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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Arts: Conflict Transformation 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
86626  Master of Arts: Conflict Transformation 
ORIGINATOR
University of KwaZulu-Natal 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 07 - Human and Social Studies  People/Human-Centred Development 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  192  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:

The qualification intends to provide learners with the intellectual competence to analyse conflicts and acquire skills in conflict transformation and peace building.

With this in mind, the programme seeks to do the following:
  • Prepare graduates who can make useful contributions as part of peace initiatives driven by a wide variety of stakeholders, ranging from Non-Government Organisations to national governments and international organisations.
  • Prepare graduates as life-long scholars in academic institutions and research environments in South Africa and across Africa.
  • Build national and regional capacity in the peace field to address one of the most debilitating challenges facing our continent.
  • Prepare graduates that can slot into the evolving and growing world of nongovernmental organisations.

    Rationale:

    Conflict is a universal phenomenon. In countries such as Darfur, Iraq, and Sri Lanka, disputes over identity, politics, resources, and religion have given rise to the need for new and creative approaches to transforming conflict and re-establishing social connections. While protracted conflicts take time to resolve, they may be transformed from violent disputes into more manageable, peaceful forms.

    Qualified personnel in conflict transformation are needed on the African continent, which is characterised by more conflicts than any other region. The South African Government has identified Conflict Transformation as a priority area for capacity building. The African Union is expected to have a greater role in regional conflict resolution.

    The qualification seeks to address the present and future potential shortfall of qualified experts in Conflict Transformation and peace building. It also aims to produce leaders capable of shaping a more just and equitable world by working in areas such as conflict prevention, management and transformation. Learners graduating from this qualification are likely to have successful careers in government, non-governmental organisations, international organisations and the private sector. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Learners who register for this qualification must be able to communicate knowledge of the discipline coherently and logically.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    In case where an equivalent qualification is to be recognised as prior learning, learners to be considered for the qualification will be:
  • Interviewed by the academic co-ordinator.
  • Required to submit evidence of work experience.
  • Required to submit evidence of the courses acquired in formal, informal or non formal environment.

    Access to the Qualification:

    Access to the Qualification is a Bachelor Honours Degree or equivalent in any related discipline. These include Politics, Law, Development Studies and Sociology. Learner admission is subject to agreement from the Faculty of Humanities, Development and Social Studies. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules.

    Compulsory Component:
  • The following three modules at NQF Level 9:
    > Research Design and Implementation, 32 Credits.
    > Advanced Themes in Conflict Transformation, 16 Credits.
    > Theory and Practice of Non Violence, 16 Credits.
  • Dissertation, 96 Credits.

    Optional Component:

    All seven optional modules are at NQF Level 9, and worth 16 Credits each.

    Learners are to complete any two of the following:
  • Restorative Justice.
  • Human Rights and International Humanitarian.
  • African Approaches to Conflict Transformation.
  • International Relations and Global Politics.
  • Advance Studies in International Relations.
  • Selected Readings in Political Science (2).
  • Other Modules with approval. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Identify and reflect on the critical problems that influence and affect conflict and peace in the world.

    2. Develop and apply theory to practice and chart the interactive (or reflexive) relationship between theory and practice.

    3. Collect, analyse, organise and evaluate information critically.

    4. Identify and solve problems from a critical and creative perspective.

    5. Communicate effectively using a range of skills and modes of argumentation.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:

    All the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are addressed in this qualification. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Identify critical problems and issues of the day to show familiarity with causal claims.
  • Show an understanding of the causal factors that affect conflict and shape the recourse to war and the difficulties of ending conflict.
  • Identify challenges and prospects for engendering sustainable peace in a post-conflict environment through conflict transformation and peace building efforts.
  • Identify and locate some of the issues of peace and security that hold special significance for Africa.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Identify relevant theoretical frameworks that can be used to make meaningful assessments of conflict and peace.
  • Develop an appreciation for theory and its limits in practice.
  • Contextualise and develop an awareness of competing ideas or perspectives that seek to explain critical problems of conflict prevention, transformation and sustainable peace.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Facilitate and evaluate issues of conflict and peace through skilful research work.
  • Conduct research to promote communication and critical thinking.
  • Develop strategies for gathering and assessing relevant information.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Apply research skills to advance understanding of conflict prevention, transformation or resolution and sustainable peace.
  • Develop an empirical investigation to gather new information in conflict transformation.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Communicate effectively through written and oral presentations.
  • Communicate research findings in standard academic settings to peers.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Integrated assessment is designed to assess a learner's progress at certain exit points. Assessment methods include:
  • Performance in seminars and classroom discussion requiring the learner to reflect on readings and communicate effectively on ideas emerging from reflection.
  • Long essay of 500 words.
  • Examination at the end of semester for all modules.
  • A research proposal.
  • A dissertation to demonstrate the research and analytical skills of the learner. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The qualification compares well with similar qualifications offered by the following international institutions:

    A. Georgetown University- Washington DC offers the Master of Arts in Conflict Resolution.
    The modules are:
  • Peacekeeping and peacebuilding in civil wars
  • Mediation theory and practice
  • Approaches to peacekeeping- Theory and Practice of Non Violence
  • The effect of international competition on government policies
  • Subjective justice and intergroup conflict
  • Political participation and culture

    B. The Eastern Mennonite University in The Netherlands offers the Master of Arts in Conflict Transformation.
    The modules are:
  • Analysis: Understanding Conflict
  • Practices: Skills for Peacebuilding
  • Theory Framework for Peacebuilding
  • Research
  • Practicum

    A direct comparison of modules form both the above-named qualifications was undertaken and it was found that although the modules differ in names from those of this qualification, the content is similar. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:

    This qualification articulates horizontally with any cognate Master's Degree.

    Vertical Articulation:

    This qualification articulates vertically with any cognate Doctoral Degree. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • The internal assessors will be the course lecturers and course coordinators responsible for the modules.
  • The external assessors will be the external examiners appointed through the standard processes and procedures according to the criteria determined by the Faculty of Humanities, Development and Social Sciences.
  • The internal assessor for the research project will be the supervisor appointed by the School of Politics to supervise the research project. The project will follow the standard procedure of ethical clearance through the Faculty of Humanities, Development and Social Sciences. All modules will be evaluated with the help of an external expert. The reports of the external examiners on learner's performance are reviewed at the end of each semester and discussed with staff.
  • Staff supervising research projects will receive reports and feedback from the external examiners and coordinators. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

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

    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. University of KwaZulu-Natal 


    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.