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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 the necessary attitudes in the fields associated with commerce and industry. This aims to prepare them to be lifelong learners, employable workers/entrepreneurs, and contributors to society and the business community.

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

A further purpose of the qualification is to equip graduates with a self-sustaining understanding of the process whereby productive resources are mobilized and utilized, with the aim of being gainfully employed in serving 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, organize 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.
Overcome communication problems creatively.
Critically evaluate various viewpoints and compare them to own views.
Offer evidence in a variety of ways to support stated views.
Identify needs and opportunities in their own lives.
Identify needs and opportunities in business through case studies, research projects, etc.
Identify and solve concrete and abstract problems 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 suggest solutions at community, national, international, and global levels.
Analyse 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 others' opinions without bias.
Undertake projects and provide evidence of successful interactions.
Lead people effectively.
Organize into effective working groups.
Communicate group interactions through reporting.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 3:

Demonstrate study skills and learning strategies.
Organize study plans.
Use creative learning strategies suited to personal situations.
Cope with self-discipline in distance learning.
Think independently and offer evidence to support decisions.
Assess strengths and weaknesses, develop coping strategies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 4:

Demonstrate basic research skills.
Use library and resources effectively.
Integrate information from various sources.
Act responsibly as a researcher (referencing, avoiding plagiarism, etc).
Show awareness of scholarship conventions in various disciplines.
Critically analyze theories, examples, experiences, etc.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 5:

Communicate ideas with supporting evidence.
Use others' ideas responsibly.
Identify conclusions and premises in academic arguments.
Follow language conventions in written/oral use.
Use appropriate models of organization and presentation.
Use numbers accurately and interpret for business applications.
Use statistics and visuals appropriately to support ideas.
Recognize communication limitations and seek help when needed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 6:

Demonstrate attitude towards scholarship and technology.
Use scientific method of investigation and evaluation.
Select appropriate technology for individual/group needs.
Use technology (computers, internet, etc) where appropriate.
Show respect for science, technology, ethics, and environment.
Consider ethics in science and technology issues.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 7:

Demonstrate prior knowledge and experience in individual situations.
Connect abstract knowledge to personal contexts.
Draw upon prior knowledge and experience when investigating the world.
Look beyond disciplinary boundaries for solutions.
Apply systems thinking to solve economic and management problems.

Integrated Assessment:

Formative Assessment: Learning and assessment are integrated with self-assessment tasks and continuous feedback.
Summative Assessment: Examinations or portfolios assess a representative selection of outcomes focusing on integrating a large body of knowledge.

These criteria aim to ensure students can effectively identify needs, solve problems, communicate, demonstrate people skills, study effectively, conduct research, communicate ideas, use technology responsibly, and apply prior knowledge to real-world situations.

Bachelor of Commerce in Business Management