About the Course

Course Description:

This course provides a broad introduction to the study of human culture, specifically languages, media studies and philosophy. Students undertake a major study in Australian Studies, Cultural Studies, Electronic Society, Italian Studies, Japanese Studies, Literature, Media Studies, or Philosophy and Cultural Inquiry. They may also undertake studies in Business, Politics, Psychology or Sociology. It nurtures the capacity for lifelong independent learning by developing skills of investigation and analysis, critical thinking, and effective communication which equip students for a wide range of professional employment in administration, education, publishing and media, and for further study.

Aims & Objectives:

The Bachelor of Arts degree is designed to produce graduates who are able to contribute effectively and professionally to a dynamic global economy because they possess:

• Knowledge, conceptual understanding and expertise in specific areas of study in the humanities and social sciences.
• An understanding of the relationship between theory, research and practice.
• A capacity for critical analysis, creativity and problem solving.
• Professional skills, including the ability to use modern technology.
• Independent and life-long learning skills.
• Comprehensive written and oral communication skills.
• A strong sense of personal integrity and an appreciation of the role of ethics in private and public life.
• Excellent problem solving, teamwork and decision making skills.
  

The combined focus on generic skills and sound academic and professional knowledge within the Bachelor of Arts degree equips students well for a life-long process of personal development. Students with these attributes are highly sought after by employers who increasingly seek people with well developed generic skills, in addition to professional competencies. (See Employability Skills for the Future, Department of Education, Science and Training, 2002.)

Course Structure:

• Major 1
• Major 2
• 8 Electives
  

• Major 1
• Major 2
• Minor 1
• 3 Electives
  

• Major 
• Minor 1
• Minor 2
• 6 Electives              
  

Note: At least one major MUST be Arts specific.  In addition students must complete a minimum of 19 Arts and Social Sciences units of study, regardless of which of the above options they choose.

• A maximum of ten Stage 1 units of study can be completed in the degree.
• Students must complete a minimum of six Stage 3 units of study.
• Compulsory unit HAC0001 must be completed.
• A unit of study can only be counted once as part of a major, minor or elective.
• Students are not permitted to enrol in units of study where they have completed other units of study that are deemed to be equivalent, e.g. dual coded unit of study such as HAH210/HAH310. 
• Equivalent units of study cannot be used for credit at a level other than that which the student has enrolled, e.g. if a student has enrolled in a unit of study coded as a Stage 2 unit of study (HAH210), it cannot be counted as a Stage 3 unit of study.
• Students are permitted to include one non-Social Science or non-Arts minor as part of their course structure. If so, no further non-Social Science or non-Arts units of study will be counted towards the degree.
• Students must complete a minimum of 19 Arts or Social Science units of study.
• The maximum number of units of study that may be completed for the degree course is 26.

Prerequisites/Corequisites
Students must ensure they have met prerequisite/corequisite requirements listed for each unit of study before enrolling.

Major specialisation:

• Australian Studies
• Cultural Studies
• Electronic Society
• Italian Studies
• Japanese
• Literature
• Media Studies
• Philosophy and Cultural Inquiry
  

• Politics
• Psychology
• Sociology
  

• Accounting
• Asian Business
• Business Law
• Economics
• eBusiness
• European Business
• Finance
• Human Resource Management / Organisation Behaviour
• Information Systems
• International Business
• Manufacturing Management
• Marketing
  

Note: Students should choose a Business minor carefully as only five non-Arts and non-Social Science units of study count towards the degree.  

• Effective Communication
• Establishing and Running a Business
• Language Practice and Culture
• Enterprising Marketing
• Multimedia: Web Development
• Information Orientation and Knowledge Management
• Undergraduate Research Skills
• Design: Process and Strategy
• The Networked Economy
• Sustainability

Course Features

Industry-Based Learning:

Industry-Based Learning is an optional program in which students are placed in paid, supervised employment relevant to their studies as part of their degree. Industry-Based Learning gives students practical experience to add to their academic studies, and is a proven advantage in the graduate job market. All Industry-Based Learning placements are subject to availability of places. For further information visit: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/spl/ibl/  

The optional year of Industry-Based Learning in Australia is currently not available to international students. However international students may be able to participate in IBL in another country, subject to the approval of the relevant Swinburne IBL Manager and appropriate immigration approval.

Honours:

Bachelor of Arts graduates with a demonstrated academic ability have the option of undertaking a specialised additional year of study, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree. Study at an honours level provides students with an opportunity to enhance their research ability and permits further studies and specialisation in their major discipline. The honours year is offered in the areas of Industry and Community Studies, Languages, Media and Cultural Studies, Psychology and Social Sciences. Please see the entry for the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) for details.

Education Abroad:

Swinburne offers International Exchange Programs as well as other Education Abroad Programs to help internationalise your degree. International Exchange is an academic program allowing you to study at a Swinburne Partner Institution for one or two semesters during your degree. Swinburne's Partner Institutions offer many relevant subjects as well as a secure base to explore a different culture. Your studies whilst on exchange can be credited towards your Swinburne degree, provided they are relevant and approved by Swinburne. For further information visit the Education Abroad website.

Employment Outcomes

Career Opportunities:

Swinburne Arts graduates are well equipped to find work in areas where employers put a high premium on well developed conceptual understanding and other critical and creative reasoning skills needed to come to terms with and respond effectively to the complex and changing demands of the contempory workplace. These areas include: policy analysis and development, research, community development, administration, public relations, publishing, media and professional psychology. Arts graduates find employment as journalists, psychologists, librarians, teachers, interpreters, sociologists, publishers, internet providers and marketers.

Professional recognition:

The three-year undergraduate sequence in Psychology at Swinburne is accredited by the Australian Psychological Society.

How To Apply

Entry Requirements:

ENTER:

2008 Round 1 Cleary-In ENTER: 75.05 (CSP), n/a (Fee)

Credit Transfer:

Applicants with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be granted ‘credit’ and/or entry into the course with ‘advanced standing’. University policies apply and applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. For further information refer to ‘Swinburne Pathways: Credit Transfer Guide’ at: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/corporate/marketing/pathways//

Pathways (articulation):

An advanced credit transfer system, known as the Pathways program, is in place at Swinburne. Through Pathways, students with one or more of a wide range of post-secondary qualifications (both local and international) can gain entry into this course with advanced standing. Certain subject requirements must be met and an acceptable standard of results achieved in order to gain admission and for maximum credit to be granted. For further information refer to 'Swinburne Pathways: Credit Transfer Guide at: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/corporate/marketing/pathways//

Recognition of Prior Learning:

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process where a student may be granted credit or partial credit towards a qualification in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Further details for students considering Higher Education courses: http://www.swin.edu.au/corporate/registrar/ppd/files/stuinf.htm

Course Fees:

• HECS-HELP (previously HECS) – is available to eligible Commonwealth supported students. It provides students with a loan to cover their student contribution amount. Students are eligible for a discount if they choose to pay all, or at least $500, of their student contribution up-front.
• FEE-HELP (previously PELS) – is available to eligible fee paying undergraduate and postgraduate students. It provides students with a loan to cover their tuition fees (lifetime maximum $80,000 indexed annually).
• OS-HELP – is available to eligible Commonwealth supported students, who wish to study overseas, with a loan to cover expenses such as accommodation and travel.
  

Note: New Zealand citizens and holders of other Australian permanent resident visas do not have access to HELP loans. These students must pay their student contributions or tuition fees up front without a discount.

For further information on your support and study options visit the 'Going to Uni' website at: http://www.goingtouni.gov.au For information about Swinburne's fees visit: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/fees

Scholarships:

For information about scholarships at Swinburne visit: http://www.swin.edu.au/scholarships

Application Procedure:

Applications must be made through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC).

VTAC code: 34321(CSP), 34322 (Fee), 34323 (Int. Fee)

For further information, visit the VTAC website at: http://www.vtac.edu.au

Part-time study is also available to Australian citizens and holders of Australian residency.

Mid-Year Application:

Find Out More

Information Sessions:

2008 Open Day

Sunday 17 August

10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Only at Hawthorn, Lilydale and Prahran campuses.

For more information, visit www.swinburne.edu.au/openday

Further information: