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Bachelor of Arts CA10

Program at a glance

Program aim

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.

Diploma of Arts

If for some reason a student is unable to complete the full Bachelor of Arts they can exit with a Diploma 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 a Diploma 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, welfare and many more.

Program structure

To graduate with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, students must have completed 24 courses (144 units of credit) as outlined below:

Option A: Core BA

• Students must take all 24 courses including two separate and complete Plans (12 courses or 72 units of credit in total), from the BA Core Studies Plans. This will enable students to take up to four complete plans from the Core Studies Plans or, if they wish, a minimum of two plans, with the remaining Core Studies Electives taken from either the disciplines already studied in the required two Core Studies Plans, or from other Core Studies Plans.

Option B: BA with professional plan

Students must take the following:

• At least 12 courses from the BA Core Studies Plan, which must include two separate and complete Core Studies Plans (12 courses or 72 units of credit in total);

• A Professional Plan from those listed below (36 ucs). See Schedule A.

• Psychology
• Marketing
• Tourism
• Journalism
• Multimedia
• Communication
• Information Technology

• 6 Electives (36ucs) from any undergraduate program within the University (or an additional Professional Plan from above) or, in certain circumstances, from other Universities (cross-institutional studies).

Option C: Elective BA

• Students must take at least 16 courses, including two separate and complete Plans (12 courses or 72 units of credit in total), from the BA Core Studies Plans. The remaining 8 courses (general electives) may be taken from any undergraduate program within the University or, in certain circumstances, from other Universities (cross-institutional studies).

* For Options A, B and C, students must take no more than 10 Level 1 courses out of the 24 courses.

* For Options A, B and C, students must meet the prerequisites and corequisites for each course.

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.

Full-time students

The usual full-time enrolment in the Bachelor of Arts is four courses in Term 1 and four courses in Term 2. Eight courses in total for the year. Beginning students should enrol in Level 1 courses only. Four out of the eight courses must be taken from the Core Studies Plans below.

Part-time students

The usual part-time enrolment in the Bachelor of Arts is two courses in Term 1 and two courses in Term 2. Four courses in total for the year. Beginning students should enrol in Level 1 courses only. At least two courses must be taken from the Core Studies Plans below.

Core studies plans

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

• Aboriginal & Torres Strait Island Studies
• Asia Pacific Studies
• Australian Studies
• Environmental Geography
• Environmental Studies
• Film Studies
• Geography
• History
• Japanese Language
• Liberal Studies
• Literary & Cultural Studies
• Literary Studies
• Methods of Social Research
• Sociology
• Stylistics & Creative Writing
• Text & Cultural Studies
• Welfare Studies

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:

*Students enrolling in these courses are required to have access to a computer with internet and email capabilities. 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.

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:

*Students enrolling in these courses are required to have access to a computer with internet and email capabilities. 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.

D. 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.

E. 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 PCs at CQU campuses, while the Learning Network Queensland can also provide access for distance education students in most parts of the state.

F. 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.

G. 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 PCs at CQU campuses, while the Queensland Learning Network can also provide access for distance education students in most parts of the state.

H. 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:

*Students enrolling in these history courses require access to a computer with internet and email capabilities. CQU student computer labs provide these types of PCs at CQU campuses, while the Queensland Learning Network can also provide access for distance education students in most parts of the state.

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:

J. 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).

K. 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.

L. 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.

M. 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:

*Students enrolling in these courses require access to a computer with internet and email capabilities. CQU student computer labs provide these types of PCs at CQU campuses, while the Queensland Learning Network can also provide access for distance education students in most parts of the state.

N. 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 must take either SOCL11056 or SOCL11058, in addition to other courses marked with an asterisk(*).

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.

*Students enrolling in this course require access to a computer with internet and email capabilities. CQU student computer labs provide these types of PCs at CQU campuses, while the Queensland Learning Network can also provide access for distance education students in most parts of the state.

O. 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.

P. 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.

Q. 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 Term 3. 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.

*Students enrolling in these courses require access to a computer with internet and email capabilities. CQU student computer labs provide these types of PCs at CQU campuses, while the Queensland Learning Network can also provide access for distance education students in most parts of the state.

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.

Schedule A

This Schedule contains details of the Professional Plans listed under Option B for the Bachelor of Arts. The courses and other requirements listed below are based on advice from the Schools responsible for administering these disciplines and may change from year-to-year depending on course availability. Students selecting a professional plan are strongly advised to check these details during each year of their study.

Psychology

The primary purpose of this plan is to provide students with a broad knowledge of the discipline of Psychology and its applications, including plan theoretical perspectives within the discipline. In addition, they will have knowledge of the range of core research areas that make up the scientific discipline of Psychology.

Students who wish to complete an accredited sequence of psychology courses (ie. to be eligible to apply for a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology, a 'fourth' year which is compulsory for eligibility to apply for registration as a psychologist) should in addition to the above six courses also complete an additional six courses as below:

Marketing

The marketing plan provides a comprehensive, integrated program of specialist marketing courses. The program is designed to give graduates added skills in the areas of service marketing and international business.

Students must complete the two Level 1 courses plus four from the list of advanced level marketing:

Tourism

This program prepares graduates for a career in Tourism, which involves transportation, accommodation, food and beverages, entertainment, attractions and any private business or government body which in some way has an impact on these activities.

Journalism

This plan provides vocational skills required for the practice of journalism, such as news gathering and news writing, as well as providing an understanding of the historical and other contexts relevant to the news media.

Multimedia

The multimedia plan provides students with the technical skills and contextual understanding of media needed to design and develop multimedia software applications.

Select MMST11001 Introduction to Multimedia (compulsory), one other Level 1 course, plus four Advanced courses from the following list:

Communication

Professional Communication provides vocational skills relevant to public relations, information management, publishing and other communication careers.

Information Technology

• CQU CRICOS Provider Codes: QLD - 00219C; NSW - 01315F; VIC - 01624D
• This handbook was correct as at: 31 May 2005
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