Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Population Studies
Human and Social Studies - People/Human Centred Development
Purpose and Rationale
Purpose:
- Consolidating Knowledge: Providing research-based knowledge in population studies.
- Deepening Expertise: Enhancing understanding of theoretical arguments and demographic analysis.
- Developing Practitioners: Creating reflective and competent professionals for scholarly and research-based demographic analysis.
-
Research Capacity: Building capabilities in methodology and techniques applicable in various fields.
- Demography (population studies).
- Social science research (sociology, psychology, social work, community, development studies, and anthropology).
- Health sciences (epidemiology, community health, public health, and population health).
- Skills Development: Equipping learners with skills for data analysis in postgraduate studies and research projects, crucial for societal development in South Africa.
Rationale:
- Development Planning: Understanding population issues is essential for planning development.
- Historical Context: Demography and population studies are relatively new in South Africa, with limited formal training prior to 1996.
- Professional Gap: Few universities provide formal training in the discipline, leading to a lack of professionals with expertise in the field.
- Qualification Objective: To fill the gap at an Honours level, providing key concepts and skills for population policy involvement.
- Skill Application: Equipping learners with applied skills for policy presentation, demographic analysis, research, and quantitative methods.
- Career Opportunities: Enabling graduates to work in diverse organizations such as state institutions, NGOs, and international bodies.
Outcomes
- Differentiate between population studies and demography.
- Demonstrate a deeper knowledge of the concepts of fertility, mortality and migration as components of population dynamics.
- Identify and analyse demographic data in relation to the main components of population dynamics: fertility, mortality and migration.
- Summarise and critically evaluate the main theoretical arguments that have been proposed to explain population trends and variations.
- Articulate and defend arguments about what accounts for population change by making judicious use of key literature and empirical examples.
- Identify the implications of the main findings and ongoing debates for population policy formulation and implementation.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the major substantive concerns of population studies.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Demonstrate deeper knowledge of fertility, mortality and migration concepts and concerns through their presentations to the class and their written assignment.
- Synthesise and communicate the material to a group.
- Apply and contextualise the material covered in the qualification.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Identify and extract the relevant data to estimate marriage, fertility, mortality and migration.
- Calculate and interpret crude measures estimating marriage, fertility, mortality, and migration.
- Calculate and interpret adjusted measures of estimating fertility, mortality, and migration.
- Calculate basic measures of population change.
- Understand and apply methods, assumptions, and limitations of population projections.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Analyse and apply core theories in population studies.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Develop research papers that demonstrate critical engagement with existing arguments in era of population change.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
- Present research work in the manner that informs policy.
Integrated Assessment:
-
Taught Module:
- Assess specialised skills in the analysis of demographic data through class exercises, practical homework exercises, and examinations.
-
Theoretical Debates Module:
- Assess knowledge of population concepts, theories, and processes through individual assessments using assignments, tests, oral presentations, and examinations.
-
Combined Modules:
- Assess understanding of theories and processes of demographic parameters, as well as the ability to perform research in specific components of population dynamics.
- Assessment methods include short assignments, essays, tests, presentations, problem sets, mid-term and end-of-term examinations, research reports, and policy briefs.
Qualification Details
- Type
- Honours Degree
- NQF Level
- 08
- Min. Credits
- 120
- SAQA Source
- More Information
Education Cost Calculator
University of KwaZulu-Natal
Applications are open
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.