Undergraduate & honours qualifications

Bachelor of Arts

Qualification stream: English Studies and Communication Science
Qualification code: 99311 - ECS
NQF level: 7
Total credits: 360
SAQA ID: 14352
APS/AS: 20
Rules:
This qualification consists of 30 modules. Students should note that during the course of their studies they would be required to have access to a computer or laptop, printer and the internet.
Purpose statement:
To familiarise learners with the content and basic theories of a number of disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, at the basic and intermediate level, and to provide them with a deeper grasp of one or more of these disciplines taken at exit level (level 6), as well as to enable them to place new knowledge in context and to use appropriate methods for seeking resolution of problems; To provide learners with a variety of basic scholarly and intellectual competencies, including the ability to question critically the assumptions of a limited range of theories and authorities, and to develop an understanding of elementary research methods used within one or more disciplines; To equip learners with the ability to give an accurate account of scholarly positions and the competence to express their own opinions clearly and coherently, both in written and oral communication; To prepare learners for post learner study; To provide learners with a well-rounded and broad education across a number of disciplines, thus preparing them for a wide range of professions crucial to the welfare of society; To produce learners who are able to think laterally, critically and creatively; To produce learners who are prepared for life-long learning; To produce learners who understand the principles of, and are capable of critical citizenship.
This qualification will be presented using both online and distance learning modes.

Who can register?

  • Applicants (new applicants & Unisa students who applied for admission to a new qualification) may only register if they have received an offer of placement from Unisa and have accepted the offer online. Unisa reserves the right to not process and / or to cancel your registration if it is found that you were incorrectly admitted to a qualification. 
  • Re-registering students may register for the 2024 academic year once the registration period opens.

Please note: Should you wish to start a new qualification, please apply online for the alternative qualification during the prescribed application period.


How to choose your modules

Each Unisa qualification is structured in such a way that you need to pass a certain number of NQF level credits within a certain amount of time in order to graduate.

  • Co-requisite: Module A is a co-requisite for Module B. You want to register for Module B, but have not yet passed Module A. You must then register for both Modules A and B simultaneously. You may NOT cancel your registration for Module A unless Module B is also cancelled.
  • Pre-requisite: If Module A is a pre-requisite for Module B, you must pass Module A before you may register for Module B.

You may not register for more than the allowed maximum number of credits / modules per academic year and / or semester: 60 credits per semester or 120 credits per academic year.

The maximum number of credits do not include supplementary and / or aegrotat examinations from a previous semester. Modules taken for non-degree / non-diploma purposes also count towards the maximum number of credits allowed.

You must take your available time into consideration when choosing your modules, as this will impact your academic performance. You need approximately

  • 6 to 8 hours per week for semester modules.
  • 4 to 6 hours per week for year modules.

Click here for more information on managing your studies.

Curriculum for this qualification

While you are deciding on the modules for which you will be registering, write down the module names and codes so that you have something to refer to when completing your registration.

Please click on the modules below to see further information (eg semester/year module, NQF level)

First level

Module (Please click on the module to see further information) Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation
Group A. Compulsory modules
COM1501 - Fundamentals of Communication
COM1502 - Communication Contexts and Applications
ENG1501 - Foundations in English Literary Studies
ENG1502 - Foundations in English Language Studies
Group B. Fundamentals: Select 2 modules
AFC1501 - Isandulelo kwizifundo ngezindlela zokucwaninga ulwazi lwaseThebes/ Afrika
AFL1501 - Language Through an African Lens
ENG1503 - Academic Language and Literacy in English
Group C. Electives: Select 2 modules
AFK1501 - Voetspore: Op reis deur die Afrikaanse Letterkunde
AFK1502 - Inleiding tot teksontwerp in Afrikaans
AFK1503 - Afrikaans Vandag: Taalkunde en skriftelike kommunikasie
AFL1502 - African Language and Culture in Practice
AGE1501 - Introduction to Archaeology
AGE1502 - The Archaeology of Southern Africa
AHS1511 - Ancient Mythology in Context
AIS1501 - Introducing Applied Information Science
AIS1503 - Introducing Information Records and Sources
AIS1601 - Using the Internet as a Reference Tool
ANH1502 - Roman Ancient History
APC1501 - Political Evolution of the African State
APC1502 - The Politics of Contemporary Africa
APY1501 - Anthropology in a Diverse World
APY1502 - The Anthropology of Love and Sex
ARB1501 - Elementary Arabic
ARH1501 - Visual Literacy
ARH1502 - Introduction to Art History
ARM1502 - Managing Records
ARM1503 - Managing Archives
BLG1502 - Animal and Plant Diversity
BLG1603 - Biology Practical Co-requisite:BLG1501 & BLG1502
BSM1602 - Business Management Fundamentals 1B Recommendation:BSM1501
BTH1501 - Invitation to Theology
CLA1501 - Commercial Law IA
CLA1502 - Commercial Law IB
CLS1502 - Ancient Rome: Society, Myth and Literature
CML1501 - Communication Law
COM1511 - Principles of Decolonial Communication
COM1512 - Disruption and Communication
COM1513 - Communication in the context of the organisation
COM1514 - Fundamentals of Decolonising Media
COS1521 - Computer Systems: Fundamental Concepts
DVA1501 - Introduction to Development Studies
DVA1502 - Development Problems and Institutions
ENG1511 - English Proficiency for University Studies
ENG1512 - English for Economic and Management Science
ENG1513 - Foundations in English for University Study
EUP1501 - Ethical Information and Communication Technologies for Development Solutions
FRC1501 - French Language and Culture: Beginners
FRC1502 - French Language and Culture: Lower Intermediate Pre-requisite:FRC1501
HFL1501 - Historical Foundations of South African Law
HRD1501 - Introduction to Human Resource Development
HRM1501 - Introduction to Human Resource Management
HSY1511 - Africa in the World: Historical Perspectives
HSY1512 - Southern Africa Until the Early 1800s: Encounters and Transformations
ICS1501 - An Introduction to Islam
ILW1501 - Introduction to Law
INF1505 - Introduction to Business Information Systems
INF1511 - Visual Programming I
INS1501 - Introduction to Information Science
INS1502 - Developing Information Skills for Lifelong Learning
IOP1501 - Psychological Processes in Work Context
IOP1502 - Customer Service in Tourism
IOP1503 - Environmental Psychology
IOP1601 - Personality in Work Context Pre-requisite:IOP1501
IPC1501 - Fundamentals of International Politics
IPC1502 - South Africa in International Politics
IRM1501 - Introduction to Research Methodology for Law and Criminal Justice
LIN1501 - Grammatical Patterns and Concepts
LIN1502 - Multilingualism: the Role of Language in the South African Context
LRM1501 - Introduction to Labour Relations Management
MAN1501 - Mandarin Chinese: Beginners
MAN1502 - Mandarin Chinese: Elementary Level Pre-requisite:MAN1501
MHS1511 - Early Music to Baroque
MHS1512 - Introduction to African Music
MNB1501 - Business Management IA
MNB1601 - Business Management IB Pre-requisite:MNB1501
MNM1501 - Personal Selling
MNM1502 - Customer Service
MNM1503 - Introduction to Marketing
MNM1504 - Introduction to Retailing
MNM1505 - Introduction to Consumer Behaviour
MNM1506 - Introduction to Merchandising
MNM1507 - Introduction to Marketing Communication
MNM1520 - Fundamentals of Public Relations
MNM1522 - Fundamentals of Branding
MNM1601 - Principles of Marketing Management
MNY1501 - The Dynamics of Mission Co-requisite:BTH1501
MNY1502 - First Steps in Practical Theology Co-requisite:BTH1501
NDE1505 - Applied African languages Grammar for Home Language Foundation and Intermediate Phase - IsiNdebele
NDE1506 - Applied African Languages Literature for Home Language, Foundation Phase - IsiNdebele
NDE1507 - Applied African Language Communicative Competence for Second Additional Language - IsiNdebele
NDE1508 - Applied African Languages Grammar for First Additional Language - IsiNdebele
NDE1509 - Applied African Languages Literature for First Additional Language, Foundation Phase - IsiNdebele
NSO1505 - Applied African languages Grammar for Home Language Foundation and Intermediate Phase - Sepedi
NSO1506 - Applied African Languages Literature for Home Language Foundation and Intermediate Phase - Sepedi
NSO1507 - Applied African Language Communicative Competence for Second Additional Language - Sepedi
NSO1508 - Applied African Languages Grammar for First Additional Language - Sepedi
NSO1509 - Applied African Languages Literature for First Additional Language, Foundation Phase - Sepedi
PLC1501 - Politics as Social Activity
PLC1502 - Understanding the State
PLS1501 - Introduction to Western Philosophy
PLS1502 - Introduction to African Philosophy
PTU1501 - Portuguese Language and Culture: Beginners
PTU1502 - Portuguese Language and Culture: Lower Intermediate Pre-requisite:PTU1501
PYC1501 - Basic Psychology
PYC1502 - Psychology in Society
PYC1511 - Introduction to Psychology
PYC1512 - Foundations of Sub-Disciplines of Psychology
PYC1513 - Introduction to Psychological Intervention Perspectives
RST1501 - Introducing Religions of the World
RST1502 - Introducing Theories of Religion
SCL1501 - Skills Course for Law Students
SCR1501 - Christian Origins and Early Christian Contexts. Introduction to Early Christian Literature and History Co-requisite:BTH1501
SCR1502 - Introduction to Ancient Israelite Literature, Theology, History and Archaeology Co-requisite:BTH1501
SCR1503 - The Formation of New Testament Identities: Martyrs, Apologists, and Early Church Fathers Co-requisite:BTH1501
Recommendation:Students to register together with SCR1501
SOC1501 - Community, Society and Inequality in a Globalised World: Introduction to Sociology
SOC1502 - Understanding South Africa: Families, Education, Identities and Inequality
SSO1505 - Applied African languages Grammar for Home Language Foundation and Intermediate Phase - Sesotho
SSO1506 - Applied African Languages Literature for Home Language, Foundation Phase - Sesotho
SSO1507 - Applied African Language Communicative Competence for Second Additional Language - Sesotho
SSO1508 - Applied African Languages Grammar for First Additional Language - Sesotho
SSO1509 - Applied African Languages Literature for First Additional Language, Foundation Phase - Sesotho
SWA1505 - Applied African languages Grammar for Home Language Foundation and Intermediate Phase - SiSwati
SWA1506 - Applied African Languages Literature for Home Language, Foundation Phase - SiSwati
SWA1507 - Applied African Language Communicative Competence for Second Additional Language - SiSwati
SWA1508 - Applied African Languages Grammar for First Additional Language - IsiSwati
SWA1509 - Applied African Languages Literature for First Additional Language, Foundation Phase - SiSwati
THE1501 - Reflection on Faith Co-requisite:BTH1501
THE1502 - Introduction to Ethics Co-requisite:BTH1501
THE1503 - Africa: Cradle of Christianity Co-requisite:BTH1501
THL1501 - Introduction to Theory of Literature
THL1502 - Introduction to Literary Genres
TSO1505 - Applied African Languages Grammar for Home Language Foundation and Intermediate Phase - Xitsonga
TSO1506 - Applied African Languages Literature for Home Language, Foundation Phase - Xitsonga
TSO1507 - Applied African Language Communicative Competence for Second Additional Language - Xitsonga
TSO1508 - Applied African Languages Grammar for First Additional Language - Xitsonga
TSO1509 - Applied African Languages Literature for First Additional Language, Foundation Phase - Xitsonga
TSW1505 - Applied African languages Grammar for Home Language Foundation and Intermediate Phase - Setswana
TSW1506 - Applied African Languages Literature for Home Language, Foundation Phase - Setswana
TSW1507 - Applied African Language Communicative Competence for Second Additional Language - Setswana
TSW1508 - Applied African Languages Grammar for First Additional Language - Setswana
TSW1509 - Applied African Languages Literature for First Additional Language, Foundation Phase - Setswana
VEN1505 - Applied African languages Grammar for Home Language Foundation and Intermediate Phase - Tshivenda
VEN1506 - Applied African Languages Literature for Home Language, Foundation Phase - Tshivenda
VEN1507 - Applied African Language Communicative Competence for Second Additional Language - Tshivenda
VEN1508 - Applied African Languages Grammar for First Additional Language - Tshivenda
VEN1509 - Applied African Languages Literature for First Additional Language, Foundation Phase - Tshivenda
XHO1505 - Applied African Languages Grammar for Home Language Foundation and Intermediate Phase - IsiXhosa
XHO1506 - Applied African Languages Literature for Home Language, Foundation Phase - IsiXhosa
XHO1507 - Applied African Language Communicative Competence for Second Additional Language - IsiXhosa
XHO1508 - Applied African Languages Grammar for First Additional Language - IsiXhosa
XHO1509 - Applied African Languages Literature for First Additional Language, Foundation Phase - IsiXhosa
ZUL1505 - Applied African languages Grammar for Home Language Foundation and Intermediate Phase - IsiZulu
ZUL1506 - Applied African Languages Literature for Home Language, Foundation Phase - IsiZulu
ZUL1507 - Applied African Language Communicative Competence for Second Additional Language - IsiZulu
ZUL1508 - Applied African Languages Grammar for First Additional Language - IsiZulu
ZUL1509 - Applied African Languages Literature for First Additional Language, Foundation Phase - IsiZulu

Second level

Third level

Module (Please click on the module to see further information) Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation
Group A. Compulsory modules
COM3701 - Marketing Communication
COM3702 - Media Studies: Institutions, Theories and Issues
COM3703 - Media Studies: Content, Audiences and Production
COM3706 - Communication Research Pre-requisite:RSC2601
ENG3701 - The History and Spread of English Pre-requisite:ENG2601, ENG2602 & ENG2603
ENG3702 - The English Language: Context and Purpose Pre-requisite:ENG2601, ENG2602 & ENG2603
ENG3703 - Theoretical Approaches to English Language and Literature Pre-requisite:ENG2601, ENG2602 & ENG2603
ENG3704 - Shakespeare's Dramatic Art Pre-requisite:ENG2601, ENG2602 & ENG2603
ENG3705 - Modern and Postmodern Literature in English Pre-requisite:ENG2601, ENG2602 & ENG2603
Group AB. Compulsory modules: Select 1 module
COM3704 - New Media Technology
COM3705 - International Communication
COM3707 - Political and Government Communication and Media Ethics
COM3708 - Advertising and Public Relations