Bachelor of Arts - Bachelor of International Studies (Dean'S Scholar)

course description

The Dean's Scholar degree provides an academic space for high-achieving single degree Arts students. With a limited intake of students per year, it aims to provide an enriched educational experience for high-achieving, motivated Arts students who are hoping to make a contribution to their field of study through teaching or research, or by working as professionals in their chosen area of study.

Dean's Scholars have the opportunity to attempt subjects not normally available to first-year students. They may be granted exemption from certain first-year subjects and may be permitted extended subject loads, enabling them to complete the degree in less than the normal time and enter Honours in their third year. Each Dean's Scholar has an academic mentor, a member of academic staff who undertakes to offer advice in the scholar's major area of study. The Dean's Scholar degree is not a scholarship. Students intending to apply for a place in this degree are encouraged to apply for the University's Undergraduate, Residential, Foundation or Equity and Merit Scholarships.

Dean's Scholar students benefit from:

Access to shared study and workspace;

Yearly text book/resource allowance for full-time students;

Dean's Scholars fortnightly 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 Sub Dean of the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts oversees the program and has meetings with the scholars each session. Dean's Scholars are assigned an academic mentor - a member of academic staff who nominates to advise the student on matters concerned with the degree. On successful completion of the first part of the course, Dean's Scholars will be guaranteed admission to Honours.

Dean's Scholars must undertake one major study from the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts and may take any of the minor studies areas as set out earlier in this Handbook under the entry for the Bachelor of Arts 702. 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 Dean's Scholars have competed successfully for places in the Australian National Internship Program or the University Capitol Washington Internship Program which places students in political offices in Canberra or Washington D.C. respectively.

Entry requirements

Academic requirements, English requirements and credit transfer  information are available from the Course Finder.

Course structure

To qualify for award of the double degree of Bachelor of Arts - Bachelor of International Studies (Dean’s Scholars) course code 1818A a student must complete a total of at least 216 credit points.

The 216 credit points shall include:

• The core subjects prescribed (52 credit points) for the International Studies degree;

• A minimum of a minor in a language other than English (minimum of 28 credit points; students may elect to take a major in a language);

• At least one of the four minors listed in this degree: Asia Pacific Studies; Global Development and the Environment; International Communication; Peace and Security Studies (minimum of 24 credit points but no more than 32). These will normally be available in the second and third years of study. Upon graduation minors will appear on the transcript (i.e. academic record).

a) A minimum of 90 credit points from subjects offered by member units of the Faculty of Law, Humanities and Arts which includes:

b) at least one of the majors listed in the Bachelor of Arts

AND

c) subjects that are not already counted towards the requirements of the BIS;

d) To complete the credit points required for the double degree, students can take elective subjects offered by the Faculty of Law, Humanities and Arts or other faculties.

e) Maintaining an average mark of 75% or better.

f) ARTS100 Peer-2-Peer Mentoring.

g) Not more than 90 credit points in 100-level subjects.

Students may count no more than 24 credit points of PC (Pass Conceded) or PR (Pass Restricted) grades towards the 216 required for the degree.

Peer-2-Peer Mentoring

Peer-2-Peer Mentoring (subject code ARTS100) is a compulsory zero credit point subject that must be undertaken by each student during their first year. This subject consists of a one hour tutorial per week in the student's first session of study. This subject is designed to enable incoming students to adapt rapidly to the tertiary environment and engage with the university community.

Students can find information at the Peer-2-Peer Mentoring website. 

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, the second major can be taken from Arts, 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, Education, Geography, Legal Studies, 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.

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).

Where a minor is taken from outside of the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts degree, refer to the requirements prescribed for that minor.

Major Study Areas from the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts 702A (Dean's Scholar) within the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts must take one major from the Bachelor of Arts (Dean's Scholar) degree. Please see the Bachelor of Arts (Dean's Scholar) for details.

Minor Studies

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts 702A (Dean's Scholar) may choose a minor from the Bachelor of Arts (Dean's Scholar) degree.

Internship and International Subjects

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 relevant subjects are listed below and more are being planned for introduction over the next three years.

Assessment

Assessment in this course varies between subjects and typically includes a combination of essays, tutorial/seminar presentations, WebCT exercises and, in some subjects, in-class tests and/or exams. Some subjects may have an additional practical component. The assessment requirements of each subject are set out in the individual subject outlines, which students receive in the first week of session.

Honours

See separate entry for the Bachelor of Arts Honours.

The Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts Honours Handbook can be accessed as a PDF document from the School of Arts home page.

Dean's Scholars

In January of each year, the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts invites applications from high achieving students to apply to transfer into the Bachelor of Arts Studies Dean's Scholars Degree.

Selection Criteria

To be eligible to apply for a place in the Bachelor of Arts Dean's Scholars Degree (code 702A), applicants would normally meet the following criteria:

Currently enrolled in the BA 702 or any other degree;

Full-time student;

Have successfully completed two full sessions of study or 8 subjects;

Have a WAM (weighted average mark) of at least 80.

Other Information

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