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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. It aims to prepare graduates to be lifelong learners, employable workers/managers, entrepreneurs, and contributors to society and the business community.

Another purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa (and other countries) with graduates in various learning fields to broaden the leadership base of innovative and knowledge-based economic and scholarly activities.

Furthermore, the qualification aims to equip individuals with the ability to understand their role as intellectual economic leaders in society and empower them to fulfill that role effectively.

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:
- Apply appropriate knowledge to solving complex problems.
- Identify, analyse, and solve concrete and abstract problems in business, commerce, and management fields by drawing upon theoretical knowledge.
- Identify, analyse, and solve complex concrete and abstract routine and non-routine problems in business, commerce, and management fields by drawing upon their own experience.
- Use knowledge to offer suggestions for solving business problems at the community and national levels.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Apply people skills:
- Demonstrate tolerance, empathy, listening skills, and leadership in liaising with other professionals, clients, and colleagues.
- Respect the opinion of others through written reporting without bias.
- Demonstrate tolerance of diversity through written reporting without bias.
- Show the ability to work in groups.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Demonstrate study skills and learning strategies:
- Study with limited guidance.
- Cope with the self-discipline necessary for distance learning.
- Think independently and offer evidence to support decisions.
- Identify needs and opportunities for applying economic and management principles in their own lives.
- Manage multiple deadlines.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Demonstrate research and reporting skills:
- Use library and other resources effectively for limited research projects.
- Act responsibly as a scholar (appropriate referencing, avoiding plagiarism, etc.).
- Follow conventions of scholarship in various disciplines.
- 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 effectively:
- Provide supporting evidence in a sustained manner.
- Use others' ideas responsibly in support of their own.
- Identify and evaluate conclusions and premises in academic arguments.
- Follow literacy and numeracy conventions in business-related disciplines.
- Use numbers and statistics appropriately and accurately.
- Create and use visuals to support ideas.
- Use written communication to critically analyze, evaluate, and critique others' ideas.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

Attitude towards scholarship and technology:
- Select appropriate technology for organizational needs.
- Use technology to solve business-related problems.
- Utilize natural and human resources sustainably for maximum output.
- Show concern for the physical environment and health of others.
- Consider ethics in science and technology issues.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:

Use scientific methods of investigation:
- Select appropriate technology for business needs.
- Utilize computers and the Internet when appropriate.
- Show respect and responsible attitude towards science and technology.
- Apply systems thinking to solve economic and management-related problems.

Integrated Assessment:

Formative Assessment:
- Learning and assessment are integrated with self-assessment tasks in study guides and assignments for feedback.
- Continuous process focusing on smaller sections of work and limited outcomes.
Summative Assessment:
- Examinations or equivalent assess a representative selection of outcomes.
- Tests ability to manage and integrate knowledge for module outcomes.

These assessment criteria are crucial for evaluating students' competencies in various areas related to business, commerce, and management.

Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Economics