Bachelor of Arts Honours in Criminology
Law, Military Science and Security - Justice in Society
Purpose and Rationale
Purpose:
The primary purpose of the Bachelor of Arts Honours in Criminology is to provide learners with systematic knowledge, specialised skills and theoretical competence focusing on, or within the discipline of criminal justice or, within an interdisciplinary framework of criminology to prepare them for specialist training at an advanced level. A second purpose of the qualification is to produce learners, who have in-depth knowledge and the confidence, to identify and define complex problems and to apply their skills in finding solutions to those problems, especially within unfamiliar contexts. A third purpose of the qualification is to produce learners who can demonstrate thorough familiarity with a particular discipline or interdisciplinary framework and have the ability to perform independently as intellectual leaders in their society.
Rationale:
The curriculum for the qualification was developed to equip the learner with the thinking processes in order to understand criminological issues. The qualification focuses, among other things, on burning research issues like crime prevention, human rights policing, serious and violent crimes as well as possible practical solutions to crime-related challenges discussed in more depth than at undergraduate level. Typical learners come from rural settings that have an excellent chance to be employed in different state departments like the Police, Department of Justice and Correctional Services, private security and other law enforcement agencies. The learning pathway is in a field of safety and security. This honours course enables them to further their studies in any other related field like police, prison services, courts, private security, military and crime-related law enforcement environments. A Postgraduate qualification like this one enhances the professional image of those working in a law enforcement environment in South Africa.
Outcomes
- Identify, analyse, formulate, and solve convergent and divergent problems of living, of individual and societal kinds, creatively and innovatively.
- Work effectively with others as members and leaders of a team, group, organisation, community, and provide leadership to the group output in tasks growing out of the fields traditionally considered as the humanities.
- Manage and organise activities and life responsibly and effectively, including studies and careers.
- Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
- Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical or language skills in the modes of oral and written presentation, in sustained discourse.
- Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health and well-being of others, in community, national and global contexts. 7 .Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation, and by acknowledging their responsibilities to those in the local and broader community.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Identify and Analyse Problems: Use knowledge and experience to offer informed suggestions or generate alternative strategies for dealing with problems at different levels.
- Problem-Solving: Generate alternative strategies for addressing problems.
- Critical Evaluation: Critically evaluate and compare various theoretical standpoints with personal views.
- Evidence-Based: Offer evidence from theoretical and experiential bases to support views.
- Community Analysis: Analyse global, national, and local communities in terms of problems, needs, and opportunities.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- People Skills: Use tolerance, empathy, and listening skills in group situations.
- Respect and Tolerance: Demonstrate respect and tolerance of diversity in reporting without bias.
- Project Undertaking: Successfully undertake theoretical or practical projects in interaction with others.
- Communication Skills: Use advanced communication skills within the group.
- Organisational Ability: Organise oneself and others into an active working group.
- Reporting: Communicate evidence of group interactions through written and oral reporting.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Theoretical Skills: Apply requisite theoretical skills and learning strategies.
- Effective Study Plans: Organise and engage in study plans with effective time management.
- Self-Reflection: Assess strengths and weaknesses and develop organisational strategies.
- Independent Thinking: Display ability to think independently and offer sustained theoretical evidence.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Research Skills: Demonstrate research skills within the field of Criminology.
- Resource Utilisation: Use library and other resources effectively for Criminology research.
- Responsibility: Act responsibly as researchers and scholars, avoiding plagiarism and following conventions.
- Critical Evaluation: Critically evaluate theories, examples, or experiences within Criminology.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Logical Communication: Communicate ideas logically with supporting evidence.
- Argument Evaluation: Evaluate conclusions and premises in academic arguments.
- Language Competency: Use language competently with awareness of relevant conventions.
- Organisation: Use appropriate models of organisation and presentation in the discipline.
- Use of Statistics: Use statistics effectively to support ideas.
- Critique: Analyse, evaluate, and critique ideas effectively.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
- Responsible Attitude: Demonstrate responsibility towards scholarship and technology.
- Scientific Methods: Use scientific methods of investigation and evaluation.
- Resource Management: Select technology and natural resources sustainably.
- Ethical Conduct: Show respect and ethical attitude towards science, technology, and the environment.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
- Relevance: Demonstrate prior knowledge and experience relevant to the discipline.
- Contextual Connection: Connect theoretical knowledge to individual contexts.
- Interdisciplinary Solutions: Look beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries for solutions.
Integrated Assessment:
- Methods: Use written and online formative assessment methods for skills assessment.
- Evidence Sources: Tasks in study materials, assignments, portfolio tasks, projects, case studies, and examinations.
- Submission Requirements: Four formative written assignments per module and a final examination at the end of the year.
Qualification Details
- Type
- Honours Degree
- NQF Level
- 08
- Min. Credits
- 120
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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