0002 - Bachelor of Arts

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.

Graduates are expected to:

• develop the intellectual capabilities inherent in the interpretation of sources of knowledge
• develop the capacity for quantitative and qualitative analysis, critique and creative thinking in various humanities, arts and social science disciplines
• 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
• 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
• 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
• demonstrate the capacity to apply these studies in the changing circumstances of intellectual life and of the profession they are likely to inhabit
• have an understanding of international trends and of the intellectual context of economic, technological and social change
• develop the skills and attitudes required to undertake life-long learning.

Students complete a compulsory arts major and arts minor, with additional studies chosen from a variety of arts disciplines.

Areas of study

For information on majors and minors, refer to the 'Areas of study' section in this Handbook at http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/undergrad/arts-ug-areas-of-study.html.

Students complete the following:

(a.) an arts major (48 points)

(b.) an arts minor (24 points)

(c.) another first-year arts sequence (12 points)

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

(e.) additional units to make up a total of 144 points.

No more than 10 units (60 points) are to be completed at a first-year level.

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

Of the total 144 points required, 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.

* Including psychology units.

South Africa

The Bachelor of Arts degree in South Africa currently offers major sequences in:

• communications and media studies
• comparative literature and cultural studies
• geography and environmental science
• international studies
• psychology.

Students can also take units from the disciplines of:

• English
• French
• criminology.

* Where more than one award is listed, or in the case of double degrees, where more than one award is listed for one or both components of the double degree, the actual award/s conferred may depend on units/majors/streams/specialisations studied, the level of academic merit achieved (eg in the case of 'with honours' programs), or other factors relevant to the individual student's program of study.