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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Contextualize concepts of National Security 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
117987  Contextualize concepts of National Security 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Military Professional Development 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security Sovereignty of the State 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  8 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is for persons involved in security issues on national, regional and global level. This unit standard will provide persons with knowledge of the founding concepts of National security to engage in the national security debate, evaluate national policy on security issues and the broader security implications of organizational policy and operations.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Determine the scope of national security.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the concept of the state.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of regional security.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of global security. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The credit calculation is based on the assumption that those starting to learn towards this unit standard have no previous experience in this field. It is assumed that learners are already competent in:
  • The ability to communicate effectively in written and verbal English. (NQF level 4) 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Determine the scope of national security. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The importance of the state as the referent object of security is explained according to contemporary theory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The viewpoint that individual security should be the starting point of analysis for national security is criticized by means of contemporary theory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The evolution of state sovereignty and the security responsibilities therein is explained by using any three theoretical viewpoints. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the concept of the state. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
  • Theoretical models referred to in Assessment Criteria no 2 relates to the early warning theory.
  • An identified state relates to any state. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The concept of the state is explained according to Buzan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The characteristics of weak states are identified by the application of theoretical models. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The structural implications of weak states on internal stability are illustrated using an identified state as an example. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate an understanding of regional security. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Regional security complexes are explained according to Buzan's theory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A regional security complex is identified according to Buzan's theoretical model. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A regional security body is described with reference to policy documents, institutions and coordinated actions. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate an understanding of global security. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Global issues mentioned in Assessment Criteria 1 refers to:
  • Organised crime.
  • Terrorism.
  • Epidemics.
  • Health risks.
  • Cross border crime etc.

    Disease mentioned in Assessment Criteria 2 refers to human and/or animal deceases.

    Contemporary theories referred to in Assessment Criteria 3 relate to:
  • Resource abundance and/or deprivation.
  • Greed vs grievance.
  • Political aspirations.
  • Good governance and democracy. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A Major Power's approach or position on a global issue is analysed and explained according to the given country's current national policies, legislation, behaviour and contemporary theory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The impact of disease on Government institutions within African States is evaluated in terms of national and regional security. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The effects of mineral wealth on an African State's security are explained in terms of the contemporary theories of conflict. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.

    Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.

    Anyone wishing to be assessed against this unit standard (including RPL) may apply to be assessed by a relevant provider institution, which is accredited by the relevant ETQA.

    For an applicant to register as an assessor, the applicant needs:
  • Subject matter experience at or above the level of this unit standard. Experience in strategic intelligence or diplomacy environment and/or experience in operational policy/planning at strategic level.
  • The assessor needs to be competent in the unit standard "Conduct Standard Based Assessment" NQF level 5 and "Design and Develop Assessment Criteria" NQF Level 5.
  • The subject matter experience of the assessor can be established by recognition of prior learning.

    Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The essential embedded knowledge is embedded within the unit standard, and will be assessed through the assessment of the specific outcomes in terms of the assessment criteria. 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identifying and solving problems by using critical and creative thinking to determine what to do in situations that might occur in the security environment. All Specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Working effectively with others and in a team. This will be particularly evident when implementing activities within the context of team activities during classroom learning and is relevant to all the specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organize and manage themselves and their activities responsibly. This will be evident during self-directed learning as well as during classroom learning. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, organize and critically evaluate information pertaining to security issues. All Specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively by using visual, conceptual and language skills in various modes during classroom learning. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by understanding the impact of security on a given country. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Supplementary Information

    Credits

    Total hours required by the learner to achieve the required outcomes:
  • Classroom learning: 31 hours
  • Structured learning in the workplace: 0 hours
  • Self directed learning: 44 hours
  • Coaching required: 6 hours
  • TOTAL : 80 hours 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  49337   National Certificate: Multi-National Safety and Security Operations Management  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SAS SETA 
    Core  49783   National Diploma: Joint and Multi-National Operations  Level 6  NQF Level 06  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SAS SETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    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. SOUTH AFRICAN DEFENCE INTELLIGENCE COLLEGE 
    2. SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL WAR COLLEGE 
    3. WARRANT OFFICER ACADEMY 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.