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Monash University: University handbooks: Postgraduate handbook: Units indexed by faculty
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Master of Arts by research and coursework

Course code: 2846 + Course abbreviation: MA(Res&Cw) + 1.5 years full-time, 3 years part-time

Study mode and course location

On-campus (Clayton)*

On-Campus (Malaysia)**

    * Studies in Publishing and Communications are taught at the Monash Melbourne city location

    ** Students at Monash University Malaysia must study this course as outlined in the ‘All students at Monash University Malaysia’ discipline entry under the ‘Course structure’ section below. No other disciplines are available to students at Monash University Malaysia.

Course description

This course provides students who already have previous studies in an arts discipline with the opportunity to expand, update and deepen their knowledge and understanding through a combination of research and coursework activities in a range of disciplines.

For more detail see the individual discipline entries in the Course structure section below.

Minimum pass grade

The minimum pass grade for masters coursework units and for the thesis is 60 C (credit).

Course structure

All students at Monash University Malaysia

Offered by the School of Arts and Sciences

This program will enable students to focus their studies around a research thesis in their chosen topic area. The coursework component is designed to encourage students to become familiar with the theoretical issues and practical application relating to their chosen topic area, thereby providing a fuller appreciation of the context in which the research project will be conceptualised.

Candidates are required to complete units for a total of 24-points of coursework plus a 66 per cent thesis of 20,000 to 25,000 words. Those candidates who have not completed the required pre-requisites for the relevant units selected may be exempted with the approval of the course coordinator.

Students will normally choose two of the following 12-point units (students need to inquire about the availability of the units for particular semesters since this will vary):

  • ASM5290 Into the field: the theory and practice of ethnography
  • ASM5080 The theory and practice of research
  • AST5000 Contemporary issues in Asia
  • ENM5620 Literary theory
  • PLM5440 Global soul: consumers, citizens and rebels
  • WSM5700 Issues in feminist cross-cultural research
  • ASM5000 Research project (12-points)

Part-time students would normally complete their coursework units first, before starting their research. Full-time students can either complete their coursework units first, or enrol for one coursework unit and simultaneously work on their research in their first two semesters of work, and then enrol fulltime for research for the final semester.

Course coordinator

Dr Patricia Goon and Dr Gil-Soo Han

Anthropology and Sociology

Offered by the School of Political and Social Inquiry

This course provides students who already have an honours degree in anthropology, sociology or other related disciplines with the opportunity to expand, update and deepen their knowledge and understanding. Students may choose such a program for various reasons, including the desire to pursue their own intellectual interests, gain more specialised and detailed understanding of a particular area, acquire technical and applied skills and knowledge, or prepare themselves for a PhD and a career in research and teaching. Mid-year entry is available.

The course comprises two 12-point units selected from those listed below and a thesis of 20,000 to 25,000 words (66 per cent). Alternative units may be taken with the approval of the school graduate coordinator.

  • SYM5005 Qualitative research strategies
  • SYM5015 Secondary analysis of official statistics
  • SYM5025 Survey research
  • SYM5045 Applied statistics
  • SYM5055 Application of computer techniques
  • SYM5065 Issues in public policy
  • ASM5100 Violences
  • ASM5290 Into the field: the theory and practice of ethnography
  • ASM5800 Special ASM unit
  • PLM5140 Grand theories of politics
  • RLM5100 Religion in Australian society
  • SWM5140 Policy, program planning and evaluation I
  • SWM5160 Child abuse, child protection and the state

Course coordinator

Dr Jo Lindsay (Sociology) and Dr Matt Tomlinson (Anthropology)

Archaeology and Ancient History

Offered by the School of Historical Studies

The Centre for Archaeology and Ancient History offers the only program in Victoria and one of only two in Australia that provides supervision of research degrees in Egyptology, and one of the few offering supervision in related areas of Near Eastern Archaeology. This course is designed for students wishing to combine coursework with research and for whom a research process of induction, training in methodology and concepts, and supervised project design will be particularly useful.

The course comprises two 12-point units and a thesis of 20,000 to 25,000 words. The two units must be completed in the first year (if full-time) or the first two years (if part-time). All students will complete ARM5740 (Reading the ancient past) and ARM5060 (Predynastic and Early Dynastic Egypt), unless they have previously completed ARM4740 (Reading the ancient past) and ARM4060 (Predynastic and early dynastic Egypt) as part of another program, in which case they will complete ARM5010 (Research topics in archaeology: the New Kingdom) and ARM5020 (Research topics in archaeology: Ptolemaic and Roman Egypt).

Course coordinator

Dr Colin A. Hope

Asian Studies

Offered by the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics

This program will enable students to focus their studies around a research thesis on Asia. The coursework component is designed to encourage interdisciplinary perspectives to broaden and deepen the understanding of Asia and Australia–Asia relations, thereby providing a fuller appreciation of the context in which the research project will be conceptualised.

Candidates are required to complete the following two units for a total of 24 points of course work plus a 66 per cent thesis of 20,000 to 25,000 words.

  • AST5000 Contemporary issues in Asia
  • AST5020 Investigating Asia

The thesis topic must be determined in consultation with the supervisor, who is to be selected in consultation with the graduate coordinator.

Course coordinator

Professor Ross Mouer

Australian Art

Offered by the School of English, Communication and Performance Studies

This course is intended for students with a strong interest in research who wish to give their study a clear Australian focus. The degree familiarises students with the major theoretical areas in Australian art and with a significant area of Australian art history through their research. The research emphasis can cover areas of painting, sculpture, architecture, urbanism and urban imagery, photography, performance and art in multimedia, film or television.

Candidates complete a thesis of 20,000 to 25,000 words (66 per cent research) in an area agreed to by the candidate and the department, and supervised by staff appointed by agreement with both the candidate and the department. Candidates are expected to consult with their supervisor regularly and to maintain the momentum of their thesis research.

Candidates also complete two fifth-year elective units worth 12 points, chosen from the schedule set out below. Note that students should not include units previously taken in a masters qualifying year, postgraduate diploma or honours year.

Schedule

  • VAM5010 Visual culture and its theories
  • VAM5021 Beyond the museum: institutions and insurrections (not offered in 2006)
  • VAM5023 Museum practice and research (not offered in 2006)
  • VAM5030 Themes in nineteenth-century Australian art (not offered in 2006)
  • VAM5050 Twentieth-century Australian modernism (not offered in 2006)
  • VAM5070 Australian postmodernism
  • VAM5084 The culture and imagery of cities (not offered in 2006)
  • VAM5100 Issues in Australian architecture and heritage (not offered in 2006)
  • VAM5120 Australian film history
  • VAM5200 Historical film theory and criticism
  • VAM5210 Contemporary film theory and criticism
  • CRT5760 Gender, body and performance (not offered in 2006)
  • VAM5830 Exploration and immigration in the cultural imaginary (not offered in 2006)

Course coordinator

Dr Alan Dilnot

Australian Studies

Offered by the National Centre for Australian Studies, within the School of Humanities Communications and Social Sciences

This program is designed to give students the opportunity to pursue the study of Australian society and culture at an advanced level. Building on a basis provided by relevant interdisciplinary courses, students go on to develop and complete an appropriate research thesis.

Students must complete a 66 per cent thesis of 20,000 to 25,000 words plus two core units for a total of 24 points:

  • AUS5010 Society and culture of twentieth-century Australia
  • COM5001 Researching and writing Australia

Course coordinator

Dr Andrew Hassam

Communications

Offered by the School of Humanities, Communication and Social Sciences

The course seeks to strengthen skills in communications research and analysis and to further students’ understanding of both the history and current structure of the communications industry in Australia and of the contemporary policy debates. The course is particularly designed to provide students with the necessary analytical research and writing skills to respond to the rapidly changing policy environment in communications. Most of the coursework units are taught in the Melbourne CBD. Mid-year entry is available.

Students must complete a 66 per cent thesis of 20,000 to 25,000 words plus two compulsory units:

  • COM5001 Researching and writing Australia
  • COM5010 Communications, convergence and public policy

Course coordinator

John Arnold

Critical Theory

Offered by the Centre for Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies, School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics

Critical theory is a term used to describe a whole series of contemporary approaches to textual criticism: hermeneutics and reception theory, semiotics and structuralism, post-structuralism and deconstruction, post-Marxian theories of ideology and post-Freudian theories of psychoanalysis. These have all been central to recent works in literary and cultural studies. This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to this complex body of work and an opportunity to apply it to a substantive research thesis, which may focus on literary studies, cultural studies or critical theory itself. The choice of thesis topic will be made in close consultation with a thesis supervisor. Candidates intending to carry out research in comparative literature are normally expected to read literary texts in the original language. The centre welcomes applications from students with good linguistic abilities. Mid-year entry is available.

The MA by research and coursework will consist of a thesis (of 20,000 to 25,000 words) weighted at 66 per cent, plus two 12-point units selected from the following:

Course coordinator

Professor Andrew Milner

English

Offered by the School of English, Communication and Performance Studies

On completion of the course, students should have consolidated and extended their knowledge of literature, literary theory and the contexts in which literature is produced and read. They should also have consolidated their skills in originating and pursuing research projects independently and extended their skills of analysis, composition and argument. They should also have completed a substantial research thesis which represents a significant contribution to knowledge in the field in which they are working. Mid-year entry is available.

Students are required to complete a compulsory research thesis of between 20,000 and 25,000 words weighted at 66 per cent, plus two level-five, 12-point units totalling 24 points from the following:

  • CRT5030 Poetics
  • ENM5260 Writers and the creative process
  • ENM5370 Contemporary Australian poetry and fiction
  • ENM5580 Ireland, Swift, England: special author unit
  • ENM5620 Literary theory
  • ENM5700 Drama of the age of Shakespeare
  • ENM5750 Exotic erotic other: world writing in English
  • ENM5760 Visions and revisions: reworkings

Course coordinator

Dr Pauline Nestor

Geography

Offered by the School of Geography and Environmental Science

The course is intended for students wishing to obtain the internationally accepted research degree which testifies to high standards of initiative, independence and innovation and which, if gained at a sufficient standard, is accepted as a qualification for admission to the PhD.

The MA in Geography by research and coursework entails a thesis of 20,000 to 25,000 words (66 per cent), plus 24 points of coursework chosen from level 5 units offered by the School of Geography and Environmental Science. Level 5 units from other schools may be chosen, subject to approval.

Candidates may also take this course by 100 per cent research and are expected to submit a thesis of 30,000 to 40,000 words. Whether a student is allowed to undertake a thesis on a particular topic is contingent upon the availability of appropriate supervision. Individual units are offered according to the availability of staff and subject to sufficient enrolments.

Course coordinator

Dr Haripriya Rangan

History

Offered by the School of Historical Studies

This course is designed to provide students with a broader knowledge of specific fields of history and their associated methodological techniques, to introduce key theoretical concepts and questions regarding the nature of historical investigation and the examination of evidence from a variety of sources, and to provide a context of existing approaches and methods for students developing research theses.

The course comprises two 12-point units selected from those offered at level 5, and a thesis of 20,000 to 25,000 words. The two units must be completed in the first year (if full-time) or the first two years (if part-time).

The following units are available (note that not all are offered every year):

  • EUM5020 Religion and Secularism in the quest for European Integration
  • HYM5070 Research project in history
  • HYM5095 History and heritage
  • HYM5115 Private and public voices in Renaissance correspondence
  • HYM5120 Reading and writing Australian history
  • HYM5140 The Raj imagined
  • HYM5175 Interpreting the Bible: Jewish and Christian perspectives
  • HYM5180 Images of the natural world: issues in environmental history
  • HYM5185 Colonial Encounters: Ideas of Race and 'Otherness' in the British World, 1650-1900
  • HYM5200 History and memory
  • HYM5270 Research methods in biography and life writing
  • HYM5280 Reading and writing biography and life stories
  • HYM5320 Citizens: histories of Australian citizenship
  • HYM5330 Cultures of devotion in Renaissance Italy
  • HYM5340 The highland clearances: displacement, migration and memory in Scotland
  • HYM5430 Perfecting America: rhetoric, reform and reaction
  • HYM5500 Contours of racial thought
  • HYM5620 Family history and genealogy
  • HYM5740 The French Revolution: issues and debates)
  • HYM5820 Local and community history
  • HYM5840 Text and community in Renaissance Italy
  • JWM5030 Jewish history and Jewish memory: writing and reading the Jewish past
  • HYM5900 History, biography and autobiography
  • HYM5950 Hidden transcripts: cultural approaches to the past
  • HYM5960 Gender and history
  • JWM5010 Reading and interpreting Jewish texts: from antiquity to modern times
  • JWM5020 Between homeland and holy land: Israel in Jewish thought
  • RLM5060 Medieval women and their world: constructing identities 1100–1450
  • RLM5070 Buddhism: society, politics and ethics
  • RLM5100 Religion in Australian Society
  • RLM5110 Ecology, gender and the sacred
  • RLM5140 Confronting death through ceremony and symbol: a cross- cultural analysis

Course coordinator

Professor David Garrioch

International Development

Offered by the School of Geography and Environmental Science

This program provides some coursework as a foundation for students undertaking a substantial piece of research relating to international development theory, policy or practice. The course extends the knowledge, research and writing skills of people already working in, or seeking employment in, organisations involved in international or sustainable development.

Candidates are required to successfully complete a total of 24 points of coursework units, including 12 points of international development units at level 5; and 12 points of other level 5 units approved by the international development program coordinators. Candidates also complete a 66 per cent thesis of 20,000 to 25,000 words. Research topics are determined in consultation with the program coordinators and research supervisors. For detailed information and lists of other units available, contact one of the course coordinators.

Course coordinators

Dr Craig Thorburn and Dr Bruce Missingham

Interpreting and Translation Studies

Offered by the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics

This program will enable students to focus their studies around a research thesis in translation/interpreting studies. The coursework component is designed to encourage the theoretical issues and practical application relating to translation/interpreting studies to broaden and deepen the students' understanding of this discipline, thereby providing a fuller appreciation of the context in which the research project will be conceptualised.

Candidates are requested to complete the following units for a total of 24 points of coursework plus a 66 per cent thesis of 20,000 to 25,000 words. Some of the units listed below require prerequisites. These would have normally been completed by those students transferring from the Master of Translation Studies by coursework. Those candidates who have not completed the required prerequisites for the units below may be exempted with the approval of the course coordinator.

  • TRN5060 Theoretical issues in interpreting and translation studies A (12 points)
  • TRN5080 Research project in translation/interpreting studies (12 points)
  • TRN5090 Research dissertation in translation/interpreting (24 points)

Students may also take other fifth-year units in related areas, for example Japanese interpreting and translation or applied linguistics, with the approval of the course coordinator.

Course coordinator

Dr Rita Wilson

Applied Japanese Linguistics

Offered by the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics

This program consists of one-third coursework and two-thirds (66 per cent) thesis of 20,000 to 25,000 words. The coursework will usually comprise two fifth-year-level one2-point units in applied Japanese linguistics.

Course coordinator

Associate Professor Helen Marriott

Japanese Studies

Offered by the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics

Students enrolled in the Master of Arts in Japanese studies are expected to develop research skills through the completion of a thesis (weighted at 66 per cent) as well as acquiring advanced knowledge of Japanese society, culture, work practices or the economy, or Australia-Japan relations.

Students complete a full semester of coursework (24 points), followed by preparation of a thesis of 20,000 to 25,000 words (66 per cent). The thesis topic must be determined in consultation with the supervisor, who is to be selected in consultation with the graduate coordinator. The course work will usually consist of two level-five 12-point units in Asian studies.

Studies may be commenced in either semester.

Course coordinator

Professor Ross Mouer

Linguistics

Offered by the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics

The research degree can be undertaken by thesis alone (100 per cent) or by coursework combined with research (66 per cent). Candidates undertaking the degree by 66 per cent research are required to complete a thesis of 20,000 to 25,000 words and complete two approved 12-point level-five* units.

The unit ALM5150 Research design in applied linguistics, may be an appropriate way for students to satisfy part of this requirement.

    * See the comments under ‘External masters candidature’ in the introduction to this ‘Research degrees with a coursework component’ section.

Course coordinator

Dr Keith Allan and Professor Kate Burridge

Music

Offered by the School of Music - Conservatorium

Students complete two of the following 12-point units and undertake a 66 per cent thesis of 20,000 to 25,000 words.

  • MUM5010 Topics in musicology
  • MUM5020 Directed reading in music
  • MUM5030 Australian music history
  • MUM5040 Medieval and Renaissance music
  • MUM5050 Musicological (including ethnomusicological) scholarship
  • MUM5650 Topics in composition

The course is also offered as a 100 per cent research degree, where students complete a thesis of 30,000 to 40,000 words.

Full-time candidates are required to attend a minimum of 10 of the school’s postgraduate seminars during each year of their candidature. Part-time candidates are required to attend a minimum of five seminars per year.

Course coordinator

Dr Joel Crotty

Philosophy

Offered by the School of Philosophy and Bioethics

Students undertake coursework to a value of 24 points – ie two 12-point units – chosen from the section’s level-five offerings, and then complete a substantial thesis of 20,000 to 25,000 words under the supervision of one or more staff members. All students attend staff and honours seminars, and engage in philosophical discussion with staff members and peers.

Level-five units:

  • PHM5010 Philosophy MA coursework A
  • PHM5110 Philosophy MA coursework B

Units will be offered in both semesters to accommodate mid-year entry (note PHM5010 is a prerequisite for PHM5110).

Course coordinator

Dr Dirk Baltzly

Publishing

Offered by the National Centre for Australian Studies, within the School of Humanities, Communications and Social Sciences

Candidates will be expected to complete level-five units to the equivalent of 24 points as follows:

  • PUB5002 Authorship, editing and text* (12 points)
  • other publishing or approved units at level 5 to the value of 12 points

    * PUB5002 is a core unit required by candidates in the 66 per cent MA in Publishing who have not completed the Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in Publishing and Editing or equivalent.

In addition, candidates are expected to complete a 66 per cent thesis of 20,000 to 25,000 words. Students are expected to meet with their supervisor at least on a monthly basis during the completion of their thesis. Normal contact hours for each 12-point unit amounts to the equivalent of two hours per week.

Course coordinator

Dr David Dunstan and Nick Walker

Religion and Theology

Offered by the School of Historical Studies

Students will choose two 12-point units from those offered at level 5. At least one of HYM5175 (Interpreting the Bible: Jewish and Christian perspectives) or RLM5100 (Religion in Australian society) must be taken if not already taken at honours or for the masters qualifying. In addition, students will complete a thesis of 20,000 to 25,000 words.

Students should choose from the following units. Not all are available each year:

  • HYM5175 Interpreting the Bible: Jewish and Christian perspectives
  • HYM5330 Cultures of devotion in Renaissance Italy
  • JWM5010 Reading and interpreting Jewish texts
  • JWM5020 Between homeland and holy land: Israel in Jewish thought
  • RLM5000 Research paper in religion and theology
  • RLM5060 Medieval women and their world: constructing identities 1100-1450
  • RLM5070 Buddhism: society, politics and ethics
  • RLM5100 Religion in Australian society
  • RLM5110 Ecology, gender and the sacred
  • RLM5140 Confronting death through ceremony and symbol: a cross- cultural analysis
  • Other units by permission.

Course coordinator

Associate Professor Constant Mews

Tourism

Offered by the National Centre for Australian Studies, within the School of Humanities, Communications and Social Sciences

This course seeks to develop a strategic understanding of how the industry operates and is designed for those students who desire to undertake some original research in close association with the industry. Students are encouraged to conduct research internationally with universities that have exchange agreements with Monash. For more information, consult the website at www.arts.monash.edu.au/ncas/tourism/tourism.htm.

Candidates must complete the following:

  • ATM5090 Applied industry research
  • an additional unit to the value of 12 points as approved by the course coordinator
  • a 20,000 to 25,000-word thesis.

Course coordinator

Dr Vicki Peel

Women’s Studies

Offered by the School of Political and Social Inquiry

Candidates are required to submit a thesis of 20,000 to 25,000 words (66 per cent). The topic will be in the area of women’s studies and chosen in close consultation with the supervisor and graduate adviser. Students must also take two coursework units totalling 24 points, one of which must be WSM5180 (Sex, power, self: feminist interventions in contemporary discourse) or WSM5010 (Theorising gender), unless completed at level 4, plus an elective selected from among approved level-five units. This program is recommended for candidates who may not have a strong academic background in feminist theory and gender issues or who are returning to study after a break and would benefit from undertaking coursework units to enhance their understanding of the field.

Course coordinator

Dr Maryanne Dever

External candidature

Candidates undertaking a 66 per cent research load will normally be required to enrol for all of the units in the coursework component on Clayton campus, excepting those studying Applied Linguistics who will normally enrol for either both or only one of the coursework units on the Clayton campus, and may then apply for transfer to external candidature.

Minimum pass grade

The minimum pass grade for units in the Master of Arts by research and coursework is 60 (C), ie a grade of credit or above is required in every unit and for the thesis.

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