Bachelor of Communication Studies
Communication Studies and Language - Communication Studies
Purpose and Rationale
Purpose:
The Bachelor of Communication Studies aims to integrate communication skills with business-related communication principles, skills, and applications. The goal of this qualification is to cultivate the understanding, knowledge, aptitude, and motivation necessary for learners to progress professionally and become highly sought-after employees in the business, industrial, or academic sectors. Students will enhance their critical, creative, and strategic reasoning capabilities, as well as improve their advanced writing, speaking, and listening skills within professional communication environments. The qualification strives to produce professional communicators with advanced abilities in a swiftly evolving social-cultural, political, and economic landscape.
Upon completion, qualifying learners will be able to:
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Assess, process, and manage fundamental communication information and principles central to business contexts.
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Apply and integrate strategies to design and assess communicative materials, tools, and applications.
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Integrate and apply appropriate communicative knowledge and skills in communication practices.
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Apply theoretical and research knowledge and analytical skills gained in the qualification to a specialized area in communication by writing a research proposal.
Rationale:
Communication is a dynamic and ever-changing field of study, prompting the need for this specialized qualification to cater to evolving market demands. This program equips learners to function effectively in diverse communication environments by emphasizing applied technology and soft skills. By providing a solid knowledge base in communication studies and the ability to apply this knowledge to specific careers or professions, the qualification prepares learners to adeptly navigate and apply a variety of communication principles, techniques, and strategies in any business setting. Extensive benchmarking, consultation with national and international higher education institutions, and input from industry stakeholders led to the design and structure of this qualification.
The program focuses on teaching and learning, research, short learning qualifications, and community engagement. Graduates will be able to contribute substantiated information to the development of South African democracy, promoting responsible communication, accountable freedom of expression, and access to reliable information. The qualification will enhance the credibility of the communication profession and advance the ethical communication science discipline.
Qualifying learners can pursue roles in various communication-related sectors such as Corporate Communication, Public Relations, Media Relations, Branding, Reputation and Image Management, Corporate Advertising, Digital and Social Media, and Marketing and Research. Completion of this qualification opens pathways to further studies such as a Bachelor of Honours and postgraduate studies, enabling graduates to conduct original research relevant to the African context and shape South Africa's future actively.
Outcomes
- Demonstrate problem-solving skills and strategies to fulfil different communication functions within defined and ill-defined contexts.
- Assess, process, and manage fundamental communication information and principles central to business contexts.
- Apply and integrate strategies to design and assess communicative materials, tools, and applications.
- Conduct research to solve problems within business communication contexts and apply appropriate research theories, methods, professional and ethical conduct, data collection, analysis, findings, and synthesise, and report in the appropriate format.
- Demonstrate the ability to select and integrate appropriate technology in diverse and evolving communication processes and trends.
- Demonstrate the ability to integrate and apply appropriate communicative knowledge and skills in communication practices. 7 Develop, critically reflect on and apply ethical principles to function professionally and avoid misunderstanding and liability within a variety of business contexts.
- Reflect on own performance and communication style and techniques to ensure continuous professional development, accountability, and lifelong learning.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Demonstrate integrated knowledge acquired for different communication functions and strategies.
- Apply knowledge of Business Communication, Written Communication, Technology in Business Communication, Contextual Communication, and Legal Communication.
- Utilize skills such as ICT skills, oral discourse, and behavioural studies to creatively resolve defined and ill-defined problems within contexts.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Assess and manage fundamental communication aspects in business contexts.
- Process information, models in media, and principles central to business contexts.
- Understand modern communication media in society and their impact on audience diversity, intercultural differences, and interpersonal situations.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Integrate appropriate knowledge, technical skills, and strategies in designing and assessing communicative materials.
- Proofread, edit, and publish communicative tools and applications effectively.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Conduct professional research within business communication contexts.
- Engage in investigations, analysis, and reflection to resolve problems.
- Apply appropriate theories, research methods, ethics, and compile a well-formatted report.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Apply knowledge of South African legal systems and select appropriate technologies for communication.
- Interact within diverse communication processes, platforms, and trends effectively.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
- Evaluate key issues of communication, development, and social change.
- Apply knowledge and skills in communication practices and collaborative activities.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
- Develop critical awareness on dynamics, group processes, and professional functions.
- Apply principles to function professionally and avoid misunderstanding in business contexts.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
- Reflect on the impact of learning on performance and communication styles.
- Ensure continuous professional development, accountability, and lifelong learning.
INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT:
- Provides an opportunity for learners to integrate concepts and actions across the qualification.
- Assessments are governed by academic regulations and policies of the institution.
- Assessments serve multiple purposes including monitoring progress and competence.
- Formative assessments include class tests, discussions, peer assessments, presentations, etc.
- Summative assessments include semester tests, final exams, research assignments, etc.
- Allows learners to demonstrate applied competence through a range of assessment methods.
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.