SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Postgraduate Diploma in Peace Studies

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
120500	Postgraduate Diploma in Peace Studies
ORIGINATOR
Durban University of Technology
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Postgraduate Diploma	Field 07 - Human and Social Studies		People/Human-Centred Development
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	120	Not Applicable	NQF Level 08	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered		EXCO 01213/23	2023-02-02	2026-02-02
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2027-02-02		2030-02-02

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
The Postgraduate Diploma in Peace Studies has been designed to develop the knowledge and skills needed to design and implement effective measures to reduce violence and build peace, together with the motivation and capacity to utilise them.

The purpose of the qualification is to train and inspire learners to undertake effective actions in their communities and work contexts to build peace in South Africa. The qualification will build broaden the perspectives and enhance the skills of those involved in 'community development work, whether they are formally employed as such or working professionals such as police, prison officers, social workers, and teachers.

The knowledge mix will include both conceptual and procedural knowledge but, given the overall purpose of the qualification, procedural knowledge will be given more emphasis.
The qualification is designed to provide training in generic skills, problem-solving, critical thinking, project management, strategic planning, research methods, and specific Peace Studies skills, for example, conflict management and resolution, violence prevention at the community level, planning nonviolent interventions aimed at building peace, planning, and managing recovery from violence.

Rationale:
The National Development Plan (NDP) asserts that not only does education define learners' identities; it enables them to take control of their lives and raise healthy families. It is also a critical enabler for stability, economic development, and growth in South Africa. In the above regard, this qualification will contribute to the promotion of peace in the country.

While there is no civil war in South Africa, its rankings in terms of homicide, rape, sexual assault and violence in schools show that it is one of the world's leaders in terms of interpersonal violence. This violence permeates South African society, its communities and its institutions and it is so common that it has become normalised. In addition, there are very high levels of structural violence, typically measured by income and wealth inequality. These result from policies and qualifications that result in the advancement of one socio-economic or ethnic group over others and which are passed on to successive generations. These inequalities breed resentment and anger, and when combined with limited conflict resolution skills, are significant contributors to interpersonal violence. Few would disagree that South Africa is characterised by a culture of violence. Hence, gaining an insight into the nature, causes and consequences of violence is essential if changes in the direction of peace are to happen.

There are many professionals, like teachers, social workers, police, and correctional service officials, who want to reflect on what they do and whose work effectiveness would be enhanced by the study of Peace Studies. In particular, the qualification aims to attract learners who have a passion to build peace in their own communities, and whose contribution could be strengthened by the blend of knowledge and skills that the qualification offers.

The qualification is aimed at two types of learners; learners who have already demonstrated their commitment to building peace in their home communities and who want to do this more effectively, and professionals such as police, prison officers, social workers, and teachers whose work would benefit from studying the theoretical concepts and practical procedures of Peace Studies. The qualification is targeted primarily at those who want to familiarise themselves with contemporary theories, thinking and practices in the building and management of peace initiatives.

The qualification will provide a pathway into the Master of Management Sciences specialising in Peace Studies or the Doctor of Philosophy in Management Sciences, offered by research, within Public Administration and associated contexts.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy which is applicable with regards to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate learners who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications. RPL may be applied for access, credits from modules and credits for or towards the qualification.

RPL for access:

Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.

To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, learners should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations should they be allowed entrance into the qualification.

RPL for exemption of modules

Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

RPL for credit:

Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.

Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:

Bachelor of Applied Social Science in Community Service, NQF Level 7.
Or

Bachelor of Arts in Community Development and Leadership, NQF Level 7.
Or

Bachelor of Arts in Community Development, NQF Level 7.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 80 Credits:

Peace Studies: Theories & Issues, 20 Credits.

Conflict Resolution & Transformation, 20 Credits.

Nonviolent Social Change, 20 Credits.

Research Project in Peace Studies, 20 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 8, 40 Credits (select two modules)

Transformative Education, 20 Credits.

Trauma and Healing, 20 Credits.

Preventing & Responding to Violence, 20 Credits.

Advanced Issues in Peace Studies, 20 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Apply one's own history of conflict and violence, and critically reflect on it to provide a foundation to critically assess peace theories.
2. Analyse the major conflict and violence issues in South Africa.
3. Apply and evaluate the relevance of various peace theories to one's own experience of conflict and violence and the major conflict and violence issues facing South Africa.
4. Apply past and current real-world scenarios, to propose interventions that effectively manage, resolve and transform conflicts.
5. Employ strategic planning principles to design non-violent initiatives aimed at bringing about desired social change.
6. Develop a research proposal for an action research project in Peace Studies that can be operationalised at the Master's level.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Develop a template to record histories of conflict and violence.

Interview family and community members to supplement their memories and understandings of the conflict and violence that they, their families and communities have and do experience.

Write narrative accounts of their personal, family and community experiences of conflict and violence.

Identify the main consequences of these violent histories for individuals, families, and communities.

Present these narratives to other class members and listen respectfully to the narratives of others.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Identify the main types of conflict and violence in contemporary South Africa.

Measure the extent of these types of conflict and violence.

Identify the main causes of these conflicts and the turning points where conflicts move into violence.

Identify and measure the consequences of these examples of conflict and violence.

Assess the effectiveness of current methods of dealing with these conflicts.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Analyse several key peace theories.

Assess the extent to which the peace theories clarify the personal, family and community narratives of conflict and violence and to understand the main issues of violence facing South Africa.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Manage, resolve, and transform conflict at interpersonal, inter-group and international levels.

Use role plays, to mediate past and current real-world scenarios of interpersonal and inter-group conflicts

Reflect on mediation theory in light of the role-play experience.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Interrogate databases on social movements to identify the characteristics of successful non-violent campaigns and critically reflect on their wider application.

Examine the theoretical interactions between violence prevention and recovery from violence.

Prepare strategic plans aimed at preventing violence and/or promoting recovery from violence.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

Understand the crucial role of action research as a tool of Peace Studies.

Understand the key features of action research (needs-based, participatory, inclusive, and transparent).

Develop competence in research methods, including sampling, data collection and analysis.

Use the key components of action research (exploration of the problem, planning an intervention, implementing it and outcome evaluation), to produce an action research proposal.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The curriculum of the Postgraduate Diploma in Peace Studies was informed by a review of similar qualifications offered by tertiary institutions in Australia, the United Kingdom, and Kenya, and salient details of the benchmarking exercise are outlined hereunder.

Country: Australia
Institution: University of Sydney (US)
Qualification title: Graduate Diploma in Social Justice (Peace and Conflict Studies)
Duration: One year full-time
Credits: 48

Purpose
A qualification in Peace and Conflict Studies is aimed at learners wishing to engage with issues of conflict, violence, peace, justice, and human rights on a local and global scale through developing theoretical understanding and practical skills.

Entry requirements

A bachelor's degree with a minimum 60 percent average calculated over the whole degree, from the University of Sydney, with a major in the humanities or social sciences, or an equivalent level of performance in an equivalent qualification.
Or

Completion of the Graduate Certificate in Social Justice with a minimum credit (65 percent) average, or an equivalent qualification.

Modules

Rethinking Poverty, 6 Credits.

Social Change in the Anthropocene, 6 Credits.

Human Rights and the Human Rights System, 6 Credits.

Key Issues in Peace and Conflict Studies, 6 Credits.

Elective modules

Culture and Development: Key Concepts, 6 Credits.

Strategy and Security in the Asia-Pacific, 6 Credits.

Intervention and 'Fragile' States, 6 Credits.

Dynamics of Economic Change, 6 Credits.

Similarities

Both University of Sydney (US) and South African (SA) qualifications are offered over a period of one year full-time.

Both US and SA qualifications offer compulsory and elective modules, and both have a similar module which is Peace Studies: Theories & Issues.

Both US and SA qualifications require a Bachelor's degree as an entry requirement.

Differences

The US qualification has 48 Credits, and the SA qualification has 120 Credits.

Country: Kenya
Institution: Africa Nazarene University
Qualification title: Post-Graduate Diploma in Peace and Conflict Studies

Purpose
Peacebuilding and conflict studies skills are crucial for the stabilization and advancement of society. The peace and conflict studies qualification trains experts who can help bring sustainable peace among diverse communities. Graduates with this qualification will be prepared for careers involving mediating, security, justice, defiance, public relations, diplomacy, peace advocacy and community development.

Entry requirements

Minimum of a bachelor's degree.

Modules

Introduction to peace and conflict studies.

Principles of Conflict Resolution and management.

Introduction to Counselling Skills.

Introduction to Christian Beliefs.

Similarities

Both the Kenyan and SA qualifications require a bachelor's degree as an entry requirement.

Differences

The Kenyan qualification offers compulsory modules only.

Country: United Kingdom (UK)
Institution: Coventry University
Qualification title: Postgraduate Diploma in Peace & Conflict Studies
Duration: 16 Months
Credits: 120

Purpose
The Postgraduate Diploma in Peace and Conflict Studies is a blended distance learning course, allowing you the flexibility to learn about theories and practises surrounding peace and conflict.
You can complete a Postgraduate Diploma in Peace and Conflict Studies in 16 months with accreditation of prior experiential learning (APEL1). For those with 5 years+ working experience, you could gain one third of your Master's degree credits in recognition of what you've already achieved, through Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL)) route.

Entry requirements
Applicants should hold a 2:2 or a relevant degree (or equivalent international grade/qualification), from a recognised institution, preferably in a social science subject (e.g. Sociology, Psychology, Security Studies, International Relations, Politics, Peace and Conflict Studies, Development Studies, etc.).

Modules

Peace, Conflict and Security in the 21st Century, 20 Credits.

Philosophies of Non-Violence and Reconciliation, 20 Credits.

Peacebuilding: Theories into Practice, 20 Credits.

Project Design and Planning (For all learners), 10 Credits.

Similarities

Both the UK and SA qualifications have the same credits.

Learners from both qualifications can access it through recognition of prior learning

Differences
The UK qualification is offered for 16 months while the SA qualification is offered for a period of one year full-time.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Postgraduate Diploma in Management Sciences, NQF Level 8.

Vertical Articulation:

Master of Management Sciences in Administration and Information Management, NQF Level 9.

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

N/A

NOTES

N/A

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

NONE

PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION:

This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.

1.	Durban University of Technology