Undergraduate - Course4090 - Honours degree of Bachelor of Arts and Social Sciences

Honours is a prestigious program comprising a fourth year of coursework and research after the completion of a relevant undergraduate pass degree. Students choose a topic and undertake research working with a carefully selected supervisor who provides individual guidance and academic counselling.

Honours studies may be taken as single honours (a single discipline over one year of full-time study), double honours (two disciplines over two years of full-time study) or combined honours (two disciplines over one year of full-time study).

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 8, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 8, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://opvclt.monash.edu.au/curriculum-by-design/aligning-course-outcomes-with-aqf-bologna.html).

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that graduates will be able to demonstrate:

• the ability to critically review the scholarly literature in their specialist area of study
• understanding of the processes involved in the design, development and implementation of a relevant research project
• communication skills in both oral and written presentations to both a specialist and a non-specialist audience, including the ability to write and present original work in a potentially publishable way
• the potential to pursue higher studies and learning in their area of study
• insight into the breadth and diversity of their discipline and its place within the broader scope of the arts and social sciences.

Students must have:

• completed a degree, with a major (48 points or the equivalent) in the intended honours discipline
• obtained at least a distinction average (70 per cent) in the honours discipline(s) to the value of 24 points at second and third-year level, of which at least 18 points must be at third-year level.

Contact the School of Applied Media and Social Sciences for any additional or special requirements.

Students qualified to enter an honours program must normally do so within five years of the date on which they completed their undergraduate studies.

Students, in consultation with and under the direct supervision of a member/s of the academic staff:

(a.) carry out a program of research on an agreed topic approved by the faculty in the student's chosen discipline, including attending and/or presenting at seminars, undertaking any required coursework studies and other related activities as indicated by the faculty

(b.) submit for assessment a thesis of a specified length on the program of research which meets the requirements of the examiners.

• Australian Indigenous studies
• Cognitive science
• Communications
• Community welfare and counselling
• Criminal justice
• History
• Journalism
• Politics
• Psychological studies
• Sociology
• Writing

Students must complete:

(a.) one discipline-specific coursework unit:

• refer to 'Areas of study'

plus one school-based coursework unit:

• ATS4807 SAMSS selected topics in theory and practice

plus two dissertation units:

• ATS4805 SAMSS Honours thesis A
• ATS4806 SAMSS Honours thesis B

Combined honours

Combined honours may be undertaken, provided that all honours requirements have been met in both disciplines. Application to undertake combined honours must be made with the support of the school honours coordinators of both disciplines. Combined honours normally take the form of a joint dissertation (50 per cent in each discipline) alongside coursework chosen from the two component disciplines.

Honours degree of Bachelor of Arts and Social Sciences