Bachelor of Arts Honours in Applied Language Studies
Communication Studies and Language - Language
Purpose and Rationale
Qualification in Linguistics and Language Practices
Purpose:
The qualification aims to provide learners with knowledge, skills, and competencies in various linguistic fields including:
- Formal and Theoretical Linguistics (Morphology, Syntax, Phonetics, and Pragmatics)
- Applied Linguistics (Ethnography, Discourse Analysis, Language, Power, Identity, and Discourse, Language Acquisition and Learning)
- Multilingualism (Literacies, Culture, Race, Gender, Class, Language shifts and varieties)
- Models and Practices of Language Learning (Multilingual teaching approaches and methodologies)
- Language Policy and Language Planning
- Translation and Interpreting
- Lexicography and Corpus Linguistics (Writing dictionaries and computerised linguistic data collection and analysis)
- Creative Writing
The qualification also aims to develop learners' critical thinking skills. Upon completion, learners will be able to:
- Understand formal aspects of language at word, sentence, sound, and meaning levels
- Apply and analyze language and language problems in society
- Address socio-political and socio-linguistics issues locally and globally
- Demonstrate skills and theories in practical and theoretical translation, interpreting, lexicography, corpus linguistics, and creative writing
- Conduct research on language-related issues, providing analysis, recommendations, and conclusions
- Apply creative writing techniques
These outcomes are intended to cultivate in learners an in-depth disciplinary knowledge, ethical and socially aware mindset, critical thinking abilities, linguistic creativity, adaptability, and proficiency in writing and reading. Graduates will possess the expertise required for personal growth, economic activity, and meaningful contributions to society.
Rationale:
This qualification is designed to equip learners with skills and knowledge in Linguistics and Language Practices, offering a blend of theoretical and practical foundations in various linguistic disciplines. It aims to prepare learners for careers in education, research, publishing, journalism, translation, interpreting, online writing, communication, marketing, and other language-related fields. The qualification aligns with the constitutional imperatives of multilingualism in South Africa, empowering individuals to address linguistic challenges and contribute to economic development, social cohesion, and linguistic equity.
The program caters to diverse career paths in sectors such as Education, Law, Human and Social Studies, Business, Health, and Information Sciences, recognizing the crucial role of language skills in these domains. By fostering a multilingual and inclusive society, the qualification seeks to prepare learners for further specialization at the Master's level.
Overall, the qualification serves as a foundational step towards building a linguistically adept workforce capable of meeting the linguistic demands of various sectors and contributing to societal progress and harmony.
Outcomes
- Demonstrate a critical and analytical understanding of applied linguistic theory.
- Demonstrate an advanced theoretical knowledge of language policy and planning, pragmatics and discourse analysis.
- Demonstrate a principled understanding of how the promotion of the use of African languages in professional multilingual contexts relates to values, ideologies, attitudes, social identities and relationships.
- Construct, interpret and analyse spoken and written discourses in a multilingual context.
- Relate professional discourse of applied languages to broader issues concerning language and society in the implementation of multilingual language policy.
- Identify and analyse problems relevant to the development of multilingualism and language policy.
Assessment Criteria
Evaluation and Critique of Current Theories and Policies on Applied Languages
- Assessing and critiquing current theories and policies on Applied languages will demonstrate a deep understanding of the subject matter.
- This evaluation should showcase a critical analysis of existing theories and policies, highlighting strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement.
Identification, Analysis, and Presentation of Solutions to Complex Problems Concerning the Status and Role of Multilingualism
- Identifying complex problems related to the status and role of multilingualism requires a comprehensive understanding of the field.
- Analyzing these problems and presenting viable solutions will showcase critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Showing Evidence of Current Scholarly Literature in the Fields
- Demonstrating familiarity with current scholarly literature in applied languages will show a strong foundation in research and academic knowledge.
- Properly citing and referencing relevant literature will strengthen the validity and credibility of the research findings.
Selection of Appropriate Research Methodologies for Pragmatic Investigation or Analysis of a Research Problem
- Choosing suitable research methodologies is crucial for conducting a rigorous and valid investigation.
- Justifying the selected methodologies will highlight the researcher's understanding of research design and methodology.
Identification, Analysis, and Presentation of Theory-Based Solutions to Complex Phenomena Independent Investigations
- Proposing theory-based solutions to complex phenomena requires a deep understanding of theoretical frameworks and their practical applications.
- Presenting these solutions in a clear and logical manner will demonstrate advanced analytical and problem-solving skills.
Justification of the Importance of Research Findings and Explanation of Links to Professional Multilingual Contexts
- Justifying the importance of research findings and explaining their relevance to professional multilingual contexts will highlight the practical implications of the research.
- Demonstrating how the research findings can inform and improve practices in multilingual settings will showcase the significance of the study.
Integrated Assessment:
- The 30 Credit research project will serve as a comprehensive assessment of the student's ability to integrate theoretical knowledge into practical research.
- This project will encompass the researching process, report writing, presentation of findings, and overall assessment of the research outcomes.
Qualification Details
- Type
- Honours Degree
- NQF Level
- 08
- Min. Credits
- 120
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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