Bachelor of Commerce in Economics
Business, Commerce and Management Studies - Finance Economics and Accounting
Purpose and Rationale
Purpose:
The purpose of the Bachelor of Commerce in Economics is to provide learners with an opportunity to develop attributes aligned with the appropriate NQF level. The qualification aims to equip learners with deep discipline knowledge, transferable skills, and generic competences at NQF Level 7.
Upon completion of this qualification, learners will be able to:
- Demonstrate an integrated and critical understanding of various economic theories
- Choose appropriate methods to understand and quantify empirical relationships
- Identify solutions to diverse economic problems
- Demonstrate professional ethics and integrity in economic applications
- Plan, execute, and work effectively both independently and in teams
- Develop and communicate own ideas and opinions using economic knowledge
Rationale:
The Bachelor of Commerce in Economics specialization was identified in the Academic Plan 2020-2024 as a qualification to be developed and implemented. The qualification structure aligns with the university's approach of being modest in range but deep in depth. Economics studies behaviors influencing income, wealth, and well-being, exploring microeconomics and macroeconomics.
The study of economics requires an understanding of resource usage and economic entity behaviors. It encompasses static and dynamic dimensions, emphasizing evidence-based explanations and interpretations. Economics involves both value judgments and the combination with other disciplines.
Strategically, the qualification aligns with global, continental, and national development agendas, contributing to inclusive economic growth and skilled workforce development. Learners will develop skills in complex argument understanding, data analysis, and communication, suitable for various career paths including finance, development, and management. The qualification aims to produce graduates competent in economic roles across sectors influenced by the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Outcomes
- Demonstrate an understanding that economics is a contested discipline and the knowledge of different methods of analysis that have been and are used by economists and the ability to evaluate types of knowledge and explanations typical within the area of study or practice.
- Demonstrate the ability to develop and communicate verbal, graphical, mathematical, and econometric representation of economic ideas and analysis, including the relationship between them in well-formed arguments, using appropriate academic, professional, or occupational discourse.
- Demonstrate the ability to identify, analyse, evaluate, critically reflect on and address complex problems, applying evidence-based solutions and theory-driven arguments.
- Demonstrate the ability to take decisions and act ethically and professionally, and the ability to justify those decisions and actions drawing on appropriate ethical values and approaches within a wider social, political, and environmental issues and integrity in the application of economic tools and applied policy.
- Demonstrate the ability to develop appropriate processes of information gathering for a given context or use### and the ability to independently validate the sources of information and evaluate and manage the information.
- Demonstrate the ability to develop and communicate own ideas and opinions in well-formed arguments, using using the knowledge and skills of an economist.
- Demonstrate the ability to manage economic systems and processes in unfamiliar and variable contexts, recognising that problem solving is context and system bound, and does not occur in isolation.
- Plan, execute, work effectively both independently, as part of a team to identify, analyse, and solve assigned economic problems.
- Demonstrate the ability to take full responsibility for own work, decision-making and use of resources, and limited accountability for the decisions and actions of others in varied or ill-defined contexts.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Explore microeconomic issues such as decision-making, production, exchange of goods, pricing, and market interdependency.
- Analyse macroeconomic issues including employment, national income, balance of payments, economic growth, and financial cycles.
- Identify and evaluate quantitative and qualitative tools in statistics, mathematics, and big data.
- Apply economic concepts verbally, graphically, and mathematically to address economic challenges.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Analyse economic history within social, technical, and political contexts.
- Critique and evaluate scholarly and popular literature to inform judgements.
- Critique economic theories and methodologies in a Commerce context.
- Develop arguments around newly encountered material to address economic questions.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Quantify and design economic phenomena using data and relevant software.
- Organise and present economic data informatively.
- Master quantitative methods, computing techniques, and econometrics for analysis.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Solve problems using theoretical knowledge of Economics.
- Apply analytical skills, decision-making, and logical analysis to resolve issues.
- Apply various learning strategies in the field of economics.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Apply economic principles to sub-fields like ethics, finance, and international relations.
- Provide ethical business leadership and decision-making.
- Analyse ethical issues related to economic policy advising.
- Promote ethical behaviours and empathy towards others.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
- Retrieve economic data from relevant sources and databases.
- Conduct statistical analysis on qualitative and quantitative data.
- Manage information and confidentiality using appropriate software.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
- Develop economic frameworks to study real-world issues.
- Apply appropriate levels of abstraction to economic problems.
- Communicate economic arguments effectively to diverse audiences.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
- Assess the performance of economies and government policies.
- Apply systems thinking to solve economic problems.
- Analyse global economic impacts and policy responses.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:
- Integrate knowledge to solve economic problems.
- Practice social sensitivity and effective teamwork.
- Implement an integrated approach to learning and studying.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10:
- Display enthusiasm, curiosity, and creativity in learning.
- Take personal responsibility for professional development.
- Interact and collaborate with diverse backgrounds.
- Organise resources effectively in economic and financial management.
Qualification Details
- Type
- National First Degree
- NQF Level
- 07
- Min. Credits
- 360
- 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.