Bachelor of Arts Honours in isiXhosa

Purpose

The Bachelor of Arts Honours in isiXhosa provides learners with the knowledge, specific skills and applied competence in several fields of Communication Studies and Language, Human and Social Studies, Culture and Arts, Education, Training and Development, in Social Services that provide opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and rewarding contributions to society. The qualification represents planned learning outcomes, namely that the learner will be qualified to render holistic, integrated and inter-sectoral services, reflecting the diversity, accessibility, and equal distribution of resources for all South Africans. These outcomes are designed to promote lifelong learning. Learners will be able to demonstrate knowledge, skills and applied competence in the field of study that provides opportunities for continued personal growth, gainful economic activity and rewarding contributions to society. Learners who graduate with this qualification are critical because of their transferable skills - that is, the skills that employers seek out across a wide range of professions including and beyond academic and research settings, such as law, finance, government, media, teaching, writing and business. The transferrable skills include the ability to interpret dense and difficult materials, unpack argumentative structures, analyse problems, think laterally, creatively, self-critically and independently, produce clear, argumentative analyses and communicate effectively. Learners will not only be equipped with such transferable skills but will also prepare to do high-level theoretical research.

Rationale

There is an important need to develop African languages to promote their use in a multilingual context and schools. The rationale for this qualification is to contribute towards the development of isiXhosa language for enhancing the language as a medium of teaching and learning at the school, tertiary institutions and professional work context. Most importantly, the economy needs a flexible and critical mind, suited to managing change and constant learning in new fields of knowledge associated with new technologies. After completing the qualification, the learners will be able to function effectively at all levels of education, and to assume leadership roles in corporate establishments, municipal, provincial and national government bodies, and in NGOs, amongst others. The qualification prepares learners for a Masters' in a specialist field.