Monash University Handbook 2011 Undergraduate - Course

The Associate Degree in Arts and Social Sciences offers a focused but flexible course of study where students study according to their areas of interest. Students can study traditional arts and social sciences disciplines such as history, sociology and English alongside more applied and vocational areas, to construct a degree that meets their individual goals. Graduates will be able to demonstrate skills of analysis, critical thinking, high level communication and the potential for lifelong learning.

Graduates will be required to demonstrate:

• develop skills in intellectual enquiry
• develop the capacity for synthesis and analysis in various humanities and social science disciplines
• develop the skills of written and oral presentation, argument and analysis, and information literacy, as developed through and informed by the disciplines they have studied
• develop the ability to engage with new technologies and communicate effectively in online environments
• develop breadth of knowledge in the past and present frameworks, debates and issues in the disciplines they have studied, as well as an understanding of their relevance to contemporary life
• demonstrate the capacity to apply these studies in the changing circumstances of the work environments they are likely to inhabit
• cross-cultural literacies and an understanding of the consequences and implications of globalisation
• develop the skills, literacies and self-motivation required to undertake life-long learning.

Students complete 96 points consisiting of two arts/social sciences minors, two core units and six arts/social science units.

Students complete the following:

(a.) two arts/social sciences minors (48 points)

(b.) two core units:

• ATS1369 Understanding university learning
• ATS1370 Knowledge and context (12 points)

(c.) two first year level arts/social sciences units (12 points)

(d.) a further four units in arts/social sciences at second year level (24 points)

Note: A minor consists of two first year units and two second year units in a specific area of study.

Permission may be given for students to take up to 24 points from a faculty other than Arts.

Areas of Study

Available minors

• Australian Indigenous studies
• Australian studies
• communications
• community studies
• community welfare and counselling
• criminal justice
• English
• history-politics
• journalism
• philosophy
• psychology (ARTS)
• psychological studies
• public relations
• sociology
• writing

NOTE: A minor only is available for Australian studies, community welfare and counselling, criminal justice, English, journalism and public relations. Philosophy and psychology are only available via off-campus learning.

For information on other arts units refer to the 'Areas of study' section in this Handbook at http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2011handbooks/aos/index-ug-byfaculty-arts.html.

On successful completion of this course, students may apply to upgrade to the following course:

• 4073 Bachelor of Arts and Social Sciences

Associate Degree in Arts and Social Sciences