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Purpose and Rationale

The primary purpose of the qualification is to provide Honours Bachelor of Arts (BA) graduates with systematic knowledge, specialized skills, and theoretical competence focusing on a particular discipline or within an interdisciplinary framework to prepare them for specialist training at an advanced level.

A second purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa (and other countries) with graduates who possess in-depth knowledge and the confidence to identify and define complex problems, as well as apply their skills in finding solutions to these problems, particularly within unfamiliar contexts.

A third purpose of the qualification is to supply South Africa (and other countries) with individuals who can exhibit thorough familiarity with a specific discipline or interdisciplinary framework and have the ability to act independently as intellectual leaders in their society.

Outcomes

Identify, analyse, formulate, and solve convergent and divergent problems of living, of individual and societal kinds, creatively and innovatively.
Work effectively with others as members and leaders of a team, group, organization, community, and provide leadership to the group output in tasks growing out of the fields traditionally considered as the humanities.
Manage and organize their activities and life responsibly and effectively, including their studies and careers.
Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
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 well-being of others, in community, national and global contexts.
Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognizing 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, analyze, and solve complex problems: Drawing on personal experience and theoretical knowledge to offer informed suggestions and generate alternative strategies for problem-solving at various levels.
Critically evaluate theoretical standpoints: Compare various theoretical views to their own, offering evidence from different knowledge bases to support stated views.
Analyze global, national, and local community issues: Identify problems, needs, and opportunities at different levels.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 2:

Utilize 'people skills' in group situations: Demonstrating tolerance, empathy, and listening skills while respecting diverse opinions without bias.
Undertake projects: Provide evidence of successful interaction with others through theoretical and practical projects.
Advanced communication skills: Act as supportive followers and group participants, organizing effective working groups and communicating group interactions effectively.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 3:

Demonstrate theoretical skills and learning strategies: Organize study plans, engage in effective time management, and develop organizational strategies.
Think independently: Offer sustained theoretical evidence to support decisions, assessing strengths and weaknesses to evolve suitable strategies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 4:

Demonstrate research skills: Use library and other resources effectively, integrate information, act responsibly as researchers, and critically evaluate theories and examples.
Follow discipline-related conventions: Avoid plagiarism, use appropriate referencing, and argue within relevant discourse communities.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 5:

Communicate ideas logically: Provide sustained evidence, evaluate conclusions, and use language competently with discipline-specific jargon.
Use appropriate models of organization: Present information effectively, use statistics where necessary, and analyze and critique the ideas of others.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 6:

Responsible attitude towards scholarship and technology: Use scientific methods of investigation, select technology appropriately, and show respect for ethical use of resources and technology.
Respect for the environment: Show openness towards psychological, health, and physical environment of others.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 7:

Connect knowledge and experience to discipline: Utilize prior knowledge and personal experience to investigate and analyze the world around them, looking beyond traditional boundaries for solutions.

Integrated Assessment:

Evidence generation: Through various tasks such as written assignments, projects, case studies, and examinations.
Assessment methods: Include written and online formative assessments, focusing on methodological skills, problem-solving, information processing, and effective communication.
Accountability: Students are expected to manage systems effectively and demonstrate accountability in their academic endeavors.

Bachelor of Arts Honours in Criminology