The functional structure of the academic year at higher education institutions in the United States of America and at South African technikons, with particular reference to the communication sciences

Abstract

The decision to undertake this study was based on the belief that both time managementand the time-allocation framework of the academic year of South African technikons,specifically as regards journalism, public relations and mass communications programmes,needs substantial organisational and functional restructuring to come to terms withradically changed societal, economical, political and educational realities. Legitimacy,quality assurance and resources are the three main components of an educationalsystem. Time is a vital resource as well. The major thrust of the study was to ascertainat first-hand how the American academic calendar works in practice and whether itoffers distinct advantages that could practically and in accordance with currentlegislation and policy be introduced in the academic calendar of South Africantechnikons in general, and communications programmes in particular. This includedlooking at continuous student assessment and summative final examinations insofaras they impact on the use of academic time for teaching. In conclusion, the studyproposes the creation of a new time mould which will result in a more effective use ofexisting academic time and also provides a number of additional benefits andadvantages to both student and teacher/instructor