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Bachelor of Arts CA10

Program at a glance

Program outline

The Bachelor of Arts is a multidisciplinary degree program providing opportunities to pursue studies in the broad discipline areas of humanities and the social sciences. Students are able to combine social science and humanities disciplines in their core studies with professionally-based elective studies. The flexible structure of the Bachelor of Arts gives graduates broader perspectives on the contemporary world and is designed to develop critical, analytical and problem-solving skills.

Advanced Certificate of Arts

If for some reason a student is unable to complete the full Bachelor of Arts they can exit with an Advanced Certificate of Arts. To be eligible you must have successfully completed eight courses or 48 credit points within the Bachelor of Arts. Four of the eight courses or 24 credit points must come from the Core Studies Plans of the BA. The other four can be electives chosen from any other program at CQU, or from credit for previous studies. Students must satisfy the normal prerequisites that apply to their courses.

There is no entry to this program. Students must enrol in the Bachelor of Arts and formally apply to graduate with an Advanced Certificate of Arts.

Career options

advertising, arts administration, book editing, copywriting, desk-top publishing, geographer, historian, journalist, librarian, research, the media, nature and heritage conservation, news editing, personnel, politics, public relations, radio, teaching, television and welfare

Program structure

To satisfy the requirements of the award, students must complete 24 courses or 144 units of credit as outlined below.

• Students may take all 24 courses from the BA Core Studies Plan. At least 16 courses or 96 units of credit from the Core Studies that must include two separate Core Studies Plans (12 courses or 72 units of credit in total). The four left over can be taken from different Core Studies Plans (these are known as Core Studies Electives).
• No more than 10 Level 1 courses out of the 24 courses.
• Prerequisites and corequisites for each course (check Course Availability in this Handbook).

What is a core studies plan?

A plan is made up of 6 courses (36 units of credit) from the same discipline. At least four of these six must be at Advanced level. Most students complete two Level 1 and four Advanced courses, although some complete one Level 1 and five Advanced. In some plans, both Level 1 courses are required to be completed. For example, for the Welfare Studies Plan students must complete both the Level 1 courses Law and Welfare of Society A and B before going on to the Advanced courses in that plan (check the Course Availability in the Handbook).

What is a core studies elective?

Core Studies Electives are courses that are not listed in your chosen Core Studies Plans but are taken from other Core Studies Plans in the Bachelor of Arts.

What is a general elective?

A General Elective is a course that is not part of any Core Studies Plan in the Bachelor of Arts but is counted towards your overall degree program. General Electives can be chosen from any other degree program in the University (check Course Availability for prerequisites which must be met), or under certain conditions, from degree programs at other universities (cross-institutional studies). Up to eight general electives (48 units of credit) can be included in your Bachelor of Arts.

First year full-time students

The usual full-time enrolment for a first year student into the Bachelor of Arts is four courses in Autumn term and four courses in Winter term. Eight courses in total for the year. As beginning students, you should enrol in Level 1 courses only. Six out of the eight courses must be taken from the Core Studies Plans below. Follow this sample enrolment to help you choose courses for your first year of study.

Autumn term

• Level 1 Core Studies Plan A
• Level 1 Core Studies Plan B
• Level 1 Core Studies Elective
• Level 1 Core Studies Elective, or
• Level 1 General Elective

Winter term

• Level 1 Core Studies Plan A
• Level 1 Core Studies Plan B
• Level 1 Core Studies Elective
• Level 1 Core Studies Elective, or
• Level 1 General Elective

(This sample enrolment is based on the student completing the minimum requirement of two separate plans. It is possible for students to complete three or four Core Studies Plans.)

First year part-time students

The usual part-time enrolment for a first year student into the Bachelor of Arts is two courses in Autumn term and two courses in Winter term. Four courses in total for the year. As beginning students, you should enrol in Level 1 courses only. All four courses must be taken from the Core Studies Plans below. Follow this sample enrolment to help you choose courses for your first year of study.

Autumn Term - choose two of:

• Level 1 Core Studies Plan A
• Level 1 Core Studies Plan B
• Level 1 Core Studies Elective

Winter Term - choose two of:

• Level 1 Core Studies Plan A
• Level 1 Core Studies Plan B
• Level 1 Core Studies Elective

Core studies plans

What are your Core Studies Plans? Remember, you need to choose at least two. Select from the list below:

A. Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Studies

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Studies is a multidisciplinary plan taught from the perspective of a variety of disciplines, including sociology, history, geography, anthropology, and media and communication studies. Students may select from:

B. Asia Pacific Studies

The Asia Pacific plan provides students with a solid, contextually based grounding in the historical, geographical, linguistic, and cultural dimensions of the Asia Pacific. The plan offers students not only a number of perspectives in the study, interpretation and analysis of East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, and Australasia, but also encourages them to explore and understand interconnections, interdependencies and difference. Students may select from:

C. Australian Studies

The Australian Studies plan aims to introduce students to, and develop expertise in, the study of Australia - specifically, its culture, literature, drama, history, geography and sociology. Students may select from:

D. Drama Studies

From 2003, the Drama Studies Plan will be discontinued within the Bachelor of Arts. No new students will be accepted into this plan. Arrangements have been made so that students who have already commenced the Drama Studies Plan will be able to complete it. The two advanced level courses will be available during 2003-2004. After 2004, the Drama Studies Plan will be discontinued completely. Students who have not completed their plan by 2004, or who have any difficulties completing the Plan given these new arrangements, may apply to the Head of School of Humanities for permission to take drama courses offered elsewhere within the University in order to compete the requirements of the Plan.

E. Environmental Geography

Environmental Geography is a multidisciplinary plan that enhances students' ability to understand, analyse and interpret the environmental problems the contemporary world is confronting from a geography perspective and to participate in working to achieve improved environmental outcomes. Students must complete the two Level 1 courses, and choose 4 from the advanced level courses. Students who are enrolled concurrently in the Geography Plan (ie already taking GEOG11023 and GEOG11024) may choose 6 advanced level courses:

*Students enrolling in GEOG11023 Physical Geography of Australia, GEOG11024 Conservation in Australia and GEOG19021 GIS & Remote Sensing are required to have access to a computer with Internet and email capabilities. Some other courses also require such access. CQU student computer labs provide these types of PCs at CQU campuses, while the Learning Network Queensland can also provide access for distance education students in most parts of the state.

F. Environmental Studies

Environmental Studies is a multidisciplinary plan which enhances student's ability to understand, analyse and interpret the environmental problems the contemporary world is confronting. Students may select from:

GEOG11023 Physical Geography of Australia and GEOG11024 Conservation in Australia are co-requisites to this plan. Students may, in addition to taking 36uc from above, select either HUMT13006 Humanities Research Topic and/or HUMT13007 Humanities Research Topic.

*Students enrolling in these Geography courses are required to have access to a computer with Internet and email capabilities. These requirements will vary among the Geography courses. CQU student computer labs provide these types of PC's at CQU campuses, while the Learning Network Queensland can also provide access for distance education students in most parts of the state.

G. Film Studies

The Film Studies plan provides students with a comprehensive study of film within cultural, social and industrial contexts. Through a diverse range of courses, students will be able to study and analyse film texts and genres, film style, modes of production and consumption, film and gender, and film within a global context, as well as engage in independent film research. Students will need to undertake the two Level 1 courses as well as four of the courses offered at Advanced Level.

H. Geography

The Geography plan focuses on environmental studies and conservation, on the cultures and peoples of the Asia-Pacific Region, and develops generic job skills in the research, analysis and communication of information in various forms. This plan offers specialist skills in computer graphics and mapping, geographic information systems, and remote sensing applications. The plan in Geography consists of:

Note: *Students enrolling in these Geography courses are required to have access to a computer with Internet and email capabilities. These requirements will vary among the Geography courses. CQU student computer labs provide these types of PC's at CQU campuses, while the Queensland Learning Network can also provide access for distance education students in most parts of the state.

I. History

The History plan offers a range of undergraduate courses in the history of Europe, Australia, the United States, and the Asia-Pacific region, all of which may be taken by internal or external. More specialised courses in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Pacific, Asian and Oral History are also offered at honours and post-graduate levels. Students may select from:

I. Japanese Language

(Internal only)

This plan enables students to speak, read, and write the Japanese language. Students who have no Japanese knowledge can begin in Introductory Japanese A. Students with three years or more of high school Japanese or equivalent can begin in Intermediate Japanese A. After completing a plan in Japanese you can further your study of Japanese by enrolling in the Honours Program in Japanese Studies. The plan in Japanese consists of:

K. Liberal Studies

The Liberal Studies Plan provides students with an opportunity to design their own plan by selecting 36 units of credit (ie. 2 Level 1 and no less than 4 Advanced Level) from the Core Studies Plans of the Bachelor of Arts. This will allow students the flexibility to pursue a study stream that suits their interests whilst enabling them to offer the Plan as one of the required Plans for the Bachelor of Arts. Students must meet the usual pre and co-requisites for these courses. (Please note that the courses must be from the Core Studies Plans in the Bachelor of Arts degree and that the courses selected for this plan may not be selected for any other plan in the BA).

L. Literary & Cultural Studies

The Literary & Cultural Studies Plan provides students with an opportunity to design their own plan by selecting 36 units of credit, usually 6 x 6 units of credit courses (i.e. 2 Level 1 and no less than 4 Advanced Level) from those listed below. Students should note that although Level 1 courses are offered every year, Advanced Level courses are only offered in alternate years. Students should check the Table of Available Courses for details. Students will be able to combine the study of contemporary culture, literature, film and drama according to their needs and/or interests. Students looking for electives rather than a plan will find the most comprehensive selection of elective courses available within the BA. Students are also encouraged to include a research project using the Humanities Research Topics HUMT13007 and/or HUMT13006 as part of their plan.

M. Literary Studies

The Literary Studies plan encourages students to explore the area of literary studies in depth. It also includes sufficient flexibility for students to include areas of their own interest. The plan will be of interest both to those wishing to explore a variety of literatures and to those wishing to be English teachers. Courses are designed to cover both textual analysis and critique and students will be expected to develop their competence in both areas. Students are also encouraged to include a research project using the Humanities Research Topic as part of their plan. Level 1 courses are offered every year, and Advanced Level courses in alternate years. Students should check the Table of Available Courses for details.

N. Methods of Social Research

This plan is an introduction to areas and methods of social research. Students must have successfully completed at least six Level 1 courses before they may enrol in this plan. Students may select:

O. Sociology

Sociology is a critical discipline which sets out to test the common or everyday assumptions about societies, groups and social change.

Students may select from:

+Note: Students who wish to do honours may take either SOCL11056 or SOCL11058, in addition to other courses marked with an asterisk(*).

Studies of Society & Environment

This course is recommended especially for Education students studying in the learning area of Society and Environment. It functions as an introduction to this area, and also as an introduction for those students taking the Society and Environment plan as part of their education programs.

P. Stylistics & Creative Writing

This plan allows students to explore a variety of writing techniques and skills and to acquire substantial practice across a number of written forms. The two level one courses in Stylistics and Creative Writing introduce students to basic skills in research and essay writing. The two advanced level courses in Creative Writing focus on a range of techniques and forms more specific to the creative writing field while the Humanities Research Topic will enable students to take up particular writing interests and projects in a sustained manner.

Q. Text & Cultural Studies

The Text and Cultural Studies plan explores a diversity of cultural forms and practices which contribute to the way of life and identities of people within various social and historical contexts. Through a range of studies of film, media, art, advertising, fictional narrative and genre, the plan encourages students to explore the textuality and practices of culture: their meanings and effects, and the way culture shapes and conditions the outlooks and values of audiences and readers.

R. Welfare Studies

The Welfare Studies plan offers a professional education that focuses on the acquisition of practical and technical knowledge and skills for the human services. The plan also orients participants to the values and ethics of the welfare profession. The Welfare Studies plan enables graduates to become accredited with the Australian Institute of Welfare and Community Workers. To be eligible for professional accreditation with this national organisation you must complete all courses identified in the full plan listed below. The Bachelor of Arts then allows for a great degree of flexibility when choosing complementary plans to suit your career aspirations. The Welfare Studies plan is also available to those who do not wish to become professional welfare practitioners but who wish to integrate it with plans from other helping and allied health professional courses. The plan is also designed to assist people to examine and improve their knowledge of self, interpersonal and group skills.

Entry into WELF19039 Practicum (2 term course is dependent upon the outcome of interviews with the practicum coordinator. The Practicum normally takes place in Summer and Spring Terms. Practicums will be available to students subect to:

1. obtaining an overall credit rating or better in Individual Counselling or Working with Groups;
2. a satisfactory interview with the Practicum Coordinator

Students who wish to study a welfare plan but do not intend to pursue a career in the area are not required to complete WELF19039 Practicum.

*These courses must be studied in sequence, ie. WELF19004 is a prerequisite to WELF19006 (see Table of Course Availability). Except in circumstances where HOS approves an alternative sequence.

Check the details

A recommended study schedule for this program can be obtained from your program administrator. Students may determine their own schedule based upon credit transfers and personal study requirements. It is important to note that full-time students usually enrol in four courses per term and part-time students usually enrol in two courses per term.

Application for credit transfer

Credit transfer will only be granted where a student is able to demonstrate that tertiary studies equivalent in content and depth to the CQU program has been successfully completed. Students should examine the course synopses in this handbook to determine the courses for which they may be eligible to claim exemption. For more information about credit transfer contact the program administrator.

Note: Students must check to see when and where a course is offered before enrolling. See the course availability section in this handbook for details.

Electives

Students may choose to complete the BA entirely from the Core Studies Plans. However, 48 units of credit (8 courses) may be taken from any other program. The following is a list of Elective Plans that have been designed specifically for the BA:

• Accounting
• Animal Diversity
• Communications and Media Studies
• Decision Science
• Economics
• Electronics/Instrumentation
• Geoscience
• Health Promotion
• Human Functioning
• Human Movement
• Human Resources Management Plan
• Information Systems
• Journalism
• Law
• Management
• Marketing
• Mathematics
• Media and Cultural Studies
• Microbiol and Molecular Biology
• Multimedia
• Music Studies
• Occupational Health and Safety
• Plant Diversity
• Professional Communication
• Psychology.

• CQU CRICOS Provider Codes: QLD - 00219C; NSW - 01315F; VIC - 01624D
• This handbook was correct as at: 17-08-2004
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