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SAQA 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.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Arts in Folklore Studies 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
111741  Master of Arts in Folklore Studies 
ORIGINATOR
University of Limpopo 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 02 - Culture and Arts  Cultural Studies 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2021-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The qualification provides training in disciplines of specialisation and in research methodology to equip the qualifying learner with the skills necessary either for employment in a variety of fields or for further independent research in the same or a related subject area. The mini-research dissertation must reflect professionalism in research expertise and skill. The qualifying learner will be able to access, manage and produces information ethically in the context of the folklore practitioner's profession. The qualification equips qualifying learners with knowledge, aspects of operational methods and procedures in selected fields of specialisation including African oral Traditions; Indigenous Knowledge Systems; Intellectual Property and Folklore; Oral History; Folk Music and Dance; Myth, Ritual and Folk Belief.

Rationale:
The qualification is intended to enhance the basic knowledge and skills in Folklore Studies by providing an opportunity to adapt their basic qualifications to a rapidly changing world of work. The qualification responds to the educational need and rural development in society, which have been identified as national priorities by government. Qualifying learners typically find employment in Cultural Studies related occupations, Heritage, Lecturing or Arts, History and Tourism. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is guided by the institutional policy and is aligned to the objectives of the NQF. Entry into the programme is possible via RPL as well as indicating advanced standing, provided that it is aligned to the institutional policy and that the applicant is evaluated by a qualified RPL assessor in a manner that is free from any form of discrimination. RPL practices also include standard Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT) practices of equivalent modules that may have been achieved in the course of the applicant's studies.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor Honours Degree in the related field, Level 8.
    Or
  • Equivalent qualification, Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 200 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, 176 Credits:
  • Mini-dissertation, 100 Credits.
  • African Oral Traditions, 28 Credits.
  • Indigenous Knowledge systems, 24 Credits.
  • Intellectual Property and Folklore, 24 Credits.

    Electives Modules, 24 Credits:
  • Oral History, 24 Credits.
  • Folk Music and Dance, 24 Credits.
  • Myth, Ritual and Folk Beliefs, 24 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate specialist knowledge and be able to critique and evaluate current research or practices.
    2. Demonstrate a command of and the ability to design, select and apply appropriate and creative methods, techniques, processes or technologies to complex practical and theoretical problems.
    3. Solve problems that plague the folklore Profession.
    4. Access, manage and produce information ethically in the context of the folklore practitioner's profession.
    5. Understand and be sensitive to context and systems of the profession.
    6. Manage his or her own learning and takes accountability for his or her own work. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Be familiar with contemporary philosophical and theoretical issues in a specialised field of folklore studies
  • Debate complex issues orally and in writing.
  • Develop specialised knowledge in a critical and comparative manner, depending on the particular field of focus in the courses selected.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Master the skills of critical thinking, problem solving, collection and analysis of information and effective professional written and oral communication.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Apply in-depth and specialised disciplinary knowledge and research skills to discipline-based problems.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Analyse and critique communications of an academic and popular nature.
  • Conduct advanced literature searches to inform reviews of specialised literature.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Appreciate the ethical issues associated with research and knowledge production.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Conduct independent research within a specialisation of folklore studies.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Learning and assessment across exit level outcomes within the qualification should be integrated to ensure a well-structured cohesive qualification. Assessments are based on formative assessments which are in place to assure continuous learning and feedback to candidates and summative assessments which ensure a judgement of learning at exit level outcomes. Such assessments should assess the candidate's ability to integrate the larger body of knowledge, competencies and attitudes that are represented by the exit-level outcomes, either as a whole or as components of the qualification. Furthermore, integrated knowledge will be evaluated within the form of a mini-dissertation. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The University of North-Carolina in the United States offers a Master's in Folklore Studies as a coursework Degree with a focus on North-American Studies and requires a dissertation for completion.

    The Memorial University in Newfoundland, Canada, offers a Master's in Folklore Studies that is obtainable via coursework and a thesis (dissertation) at Master's level. Modules offered include Folklore of Newfoundland, Folklore of Canada, Folklore of the United States, Folklore of the British Isles, Traditional Culture of Scotland, Culture and Traditions of Ireland, Folklore of the Francophone Regions, International Folklore. The qualification by contrast, specialises in African oral Traditions, Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Intellectual Property and Folklore, Oral History, Folk Music and Dance, Myth, Ritual and Folk Belief. The focus is, therefore, African, by contrast to the European and Canadian focus of the Canadian syllabus. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Relevant qualification at Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Relevant Doctorate Degree, Level 10. 
    		•

    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.
     
    NONE 


    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.