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Purpose and Rationale

The primary purpose of the qualification is to provide qualifiers with graduate-level knowledge, specific skills, applied competence, and necessary attitudes in commerce and industry. This prepares them to be lifelong learners, employable workers/entrepreneurs, and contributors to society and the business community.

The second purpose is to provide South Africa (and other countries) with functional managers at the middle management level across all sectors of the economy.

A further purpose is to equip graduates with a deep understanding of the process of mobilizing and utilizing productive resources to be gainfully employed in meeting the material needs of society in a globalized world.

Outcomes

Identify, analyse, formulate, and serve the commercial and economic needs of individuals and society creatively and innovatively.
Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community, and contribute to the group output in tasks growing out of the business, commerce and management fields.
Manage and organise her or his activities and life responsibility and effectively, including her or his studies within the distance context.
Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information, as required in the pursuit of this qualification.
Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of written presentation.
Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health and well-being of others, in community, national and global contexts.
Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem solving contexts do not exist in isolation, and by acknowledging their responsibilities to those in the local and broader community.

Assessment Criteria

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 1:

Identify needs by exploring and critically evaluating abstract and personal situations.
Solve problems by generating alternative strategies for dealing with those problems.
Overcome communication problems creatively.
Critically evaluate various viewpoints and compare them to own views.
Offer evidence in a variety of ways to support their stated views.
Identify needs and opportunities in their own lives and in business.
Identify and solve concrete and abstract problems by drawing upon theoretical knowledge and experiential base.
Identify and propose ways to serve business and societal needs in various contexts.
Use knowledge and experience to offer suggestions for solving problems at different levels.
Analyse the global, national and local community in terms of problems, needs, opportunities.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 2:

Show evidence of 'people skills' in group situations.
Demonstrate respect for the opinion of others through reporting without bias.
Demonstrate tolerance of diversity through reporting without bias.
Undertake projects and provide evidence of successful interaction with others.
Use effective communication skills within the group.
Lead people effectively and be a supportive follower and group participant.
Organise themselves and others into effective working groups.
Communicate evidence of group interactions through reporting.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 3:

Demonstrate study skills and learning strategies.
Organise study plans effectively.
Use creative and various learning strategies suited to personal situations.
Cope with self-discipline necessary for distance learning.
Think independently and offer evidence to support decisions.
Assess strengths and weaknesses and develop coping strategies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 4:

Demonstrate basic research skills.
Use library and other resources effectively for individual needs and research areas.
Integrate information from various sources.
Act responsibly as a researcher (referencing, avoiding plagiarism, etc.).
Show awareness of conventions in various disciplines.
Critically analyse theories and argue appropriately.
Use relevant conventions for academic and personal purposes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 5:

Communicate ideas and provide supporting evidence.
Use others' ideas responsibly to support their own.
Identify conclusions and premises in academic arguments.
Follow language conventions in respective disciplines.
Use appropriate models of organization and presentation.
Use numbers with accuracy for business applications.
Interpret and use statistics appropriately.
Create and use visuals to support ideas.
Recognise communication limitations and seek help.
Identify and illustrate jargon in subjects.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 6:

Demonstrate an appropriate attitude towards scholarship and technology.
Use scientific method for investigation and evaluation.
Select appropriate technology for individual or group needs.
Use technology like computers and internet where feasible.
Use natural resources sustainably.
Show respect for ethics in science and technology.
Consider psychological, health, and physical environment of others.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 7:

Demonstrate prior knowledge and experience in personal contexts.
Connect abstract knowledge to personal reality.
Draw upon prior knowledge and experience when investigating and analysing.
Look beyond traditional boundaries for solutions.
Follow an integrated approach to learning and studying.
Apply systems thinking to solve economic and management problems.

Integrated Assessment:

Formative assessment: Learning and assessment are integrated with continuous feedback.
Summative assessment: Examinations or portfolios test a representative selection of outcomes and ability to manage a large body of knowledge.

Bachelor of Commerce in Economics