Bachelor of Arts (Dean's Scholar)

Overview

The Dean's Scholar degree aims to provide an enriched educational experience for high-achieving, motivated students. This degree is for students hoping to make a contribution to fields of study through teaching or research, or as professionals.

Dean's Scholars have the opportunity to attempt subjects not normally available to first-year students. Students may be granted exemption from certain first-year subjects and be permitted to extend their subject load, enabling them to complete the degree in less than the normal time frame and enter Honours in their third year. Each Dean's Scholar receives an academic mentor, a member of staff who mentors and offers advice on matters concerned with the degree.

Dean's Scholar students benefit from:

• Access to shared study and workspace;
• Yearly text book/resource allowance for full-time students;
• Limited printing privileges;
• Dean's Scholars lunch time seminar series (seminars are conducted by high profile academic staff as well as visiting fellows);
• Opportunities to attend academic and higher degree research workshops and seminars;
• Dean’s Scholars celebratory events;
• Extended Library privileges.

The Faculty Heads of Students oversee the program and have regular meetings with students. On successful completion of the first part of the course, Dean's Scholars will be guaranteed admission to Honours.

To remain in the program, Dean's Scholars must maintain an average of 75% in each year of study. If the student's average falls below 75%, the student will be transferred into the Bachelor of Arts (702).

Dean's Scholars are able to use the University's student exchange program to undertake a period of study overseas. Several students have successfully competed for places in the Australian National Internship Program or the University Capitol Washington Internship Program. These programs are highly coveted and place students in political offices in Canberra or Washington D.C. where they gain practical experience related to the theoretical components of the degree.

Entry Requirements

Academic requirements and English requirements are available from the Course Finder.   Refer to UOW's Credit Arrangements for information on how to apply for credit.

Course Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from the Bachelor of Arts (Dean's Scholar) will be able to:

1. Evaluate complex issues and ideas about society and culture
2. Apply disciplinary knowledge in a variety of real-world professional contexts
3. Communicate concepts effectively to a range of audiences
4. Independently plan and execute a research or professional based project that demonstrates an understanding and critical analysis of the area of study

Course Structure

To qualify for award of the degree of Bachelor of Arts (Dean's Scholar) course code 702_2, a student must complete a total of at least 144 credit points from subjects listed in the Course Structures of the Bachelor of Arts offered by member units of the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts, and other subjects as approved by the Faculty.

The 144 credit points shall include:

1. 12 credit points consisting of the following two 6 credit point subjects for Dean’s Scholars; LHA 102 Dean’s Scholars Seminar and LHA 302 Dean’s Scholars Research Project;
2. The subjects prescribed for one of the majors listed in the Course Structures for that degree and offered by member units of the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts;
3. 24 credit points of 300 level subjects within the major must be at a pass grade or better;
4. To complete the credit points required for the degree, students can take a second major, minor or elective subjects offered by the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts or other faculties.
5. Not more than 60 credit points in 100-level subjects;
6. Maintaining an average mark of 75% or better. 

Majors and Minors

Students can undertake a double major in their degree. As long as the first major is taken from those offered by the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts (LHA), the second major can be taken from LHA, or from any other faculty, provided students meet the requirements for that major. The most common second majors taken outside the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts include Economics, Geography, Management, Marketing and Psychology. If the two majors have common subjects, students can count one subject twice towards the majors but cannot count the credit points twice towards those required for the degree.

Students can take Minors as part of their double degree program provided they meet the requirements set. Minor studies consist of a minimum of 28 credit points of which no more than 12 credit points at 100 level can be counted. Students may not cross count subjects from a nominated minor into any other minor or major.

Minors do not appear on the testamur but do appear on the transcript (i.e. academic record). Students are reminded that to have a minor study recorded they must declare their minor study by submitting an Application to Declare or Change Intended Major/Minor.

Students can consult with academic advisors in the relevant schools concerning the selection of appropriate subjects.

Note: Students must achieve a clear pass in the core 300 level subjects to be eligible to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts (Dean’s Scholar).

Majors

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts (Dean's Scholar) course code 702_2, within the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts must take one of these majors:

• Chinese (Mandarin) for Character Background Students
• Chinese (Mandarin) for Non-Chinese Background Students
• Creative Writing
• Cultural Studies
• English Literatures
• French
• History
• Indigenous Studies
• Italian
• Japanese
• Philosophy
• Photography
• Politics
• Science and Technology Studies
• Sociology
• Spanish
• Writing and English Literatures

Minors

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts (Dean's Scholar) course code 702_2, may choose from the following minors.

• Asia Pacific Studies
• Australian Studies
• Chinese (Mandarin) for Character Background Students
• Chinese (Mandarin) for Non-Chinese Background Students
• Cultural Studies
• English Language and Linguistics
• English Literatures
• European Studies
• French
• History
• Indigenous Studies
• Indonesian*
• Italian
• Japanese
• Philosophy
• Philosophy of Psychology
• Politics
• Science and Technology Studies
• Sociology
• Spanish

* Available by cross institutional study only

Internship and International Subjects

The Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts (LHA) internship program provides students with an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in their degree in a workplace setting. The internship subject ARTS301 * is offered to all LHA students providing they meet the pre-requisites. Another popular internship facilitated by the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts is the Politics Internship. The Politics internship subject POL 301 presents interested students with the opportunity to be an intern at Washington, New York or Canberra. Read more about the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts Internship Program on our website.

* Subject is currently under review and may undergo some changes.

One of the Faculty's aims is to encourage students to study in an overseas university. Students can study abroad for a full session taking three to four subjects, or can study abroad for a shorter period of time by taking a study tour. The Faculty's study tour subjects currently focus on War History and incorporate visits to Gallipoli and the Western Front. Both subjects are listed below:

Honours

Students can do an Honours degree in the Bachelor of Arts. This requires additional study (one year full-time, or two years part-time).

Honours may be undertaken by students who meet the requirements for enrolment.

Further information can be accessed at UOW Honours.

Credit Arrangements

Credit and articulation arrangements are available from the Course Finder. Refer to UOW's credit arrangements for information on how to apply for credit.

Other Information

Further information is available at:
UOW Course Finder
Email: lha-enquiries@uow.edu.au