(a) The learner’s achievement of critical cross-field outcomes is assessed formatively during the course through a range of activities, and summatively (in the case of Honours but not of Postgraduate Diploma candidates) in the capstone activity outlined under Integrated Assessment.
(b) The learner’s achievement of general programme outcomes is assessed through a range of formative and summative assessments throughout the course, and particularly in the capstone activity outlined under Integrated assessment.
(c) Assessments include theoretical papers, applied case studies, simulations and oral presentations of projects in policy analysis. Formative assessment includes a variety of written assignments as well as the preparation of extended paper written under supervision. Summative assessments take the form of unseen and take-home examination papers and in the case of Honours candidates (but not for the Postgraduate Diploma) of a project in developing a proposal for the solution of a real policy dilemma including an oral presentation to stakeholders (see Integrated assessment).
Integrated assessment:
The integrated assessment of the Honours graduate in Public Policy Studies includes measurement of foundational, reflective, technical and practical competencies. Learners are required to combine and apply the disciplinary knowledge and research skills acquired in coursework to a supervised independent Honours project built around a real policy dilemma in South Africa. This serves both to integrate skills learnt during the Honours year, and to prepare for the Masters dissertation in the case of those learners who wish to continue to an MPhil in Public Policy.
Assessment of the Honours project is based on criteria which include the following:
completing a comprehensive assessment – including the informed application of general approaches to policy studies and the use of specific tools of policy analysis – of an actual policy dilemma;
the development of detailed policy solution proposals under supervision and as part of a collective project in interaction with stakeholders affected by the policy dilemma;
formal presentation of the finding and policy proposals (including the identification of ethical implications, if any) to stakeholders as well as to academic peers;
a proposal for a case study in applied policy analysis (written in a manner that accords with the publication conventions of the discipline), designed to be the first stage of the research to be conducted for the Masters degree.
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