Monash University Handbook 2011 Undergraduate - Course

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.

This course consists of a compulsory arts major and arts minor, with additional studies chosen from a variety of arts disciplines.

Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Theology students refer to the specific details for that award under 'Requirements' below.

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/2011handbooks/aos/index-ug-byfaculty-arts.html(students at South Africa should note the areas of study available at that campus listed below).

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.

Students complete the following:

(a.) an arts major (48 points)

(b.) an arts minor in a different area of study (24 points)

(c.) a first-year arts sequence in a third area of study (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.

By combining some of the core arts requirements, students can complete a double major in two different arts disciplines. For more details on this option, contact the Faculty of Arts.

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).

Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Theology

This double-award study arrangement is offered in conjunction with the Melbourne College of Divinity. The requirements for the Bachelor of Arts are completed at the Clayton campus of Monash University and awarded by the University. The requirements for the Bachelor of Theology are completed on one of the campuses of the Melbourne College of Divinity and awarded by the College.

Students complete the equivalent of 192 Monash points overall:

• 96 points of core arts requirements as listed in (a.)-(d.) above for the Bachelor of Arts
• the equivalent of 96 points for the theology components as listed by the Melbourne College of Divinity at http://www.mcd.edu.au.

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.

Bachelor of Arts