Monash University: University Handbooks: Undergraduate Handbook 2001: Subjects indexed by faculty
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Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree


General information

Course code: 0003

Entry requirements

The honours degree requires a fourth year of study taken following completion of the normal requirements of the pass degree. The minimum requirement for admission of a candidate to fourth-year honours is completion of an undergraduate degree with a major sequence in the honours discipline or interdisciplinary program with at least grades of 70 per cent in subjects to the value of not less than 18 points at third-year level, and an additional six points of grade of 70 per cent or higher at either second or third-year level. Refer to the schools and disciplines section for any special requirements.
Berwick students are considered to be eligible for entry to the honours year provided they have completed the normal requirements of the degree for which they are enrolled, they have completed at least 48 credit points in the relevant arts discipline, comprising a 36-credit-point Berwick arts sequence plus an additional 12 credit points (in that discipline) at second or third-year level. In addition, students must achieve 70 per cent or better in subjects in the honours discipline to the value of 24 credit points at second and third-year level, 12 credit points of which must be at third-year level.
Students qualified to enter an honours program must normally do so within five years of the date on which they completed their undergraduate studies.
Students who have completed a three-year degree at a higher education institution other than Monash University must provide a certified copy of their academic transcript and supporting documentation regarding content of their course. This course content must be approved by the school as being acceptable for entry.

Mid-year entry

Entry into honours is normally at the commencement of the academic year. Mid-year entry into honours may be offered at the discretion of the faculty and students should consult with the faculty office on the relevant campus.

Course structure

A student must complete 48 points to qualify for the single BA (Honours) degree. Honours studies may be taken as single honours (a single discipline over one year of full-time study), double honours (two disciplines over two years of full-time study) or combined honours (two disciplines over one year of full-time study). It is possible, with the permission of the faculty, to undertake honours studies on a part-time basis.

Combined honours

Combined honours may be undertaken provided that all honours requirements have been met in both disciplines. Application to undertake combined honours must be made with the support of the heads of both disciplines. The overall distribution of points within a combined honours degree should as far as possible be equally divided between disciplines. The thesis component of a combined honours program should be divided as the two disciplines see fit. The thesis component may be taken solely in one discipline , be equally supervised, examined and weighted in terms of points between both discipline, or any balance of these. Coursework should be equally divided between disciplines where possible.

Extensions

Disciplines may grant an extension of time for submission of the honours thesis or for final coursework up to the last day of the examination period of the semester in which the work is due. Applications for extensions beyond this date must be made to the Committee for Undergraduate Studies.

Honours disciplines available at Caulfield campus

At present, honours can be completed through the School of Public Policy and Social Work in police studies and social work only. Honours in psychology is also available as an arts discipline. Note that the School of Public Policy and Social Work has recently been disestablished. Inquiries regarding honours can be directed to the Arts Undergraduate Office.

Honours disciplines available at Clayton campus

The honours disciplines are: anthropology; art history and theory; Chinese; comparative literature and cultural studies; comparative cultures; drama and theatre studies; English; environmental science; French; geography; German; history; Indonesian; Italian; Japanese; Koorie studies, Korean; linguistics; Modern Greek; music; philosophy; politics; Slavic studies; sociology; Spanish; social work; women's studies and visual culture.
Interdisciplinary honours programs, which are programs where the course of study involves subjects from various disciplines, may also be undertaken. Students wishing to undertake an interdisciplinary course in honours should consult with the honours coordinator at one or more schools if applicable. The final decision on the offering of honours disciplines will be dependent on student demand and academic staff availability.

Honours available at Gippsland campus

The honours degree requires a fourth year of study following completion of the normal requirements of the pass degree.
Honours studies at Monash University Gippsland campus may be taken as a single discipline or combined honours. The course is to be completed in a minimum period of one year full-time or two years part-time equivalent. The following disciplines are available at honours level: history, journalism, mass communications, politics and sociology.
Students studying full-time or part-time in either mode (on-campus or distance education) complete the 48 points of the single or combined honours course in any chosen discipline.
The honours program comprises two components: coursework and the dissertation. The coursework comprises two subjects: one examining the major theoretical and methodological issues related to a particular discipline and the other focusing on issues and applications. These subjects will require students to present seminar papers and a major essay. Each of these subjects is of 12-points value. The dissertation component is a full-year subject of 24-points value and requires a minor dissertation of not more than 15,000 words on an approved topic of the students' own choice. Students will prepare their dissertation under the direction of a supervisor.
Combined honours may be taken from two disciplines within the School of Humanities, Communications and Social Sciences, provided that all honours requirements have been met in both disciplines and subject to the approval of the Honours Committee. Students undertaking combined honours will complete one coursework subject from each discipline and a single or joint discipline dissertation.

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