BA Honours

** Disclaimer: Admission requirements listed on the printed copy are incorrect !! **

No second semester intake

BA HONOURS IN DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

Programme name:

Bachelors of Arts Honours in Development Studies (Qualification Code: 40520)

NQF Level 8: 120 credits

Programme purpose

The programme purpose is to provide candidates with the opportunity to access and acquire contemporary knowledge and develop competences through active engagement with the field of study known as Development Studies and its theories, principles, discourse, practices and policies of promoting integrated and holistic human development.

Programme outcomes

Graduates will demonstrate knowledge of contemporary development theory and the competence to identify, analyse, evaluate and address complex socio-economic development problems, review issues, offer and communicate creative insights, make decisions and use resources accountably and ethically with emphasis on strong community acceptance and ownership.

General

Except as otherwise provided below, the degree of Bachelor of Arts Honours degree shall be awarded in accordance with the General Rules for Honours Degrees as published in the General Prospectus and the Postgraduate Research Policy.

Admission Requirements

A Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent NQF Level 7 qualification with a major in one of the following fields: Development Studies, Anthropology, Geography, Sociology, Environmental Sciences, Economics, Economic History, Public Administration, Political Science, Social Development or Human Settlements, and a cumulative aggregate of at least 60% in the final year of the qualification.

** Disclaimer: Admission requirements listed on the printed copy are incorrect !! **

Please consult faculty admissions on the website.

Selection criteria

Because of restrictions in respect of student numbers, candidates will be selected based on the following criteria:

Candidates who meet the admission requirements and with a previous qualification in Development Studies will be given preference.

The remainder of qualified applicants will be selected based on the following criteria:

Presentation of a 3-page curriculum vitae (CV) that highlights the candidate’s previous engagement in socio-economic development-related activities, nationally, provincially and/or locally;

A cover letter of no more than 100 words attached to the above-mentioned CV, motivating why the candidate should be considered for selection to the Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Development Studies;

Only candidates with demonstrated levels of digital literacy will be considered for admission.

Selection will take place throughout the course of the year and successful candidates will be informed not later than 20 December of that year.

RPL

Applicants who do not meet the direct admission requirements as stipulated, but who can demonstrate experiential or work-based learning at an equivalent level (NQF 7) may be considered for RPL provided a proper structured assessment of the prior learning is conducted in terms of the NMU RPL Policy. Such candidates may be required to broaden their knowledge base by enrolling for identified preliminary modules prior to admission or parallel modules after admission.

Duration of Study

The minimum duration for completion of the BA Honours Development Studies is one year of full-time study and two years of part-time study.

Re-admission:

Rule G3.7 applies. Students who have not completed the BA Honours Degree in Development Studies after two years of full-time or four years of part-time study must apply for re-admission to the degree. Should such students be readmitted, the retention of credits already obtained towards the qualification shall be subject to departmental approval.

Not all modules may necessarily be offered in a particular year.

** Disclaimer: Admission requirements listed on the printed copy are incorrect !! **

Please consult the timetable on the website.

Module Name	Code	Presented	Credit Value
Compulsory Modules
Development Theory	DEV401	Semester 1	20
Development Policy	DEV402	Semester 2	20
Guided Research Report	DEV403	Year	40
Electives (select two)
Development Studies: Capita Selecta	DEV422	Semester 2	20
Rural Development Practice	DEV404	Semester 2	20
Transformational Management	DEV405	Semester 1	20
Project Management for Economic Development	DEV406	Semester 1	20
Conflict Management for Development Practitioners	DEV407	Semester 2	20
Selected Issues in Economic Development	DEV408	Semester 1	20
Geospatial Methods for Development	DEV412	Semester 2	20
Local Economic Development: Perspectives, Policies and Practice	DEV414	Semester 2	20
TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED			120