Bachelor of Arts | Sociology & Community Development

( Minimum 3 years; minimum 360 credits; NQF 7)

Time Commitment

• Minimum 3 years

Aim

This qualification will enable the student to gain an in-depth understanding of sociological theories. The student would be able to analyse and evaluate these theories with reference to issues such as poverty, globalisation, conflict, the environment and gender, with special focus on South Africa and the African continent. The qualification also provides the students with practical community, cross-cultural and social research skills. During their first year, the students will also take the foundational set of modules, referred to as the ‘Cornerstone Core’. These include History, Sociology, Ethics, Philosophy, Economics and Leadership Studies. The modules are embedded with Cornerstone’s core values of inclusivity, excellence, integrity, unity, respect and creativity.

Modes of delivery

Contact and Distance

Programme Coordinator

Leo Mapira Acting HoD, Sociology & Community Development Leo Mapira is a Development Sociologist with a passion for engaged scholarship. His research interests span industrial development, micro-community development, trade unionism, and labour relations. Leo served in various research and teaching positions at different higher education institutions in South Africa and as a researcher in the corporate sector. Leo holds a Master's Degree in Industrial Sociology from the University of Cape Town. Leo is a Lecturer and Acting Head of the Department of Sociology and Community Development at Cornerstone Institute. He is currently completing doctoral studies in Industrial Sociology at the University of Cape Town. When he is not teaching, researching, and studying, he practices playing Mbira (African thumb piano).

Accreditation

Registered as Cornerstone Institute (RF) NPC with the Department of Higher Education and Training as a private higher education institution under the Higher Education Act, 1997, Registration Certificate No 2001/HE08/006; NQF 7; SAQA ID 87406.

IMPORTANT LINKS

ADMISSION INFORMATION

  • National Senior Certificate (NSC) with a bachelor’s pass or equivalent
  • A Matriculation Certificate (with university exemption) or equivalent
  • A Higher Certificate or Advanced Certificate or Diploma in a cognate field
  • Matriculation Certificate (with university exemption) or equivalent 
  • National Benchmark Test (NBT) results
  • A National Senior Certificate or National Certificate Vocational with a diploma pass (or equivalent) combined with the NBT results 
  • Mature age of 23 and over during the first year of studies and a National Senior Certificate (or equivalent). The conditions of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy for access and the results of the NBT are determining factors for admission. Contact the admissions office regarding RPL
  • Mature age of 45 years can be admitted, determined by the RPL conditions and the results of the NBT

Applicants in the first category under Alternative Admission Requirements must register for the Extended Programme for Academic Development. The Programme extends the completion of the prescribed subjects over a minimum of four years.

Students who are admitted on the basis of prior learning and who want to complete the degree in three years, but who fail more than 20% of modules taken during the first semester, are required to take the first year over two years. 

The BA aims to provide access for those who have completed Grade 12 to a degree programme equipping them with skills to be more effective leaders in the community in the areas of Psychology, Theology, Media Studies, Alternative Education and Sociology and Community Development.  In addition to a career path for sociologists, psychologists, and media specialists. The programme is also intended to provide students who are considering a career as teachers to advance to a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education with the required teaching subjects at an undergraduate level.

Sociology and Community Development students who have completed the qualification must be able to:

  • Understand the principles, concepts, history and major approaches to the study of society. 
  • Understand sociological theory as it is applied to important institutions in society such as the family, religion, government and community life. 
  • Understand their own culture and appreciate the values of other cultures. 
  • Understand the psycho-social problems facing Africa today, with an emphasis on poverty and poverty alleviation. 
  • Analyse economic systems from a sociological perspective and identify the debates around the prevalent economic systems in the African context. 
  • Engage critically with contemporary examples of social, cultural, economic and political oppression and injustice within our region, continent and globally. 
  • Illustrate an in-depth understanding of contemporary sociological theory and be able to evaluate and analyse these theories with reference to issues such as globalisation, conflict, the environment, gender and poverty, with a special focus on South Africa and the African continent. 

Sociology and Community Development students who have completed the qualification must be able to:

  • Understand the principles, concepts, history and major approaches to the study of society
  • Understand sociological theory as it is applied to important institutions in society such as the family, religion, government and community life
  • Understand their own culture and appreciate the values of other cultures
  • Understand the psycho-social problems facing Africa today, with an emphasis on poverty and poverty alleviation
  • Analyse economic systems from a sociological perspective and identify the debates around the prevalent economic systems in the African context
  • Engage critically with contemporary examples of social, cultural, economic and political oppression and injustice within our region, continent and globally 
  • Illustrate an in depth understanding of contemporary sociological theory and be able to evaluate and analyse these theories with reference to issues such as globalisation, conflict, the environment, gender and poverty, with a special focus on South Africa and the African continent
  • Conduct research into social issues. This includes the acquisition of skills such as: participatory research methodologies, evaluation research, report writing and proposal writing.

Module descriptions and credits

For a description of each module, see ‘Module descriptions’ towards the end of this document.

Cornerstone Institute
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