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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Arts Honours in Philosophy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
93908  Bachelor of Arts Honours in Philosophy 
ORIGINATOR
University of Johannesburg 
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 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 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 
Purpose:
The purpose of the qualification is to develop learners to become advanced, critical thinkers capable of making vibrant contributions to the intellectual life of a democratic society. Hence, the qualification outcomes meet some of the national and regional knowledge, labour market and other socio-cultural needs. The qualification is intellectually credible and the requirements of the needs of the learners, other stakeholders such as employers, academic peers of other institutions are taken into consideration.

In line with the university's mission, we aspire to provide:
  • Quality research.
  • Quality learner support.
  • Quality course materials.
  • Excellent and motivated academic staff.
  • Staff capacity-building programmes.
  • Regular professional academic scholarship.
  • Innovative and appropriate technological support.
  • Quality administrative support.

    This qualification aims to develop the theoretical competence of learners in depth by teaching them to analyse, interpret and apply the best philosophical theories from the history of philosophy up to the present. It further develops the intellectual, research, discussion, and presentation skills of the learners. The qualification prepares learners to participate meaningfully in philosophical debates anywhere and to continue toward pursuit of a professional career in that field and others in which analytical abilities are of use.

    Rationale:
    The Department of Philosophy faces two challenges in its Postgraduate teaching: [1] to educate and prepare learners for an academic career, as most Postgraduate learners in Philosophy aim to become academic philosophers or researchers in cognate fields, and [2] the whole 2,600 year history of philosophy and all its disciplines are relevant to a career in teaching philosophy and becoming an expert researcher. Four or five teaching staff cannot cover the whole history and all the disciplines in philosophy; therefore the options of modules to be taught must be left open to fit the research expertise of the current staff and the interests of a given cohort of learners.

    Teaching at Postgraduate level in Philosophy requires teaching material directly relevant to current, past or future research expertise. The wide range of electives makes it possible for the academic staff to responsibly guide our learners through expert teaching based on research excellence so that they can become good philosophers. Even those who do not eventually become professional philosophers will have been exposed to a much fuller variety of what philosophy has on offer than before.

    This qualification does not lead to a professional qualification. There is no professional body with specific requirements to be taken into consideration but it is in line with internationally benchmarked requirements. The programmes of the best universities in South Africa and elsewhere in the world served as benchmark for the development of the content of the proposed programme. The Department makes use of external examiners from reputable South African universities to maintain the intellectual integrity of the programme.

    Upon successful completion of the Honours degree in Philosophy, learners could apply for the Master's in Philosophy (or in cognate disciplines, with Recognition of Prior Learning). They would also have developed widely useful job-related skills such as the abilities to think logically, to write clearly and to speak effectively. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The institution endorses the view that RPL constitutes an essential element of the transformation of access and admissions policies at education institutions in South Africa. Learners may apply in writing to the dean concerned for recognition or exemption of modules required for the qualification, the dean may grant recognition or exemption for no more than half the credits. An RPL process may be used to credit learners with credits in which they have developed the necessary competency because of workplace and work-integrated learning, for example, individuals with specialisation certificates could be awarded credits towards the qualification based on RPL assessment.

    Entry Requirements:
    Learners must be in possession of the following to gain admission:
  • A Bachelor's Degree with Philosophy as a major subject. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification consists of one compulsory research module worth 40 Credits and four elective modules worth 20 Credits each totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Module:
  • Research Essay.

    Elective modules:
  • African Philosophy.
  • Analytic Philosophy.
  • Applied Ethics.
  • Continental Philosophy.
  • Critical Theory.
  • Eastern Philosophy.
  • Epistemology.
  • Hermeneutics.
  • Logic.
  • Marxism.
  • Metaethics.
  • Metaphysics.
  • Normative Ethics.
  • Philosophy of Art.
  • Philosophy of Language.
  • Philosophy of Mind.
  • Social, Political, Legal Philosophy.
  • Philosophy of Science.
  • Postmodernism.
  • Select Author.
  • Select Topic.
  • Philosophy of Religion. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Analyse and evaluate one or more classic theories from the different fields in depth and in detail.
    2. Analyse and evaluate the debates, impact and appropriation of such theories by contemporary philosophers.
    3. Demonstrate state of the art philosophical research skills.
    4. Express the results of their analyses and evaluations clearly and systematically in several shorter philosophy essays.
    5. Write one major philosophy essay that complies with peer review standards.
    6. Co-operate with a supervisor in preparation of research essays.
    7. Present the results of research at a departmental seminar. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The assessment criteria are applicable across all or a combination of the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated manner.
  • Skills to analyse arguments and evaluate the theories of different philosophers are demonstrated to determine their respective strengths and weaknesses.
  • Various contributions to philosophical debates are analysed, indicate their impact on subsequent theorising, and discuss how those ideas were appropriated by later philosophers.
  • In writing philosophical essays that they are in command of core philosophical reading, writing, and reasoning skills are demonstrated.
  • Comprehensive set of philosophical writing skills are displayed through the production of concise, clear essays.
  • Analyses and evaluations are expressed clearly and systematically in philosophical essays.
  • Skills of public speaking and presentation design are demonstrated.
  • Co-operate with a supervisor in conceptualising and developing a thesis.
  • Comprehensive set of philosophical writing skills are demonstrated through the production of a longer essay that requires long term planning and a comprehensive overall argument coherently made.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Learners write two essays critically discussing arguments for important philosophical theses, which would be worth at least 20% each (and at most 25% each) of the mark for the course. In some classes, learners will also be evaluated on a number of continuous formative assessments (reading reports) and on class preparation and participation, together worth a maximum of 10%. A final examination must be written, which would count as 50% of their mark for the course. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    In New Zealand the University of Wellington in Victoria offers a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Philosophy. This Degree is at the same level and of the same duration as the current submission. Most of the modules are similar. The qualification also has a compulsory research project. It has a larger variety of modules, that also include African and eastern philosophy.

    Modules:
    History of Philosophy; Metaphysics and Epistemology; Value Theory; Analytical Philosophy; Philosophy of Language; Topics in Contemporary Philosophy; Special Topic: Realism; Readings in Historical and Contemporary Philosophy; Aesthetics; Philosophy of Mind; Philosophy of Science; Formal Logic; Philosophical Logic; Ethics and Politics: Philosophy of Economics; Research Project.

    The Australian National University offers a Bachelor of Philosophy Honours and a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Philosophy. The Australian National University offers these qualifications in partnership with the National University of Singapore. The qualification places a strong emphasis on independent, disciplinary enquiry, which will prepare learners for possible future research.

    The University of Otago in New Zealand offers a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Philosophy. The aim of the qualification is to assist learners become highly skilled, versatile, independent thinkers with the research experience, information literacy, communication and interpersonal skills necessary for an advanced professional career or further academic study at higher level.

    Lancaster University in United Kingdom also offers a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy.

    Conclusion:
    The qualification compares favourably with the selected qualifications. The qualification allows learners to engage and debate important philosophical issues. The qualifications are designed to present Philosophy in everyday life which meets the need of modern humanity for a life with meaning and purpose. The commonality of these qualifications is that they provide some practical guidelines of survival to Humans with ideas, values and principles that assist them to manage and contribute to modern life. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Both horizontal and vertical articulation will be possible with this Degree.

    Horizontally this qualification may articulate with:
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours Politics in Philosophy and Economics.
  • Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Philosophy.
  • Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Political Philosophy and Social Theory.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Philosophy.

    Vertical articulation is also possible with:
  • Master of Arts in Philosophy.
  • Master of Arts Philosophy in Research.
  • Master of Philosophy.
  • Master of Arts Philosophy in Theories: Research. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    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 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. University of Johannesburg 


    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.