Bachelor of Letters

The Bachelor of Letters is a second undergraduate qualification that allows students to explore areas touched on in their undergraduate degree but not studied in depth, or to start studying in a completely new area of humanities and social sciences. Students can choose from the full range of arts disciplines and interdisciplinary programs taught by schools and centres in the Faculty of Arts.

Monash arts students learn about the diverse world in which we live, and how we might live in the future. They are encouraged to think about cultural, linguistic and geographical difference and to ask how and why these variations have occurred over time. Studying arts encourages students to take an innovative approach in tackling world issues and fosters a global perspective. Arts students think about how communication works, how people make themselves understood to others, and how they make meaning through artistic expression. Arts students have the ability to assess evidence, and the research skills to acquire information. They use these skills to find out why we are the way we are.

To do this, they need to think critically and creatively. Arts students are self-reliant researchers, seeking out a variety of resources in order to answer complicated questions. They are expert communicators who can convey complex ideas in speech and writing. They resist easy answers, or simplistic solutions.

Arts students strive to develop an ethical and intellectual framework within which they can understand what it means to be human, and how this changes over time.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 7, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 7, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

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

1. content, methods of investigation and theoretical frameworks that constitute the knowledge base of at least one discipline, and utilise the research skills gained from exposure to several disciplines
2. demonstrate the critical ability to analyse truth claims and evidence, and utilise training and judgement to adapt skills and knowledge in different contexts
3. engage responsibly in scholarship or professional practice cooperatively with others, demonstrating a capacity to accommodate the world view of others and achieve agreed outcomes through the use of highly developed oral and written communication skills
4. devise time management practices to manage competing demands, engage in professional development and demonstrate a commitment to life-long learning
5. utilise the knowledge base and methodologies of the disciplines studied in order to find innovative solutions and provide authoritative advice, in a range of contexts and in a manner appropriate to the audience.

This is a comprehensive course, structured in two equal parts:

Part A. Arts specified study

Students complete eight units selected from those listed under any major, extended major or minor offered in the Bachelor of Arts including at least one arts listed minor (24 points) in an area of study different to your arts major from part B. You may replace the minor with a second arts major by using electives units available in Part A.

Part B. Arts listed major

This will provide you with a focused program of study that will develop your expertise in one Faculty of Arts listed major area of study. You will learn to critically analyse, apply and communicate an advanced level of understanding of the concepts and theoretical frameworks that constitute the knowledge base of your major area of study.

You may replace the major with an extended major by using the elective units available in Part A.

This course comprises 96 points, over two parts A and B. Students must complete 96 points of arts listed study over Part A and Part B.

In choosing your units you must ensure that you complete no more than six level one units (36 points), of which 12 points will be gateway units within the major/s. Students must also complete at least four units (24 points) at third-year level.

The course progression mapcourse progression map (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2016handbooks/maps/map-0202.pdf) will assist you to plan to meet the course requirements, and guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

Note that disciplines offered by other faculties, including psychology, are not available.

Units are six points unless otherwise specified.

Part A. Arts specified study (48 points)

Units may be chosen from units available in the Bachelor of Arts course including to extend your major or to complete a second major or minor(s) from the course.

You can complete:

• arts minor (24 points) and arts units (24 points)
• arts minor (24 points) and a second arts minor (24 points)
• a second arts major (48 points)

Part B. Arts listed major (48 points)

Complete at least one Faculty of Arts listed major. A major requires eight units with no more than two units at level one (12 points) and at least three units (18 points) at level three. You may replace the major with an extended major by using the units available in Part A.

Click on the Bachelor of Letters listed areas of study below for units required for your chosen major or extended major.

If you intend to undertake an honours year you should ensure you complete the specific units required as a prerequisite for honours in your major area of study.

Minors, majors and extended majors

Refer also to the table of minors, majors and extended majors by campusminors, majors and extended majors by campus (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2016handbooks/undergrad/arts-ba-minor-major-extended-major.html) which also details if an area of study is available as a minor, major or extended major.

• Ancient cultures
• Anthropology
• Australia in the World
• Behavioural studies
• Bioethics
• Chinese studies
• Communications and media studies
• Criminology
• English as an international language
• Film and screen studies
• French studies
• German studies
• History
• Holocaust and genocide studies
• Human geography
• Human rights
• Indigenous cultures and histories
• Indonesian studies
• International relations
• International studies
• Islamic studies
• Italian studies
• Japanese studies
• Jewish studies
• Journalism
• Korean studies
• Linguistics
• Literary studies
• Music
• Performance
• Philosophy
• Politics
• Religious studies
• Sociology
• Spanish and Latin American studies
• Theatre
• Ukrainian studies

Honours

To be eligible to apply for entry into A3701 Bachelor of Arts (Honours), students must have completed a major within their chosen honours area of study and obtained a distinction grade average (70 per cent) or above in 24 points of studies in relevant units at level two and three, of which 24 points must be at level three in the major in which they wish to undertake honours. For some majors, completion of specific units or their equivalent is required for admission to honours. The details are provided with the requirements for each major to which this applies.