Bachelor of Arts Honours in Economics
Business, Commerce and Management Studies - Finance Economics and Accounting
Purpose and Rationale
Qualification Overview
Purpose
This qualification prepares students for research-based postgraduate study and includes a 30-credit research component. Through this research, students will develop their capacity in relevant methodology and techniques in the field of Economics. The qualification also aims to prepare students for further study in Economics, expanding their knowledge base and contributing to the field. Upon completion, students will be equipped for economic practice, contributing to society while being mindful of socio-economic and environmental responsibilities.
Rationale
The qualification exposes graduates to Economics theories, advanced concepts, and practices to enhance their competencies. By producing well-trained graduates, the qualification aims to strengthen the Economics profession. The redesigned structure of the qualification enhances its intellectual and professional credibility by aligning with the learning needs of Economics students and the competencies required of contemporary professional economists in various sectors such as finance and the public sector.
Outcomes
- Apply microeconomic analysis to various topics in Economics.
- Analyse and interpret macroeconomic events in terms of theories and schools of thought that underlie contemporary macroeconomic thinking.
- Plan, design, organise, conduct and report on empirical research in economics and related subfields.
- Demonstrate knowledge of general mathematical methods and techniques and the competence to build, evaluate and apply structural models for the purpose of analysing published and surveyed economic data, measure economic behaviour, economic outcomes and the impact of economic policies on economic activities.
- Integrate micro-and macroeconomic theories, policies, principles, concepts, operations, relationships, methods and techniques, and extend and apply them to any four of the specialised, elective fields.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Apply optimisation techniques and algorithms to resolve economic problems.
- Apply Game theory analysis to economic situations where strategic actions determine outcomes.
- Describe and point out differences between normative and positive economic principles and their impact on underlying economic theory.
- Analyse different forms of economic consequentialism and the ethical dilemmas posed by such forms.
- Apply Industrial organisational models as tools to analyse competition policy and regulation.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Compare and critique various schools of thought in contemporary macro-economic theory.
- Analyse local macro-economic fiscal, monetary and stabilisation policies and challenges.
- Derive, analyse and resolve phase diagrams, linear and expectation difference equations.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Submit a valid research proposal for a research project.
- Develop a relevant measuring instrument(s) and collect data following research protocols.
- Analyse and interpret research data using relevant statistical tools.
- Present a final research report in academic treatise form.
- Maintain ethical standards related to research protocols.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Outline and discuss the process of forecasting with structural models.
- Detect and resolve Heteroscedastic disturbances and auto-correlated errors.
- Compare trended, stationary, and non-stationary series and their applications.
- Estimate and apply time series models for forecasting.
- Demonstrate knowledge of data sources and data analysis through critique of economic data.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Integrate core micro- and macroeconomic theories, principles, concepts, operations, and quantitative methods.
- Apply these to specialised fields such as Financial Economics, International Economics, Financial Econometrics, Econometrics, Development Economics, and Environmental Economics.
Integrated Assessment:
- Use research projects for integrated assessment.
- Utilize diagnostic, formative assessment tasks, assignments, and progress checks.
- Incorporate case studies of complex economic situations and simulations.
- Conduct formal assessments through tests, assignments, and a final examination.
- The Treatise (ECN410) will be examined by both internal and external examiners and account for 100% of the final mark.
Qualification Details
- Type
- Honours Degree
- NQF Level
- 08
- Min. Credits
- 120
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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This page includes information from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) . Builtneat Pty Ltd trading as Study Start, has modified all or some of this information. SAQA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.