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UNIVERSITY of the WESTERN CAPE

DEPARTMENT of PSYCHOLOGY
Private Bag X 17, Bellville 7535, South Africa,
Telephone: +27 21 959 2283/2453 (Departmental Admin Assistants)
Telephone: +27 21 959 3095 (Senior Academic Officer)
Fax: +27 21 959 3515

B.A. Honours (Psychology)

Prospectus

2017
(Faculty of Community & Health Sciences)

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Thank you for your interest in the BA Honours Psychology degree at the University of the
Western Cape.
This booklet contains information about the overall course, admission requirements, selection process, as well as
the structure and content of the various modules offered. Please consult the Course Co-ordinator or Senior
Academic Officer for any further information.

Enquiries should be directed to:


The Senior Academic Officer
Ms. T. Fennie
BA Honours Psychology
Rm 1.304, Social Science Building
Department of Psychology
Email: tfennie@uwc.ac.za
Tel. +27 21 959 3095/2453
Fax. +27 21 959 3515

The Programme Coordinator


Dr. A. Padmanabhanunni
Rm. 2.302
Social Science Building,
Department of Psychology
Email: apadmana@uwc.ac.za
Tel. +27 21 959 2842/2453
Fax. +27 21 959 3515

Note: The due date to submit applications is Friday, 28 October 2016 @ 12h00

IMPORTANT: NO application fee is required for ALL Psychology programmes for the 2017 intake.
Course fees enquiries may be posed via Student Accounts Department: at 021-959-2154.
All applicants must complete BOTH a UWC online application (THE LINK IS:
https://www.uwc.ac.za/Students/Admin/Pages/Online-Applications.aspx
in the Faculty of Community Health Sciences (CHS),
AND a departmental application form (DAF) which is available on the CHS website
via:
https://www.uwc.ac.za/Faculties/CHS/Psychology/Pages/default.aspx
APPLICATION FORMS may also be collected directly from Rm. 1.304/1.311 in the department.
The Psych Hons full-time course code is (8753) and the part-time course code is (8751).
Please DO NOT scan and e-mail your documents to the Senior Academic Officer as it will NOT
be accepted or considered.
Documents may ONLY be mailed (speed- or slow mail), or hand-delivered to the department as
follows:

PHYSICAL/ POSTAL ADDRESS:


The Senior Academic Officer
Psych (Hons) programme
Room 1.304
Social Science Building
Department of Psychology
University of Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Road OR
Private Bag X17 Bellville, 7535

This prospectus is correct as of May 2015.

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1. INTRODUCTION

The University of Western Cape BA Honours Psychology degree has been offered for
over three decades. It has been adapted and refined in accordance with the
changing needs of South Africa and increasingly the African continent, as well as
the requirements of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).

Alongside creating space for our students to learn and teaching the traditional
psychological theories, practical skills, and research know-how, our Department
seeks to be responsive to the needs of socially and economically deprived
communities, cultivate the ability to work within and with members of these
communities, and move students to participate in creating a different world.

The Honours in Psychology is a course-work degree involving seminars,


intensive preparation of academic papers, class presentations by students, and
written examinations. The emphasis is on student initiative, participation, and
independent work, with diversity and difference amongst both staff and students
considered an asset. Modules are semester-based, with the exception of the
Research Project.

The aim of the course is to produce students who are equipped with theory and
skills, poised to make intelligent, creative and relevant contributions to the rapidly
changing needs of our country and the world.

IMPORTANT NOTE: As from 2015, the 6 month practicum (post-Honours


Internship) is no longer offered by the Department of Psychology at UWC.

2. ADMISSION (Rule J. 184 in University Calendar 2011, Part 8 p.68)

Subject to the general authority of the Senate to refuse a student admission to the
course, a student shall have obtained a bachelors degree approved by the Senate for
thispurposeandunlesstheSenateontherecommendationoftheHeadofdepartment
decidesotherwise,suchastudentshallhaveobtained,beforeadmissiontothecourse,
anaverageminimumof65%inthefinalPsychology3rdyearexaminations. Please
note that obtaining an average minimum of 65% in the third-year
Psychology modules, does not guarantee you a placement in the
programme.

All applicants must ensure that they meet full requirements of their respective
degree programmes in order to be eligible for selection. Admission into the
programme is contingent on successful completion of all undergraduate or Bachelor
degree requirements i.e. whether the Bachelors degree will be conferred.

Special or Concessionary examinations: Students who are still writing


Special exams or concessionary exams will only be eligible to apply for the
Honours programme once they have completed all degree requirements i.e.
passed the special/ concessionary examinations. At the time of selection,
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such candidates will be considered ineligible if they still have to write the
exam or are still awaiting the outcome of such exams.

3. INTERNATIONAL/ FOREIGN-TRAINED APPLICANTS

Applicants who are in possession of an international qualification must have


the following documentation:

SAQA certification All applicants must ensure that they have


submitted their degree qualifications to the South African
Qualifications Authority (SAQA) for an equivalence evaluation. In
order to be eligible for the Honours programme, your degree
programme must receive a SAQA certification that is equivalent to a
National Qualifications Framework Level 7 (NQF7). Students can
contact SAQA via the following details:

SAQA House
Postnet Suite 248
Private Bag X06
Waterkloof, 0145

Tel. +27 12 4315070


Helpdesk 0860103188
Switch board - +27+12+4315000
Fax +27 12 4315039
Website: saqainfo@saqa.org.za

International applicants are required to be in possession of a study


permit to continue their studies at the University. These permits must
be applied for in the students country of origin and must be kept
valid at all times. Please submit copies of your application
documentation to the Senior Officer for record keeping. Final
documentation must be submitted to the Student Administration
Office upon registration.

Applicants, who hold a valid work permit and wish to study part-time,
must apply for an amended work permit or visa that clearly indicates
that they are eligible to enrol at the University for Part-time Studies.

International students are required by law to have adequate medical


cover as stipulated by the South African Department of Home Affairs
and the University. The contact details of the former follows below.
Department of Home Affairs
Hotline: 08600 60 11 90
Tel. +27 12 810 7322
www.home-affairs.gov.za

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International students who wish to further their studies at UWC
should also contact the Matriculation Board to determine whether
they qualify for any type of exemption. The address of the
Matriculation Boards is as follows:

The Director
Higher Education South Africa (HESA)
Matriculation Board
P.O. Box 3854, Pretoria, 0001
Tel. +27 10 591 4401/2
Website: www.hesa.org.za

International students are encouraged to contact the International


Relations Office (IRO) at UWC for general information regarding the
University and entry requirements. Contact IRO on: Tel. +27 21 959
2884.

4. SELECTION PROCESS

Only complete applications will be considered for selection. It is imperative


that applicants accept full responsibility for submitting their final marks
before the selection date. Applications without a final and complete
transcript will be considered as incomplete.

The Department typically receives in the region of 300-400 applications


annually. However, there are only 40 places in the Honours programme
which means that the selection process is highly competitive. The selection
process is undertaken by a panel of academic and administrative staff
members who take the following into consideration:

Academic merit: The typical academic cut-off is around a 70%


aggregate in Psychology III.
Recognition of Prior Learning: Applicants who have worked in a
Psychology-related field will be considered for recognition of prior
learning to be taken into account when marks are lower or there has
been a long period between completing third year and applying for
the Honours programme.
Equity targeting: Race, Gender and Disability are some of the
criteria taken into account for redress.
Community involvement: Although this is not a prerequisite,
applicants with a history of community involvement will be looked
upon favourably.
Resource constraints: The final number accepted into the
programme will be dependent upon the availability of staffing and
other resources.

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IMPORTANT NOTE: Please note that the decision of the selection panel is
FINAL. No correspondence will be entered into in this regard.

5. DURATION OF CURRICULUM (Rule J.186)

Unless the Senate decides otherwise, the duration of the curriculum for
full-time students shall be ONE year and for part-time students TWO
years.

6. MODULES

The following modules are currently offered in the department:

Module Name Alpha Numeric Credit


code value
Advanced Research Project PSY701 30
Abnormal Psychology PSY702 20
Psychological Interventions PSY703 20
Research Procedures & Statistics PSY704 20
Personality Development PSY705 20
Social Psychology PSY707 20
Community Psychology PSY708 20
Psychological Assessment PSY709 20

Degree requirements

8.1 To fulfil the requirements of the BA Honours Psychology degree


students are required to complete SIX modules (130 credits) in total,
of which FIVE are compulsory and ONE elective. The elective
modules are:

Social Psychology PSY707 20


Community Psychology PSY708 20
Personality Development PSY705 20
.
You are required to choose ONLY ONE elective of the above three
modules.
The number of places in a class is limited to 20.
Therefore, the Department cannot guarantee an applicant a place in
the elective module of his or her choice. However, every effort will
be made to fairly match available resources to the applications
accepted.

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8.2. Please note that PSY701 runs over two semesters.

9. ACADEMIC COURSE CONTENT

9.1. Goal and purpose of the course


Besides the development of a broad understanding of the discipline, the
course aims to:
enhance students capacity to think critically about mental health
issues and to promote mental health at all developmental stages in
deprived and disadvantaged communities
develop the capacity to apply knowledge in the form of social and
psychological theories and interventions, and
bridge undergraduate (general, fact based, academic and theoretical)
knowledge and professional post-graduate knowledge and skills
training.

9.2 Evaluations

9.2.1. Continuous Evaluation


Each module will have specific assessment measures to generate a
continuous assessment (CA) mark. Module lecturers can and do
allocate a specified portion of the CA-mark for class participation.

9.2.2. Examinations

Examinations are usually written during the end of semester


period. A 3-hour examination paper per module is written, except
in the case of PSY701.
Note that except where Senate, on recommendation of the Senate
Assessment Committee, determines otherwise, a student shall not
be allowed to undertake the examinations in a module unless (s) he
has obtained a continuous assessment (CA) mark of at least 50% for
that module. (Rule A.5.3.5 (b), page 92)

Pass requirements (Rule A.5.3.6 (b), page 93)


The final mark for a specific module is based on a Final Assessment (FA)
i.e. a written examination paper, and Continuous Assessment (CA) of
students work.
In order to pass, a student must obtain a final mark of not
less than 50% in the final assessment task.

Awarding of honours degree cum laude (Rule A.5.3.9, page 93)


To be awarded the Honours Psychology degree cum laude, a student shall
complete the course in the minimum applicable time, and shall have
obtained an average final mark of not less than 75% for all modules.

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Other examination rules

1. No supplementary examination/second chance assessment shall be


granted for the degree. However, a special examination may be
granted for valid reasons.
2. Original supporting documentation must be provided at the CHS
Faculty in this regard.

10. Course Outlines

A brief introduction to the different modules offered now follows. This


includes information on objectives of the modules and proposed course
content. Questions regarding these modules can be raised with the course
coordinator

ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECT (PSY701)

Objectives
This module is meant to provide students with the opportunity to engage in
research in a practical way.

Requirements
Students have to select a research topic in consultation with the lecturer
and relevant supervisor (s). As mutually arranged, the following should be
adhered to:

Planning and submission of a research proposal. Submission of the


final research report.

ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY (PSY702)

Objectives
provide an overview of current theory and practice of
psychopathology
undertake a more detailed study of the major groupings of mental
illnesses with regard to their key features, aetiology and treatment,
as well as the practical application of such knowledge
Critically focus on issues of class, race, gender and culture in relation
to mental health in the South African context
Explore alternative/contextual approaches to mental health.

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PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS (PSY703)

Objectives
The main objective of the course is to introduce students to the relevance
of the interface between theory and practice. The learning outcomes of this
course include the following.
Understanding the view of human nature, key concepts and
therapeutic principles associated with contemporary theories of
counselling including psychoanalytic psychotherapy, cognitive-
behavioural therapy (CBT) and person-centred psychotherapy.
Demonstrating knowledge of the theory of change associated with
some of the contemporary theories of counselling including
psychoanalytic psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)
and person-centred psychotherapy.
Identifying and extracting relevant information from clinical case
studies to inform diagnosis and basic case formulation.
Synthesizing information from case studies and relevant psychological
theories (e.g. CBT) to develop a basic case formulation for certain
types of psychological problems (e.g. depression).

RESEARCH PROCEDURES & STATISTICS (PSY704)

This module is designed to introduce students to research procedures and


designs for quantitative and qualitative research.
The methodological issues selected for discussion and the nature of
illustrations are primarily intended for students of psychology.
The course is intended to: stimulate and promote an appreciation of
different methodologies and debates in researching psychological and
social reality and engage students at a reflective level in respect of their
own knowledge.

Objective
To help students gain an understanding of quantitative research
methods and integrate research methods with psychology.

Theoretical Aim
To assist students to develop a basic understanding of the
philosophies and creation of knowledge through qualitative and other
discursive research methods and techniques.

PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT (PSY705)

Objectives
Provide a detailed overview of the mainstream and alternative
theories of personality development

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Examine the impact of personal and socio-historical influences on the
development of these theories
Develop the skills required to evaluate theories of personality
development
Examine the inter-relatedness of theory and research.

SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY (PSY707)

Objectives
This course will consider the factors that are formative in shaping
individuals thoughts, feelings and behaviour in South Africa. In addition, the
role of social psychology in South Africa will be closely examined.

An in-depth focus will be on the manifold aetiology, manifestation


and denouncement of violence, which is perhaps the most urgent
questions confronting social scientists today.
If by the end of the course, the roles of the self, family, organisation,
and other group formation in social interaction have been critically
understood, the objectives of the course would have been achieved.

COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY (PSY708)

Objectives
Gain a clear understanding of what Community Psychology is
Explore the historical developments of Community Psychology
Assess the pertinent debates in the field of Community Psychology
Explore and critique the different theories of Community Psychology
Explore the different models of intervention (and intervention
strategies)
Gain practical training and experience in intervention strategies
Develop intervention programmes

PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT (PSY709)

Psychological assessments are procedures psychologically trained persons


use to answer a variety of questions pertaining to assessing psychological
health, providing diagnostic information and creating road maps for
treatment. The procedures include clinical interviews, checklists, formal
testing and interpretation. This module is aimed at covering the principles
and application of the above procedures. It is hoped that students enrolled
in this module will find this important area of professional practice
stimulating and interesting.

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Objectives
Understand theoretical and historical bases for assessment
techniques.
Gain a good understanding of measurements concepts such as
reliability, validity, standard error.
Evaluate psychometric properties of tests.
Understand ethical issues in assessment.
Critically apply the knowledge gained in this module to the South
African context.
Explore a variety of assessment strategies including, interviewing,
cognitive tests, personality tests, aptitude tests, interests
questionnaires.

The above objectives will be realized through prescribed reading, practicals,


report writing, seminars, class discussions and lectures. It is thus imperative
for students to attend all classes and complete their assigned tasks
timeously.

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ELECTRONIC APPLICATION PROCEDURE @ UWC
(for all postgraduate students)

NOTE: Although the online applications for the University are already
open from 30 April 2016. Please note that departmental applications
for the Psych (Hons) OFFICIALLY close on 30 October 2016.
In order to get into the UWC system, you could do your electronic
application at any time.

Asof07May2016,pleasenotethatNOapplicationfeeisrequiredforallPsychology
programmesforthe2017intake.

ALL course fees enquiries may be posed via Student Accounts Department:
at0219592154.

Once you have been officially accepted into the Psych Hons programme,
fees may be paid by using the following methods:
Cash, debit card, credit card, cheque at our Cashiers on the on the
ground floor of the Student Administration, West Wing building.
Direct deposit at ABSA bank.
Electronic funds transfer (EFT) from your bank.
Credit card payment will be accepted online at www.uwc.ac.za

Cash Office hours: Monday Friday: 08h30 16h30

Banking details:
Account Name: University of the Western Cape, Student Deposits, Current Account
Institution: ABSA Bank
Bank Address: 1ST Floor, Tygerpark 4, Willie Van Schoor Drive, Bellville, 7530, South Africa
Account Number: 40 4960 4740
Branch Code: 632005, Public Sector Western Cape
Swift Code: ABSAZAJJ for payments made outside of the Rand currency area

The university application should include copies of (i) your matric results, and (ii) your ID.
(iii) NO proposal document is required at Psych Honours level, but ONLY at Masters & PhD levels.

The documents required in (i) and (ii) should be submitted via the link:
http://e-workver6.uwc.ac.za/applctns_onlineapp/
OR personally to the Admissions Office, Counter 8, UWC, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville,
7535. You may also contact them via the direct contact number is 021-959-2895.
Your ADDITIONAL documents, may be submitted directly to the Department closer to the relevant
due date.
For Student Credit Management enquiries, please contact 021-959-3101/3103/3104.
For Student Fees enquiries, please contact the Student Accounts office at 021-959-2154.
For NSFAS/Financial Aid matters, please contact the NSFAS office 021-959-2737/3157.

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