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Purpose and Rationale

The primary purpose of the qualification is to provide Honours Bachelor of Commerce graduate level knowledge, specific skills, and applied competence in a number of fields traditionally associated with Business, Commerce, and Management. This will prepare them to be lifelong learners, employable workers/managers, entrepreneurs, and contributors to society and the business community.

A second purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa (and other countries) with graduates in a number of learning fields, ensuring that the leadership base of innovative and knowledge-based economic and scholarly activities is widened.

A third purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa (and other countries) with individuals who can understand the constructive role they need to play as intellectual economic leaders in their society and who are empowered to fulfill that role.

Outcomes

Identify, analyse, formulate, and solve convergent and divergent problems, creatively and responsibly in fields related to business, commerce and management.
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 fields related to business, commerce and management.
Manage and organise her or his activities and life responsibly and effectively, including her or his studies and career.
Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information as required in pursuit of the Honours Bachelor of Commerce (Hons BCom).
Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation, in sustained discourse.
Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health and wellbeing 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 business community.

Assessment Criteria

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Identify and define complex problems in business, commerce, and management fields.
Apply appropriate knowledge to solve complex problems.
Identify, analyze, and solve concrete and abstract problems by drawing upon theoretical knowledge.
Identify, analyze, and solve routine and non-routine problems by drawing upon own experience.
Offer suggestions for solving business problems at community and national levels.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Apply people skills in liaising with professionals, clients, and colleagues.
Demonstrate respect for others' opinions in written reporting without bias.
Demonstrate tolerance of diversity in written reporting without bias.
Work effectively in groups.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Demonstrate study skills and learning strategies with limited guidance.
Cope with self-discipline required for distance learning.
Think independently and provide evidence to support decisions.
Identify opportunities for applying economic and management principles in own life.
Manage multiple deadlines.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Demonstrate competent research and reporting skills.
Use library and other resources effectively for research projects.
Act responsibly as a scholar (referencing, avoiding plagiarism).
Critically analyze theories, examples, and case studies.
Think independently and offer evidence to support decisions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Communicate ideas and provide supporting evidence.
Use others' ideas responsibly.
Identify and evaluate conclusions and premises in academic arguments.
Follow literacy and numeracy conventions in business, commerce, and management disciplines.
Use numbers and statistics accurately.
Create and use visuals to support ideas.
Use written communication to analyze and critique ideas.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

Demonstrate an appropriate attitude towards scholarship and technology.
Select and use technology to suit organizational needs.
Use technology to solve business-related problems.
Utilize natural and human resources sustainably.
Show concern for the physical environment and health.
Consider ethics in science and technology issues.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:

Use scientific methods for investigation, testing, and evaluation.
Select appropriate technology for business needs.
Utilize computers and the Internet where appropriate.
Respect and responsibly use science and technology.
Apply systems thinking to solve economic and management problems.

Integrated Assessment:

Formative Assessment:
- Learning and assessment are integrated.
- Study guides contain self-assessment tasks with feedback.
- Assignments in the scheme of work can be self-assessed with feedback.
- Focuses on smaller sections of work and limited outcomes.
Summative Assessment:
- Examinations or equivalent assess a selection of outcomes.
- Tests ability to manage and integrate knowledge.
- Achieve stated outcomes of a module.

These criteria outline the expectations for students to achieve the required outcomes and skills in the business, commerce, and management fields. The integrated assessment approach ensures continuous learning and evaluation throughout the course.

Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Business Management