University of Johannesburg

Bachelor of Arts Honours in Applied Linguistics and Literary Theory

Communication Studies and Language - Language

Purpose and Rationale

The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide learners with various types of advanced competence in the field of language practice. This includes:

  1. Practical Competence: This involves research skills, communicative competence, and other necessary skills in the language used by language practitioners. This includes linguistic competence, discourse competence, strategic competence, socio-linguistic competence, socio-pragmatic competence, pragmalinguistic competence, cross-cultural competence, literary reading competence, aesthetic literary competence, stylistic competence, interpretive competence, as well as reading and receptive skills, and writing and productive skills.

  2. Foundational Competence: This includes knowledge of second language acquisition theories and research, socio-linguistic theories and research, second language teaching methodology research and practice, reading models, theories and research, writing models, theories and research, literacy and academic support research and practice, bilingualism and multilingualism research and practice, multicultural communication research and practice, bilingual education models, outcomes-based education research and application, socio and genre literacy, translation, editing, interpreting. Learners should be able to identify and solve problems within these domains, as well as reason, debate, synthesize, interpret, analyze, make comparisons, and cross-references within the various sub-domains.

  3. Reflective Competence: Learners should be able to reflect critically on their own learning and that of others. They should possess the ability to construct new knowledge, collaborate with peers, make decisions, evaluate options, apply knowledge and insights to new domains, and transfer learning to different areas.

Outcomes

  1. Identify problem areas and provide solutions to problems in the domains outlined in the purpose.
  2. Work collaboratively with peers and undertake collaborative research.
  3. Undertake individual research, engage in a programme of advanced reading of relevant academic texts, take responsibility for own learning programme, construct own bibliographies in domains, as outlined in the purpose.
  4. Undertake individual research, engage in advanced and in depth reading of a cross section of material in the relevant domains, manage and construct own research programme, collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate knowledge and information in the domains outlined in the purpose.
  5. Communicate in suitable academic language own research findings, make own conclusions based on a wide reading of other research findings, make oral presentation to peers.
  6. Contextual knowledge and insights into the theoretical research and applied issues in the domains outlined in the purpose.
  7. Relate own studies, research and reading to larger domains in linguistic, research, national and international situations pertaining to the fields covered in this degree.
  8. Develop advanced self-learning strategies, construct own knowledge, integrate own background knowledge with newly acquired knowledge, develop all the characteristics of successful, independent learners.
  9. Develop awareness and knowledge of societal problems regarding second language acquisition, the relationship between language and culture, etc.
  10. Develop awareness and knowledge of the existence and treatment of societal and individual multilingualism, cross cultural communication and other societal and individual factors pertaining to the domains outlined in the purpose. Develop a tolerance for other languages and cultures, speakers of other languages and members of other cultures.
  11. Develop efficient skills in writing, speaking, reading and listening and in the domains of second language teaching and language planning which can be put to use in seeking employment in these and other domains, writing curriculum vitae, interviews, etc.
  12. Develop skills, which can be put to independent use to set up own training programmes, advisory and consultancy businesses, etc., in the domains outlined in the purpose. Develop computer literacy skills.

Assessment Criteria

Purpose of the Qualification

  1. Problem-Solving Skills: Students will be able to identify and solve problems within the designated domains.

  2. Collaborative Work: Students will demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively, engage in peer evaluation, and undertake research with peers.

  3. Individual Learning and Research: Students will undertake individual learning tasks, engage in analytical reading and writing, and construct bibliographies. They will take responsibility for their own learning.

  4. In-Depth Research: Students will engage in in-depth reading, manage research programs, collect and analyze information critically.

  5. Communication Skills: Students will effectively communicate research findings in written and spoken academic language.

  6. Contextual Knowledge: Students will demonstrate contextual knowledge in the specified domains.

  7. Relating Studies: Students will relate their studies to broader domains in linguistics, research, and national/international contexts.

  8. Self-Learning Strategies: Students will develop advanced self-learning strategies and exhibit characteristics of successful independent learners.

  9. Societal Awareness: Students will be aware of societal factors and individual problems related to the domains covered in the degree.

  10. Understanding Societal Issues: Students will understand societal and individual issues within the specified domains.

  11. Communicative Competence: Students will possess broad communicative competence for job-seeking and professional knowledge in the covered domains.

  12. Skills for Self-Employment: Students will demonstrate skills that can be independently utilized, facilitating self-employment in the covered domains.

Assessment Strategies

  • Formative Assessment: Short essays, group presentations, practical activities, self-assessment tasks, and peer assessments will be utilized.

  • Summative Assessment: Integrated assessments including written assignments, module tests, research projects, and final exams will focus on achieving the exit-level outcomes. Continuous assessment will be a key component to ensure a fair balance between formative and summative strategies.

By incorporating these assessment methods, the qualification aims to ensure that students achieve the intended learning outcomes effectively.

Qualification Details

Type
Honours Degree
NQF Level
08
Min. Credits
120
SAQA Source
More Information

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University of Johannesburg
Description
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is a public university located in Johannesburg, South Africa. It was established in 2005 through the merger of the Rand Afrikaans University, Technikon Witwatersrand, and the Soweto and East Rand campuses of Vista University. UJ is one of the largest universities in South Africa, with over 50,000 students enrolled across its four campuses. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in various fields, including arts, humanities, sciences, engineering, business, and health sciences. UJ is known for its commitment to providing quality education, promoting social justice, and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.

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.