Bachelor of Arts in Public Governance
Human and Social Studies - Industrial & Organizational Governance and HR Development
Purpose and Rationale
Purpose:
The Bachelor of Arts in Public Governance qualification aims to:
- Promote curricula that emphasize enquiry, innovation, and science in the context of South Africa as a developmental state.
- Develop academic and social skills, as well as generic skills like problem-solving, effective communication, analysis, and critical thinking across multiple related fields of study.
- Produce graduates who can serve as mid-level managers committed to excellence in governance through an understanding of the South African developmental state and its public management functions.
- Equip students with essential knowledge and sector-specific skills to perform management and leadership functions.
- Enhance graduates' employability in policing practice, management, and development in organizations such as the South African Police Service, Metro Police Service, Military Police, private security services, and related fields.
- Prepare graduates for further studies with an Honours degree or a Postgraduate Diploma in specialized fields.
Rationale:
- Public Governance is crucial for advancing South Africa as a developmental state.
- The qualification's programs are designed to meet the country's employment needs and prepare students for Postgraduate studies in various specializations.
- There is a demand to empower students with a wide range of fundamental skills to pursue related fields during Honours Degree studies.
- The South African Police Service requires a specialized degree in Policing Practice that includes both generic and sector-specific management and leadership knowledge.
- The qualification will address the sector-specific needs for personnel with management skills within the broader policing and security services.
- Existing SAQA-registered degrees do not focus on management training specific to policing practices in South Africa.
- The proposed qualification, with its specialization in police practice, will help the SAPS increase the number of eligible middle-management members pursuing formal degree studies to enhance policing practices through management training and development.
Outcomes
- Integrated knowledge and understanding of the key terms, concepts, facts, principles and procedures relevant to different fields of Public Governance, as well as the ability to evaluate and apply such knowledge to operate, manage and give leadership in a complex, developmental public sector environment, such as the South African Police Service and its related practices.
- Analytical and critical thinking skills necessary for solving complex problems relating to interpersonal work-related relationships, and relevant to the context of professional development within the different fields of Public Governance.
- The ability to select, evaluate and apply a range of practice-related and appropriate methods and procedures of enquiry to do focused research and resolve problems that will effect change within Public Governance practice.
- The ability to identify, analyse, critically reflect on and address complex managerial and leadership issues by applying practice-driven arguments.
- The ability to reflect on values and exhibit ethical conduct and justifiable decision-making appropriate within the practice of Public Governance.
- Accurate and coherent written and verbal communication of project information and practical solutions with understanding of and respect for intellectual property conventions, copyright and rules on plagiarism.
- The ability to manage a team, projects or processes in unfamiliar contexts in order to solve contextual issues in the sphere of Public Governance, monitoring progress and taking responsibility for task outcomes and application of appropriate resources.
- The ability to take responsibility for monitoring of own learning progress and application of relevant learning strategies to realise the outcomes of this qualification successfully.
Assessment Criteria
Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Discusses the management of human, financial, physical, and information resources to achieve strategic goals.
- Demonstrates the use of organisational policies and procedures in decision-making.
- Demonstrates specialised managerial skills in the developmental public sector environment.
- Argues the implementation of planned interventions and operational strategies.
- Suggests monitoring systems for operational planning and execution processes.
Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Searches and validates sources of information under supervision.
- Evaluates and manages information.
- Collects and manages evidence for forensic and other purposes.
- Critically analyses information for investigations and problem-solving.
- Identifies ethical issues and addresses them.
- Produces sound ideas and solutions for challenges.
- Evaluates different scenarios and designs suitable methods and solutions.
- Uses information to address interpersonal work-related relationship and management problems.
Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Applies appropriate discipline-related methods of inquiry.
- Compiles operational plans to optimise resource utilisation.
- Utilises information systems to effect change within Public Governance.
Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Demonstrates the ability to creatively respond to challenges by reviewing, synthesising, and analysing data.
- Manages processes to find solutions to problems.
Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Demonstrates the ability to make ethical decisions based on ethical rules.
- Identifies and addresses ethical issues in Public Governance and policing practice.
- Reflects on conflicts about ethical principles and rules in Public Governance.
- Applies ethical theory in policing practice within Public Governance.
Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
- Communicates theory-based opinions/ideas verbally and in writing.
- Writes reports for various audiences and purposes.
Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
- Demonstrates the ability to function as a member or leader of a team.
- Develops partnerships with key stakeholders and target group representatives.
- Establishes appropriate partnerships with relevant organisations and agencies.
- Applies culturally relevant approaches with diverse groups.
Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
- Develops own learning strategies for independent learning and professional development.
- Demonstrates the ability to operate independently and take responsibility for work.
Integrated Assessment:
- Employs formative, summative, and integrated assessments throughout the study period.
- Assesses oral and written communication skills and computer literacy.
- Tests, assignments, and exams are used for assessment.
- Tests and assignments form 50% of the pass mark, while semester exams form the other 50% in most modules.
Qualification Details
- Type
- National First Degree
- NQF Level
- 07
- Min. Credits
- 380
- 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.