Bachelor of Arts Honours in Sociology
Human and Social Studies - General Social Science
Purpose and Rationale
Qualification Overview
Purpose
The purpose of this qualification is to produce learners who will be able to:
- Construct and elaborate on a firm Sociology knowledge base concerning the social construction of reality, social structures, social dynamics, and social and environmental policy issues, acknowledging the complexity of our globalizing world.
- Implement and develop research skills with increasing independence, focusing on social processes and social change, using appropriate methodologies and analysis within Sociology.
- Address inequality, social conflict, and environmental sustainability issues with particular emphasis.
- Cultivate an interdisciplinary skill set by engaging with different methodological and sociological approaches to understanding social problems.
- Implement an ethical orientation towards others and the environment through a Sociological approach, with a focus on contemporary ethos building in the face of crises locally, continentally, and globally.
The qualification consists of three compulsory modules, one elective, and an Honours research Project, all contributing in an integrated manner towards the intended outcomes. Graduates will be equipped with critical skills to understand intergroup relations and social dynamics, enabling careers in academia, social research, policy analysis, health, or NGO consulting. Transferable skills acquired include multidisciplinary understanding, contextual sensitivity, policy knowledge, and research competency.
Rationale
Sociology is crucial for societal development, human ecology, and environmental sustainability, addressing key issues such as health, human rights, gender, and labor. The BAHons in Sociology replaces the current offering, ensuring alignment with HEQSF requirements and providing a vertical articulation route to existing MA and DPhil qualifications in Sociology. The new qualification focuses on specific discipline strengths without content duplication from undergraduate modules, promoting coherence in Sociology education. The curriculum draws on staff research strengths, developing a niche in human rights, gender, labor studies, and health and society. Given the region's economic context, equipping learners with skills to contribute to local and national development is essential.
Note: This overview combines the program's purpose and rationale, detailing its objectives, outcomes, and relevance within the education landscape.
Outcomes
- Draw on the existing, and contribute to, the Sociology knowledge base, with particular reference to the social construction of reality, social structures, social dynamics, and social and environmental policy issues.
- Demonstrate competence in relevant research methodologies and forms of analysis, in order to apply these skills in real-world conditions within human rights, gender, and social welfare and environmental sustainability.
- In their academic work consistently manifest analytical rigour in terms of Sociology methodologies and methods, while demonstrating a firm grasp of the necessity of interdisciplinary analysis.
- Conduct themselves ethically in the academic and public domain, and constitute an example for others to follow in terms of interpersonal relations and reflection on issues of health.
Assessment Criteria
Integrated Assessment Criteria:
- Critically engage with different sociological perspectives
- Compare, contrast, select, apply, and critically evaluate sociological frameworks
- Adhere to discipline-specific academic writing (grammar, structure, referencing, coherence, and relevance of arguments etc)
- Demonstrate integrated critical reading
- Demonstrate good written and verbal communication skills
Integrated Assessment Methods:
- Research projects (internally and externally examined)
- Departmental and class presentations
- Essays
- Tests
- Each module concluded by a summative assessment in the form of an examination
Qualification Details
- Type
- Honours Degree
- NQF Level
- 08
- Min. Credits
- 120
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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