Bachelor of Arts

Course code: 0002 ~ Course abbreviation: BA ~ Total credit points required: 144 ~ 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time ~ Managing faculty: Arts

Study mode and course location

On-campus (Caulfield; Clayton; Gippsland; South Africa)

Off-campus (Gippsland - P/T only)

Course description

Studying humanities develops general knowledge and specific intellectual skills relating to human thought and relations, such as the way we communicate or how the past has affected the present. Social science analyses and explains societies and the relationships of individuals within those societies. As well as their humanities and social science specialisations, students can also complete studies within the Bachelor of Arts from other faculties.*

*Students must be able to meet any prerequisite or special requirements for such units.

Course objectives

Graduates are expected to: 1. develop the intellectual capabilities inherent in the interpretation of sources of knowledge, 2. develop the capacity for quantitative and qualitative analysis, critique and creative thinking in various humanities, arts and social science disciplines, 3. develop an understanding of the present interpretations and potential future developments in the issues underlying the content of and approaches to the disciplines they study, 4. become aware of the combination of personal and cultural understandings, ethical attitudes, and (where appropriate) the physical and aesthetic appreciations that underpin the traditional liberal arts education provided by the faculty, 5. develop the skills of written and oral presentation, argument and analysis, including other practical skills such as computer skills, as are appropriate to the disciplines they study, 6. demonstrate the capacity to apply these studies in the changing circumstances of intellectual life and of the profession they are likely to inhabit, 7. have an understanding of international trends and of the intellectual context of economic, technological and social change, 8. develop the skills and attitudes required to undertake life-long learning.

Course structure

Areas of study

For information on majors and minors, refer to the `Areas of study' section on the Arts faculty website at http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/current/coursework/study_areas.

Course requirements

Students must complete the following:

(a) an arts major (48 points)

(b) an arts minor (24 points)

(d) another 12 points of arts at first, second or third-year level

(e) a minimum of 36 points at third-year level (across the duration of the degree).

Of the 144 points, 96 points must be in the structure outlined in steps (a) to (d), and the remaining 48 points may be taken from disciplines in the Faculty of Arts or from disciplines outside the faculty. This means students can study a second major from the Arts faculty* or a major (equivalent) from another faculty. A major from a faculty other than Arts usually requires the permission of that faculty.

Note that no more than 10 units (60 points) are to be completed at a first-year level. Students have a maximum of eight years to complete this course.

*Including psychology units.

South Africa

The Bachelor of Arts degree in South Africa currently offers major sequences in communications and media studies, geography and environmental science and psychology. Students can also take units from the disciplines of English, French and criminal justice and criminology. It is anticipated that a major in international studies will also be offered and honours programs in the preceding major areas will be available.

Contact details

http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/current/coursework/contact_us/; For further details on arts offerings in South Africa, contact the Student Services manager, Mr Yusuf Essack, at email yusuf.essack@adm.monash.edu.au.