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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Arts Honours in Gender Studies 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96588  Bachelor of Arts Honours in Gender Studies 
ORIGINATOR
University of Venda 
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
2027-06-30   2029-06-30  

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:
On achievement of the qualification, the learner will be able to implement gender sensitive policies in all public and private sectors. The learner will be a pace setter in addressing issues such as the 50/50 gender parity needs as postulated by the constitution of South Africa.

Rationale:
The rationale for this Degree is to promote equity and social justice on cross-cutting issues of gender for the transformation of society and to elevate those groups of people that are marginalised from the socio-economic mainstream. This Honours Degree was established to respond simultaneously to the legacy of racial, gender and class divisions which had left an indelible mark on the immediate socio-economic environment of our various societies especially in South Africa. Learners have been able to do advocacy work on issues of gender, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender/Transsexual and Intersexed (LGBTI), and development. Our graduate students are occupying strategic positions in Government, the Private Sector, and Non-Governmental Organisations. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The Academic Board of the Institute for Gender Studies may consider working experience as an alternative admission criterion. The Academic board follows the policy of the University of Venda.

Entry Requirements:
Those who wish to enrol in this Honours programme should have a minimum of an undergraduate Degree with an average of at least 60% pass mark for any third year level modules (Level 7). 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

QUALIFICATION RULES 
This Honours Degree will be awarded on production and submission of a mini-dissertation that has been assessed by the external examiner. The modules are offered as follows:

Curriculum:
The curriculum is composed of six modules. Three of these are compulsory.

Semester 1:
  • HGS 5530 - Mini-dissertation 30 Credits.
  • HGS 5520 - Theories of Gender and Social Inequalities 18 Credits.
  • HGS 5521 - Research Methods 18 Credits.

    Students to choose ONE of the following modules:
  • HGS 5522 - Gender Issues in Science Education 18 Credits.
  • HGS 5523 - Gender and Health 18 Credits.
  • HGS 5524 - Gender and Religion 18 Credits.
  • HGS 5525 - Gender and Economic Development 18 Credits.

    Semester 2:
    Students to choose any TWO of the following modules:
  • HGS 5623 - Gender and Agriculture 18 Credits.
  • HGS 5624 - Gender and Violence 18 Credits.
  • HGS 5625 - Gender and Law 18 Credits.
  • HGS 5626 - Gender and Environment 18 Credits.
  • HGS 5629 - Strategies for Empowerment 18 Credits.
  • HGS 5631 - Language and Gender/Linguistics 18 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate ability to write a research proposal.
    2. A demonstrable ability to identify, collect, and analyse relevant primary or secondary data to provide findings relevant to gender mainstreaming and development.
    3. A demonstrable ability to communicate research outcomes effectively. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Formulation of research questions and rationale of study.
  • Relate Gender theories to practice.
  • Appraisal of recent literature on the area of gender chosen for the study.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Production of research instruments for primary data collection.
  • Creation of library on major resources regarding gender, women studies and development.
  • Creation of a data-bank on patriarchy, gender and violence.
  • Interpretation of results and findings to inform policy on gender and development.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Production of written Mini-dissertation.
  • Presentation of research methods findings and policy recommendations.
  • Defend ideas that are outcomes of the Mini-Research.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Modules are externally examined by experts in the field of Gender Studies.

    There is formative and summative assessments of students by way of examinations, assignments and tests. Mini-dissertations are examined by at least two external examiners. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The programme compares with other programmes around the world in its quest to initiate and establish exchange programmes and linkages with other institutions in Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and beyond on issues of gender. Also, the programme strives to build programmes that are geared towards gender mainstreaming.

    Other similar Universities the programme constantly benchmarks with are:
    The University of South Africa.
    The University of Zambia.
    The University of Rochester (United States of America).
    University of West Virginia (United States of America). 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This Honours Degree articulates vertically with other undergraduate Degrees in the field of Humanities and Social Sciences. The students can opt to enter the market field or continue with their studies for a Masters in Gender Studies. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    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 Venda 


    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.