Bachelor of Arts Honours in Media Studies
Communication Studies and Language - Communication Studies
Purpose and Rationale
Bachelor of Arts Honours in Media Studies
Purpose:
The primary purpose of the Bachelor of Arts Honours in Media Studies is to prepare learners for research-based postgraduate study and a career in the media industry. The key objectives of the qualification include:
- Equipping learners with knowledge and understanding of media theories, research methodologies, and research techniques.
- Developing the ability to critically analyze complex issues affecting the media industry in the 21st century.
- Cultivating ethical decision-making skills in navigating various media contexts.
- Enhancing skills in information gathering, data synthesis, and understanding management processes in different media settings.
- Fostering theoretical engagement and intellectual independence.
- Building research capacity and proficiency in methodology applications within the field of Media Studies.
Rationale:
The introduction of the Bachelor of Arts Honours in Media Studies was driven by the need to provide learners specializing in Media Studies within the institution with an Honours degree qualification. This initiative aimed to address the gap in specialized Media Studies qualifications and equip learners for a rapidly changing global media landscape.
Key drivers for the qualification include:
- Addressing the developmental needs of the country by producing media practitioners with critical and analytical skills.
- Responding to the impact of digitization and globalization on the media industry.
- Incorporating input and guidance from peer institutions to ensure relevance in the evolving media landscape.
- Catering to learners from diverse academic backgrounds, including Media Studies, Journalism, Public Relations, and Communication.
- Providing a pathway for diverse career opportunities in journalism, advertising, public relations, academia, and more within the media industry.
Career Paths:
Graduates of the program can pursue careers in various fields, including but not limited to:
- Journalism
- Advertising
- Editorial work
- Public relations
- Television and film
- Radio
- Publishing
- Internet writing
- Academia
- Public service
- Development programs
Articulation:
The qualification enables learners to articulate to a Master's program in Media Studies or related fields such as journalism and communication. It caters to learners with a BA in Media Studies, Journalism, Communication, or related fields, as well as those admitted via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) pathways.
Outcomes
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of media theories, research methodologies, methods and techniques.
- Interrogate multiple sources and evaluate the knowledge learnt and the processes involved in the production of that knowledge.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the complexities surrounding the field of media studies.
- Identify, analyse and address complex problems affecting media today, drawing from the learnt knowledge.
- Identify, and address ethical issues based on critical reflection on the suitability of different ethical value systems to specific contexts.
- Critically review information gathering, synthesis of data, evaluation and management processes in specialised contexts in order to develop creative responses to problems and issues.
- Operate effectively within a system or manage that system based on an understanding of the roles and relationships between elements within the system.
- Apply in a critical manner the learning strategies with the field of Media Studies.
- Take full responsibility for his or her work, decision-making and use of resources and full accountability for the decisions and actions of others where appropriate.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria
- Plan, carry out, and execute a research project.
- Utilize different methods, designs, and methodologies of research.
- Identify, apply, reflect, and critique theories and approaches for media analysis.
- Critically review information gathering, synthesize and evaluate data for creative responses to communication and media problems.
- Conduct small-scale research group projects on various media aspects.
- Write critical and analytic essays on different media aspects.
- Critique media content.
- Apply knowledge from Honours classes and other independent sources.
- Identify complexities in media studies.
- Apply learning strategies within media studies.
- Respond to critical issues affecting media and society.
- Develop knowledge sharing skills through oral presentations.
- Conduct case studies on social, economic, and political issues in media in South Africa and globally.
- Interrogate and examine the role of media in development.
- Reflect understanding of media diversity.
- Apply and reflect on journalistic codes of conduct in different media institutions.
- Demonstrate understanding of ethical issues in journalist communities.
- Show sensitivity to community norms and values.
- Gather information about community norms and values.
- Synthesize information to address problems and issues.
- Apply evaluation techniques to gathered information.
- Manage research and coursework information efficiently.
- Understand political systems and media organizations.
- Understand community systems such as tribal councils and municipalities.
- Understand the relationship between local, provincial, and global contexts.
- Exhibit independent learning abilities to achieve goals.
- Engage in participatory learning like group work.
- Utilize e-learning techniques for learning goals.
- Independently search for information.
- Use available resources efficiently and appropriately.
- Adhere to stipulated time frames for qualifications.
- Exceed qualification expectations in work.
- Take on leadership roles in the learning environment.
Integrated Assessment
- Aimed at achieving Exit Level Outcomes.
- Test materials covered from beginning to end of semester.
- Formative Assessment:
- Tests, seminar papers, assignments.
- Participation in tutorials, debates, assignments.
- Summative Assessment:
- Three-hour examinations.
- Critically review, evaluate, synthesize multiple information sources.
- Continual formative assessment for regular feedback on progress.
Summative Assessment
- Evaluates ability to engage critically with complex Media Studies issues.
- Demonstrate critical review, evaluation, synthesis, and information management.
- Focuses on Exit Level Outcomes integration as per NQF Level Descriptors.
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.