Bachelor of Social Science in Philosophy, Politics and Economics
Human and Social Studies - Public Policy Politics and Democratic Citizenship
Purpose and Rationale
The qualification aims to train learners to the Bachelor's level in fundamental Economics, with additional emphases on the political dynamics and philosophical context in which economic policies - both public and corporate - are framed. It aims, in particular, to convey understanding of the international political economy, particularly as this impacts upon developing regions. This broad area of theoretical learning is complemented by the imparting of technical skills that will support learners' ability to apply their knowledge, including basic Mathematics, Statistics, Critical Reasoning and (subject to learner choice) Accounting or Information Systems.
Learners will complete three sequences of courses, each leading to postgraduate entry in a discipline. Two of these will be Political Economy and Economics. The third will be one of Accounting, Information Systems, Mathematics, Philosophy or Political Studies, as chosen by the learner. The qualification's designated 'target learner' ultimately seeks a career in economic policy-making, either in the public or private sector, and it is expected that most will go on to postgraduate studies so as to equip themselves to eventually work at senior administrative levels. Learners who exit after the BSocSc will, however, have acquired sufficient technical skills to be marketable for more junior positions in the corporate, financial or public sectors concerned with implementation and delivery of economic policy.
Outcomes
- Understand and manipulate quantitative information provided in tables' graphs and sets of equations###
- Critically understand written texts of descriptive, prescriptive and argumentative characters###
- Produce written texts of descriptive, prescriptive and argumentative characters to accepted international standards in his or her specific field of training (as these may exits at the time of his or her graduation)###
- Find information of professional relevance efficiently and independently and
- Use and organise such information to conduct systematic research aimed at providing answers to questions whose resolutions are not antecedently known, or to verifying answers that are assumed on the basis of "accepted wisdom"
- Understand and critically appreciate the contribution of major artistic and cultural activities and performances to community and national life###
- Use information technology standard in professional offices (at the time of his or her graduation) efficiently and independently###
- Use the internet to find and access information###
- Understand when and how to acknowledge the limitations of his or her expertise of others###
- Appreciate the importance of life-long learning and the importance of self-initiative in pursuing it###
- Understand and internalise as a personal value the importance of conducting professional activity within the scope of national, provincial, municipal, and international law.
Assessment Criteria
The following associated assessment criteria apply across all Exit Level Outcomes:
- Organise ideas and facts in a logical, coherent way
- Anticipate the responses and objections of an imagined reader
- Integrate numerical data into prose descriptions and arguments
- Demonstrate understanding of the need to cite references fairly and accurately
- Represent and consider views and perspectives alternative to his or her own
Integrated Assessment:
A learner qualification in Philosophy, Politics and Economics will be assessed specifically on reflexive competencies in the ability to integrate and self-consciously appraise performance (by him or herself and others) in all foundational and practical competencies above through participation in the PPE integrative core-course in the third year. This course is a live simulation of the processes leading to international trade agreements, including political debates within regional organizations (SADEC, the EU) and international ones (WTO). Learners will be assessed in their performance on research into the political base for their bargaining positions, their skill in describing and defending these positions, their ability to compile draft public reports, their demonstrated understanding of the microeconomic and macroeconomic theory relevant to the issues that arise, their demonstrated factual knowledge of the current international political economy and its treaty structure, and their ability to self-consciously work toward cooperative outcomes with other bargainers. These abilities will be assessed through continuous, feedback-driven observations and commentary on oral performance, and formal examination of written performance.
The technical skills required of a learner of the BSocSc qualification in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics will be integratively assessed in the third year, through a mix of written examinations and assigned individual projects. Learners will be assessed on the basis of the abilities to understand technical proofs that have not been explained to them in advance, and to solve formal economic bargaining problems similar to, but not identical to, examples that have been explained to them. Successful production of solutions to these problems will allow integrated assessment of skills and comprehension in algebra, statistics, set theory, probability theory, calculus, and analytic geometry. Learner assessments will be differentially scaled against the threshold levels in these foundational, practical, and reflexive competencies as described immediately above.
Qualification Details
- Type
- National First Degree
- NQF Level
- 07
- Min. Credits
- 360
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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