Bachelor of Arts | 2017

* The Bachelor of Arts offered at Bega, Batemans Bay, Southern Highlands, Shoalhaven Campuses and South Western Sydney are listed on different pages - Bachelor of Arts (Regional Campuses) and Bachelor of Arts - South Western Sydney. 

Overview

A Bachelor of Arts degree is one of the more traditional and popular university degrees, though it has changed in shape and content throughout the years and from country to country. The BA today is made up of subjects with origins in the humanities; history, literature, languages and philosophy and the disciplines developed during the nineteenth century that we now know as the social sciences; cultural studies, sociology and politics. While universities package courses in a variety of ways, these and related disciplines are generally included in an Arts degree, even if they are not always located in the Faculty.

Entry Requirements

Academic requirements and English requirements are available from the Course Finder.

Course Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from the Bachelor of Arts will be able to:

1. Evaluate complex issues and ideas about society and culture;
2. Apply disciplinary knowledge and skills in a variety of real-world professional contexts;
3. Communicate concepts effectively to a range of audiences;
4. Use  digital and other technologies essential for careers and lifelong learning.

All BA students will be able to demonstrate these outcomes which are common to each BA major. Each major also has major learning outcomes that are unique to that major. Major Learning Outcomes are outlined under each major. 

Course Structure

To qualify for award of the degree, the Bachelor of Arts (course code 702), a candidate must satisfactorily complete a total of at least 144 credit points, comprised of the following:

1. At least one major study available in the Bachelor of Arts, outlined below (48 credit points);

2. LHA 101 - Introduction to Arts and the Humanities (6 credit points);

3. A second major study (minimum 48 credit points and maximum 60 credit points) from within the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts (LHA), OR, a minor study (minimum of 24 credit points) from within LHA;

4. Elective subjects offered in LHA, or other Faculties, to the value of at least 144 credit points.

Note:

• At least 24 credit points of subjects completed at the 300-level within the major must be at a pass mark or better;
• Not more than 60 credit points can be taken in 100-level subjects.

LHA 101 Introduction to Arts and the Humanities

Introduction to Arts and the Humanities (subject code LHA 101) is a compulsory 6 credit point subject that must be undertaken by each student during their first year, and ideally during their first session. Students will be introduced to key concepts including critical thinking, digital literacy, academic integrity, effective communication and degree and career planning.

This subject is designed to orient and support students during their first session of university and to provide students with the academic skills necessary to succeed in their first year. The subject will also assist students to understand the structure of their degree, to plan their study pathway and to plan for post-university careers.

Majors and Minors

Choosing a Major (Wollongong)

The Bachelor of Arts (702), is one of the more open degrees offered by the University. Rather than relying on a prescribed program of study, it offers students a range of choices. The degree offers majors in the disciplinary areas familiar from study at school, like English Literatures, History and Languages. Other disciplinary areas that might not be as familiar, include Philosophy, Sociology and Politics. The study of a discipline gives students a developing set of skills while they acquire a set of conceptual frameworks and a body of knowledge interpreted using those frameworks. For example, within the study of 'history', students learn how to research and write history, as well as how to read what historians have thought about the past.

The Bachelor of Arts also offers interdisciplinary studies. These are built around either a place (for example Australian Studies) or a theme (for example Indigenous Studies). These areas reach across disciplines to illustrate different ways an issue can be explored. Australian Studies relies on History and Indigenous Studies. Interdisciplinary study areas ask the students to step outside the comfort zone offered by disciplinary majors and offer challenging alternatives to traditional areas of study.

Most majors offered in the Bachelor of Arts require at least 48 credit points although some require more (for example, those taking a Language as a Beginner). All majors require at least a pass in 24 credit points at 300 level from the subjects offered for the major. All Bachelor of Arts majors include the 6cp subject LHA 301 Capstone. As students are only permitted to cross count one subject in two majors, students who take two BA majors are advised to cross count LHA 301 in both of their majors.

The requirements for each major and minor are set out later in this Handbook.

Note: 

A number of  300 level subjects have  “First offered 2018”recorded in the session of offer. This note means that these 300 level subjects have been reviewed and that the first time these new versions may be offered is 2018 for 300 level. 

Choosing a Major (Bega, Batemans Bay, Southern Highlands & Shoalhaven)

For information on Bachelor of Arts majors offered at Bega, Batemans Bay, Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven campuses please see the separate entry on - Bachelor of Arts (Regional Campuses).

BA Majors

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts within the Faculty must take at least one of these majors:

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

LHA - Second Major/Minors

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts must also take either a second major or, alternatively a minor within LHA.

Second Major

Students who wish to take a second major may choose from the list of BA majors.

Alternatively, students interested in taking a second major that is not a BA major, may like to consider the following:

• Digital Media and Communication
• Global Media and Communication
• Global Sustainable Development
• Journalism and Professional Writing

Minors

Most minors offered in the Bachelor of Arts consist of 24 credit points and require at least 12 credit points at 200 level or higher.

Minors appear on the transcript (i.e. academic record) but do not appear on the testamur. To have a minor study recorded, students need to declare their minor study by submitting an Application to Declare or Change Intended Major/Minor.

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts (702) at Wollongong may choose from the following minors, with the details of each available on a dedicated minor page: 

• Ancient History
• Art History
• Asia Pacific Studies
• Australian Studies
• Chinese (Mandarin) for Character Background Students
• Chinese (Mandarin) for Non-Chinese Background Students
• Creative Arts
• Creative Production
• Creative Writing
• Cultural Studies
• Design
• Design History
• Digital Media and Communication
• English Language & Linguistics
• English Literatures
• Ethics
• European Studies
• French
• Gender Studies
• Global Media and Communication
• Indigenous Studies
• Indonesian*
• Italian
• Japanese
• Journalism and Professional Writing
• Marketing Communication and Advertising
• Media Arts
• Modern History
• Music
• Philosophy
• Philosophy of Psychology
• Photography
• Politics
• Science and Technology Studies
• Sociology
• Spanish
• Technical Theatre
• Theatre
• Visual Arts

* Available by cross institutional study only

Internship and International Subjects

The Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts internship program provides students with an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in their degree in a workplace setting. The Politics internship subject POL 305 presents interested students with the opportunity to be an intern at Washington, New York or Canberra. Students' are also encouraged to consider CRLP200 (6cp). Career Ready Learning and Practice, CRLP200 combines theory and practice within career development and career management frameworks. Read more about the Faculty Internship Program on our website.

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

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 Faculty Honours Students page.

Dean's Scholar Degree or Dean's Scholar Double Degrees

In January of each year, the Faculty invites applications from high achieving students to apply to transfer into the Bachelor of Arts Dean's Scholar Degree or Dean's Scholar Double Degrees.

Selection Criteria

To be eligible to apply for a place in the Bachelor of Arts Dean's Scholar Degree or Dean's Scholar Double Degrees, 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 82.

For more information including the full list of Dean's Scholar Degrees and to how to apply online visit the LHA Dean's Scholar website.

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