointed as external examiners must hold an academic qualification not below a Masters Degree or equivalent in their area of specialisation. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 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. St Joseph's Theological Institute NPC 


    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.