Bachelor of Laws
Law, Military Science and Security - Safety in Society
Purpose and Rationale
Purpose:
The purpose of the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) qualification is to provide a comprehensive education that equips graduates with the following:
- Knowledge and understanding of the values and principles outlined in the Constitution.
- Critical comprehension of legal theories, concepts, ethics, methodologies, and procedures.
- Ability to apply legal knowledge effectively in academic, professional, and career settings.
- Capacity to demonstrate ethical behavior, accountability, and responsibility in various contexts.
The qualification aims to prepare students for:
- Entry into legal practice.
- Pursuing careers requiring legal applications.
- Further postgraduate studies in law.
This qualification offers a foundational undergraduate degree for individuals looking to enter the legal field. LLB graduates can pursue careers as attorneys or advocates, work in various positions within the Department of Justice, or explore opportunities in the public and business sectors. Additionally, this qualification prepares students for postgraduate studies in law and other areas.
Rationale:
The need for a major review and redesign of the LLB qualification arose due to concerns from legal professionals and educators in South Africa regarding the quality of LLB graduates. The initiative for a curriculum review was prompted by discussions at a summit hosted by key legal organizations in 2013. This led to the decision by the Faculty of Law to overhaul the qualification significantly, necessitating a complete redesign and submission of a new qualification application to the Council on Higher Education.
The redesign process involved:
- Focus group discussions.
- Literature reviews on curriculum development and legal education.
- Comparative analyses of LLB curricula in South African and international universities.
- External review panel evaluation.
- Strategic planning workshops.
Consultations with various stakeholders, including employers, alumni, and student leaders, informed the finalization of the new curriculum framework, which was eventually approved.
The inclusion of distance learning for the LLB qualification, alongside traditional contact tuition, aligns with the goal of increasing student enrollment and promoting access to education. Offering the qualification through distance learning removes barriers to access and caters to diverse student needs, including adult learners. This mode of provision also allows for cost-effective delivery and aligns with the education policies outlined in the White Paper for Post-School Education and Training.
The decision to offer the LLB via distance learning was supported by the Department of Higher Education and Training's guidelines, and it meets the educational demand for distance provision of the qualification.
Outcomes
- Contribute meaningfully to the promotion of transformative constitutionalism and constitutional democracy.
- Recognise, reflect and apply social justice imperatives.
- An awareness of globalisation and the ever-evolving information technology.
- A critical, comprehensive and sound knowledge of the theories, concepts, principles, perspectives, methodologies and procedures of the discipline of law.
- Skills to integrate and apply the concepts, principles and legal theory to solve complex, diverse and unfamiliar legal problems in a critical, ethical and practical manner.
- Skills to undertake independent research in theoretical and applied situations.
- Work effectively in teams or groups.
- Display self-management skills.
- Display skills to transfer acquired knowledge.
- Display written and oral communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively in a legal environment.
- Display numeracy skills.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Acquisition of knowledge and appreciation for the values and principles enshrined in the Constitution.
- Critical understanding of constitutional imperatives and transformative constitutionalism.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Acknowledgment of the capacity, agency, and accountability of legal practitioners in shaping and transforming the legal system.
- Promotion of social justice goals in the legal system.
- Understanding of professional responsibilities of legal practitioners in service to the community.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Acquisition of awareness of the global environment within which law is practiced.
- Critical knowledge and understanding of international and comparative aspects of law.
- Application of technology as a tool for efficient information access and analysis.
- Acquisition and application of knowledge of electronic and internet law.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Acquisition and application of critical knowledge and understanding of South African law and the legal system.
- Development and application of knowledge of private, public, mercantile, and formal law.
- Acquisition of knowledge of different perspectives on law and the legal profession.
- Understanding of the dynamic nature of law.
- Specialized knowledge in one of Mercantile Law, Labour Law, Private Law, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, or Financial Planning Law.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Identification and analysis of legal problems in real-life or hypothetical situations.
- Selection of authoritative legal sources to solve problems.
- Application of theories, concepts, principles, and methodologies of law to solve problems.
- Reflection on ethical and moral implications in decision-making.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
- Accurate identification and formulation of legal research issues.
- Utilization of relevant sources and research methods.
- Retrieval and comprehension of legal information.
- Formulation of a critical analysis based on research findings.
- Adherence to principles of intellectual property, plagiarism, and research ethics.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
- Effective participation in group work.
- Critical reflection and assessment of own work and others'.
- Effective communication of group work deliberations.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
- Exhibition of responsibility, professionalism, and confidence.
- Independent and effective management of activities and resources.
- Exploration of educational and career opportunities.
- Reflection on personal and professional strengths, weaknesses, and knowledge limits.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:
- Application of knowledge to different fields of law.
- Continuous engagement with the development of the law.
- Transfer of legal knowledge to others.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10:
- Effective communication in various contexts.
- Utilization of listening, reading, writing, and oral skills.
- Presentation of solutions in oral or written format, including legal document drafting.
Integrated Assessment:
- Compliance with the UFS Assessment Policy.
- Utilization of formative assessments in modules.
- Continuous assessment in core and elective modules.
- Allocation of marks for formative and summative assessments.
Assessment of Experiential Learning:
- Assessment of reflective essay after workplace exposure.
- Coordination and approval of workplace placements.
- Monitoring of workplace exposure through assessment rubrics.
By adhering to these assessment criteria, students will be equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to excel in the legal profession and contribute meaningfully to society.
Qualification Details
- Type
- National First Degree(Min 480)
- NQF Level
- 08
- Min. Credits
- 480
- 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.