Bachelor of Arts Honours in Anthropology
Business, Commerce and Management Studies - Generic Management
Purpose and Rationale
Qualification Overview
- Purpose: The purpose of the qualification is to equip learners with the skills needed to engage in higher level research activities as prerequisites for a Master of Arts (MA) (research) Anthropology Degree. Qualifying learners may find employment as entry-level research assistants in various areas specific to social research studies or consultative work within different sectors such as health, business, heritage, conservation, tourism, or community development. The qualification aims to build upon skills and knowledge developed in undergraduate social sciences Degrees through theoretical knowledge consolidation and practical research.
Learners will explore research in praxis by participating in relevant theoretical modules and research projects. They will delve into understanding the roles of Anthropologists, furthering their comprehension of the application of Anthropological theory and method. Through the application of Anthropological techniques in specialized areas chosen by the learner for the research project, knowledge of research methods and ethical practices will be deepened.
- Rationale: The Bachelor of Arts Honours in Anthropology replaces the outdated Bachelor of Arts (BA) Honours Anthropology to align with the latest Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework Standard (HEQFS) requirements and current research needs of qualifying learners entering anthropology-related careers.
The qualification aims to produce learners with the necessary skills to enter entry-level research and teaching positions, assisting professional Anthropologists in applying anthropological skills in research and analysis to support the interests of local communities, business, management, and government sectors. Graduates will be equipped to contribute their research and analytical skills in various employment environments, including corporate, government, education, and health sectors.
This qualification serves two key purposes: developing learners to contribute research and analytical skills in the work environment, and enabling learners to advance the discipline through specialized academic focus as Master of Arts (MA) (research) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) candidates.
Outcomes
- Describe the vital role that Anthropology plays in the field of Cultural Anthropology, within, for example, business and industry, the health sector, education, environment, community relations and government. Submit short assignments analysing case studies within each of these sub-fields of Cultural Anthropology and verbally present the main arguments of their analyses to peers and lecturers.
- Critically reflect, engage and participate in debates on a variety of social issues in the field of Cultural Anthropology.
- Interpret the socio-cultural milieu of a variety of public settings using theoretical approaches appropriate to the specific setting, such as systems theory, and compile reports to inform practitioners, communities and other stakeholders involved in public practice.
- Critically examine and comment on the socio-cultural and politico-economic issues in African public spaces and in South Africa in particular.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Critically evaluate the Anthropological methods and procedures used in the case study under analysis.
- Reconstruct the research problems within a holistic examination of the linked socio-cultural phenomenon presented in the given case study.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Critically identify the key socio-cultural problems under debate.
- Identify weaknesses in current disciplinary methodological approaches.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Identify current theoretical approaches which are relevant to a given public setting and socio-cultural environment.
- Formulate research questions relevant and meaningful within the South African social context.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Formulation of research questions relevant and meaningful within the South African social context.
- Use quality of research sources relevant to the specific disciplinary area and research question.
- Demonstrate level of reading comprehension by the accurate critique of anthropological arguments.
- Ability to critique, contrast and evaluate applications of theoretical contributions to anthropological knowledge.
- Ability to construct coherent critique and systematic reviews of data/findings of the main anthropological theorists.
- Ability to submit logically constructed academic written outputs which adhere to the principles of general academic writing.
Integrated Assessment:
- Formative assessments: written assignment/report, seminar presentation, peer and departmental discursive assessments.
- Summative assessments: formal written exam, final research report evaluation.
- Final mark assessment based on a 40:60 proportional ratio of class mark to exam mark for BA Honours in Anthropology.
- Final mark assessment based on a 60/40 proportional ratio of the class mark (Proposal 20% and first draft 30%) to the final research report mark (50%) for the 40-Credits Research Project.
- Criteria assessed include knowledge of technical components, methodological and theoretical disciplinary approach, feasibility of methods, identification of research gaps, holistic understanding, evaluation of socio-cultural contexts, responsible data processing, critical analysis of findings, and recommendations for future research.
Qualification Details
- Type
- Honours Degree
- NQF Level
- 08
- Min. Credits
- 120
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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