Bachelor of Arts Honours in Politics and International Relations
Human and Social Studies - Public Policy Politics and Democratic Citizenship
Purpose and Rationale
Purpose:
The primary purpose of the Bachelor of Arts Honours (BA) (Politics and International Relations) Degree qualification is to provide qualifying students with:
- Advanced understanding of key issues, debates, and insights within the fields of Politics and International Relations.
- The skills needed to analyze and assess the main issues confronting the domestic and global political environments.
- The ability to develop greater in-depth knowledge in these areas of study and to demonstrate independent research as well as becoming leaders able to apply scientific research methods to solve the domestic and international complexities plaguing communities (within and outside South Africa).
Students should be able to reach the intended Exit Level Outcomes by completion of this Degree, so as to develop research skills in the subject field, advance and reinforce their intellectual knowledge, and be able to produce research in competition with good quality research methodologies globally.
Rationale:
The rationale for changing the name of the Degree to BA Honours (Politics and International Relations), from a BA Honours (Politics) Degree, is because it more accurately represents the content of the Degree offered. The degree is composed of a balance of modules rooted in both International Relations and Political Science. It is also the natural follow on Degree for the Department of Politics' separate Politics and International Relations modules at the undergraduate level.
A BA Honours (Politics and International Relations) is a more marketable name of our honours Degree, and is in line with international trends, used by some of the most renowned universities in the world. Every semester, honours students must complete a compulsory module in Advanced Research Methodology which covers necessary research techniques within the fields of Politics and International Relations. Students must also choose from a list of politics and international relations subjects thereby allowing students to tailor their needs so that they can specialize in modules in both fields. Both fields draw on each other equally and are natural twins.
Students emerging from Politics and/or International Relations undergraduate Degrees will find a comfortable home within this Honours Degree. Once they have their BA Honours (Politics and International Relations) students have a larger pool of employment opportunities before them including working for and within government, inter-governmental organizations, think-tanks and/or research bodies focusing on international relations and/or domestic politics.
The nature of the complex interdependence of the current international system often results in the seamless overlap between domestic and international politics. As a result, the Honours modules on offer benefits the students because they afford the students the opportunity to advance their understanding of international political economy, diplomacy, international law and organizations, international conflict, political risk analysis, gender studies, security issues, and key issues in South African Politics, adding to their greater marketability while also enabling their access to areas of continued specialization.
Outcomes
- Evaluate and where relevant, apply advanced theoretical concepts and approaches to real world political situations (domestically and internationally).
- Demonstrate an advanced ability at problem identification and problem-solving by using and applying relevant theories in the field of local, national and/or international politics.
- Analyse the various dimensions of governance and to evaluate and apply advanced theoretical knowledge based on diverse global contexts to South African and international case studies and policy contexts.
- To identify relevant means of action in the field of politics.
- To develop the ability to critically plan and execute advanced research in the fields of politics and international relations.
- To use information technology effectively.
- To collect, analyse, organize and critically evaluate information with regard to ethical problems in politics based on a relevant theoretical framework.
- To reflect on the governance of polities and explain what types of political and administrative transformation are possible.
- To communicate effectively orally, in writing and to some extent visually in the political field with all role players.
- To demonstrate an advanced analytical approach towards political communities and sensitivity for the social, economic and cultural differences within the communities.
- To assess the implications of specific government interventions in the political (domestic and international) environment.
- To apply different learning strategies to the demands of a dynamic political and international relations context.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes:
- Evaluate and apply advanced theoretical concepts and approaches to real-world political situations (domestically and internationally).
- Utilise relevant theories in the field of politics (local, national, or international) to identify and solve problems.
- Apply advanced theoretical knowledge based on diverse global comparisons on various dimensions of governance to South Africa and other case studies.
- Identify relevant means of action.
- Apply a proposed methodology as articulated in a research proposal to conduct research using creative methods, techniques, processes, and technologies for complex theoretical and practical problems, understanding the consequences of solutions.
- Use information technology effectively in assessments.
- Collect, analyse, organise, and critically evaluate information, considering ethical considerations and based on a relevant theoretical framework.
- Provide explanations for different types of transformation in the governance of polities.
- Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication with all role players.
- Demonstrate sensitivity towards the social, economic, and cultural differences of communities in analytical approaches.
- Assess the implications of government interventions in the political environment.
- Understand and interpret the political demands of a dynamic international relations context by applying different learning strategies.
Integrated Assessment:
Formative Assessment Practices:
- Continuous assessment through class assignments.
- Oral presentations and/or practical work (independent and in groups) evaluated by assessors.
Summative Assessment Practices:
- 3-hour written examination at the end of each semester in each taught paper.
- Assessment conducted in strict compliance with the Assessment Policy of the University of Johannesburg.
- A pass mark required for each module for the degree to be conferred.
Qualification Details
- Type
- Honours Degree
- NQF Level
- 08
- Min. Credits
- 120
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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